L  I  E>  R.APCY 

OF   THE 

UN  IVERSITY 

or    ILLINOIS 

911. i^B 


-rr 


HISTOKY 


OF 


MERCER   COUNTY 


TOGETHER   WITH 


BIOGRAPHICAL  MATTER,  STATISTICS,  ETC. 


GATHERED    FROM    MATTER    FURNISHED     BY    THE     MERCER    COUNTY     HISTORICAL 

SOCIETY,    INTERVIEWS    WITH    OLD    SETTLERS,    COUNTY,    TOWNSHIP 

AND    OTHER   RECORDS,   AND    EXTRACTS    FROM    FILES    OF 

PAPERS,  PAMPHLETS,  AND   SUCH  OTHER  SOURCES 

AS    HAVE    BEEN    AVAILABLE. 


CONTAINING   ALSO 


A  SHORT  HISTOBY  OF  HENDERSON  COUNTY. 


CHICAGO: 

H.  H.  HILL  AND    COMPANY,   PUBLISHERS. 

1882. 


Shepard  &  Johnston,  Printebs. 
140,  142,  144,  146  Monroe  St.,  Chicago. 


Si 


LIST  or  PORTRAITS. 


i 
^ 


William  Drury, 
Vashti  Drury, 
J.  M.  Emerson, 
Frederick  Frick, 
B.  C.  Taliaferro,    . 
William  Gayle,  . 
Daniel  Mowry, 
Samuel  Cabeen,    . 
James  Heaton, 
Dennis  Murto, 
Richard  Kiddoo,     . 
James  Vernon, 
John  Glancey, 
Martin  Bear, 
Mrs.  Martin  Bear, 
Jacob  Bear, 
G.  D.  Miller,    . 
George  McPherren, 
Thomas  Candor, 


33 
51 

69 
87 
105 
123 
141 
159 
177 
195 
231 
249 
267 
285 
303 
321 
339 
357 
375 


Dan  W.  Sedwick,     . 
J.  C.  Cabeen, 
S.  P.  Cabeen,     . 
John  Seaton, 
William  Retherford, 
Joseph  Glancey, 
Daniel  Jones, 
J.  W.  Kimel, 
LoRiMER  Johnston, 
Harison  Brown, 
Thomas  Likely, 
John  Lafferty, 
William  Stuart, 
H.  B.  Frazier, 
•  S.  F.  Everett,    . 
Samuel  Clark, 
A.  J.  Streeter, 
A.  P.  Petrie, 


393 
429 
447 
465 
501 
519 
555 
591 
609 
627 
645 
663 
681 
699 
717 
735 
753 
771 


INDEX. 


Abington  Township 512 

Adams,  John  B 740 

Additional  Matter 820 

Aledo,  Merc-er  Connty 539 

Aledo  Pubhc  Schools 564 

"  Aledo  Weekly  Record," 552 

Allen,  John  S ." 204 

Aly ea,  Thomas 99 

Anderson,  Joseph 505 

Ansley,  Dr.  J.  M 738 

A  Scrap  of  Ancient  History 99  , 

Associate  Reformed  Branch,  Suez 

Township 630 

Attig,  Nicholas 510 

Baker,  Dr.  Jacob  Russell 529 

Banking  in  Keithsburg 152 

Bassett,  Isaac  Newton 832 

Bay,  James  E 293 

Bear,  Jacob 293 

Bear,  Martin 287 

Bell,  John 252 

Bell,  John 263 

Bentley,  James  L 604 

Beverlin,  Thomas 293 

Biographical  — 

Abington  Township 515 

Duncan  Township 498 

Eliza  Township 287 

Greene  Township 671 

Keithsburg  Township 118 

Ohio  Grove  Township 444 

Miller>burg  Township 205 

Mercer  Township 583 

New  Boston  Township 72 

North  Henderson  Township  . .  809 

Perryton  Township 324 

Preemption  Township 713 

Richland  Grove  Township.  . . .   737 

Rivoli  Township 763 

Suez  Township 634 

Bishop,  Edwin 289 

Bissell,  Ammi 690 

Black  Hawk  War 23 

Blue,  George  A 813 

Boise,  Milton  S 618 

Boone.  George 248 

Boone,  Hopkins 059 

Boone,  Washington 607 

Bopes,  David 327 

Borutf,  Milton 506 

Boyd,  Joseph  P 251 


Boyd,   Martin 597 

Boyd,  William  C 259 

Bradford,  W.  W 336 

Brady,  John,  Jr 242 

Brain,  William 326 

Bras,  Charles  W Ill 

Branch  t,  Jacob 247 

Braucht,  John 503 

Breckenridge,  Hugh 748 

Breckenridge,  William  C 691 

Brewer,  Louis  AValdo 527 

Bridger,  G.  W 116 

Bridger,  Henry  T 644 

Bridger,  James 742 

Bridgford,  Oliver  A 241 

Bridgford,  W.  A 238 

Brooks,  Isaac 782 

Brown,  Allen  S 811 

Brown,  Benjamin  F 809 

Brown,  Harrison 637 

Brown,  John  H 451 

Brown,  Joshua  H 643 

Bi'own,  Loami 622 

Brown,  Samuel 622 

Brownlee,  David  S 650 

Brownlee,  James  H 648 

Brownlee,  Willium  C' 46] 

Briggs,  William 723 

Bristol,  C.  Beeeher 738 

Bruington,  George 648 

Bruington,  Gus (i43 

Bullock,  John  Y 529 

Burgett,  Frederick  P 1 54 

Business  of  Aledo 548 

Cabeen,  Hon.  Robert  J 525 

Cabeen,  John  W 445 

Cabeen,  Sanuiel 445 

Cabeen,  Samuel  P 444 

Cabeen,  Thomas  B 153 

Cable,  Ricbland  Grove  Township.   737 

Calhoun.  Henry  G 180 

Campbell,  Alexander 2(»2 

Campbell,  Dr.  James  A (ilO 

Campbejl,  INIatthew  S 639 

Campbell,   Robert 647 

Campbells,   The 199 

Cameron,   Peter 725 

Candor,  ("apt.  Daniel  M 3:>4 

Candor,  Josiah 334 

Candor,  Thomas 446 

Cannum,  Mark ()03 


8 


INDEX. 


Carver,  Jesse 720 

Carver,  Redding  L 720 

Castle,  Edward  M 504 

Cemeteries  of  Ohio  Grove  Town- 

f^hip 443 

Cemetery  of  Greene  Township.  -  . .  668 

Cemetery  of  Suez  Township 632 

Chidester, Nelson 745 

Chidester,  Sidney 100 

Childs,  Augustus  B 823 

Chowning,  Dr.  John  P 264 

Church,  Beard 472 

Churches  of  Aledo 575 

Churches  of  Duncan  Township. . . .  495 

Churrhes  of  Millersburg 217 

Chun  hes  of  New  Bo.ston 86 

Churches  of  Rivoli  Township 755 

Clark,  James  G 739 

Clark,  Samuel 737 

Clark,  Sarah 737 

Clarke,  David  Andrew 719 

Clarke,  G.  R 20 

Cofflan.  :\rartin  L 605 

Cole,  William  Anderson 620 

Coleman,  John 780 

Collins,  J.  H 510 

Collins,  William  P 674 

Commissioners'  Record 56 

Cook,  Henrv  C 188 

Cool,  George  M 616 

Cooper,  David  H 329 

Cooper,  Hamlet 329 

Cooper,  Levi 338 

Company  E,  9th  Regiment 701 

Company  A  and  G,  13th  Regiment  788 

Companv  I,  17th  Regiment 730 

Company  C.  26th  Infantry 7^03 

Companv  G,  27th  Regiment 787 

Company  C,  36th  Regiment 729 

Company  A,  37th  Regiment 729 

Company  B,  6oth  Regiment 853 

Company  D,  83d  Regiment 794 

Company  D,  83d  Regiment 854 

Company  G,  124th  Regiment 794 

Company  G,  124th  Regiment 856 

Company  B,  126th  Regiment 795 

Company  B,  126th  Regiment 858 

Company  F,  140th  Regiment 796 

Company  F,  140th  Regiment 859 

Company  C,  11th  Cavalry 859 

Company  H,  11th  Cavalry 860 

Connell,  James  H 833 

Connolly,   William 722 

Conway,  Joseph 721 

Corns,  Warner 344 

Cox.  Richard 744 

Crabs,  George  D 325 

Cramer,  R.  S 112 

Crane,  J.  H 244 

Creighton,  Samuel  M 460 

Crosby,  Edwin  T 680 

Criswell,  Dr.  M 333 

Cummins,  Thomas  S 190 


Cullison,  William  B 778 

Damp,  Michael 341 

David,  Dr.  E.  B 619 

Davison,  D.  A 260 

Deets,  Joseph 819 

Denison  Family 73 

Denison,  Henry  W 92 

Democratic  Press  in  Aledo 554 

Description  of  Mercer  County 31 

Detwiler,  Charlds  W 622 

Detwiler,  Lewis  Cass 621 

Dillev,  John  Webster 620 

Dilley,   William 458 

Dingwell,  John 647 

Discoveries 17 

Ditto,  John  W 522 

Doak,  Daniel  F 174 

Doak,  William 345 

Dool,  John 262 

Dool,  Robert 343 

Doughty,  Lucien  B 613 

Doughty,  Thomas  L 103 

Doughty, T.  H Ill 

Douglass,  Andrew  J 517 

.  Downey,  Joseph  A 259 

Downing,   John 265 

Drury,   Coiirtney 94 

Drury,  Silas 289 

Drury,  William 93 

Dryden,  Gary 252 

Duncan,  Jonathan 454 

Duncan  Township 492 

Dunlap,  Isaac  N 593 

Dunn,   Henry 498 

Dunn,  John 191 

Dunn,  J.  M 336 

Durston,  Charles  F 597 

Durston,  Samuel  L 775 

Durston,  Sidney 774 

Early  Courts 820 

Early  History  of  Richland  Grove 

Township 732 

Early  Settlement  of  Greene  Town- 
ship    656 

Earlv  Settlement  of   Suez  Town- 
ship    623 

Early  Settlements 45 

Eckley,  George 738 

Edgar,  Richard  S 247 

Education  in  Perryton  Township.  •  347 

Edwards,   Nicholas 590 

Egbert,  W.  W 261 

Eighty-fourth  Reg.  111.  Inf 363 

Election  —  Ohio  Grove  Township. .  439 

Eliza  Township 269 

Ellett,  Benjamin  D 172 

Emerson,  Dr.  Edward  Ij  • ' 780 

Emerson,  James  ^l 822 

Emerson,  Oliver  P 175 

Emerson,  William  S 179 

Engle,  Charles 741 

Episcopal  Church 711 

Episodes  —  Greene  Township 665 


INDEX. 


9 


Epperly;  William 499 

Evangelical  Lutheran  Church 734 

Evans,  George  M (541 

Everett.  Samuel  F 719 

Faran  John 2.")5 

Feather,  James 480 

Felix,  M.  F 017 

Felton,  Herchel 234 

Felton,  J.  B 343 

Fender,  Jonas oUO 

Fires  in  Greene  Township 602 

First  Settlers  in  Duncan  Township  493 

Fisk,  H.  W 338 

Flehartv  Family 802 

Fleharty,  Bennett  E 809 

Flehartv,  Govert  S 805 

Fleharty,  H.  C 804 

Flehartv,  J.  Q.  A 804 

Fleharty,  Rev.  J.  J 805 

Flehartv,  S.  F 805 

Flehartv,  Stephen  W 803 

Flehartv,  S.  W,  Wm.  D.,  Mary  A., 

and  William 806 

Fleharty,  William  L 804 

Fleming,   Marshall 116 

Florv,  Moses  K 675 

Forsvth,  Elijah 480 

Foster.   Robert 728 

Frazier,  Jesse  V 071 

Frazier,  Hugh  B 673 

Frazier,  j\Iiss  Amanda  E 354 

Frew,  AVilliam  B 607 

Frick,  Clarence 192 

Frick,   Frederick 510 

Fuller,  Jefferson 234 

Fuller,  William 638 

Garber,   Leonard 507 

Gardner,  John  C 088 

Garrett,  Richard 819 

Garrett,  William  C 775 

Gaunt,  Jonathan 332 

Gayle,  William 128 

Geiger,  John 580 

Geology  of  Greene  Tow^nship 052 

Gilmore,  Edwin 241 

Gilmore  Familv 588 

Gilmore,  J.  G.'. 326 

Gilmore,  J.  M ' 244 

Gilmore,  Joseph  C 511 

Gingles,  James 342 

Gilbert,  John  G 088 

Gillespie,  William  C 090 

Gladman,  William  H 834 

Glancey,  John 292 

Glancev,  Joseph 515 

Glover;  Allen  F 184 

Goding,  Joseph  A 076 

Gore,  George 117 

Gorman,  James 337 

Graham,   James 459 

Gniham,  William  F 639 

Gray,  George 336 

Green  Bower  Nursery 669 


Greene  Township 652 

Greenwood,  Thomas  J ()44 

Greer,  Minerva  A 518 

(iriflin  Brothers'  Tile  Works,  Rich- 
land Grove  Township 734 

GrifHu.  John 695 

Grifhth,  Edward. 233 

Gruwell,  Benjamin  F 174 

(iuffy,  Theodore 340 

Gustin,  Lemuel ■  ■  479 

Guthrie,  Jacob 474 

(luthrie,  Robert 078 

Habits  and  Customs  of  Pioneers.. .  36 

Halstead,  C.  B 327 

Hamilton,  Robert 470 

Hamlet,  Perryton  Township 317 

Hammond,  William 720 

Hardin,  Alvis. 190 

Hardin,  P>enjamin  L 179 

Harison,  W.  II 22 

Harriott,  Van  R 676 

Harroun,  J.  E 570 

Hartman,  Frederick 328 

Harts(m,  John  L 108 

Harvey,  J.  F 230 

Hawkins,  John  J 188 

Heaton,  .tames 185 

Heaton,  William  H 140 

Helwig,  John 203 

Henderson,  William 457 

Henry,  John 525 

Henry,  AVesley 521 

Heriford,  John 467 

Hicks,  Robert 725 

Hindman,  Daniel  T 000 

Historical  Society 60 

History  of  Henderson  County 863 

Hoaeland,  Francis  A 677 

Hoisted,  David  M 193 

Holister,  Lee 325 

Holmes,  Louis  D 615 

Holmes,  William  Henry 000 

Howe,  Lucien  B 240 

Hoye,  Rev.  John  F 021 

Huffman,  Henry 250 

Humbert,  Robert 191 

Humes,  Joseph  H 813 

Humi)hrey,  John  C 192 

Indian  Implements 29 

I.O.O.F.,  Rivoli  Township 701 

Irvin,  Dr.  George 611 

Ives,  Gideon 1 1 1 

Jackson,  Isom 115 

Jackson,  Thomas  J 115 

Jenne,  Lansing  K 20-i 

Jewel,  Zachariah 204 

Johnston,  Dr.  D.  R 015 

Johnston,  John  Y 721 

Johnston,  John  Y 722 

Jol)nston,  Lorimer 035 

Johnston,  M.  H 814 

Johnston,  Peter  W 816 

Jolinston,  Thomas  L 722 


10 


IKDEX. 


Joueri,  Daniel 747 

Jones,  Milton  M o23 

Jones,  Orson 747 

Jordan,  Capt.  John  A 741 

Keithsburi:  Township 118 

KeHogg,  James -^-1 

Kellogu,  James  A 477 

Kellv,  l^otter 724 

Kendall,  A 330 

Kelly,  S.imuel 199 

Kennedy,  Matthew  K <)79 

Kidd<M),".John  S 243 

Kiddoo,  Kiehard 236 

Kiddoo,  William 243 

Kiddoo,  William 233 

Kimel,  Henry 601 

Kinsley.  .Samuel 516 

Kirlin,'Dayid 102 

Kitzmiller,  Frank  E 679 

Knox,  Asa 23o 

Krause,  Jacob 689 

Lafferty,  James  H 649 

Lati'erty,  John 642 

LaffertV,  John  B 639 

Lafferty.  William  A 639 

Lair,  Joseph 605 

Lakes,  Eliza  Township 283 

Lambert,  Francis 288 

Landers.  John  W 521 

Landi'eth,  Lewis 509 

Landreth.  Thomas 251 

Larue,  William  B 824 

L:i  Saile 18 

Lathrop,  LTrban  D ()95 

Latter  Day  Saints, 220 

Leary,  Thomas 680 

Lee,  ( iraham 331 

Lee,  James  M 651 

Leech,  John  Humphries 294 

Lemon,  Francis 614 

Lemon,  W.  R 266 

Leuze,  George 507 

Lewis,  William 109 

Likely,  Thomas ()36 

Little,  Dayid  W 723 

Livingston,  Dayid  H 499 

Lloyd,  Benijah 173 

Lloyd,  James 503 

Looser,  Jacob 110 

Longshore,  James  H 260 

Lorimer,  William  A 594 

Lunbiad,  Joseph  Oscar 606 

Lunn.  Charles  Elsworth 500 

Lutz,  O.  (' 113 

Mack,  Daniel 727 

^laddux,  Thomas 500 

Main,  William  Riley 517 

Manners  and  ( 'ustoins  of  Indians  .     28 

Mannon,  James  M 96 

IMarder,  Michael 506 

Mardock,  Michael 506 

Markec,  Jesse 611 

Marlatt,  Thomas ISO 


Marquette 18 

Marquis,  Samuel 832 

Marrow,  John  A 640 

Marsh,  Mordecai  L 595 

:Marsh.  William  A 253 

Marshall,  Elisha  L 835 

Martin,  Mrs.  Eliza 296 

Mason,  John 292 

Masonic,  Preemption  Township. . .   712 

Masons,  Rivoli  Township 760 

IMauk,  Henry  W 647 

Mauk,  John! 642 

Maxwell,  John  A 777 

Mayhew,  D.  S 508 

McArthur,  Alexander 593 

McBride,  Alexander 477 

McBride,  James 450 

McBride,  John  F 617 

McClannahan,  William  S 692 

MtiClellen,  John 4-55 

McClellen,  Richard  C 643 

McC'lure,  Warren  B 528 

INIcCreight,  John  W 678 

MeCutchan,  Dr.  James  F.  C 651 

McGee,  John 478 

McGinnis,  John  T 242 

McGuflin,  John  G 595 

McHard,  William 346 

Mclntire,  John  B 473 

Mclntire.  Moses 473 

McKee,  .Toseph 604 

McKee,  William 603 

INIcKinney.  John,  Sr 824 

McKinnie,  Dr.  Ebenezer  L 648 

McLaughlin,  James  R 639 

McLaughlin,  John  L 650 

:\IcMullen,  Major.' 746 

INIcPherren,  George 449 

McPherren,  Jesse  W 612 

McWHiorter,  Tyler 618 

Mercer  County  Agricultural  Board.  489 

Mercer  County  Poor  Farm 481 

Mercer  Township 581 

Merritt,  J.  Y 290 

Merryman,  Albert  I) 740 

INIerryman,  Dayid  I) 740 

Merryman,  Henry 739 

Merryman,  Timothy  D 785 

Mertz,  Charles  A .  .'. 200 

Methodist  Ejjiscopal  Church,  Pre- 

emptif)n 709 

jSIethodist  Episcopal  Church,  Suez 

Townshi]) 634 

^lethodist  Episcopal  Chui'ch,  Swe- 

d(  »na. , 734 

Miller,  Abraham 48 

Miller,  G.  D 344 

Miller,  William  M 258 

INIillcrsburg  Township 205 

Milligan.  David 476 

Mills,  Eliza  Township 277 

Moore,  (leorge 288 

M(jore,  Joseph  B .598 


INDEX. 


11 


Montgomery,  John 333 

Morev,  Benjamin  F 691 

Morford,  John  T 81S 

Morgan,  William  P 643 

Morris,  Kdwin 698 

]\Iorris,  George  AV 697 

Morris,  John 698 

Morrow,  James  K 251 

Mowrv,  Daniel 740 

Murray,  William  T 109 

Murto^  Dennis 202 

Natural  Historv 68 

Nelson,  Alfred  W 815 

Nesbitt,  Henry 606 

Nevius,  William  1 452 

New  Boston  Township 72 

Newspapers  of  Keithsburg 137 

Nigger  Ridge,  Greene  Township..  .     ()2 

Noble  Family 183 

Noble,  Daniel 274 

Noble,  D.  F 290 

Noble,  D.  J 95 

Noble,  Ira 296 

Noble,  L.  D 297 

Noble,  Mrs.  Harriet 296 

Noonan,  Timothy 262 

North  Henderson  Township 796 

Odd-Fellows  of  Miller.'sburg 221 

Odd-Fellows,  North  Henderson  .  . .  799 

Ogle,  Jasper 528 

Ogle,  Joseph  D 528 

Ogle,  Lewis  F 527 

Ohio  Grove  Township 424 

O'Learv,  Cornelius 154 

Oliver,"  S.  A 266 

One    Hundred   and  Second  Regi- 
ment   386 

Organizations  in  Greene  Townsliip  665 
Organization  of  Duncan  Township.  497 
Organization  of  Eliza  Township..  .  281 
Organization  of  Greene  Township .  660 
Organization  of  Keithsburg  Town- 
ship    165 

Organization  of  Mercer  Township .     49 
Organization  of  Millersburg  Town- 
ship   227 

Organization  of  Preemption  Town- 
ship    713 

Organization  of  Suez  Township. . .  626 

Orth,  C.  S 11)7 

Ott,  Edward 189 

Otto,  Julius  E 725 

Page,  James 638 

Pardee,  David 17<) 

Park,  Russell 684 

Parker-son,  Robert  C 478 

Parks,  John 475 

Patterson,  Moses 471 

Patterson,  William  T 453 

Pease,  A 649 

Pease,  John  A 649 

Pease,  Josei)h 649 

Pease,  Martin 648 


Pepper,  Hon.  John  C 607 

Pepper,  John  C 834 

Pepi)er,  William 4,56 

Perry  ton  Township 298 

Peterson,  Peter 470 

Petrie,  Cornelius  L 773 

Petrie,  Hon.  Alexander  P 767 

Pickup,  G.  W 266 

Pinkerton,  Albert  M 678 

Pinkerton,  George  W 695 

Pinkerton,  John  C 687 

Pinkerton,  Joseph 686 

Pinkerton,  Wallace  W 693 

Pinkerton,  William  M 683 

Pioneer  Log  Cabin 41 

Pioneer  Settlements  of  Millersburg  207 

Pollock,  Samuel 518 

Postlewait.  Matthew  S 779 

Potter's  Clay  in  Greene  Township  654 

Powlev,  Janies  P 116 

Pratt,  John 97 

Pratt,  John 297 

Prentiss,  S.  V 92 

Prouty,  William  M 102 

Preemption  Townshij) 704 

Presbyterian  Church,  Suez 632 

Public  Improvements,  Keith.sburg.  166 

Qunintance,  James  S 739 

Railroads 62 

Ramsey,  James  H 616 

Randall,  Stephen 113 

Range,  William  1 198 

Ransom,  Asa  W 637 

Rathbun,  Dr.  John  B 781 

Religion  in  Keithsburg 148 

Religious    Meetings,   Eliza  Town- 
ship    284 

Religious,  Ohio  Grove  Township.  .  442 
Republican  Party  in  Mercer  County     (>0 

Retherfcrd,  William '.  509 

Reynolds,  Gov 25 

Reynolds,  J.  Warren 778 

Reynolds,  William  D 188 

Richey,  Cornelius  Springer 828 

Richland  Grove  Township 732 

Riddell,  S.  H 255 

Riggs,  H.  M 238 

Riggs,  William  H 229 

Rivoli  Township 742 

Roads,  Eliza  Township 2S1 

Robb,  Thomas  S 455 

Roberts,  Henry  H 1 00 

Robinson,  George  L.  F 686 

Rosenberry,  Dr.  James  S 742 

Rosenbum,  Andrew  J 777 

Rubert,  John 261 

Russell,  Sanu:el  E ()89 

Rural  Places  in  Eliza  Township.  . .   282 

Sapp,  George  B 203 

Schools  of  Eliza  Township 284 

Schools  of  Greene  Township 667 

Schools  of  Keithsburg 144 

Schools  of  Millersburg 228 


12 


IXDEX. 


Schools  of  New  Boston 85 

Schools  of  Preemption  Township..   713 

Schools  of  Rivoli  Township 749 

Schrader,  August 293 

Scott,  Notley 817 

Scott,  Siunuel 197 

Scudder,  Lyman  H 114 

Seastone,  John 110 

Seat  of  Justice,  Mercer  County. . . .  572 

Seaton,  Duncan 523 

Seaton,  John 459 

Seaton,  John  J 524 

Secret  Societies  of  New  Boston ....     89 

Sedwick,  Dan.  W 634 

Sedwick,  George  W 620 

Sexton,  John  G 774 

Sexton,  Roswell  C 694 

Shafer,  Aaron  P 258 

Sharer,  Cliristian 468 

Shaw,  Clinton 776 

Shearer,  George  A 634 

Shearer,  Nicholas 472 

Sheese,  Samuel 500 

Sherer,  A.  A 254 

Sheriff,  Paul 173 

Sherrard,  David 739 

Shevler,  Dr.  James  H 726 

Shields,  William 291 

Shingledecker,  P.  D 263 

Shroyer,  A.  P " 786 

Signor,  George  H 117 

Simi)son,  William  H 640 

Slocumb,  C^harles  G 203 

Smith,  Alfred  H 337 

Smith,  D.  C.  C 467 

Smith,  George 727 

Smith,   Hugh 194 

Smith,  John  B 693 

Smith,  Lucius  E 698 

Smith,  Nathan  P 784 

Smith,  Stephen 745 

Smith,  Warren  L 697 

Smith,  William  H.  H 477 

Societies  of  Aledo 581 

Societies  of  Keithsburg 155 

Soldiers  of  Eliza  Township 282 

Soldiers'  Monument 837 

Southern,  Charles  W 696 

Speculators,  Eliza  Township 279 

Spicer,  Reuben  H.  Sr 763 

Spicer,  Thomas 638 

Sprowi,  Samuel 475 

Steam  Mill,  (ireene  Township 670 

Steele,  David  A 246 

Stephens,  Prof.  Alex 569 

Stewart,  William  L 644 

St.  JoKeph  Catholic  Church 711 

Stratton,  J.  D 254 

Streeter,  Hon.  Alson  J 769 

Strong,  Luke 616 

Stuart,  William 685 

Suez  PostotHce 626 

Suez  Township 623 


Swafford,  Jacob  H. 99 

Swartwout,  Cornelius 331 

Swezy,  Jerome  A 187 

Talliaferro,  Benjamin  Coleman. . . .  830 

Terrv,  William 696 

Thede,  C.  F 608 

Thirtieth  Regiment 791 

Thornton,  H.  W 235 

Thornton,  J.  D 245 

Thompson,  Benjamin  F 621 

Timber  in  Eliza  Township 282 

Townsley,  Benjamin  F 594 

Townsley's  Tile  and  Brick  Factory  583 

Tracy,  Victoria  CM 783 

Tragedies  in  Keithsburg 162 

Trask,  Andrew 638 

TurnbuU,  Rev.  Thomas  B 617 

Unangst,  Jacob  Wilson 605 

United  Brethren,  Richland 734 

United  Presbyterians,  Suez  Town- 
ship   629 

Valentine,  William 257 

Vance,  James 524 

Vance,  William  R 474 

Vandalsem,  W.  C 335 

Vatcr,  George 503 

Venable,   Joseph 182 

Vernon,  Caleb 505 

Vernon,  James 239 

Vetter,  Michael 328 

Villages  of  Millersburg 211 

Village  of  Swedona 733 

Viola,  Greene  Township 661 

Viola  Vinevard 6()8 

Vdlkel,  Fred 508 

Wade,  Josephus 176 

Wait,  F.  G 330 

Wait,  Meigs 324 

Walter,  George 343 

War  Record  of  Greene  Township. .  670 

Watson,  Abram 746 

Webster,  Hammond 458 

Werts,  George  W 469 

West  End  Creamer}',  Millersburg.  583 

White,  Snowden  K 605 

Whitehall,  Thomas 526 

Whitham,  Kenneth  M 608 

Whiting,  George  W 197 

Whitsitt,  John 715 

Willits,  Dr.  T 97 

Willits,  Isaiah 171 

Willits,  Levi 583 

Willits,  Mary  D 101 

Willits,  Milton  L 96 

Willits,  Mrs.  Sarah  G 527 

Willitt,  Thomas 114 

Wilitts,  Thomas 254 

Willits,  Thomas  T 836 

AVillits,  William  M 523 

Willis,  J.  M 621 

Wilmerton,  William 714 

Wilson,  David 741 

Wilson,  James  McCormick 829 


INDEX, 


13 


Wilson,  William  A 94 

Winchester,  W.  A 526 

Winders,  William 596 

Wirt,  Martin 176 

Wolf,  George  S 823 

Wolfe,  Jacob 181 

Wood,  J.  W 246 

Wood,  W.  A 345 


Woodhams,  T.  G 786 

Woods,  Alexander  M 608 

Wordin,  Charles  C 599 

Wright,  George  A 607 

Wright,  James  C 596 

Wycoff,  J.  P 192 

York,  Charles 240 

Zentmire,  Wilson  P 257 


PREFACE. 


In  presenting  the  history  of  Mercer  County  to  the  public  the  editors 
and  publishers  have  had  in  view  the  preservation  of  certain  valuable 
historical  facts  and  information  which  without  concentrated  effort 
would  not  have  been  obtained,  but,  with  the  passing  away  of  the  old 
pioneers,  the  failure  of  memory,  and  the  loss  of  public  records  and 
private  diaries,  would  soon  have  been  lost.  This  locality  being  com- 
paratively new,  we  flatter  ourselves  that,  with  the  zeal  and  industry 
displayed  by  our  general  and  local  historians,  we  have  succeeded  in 
rescuing  from  the  fading  years  almost  every  scrap  of  history  worthy  of 
preservation.  Doubtless  the  work  is,  in  some  respects,  imperfect ;  we 
do  not  present  it  as  a  model  literary  effort,  but  in  that  which  goes  to 
make  up  a  valuable  book  of  reference  for  the  present  reader  and  future 
historian,  we  assure  our  patrons  that  neither  money  nor  time  has  been 
spared  in  the  accomplishment  of  the  work.  Perhaps  some  errors  will 
be  found.  With  treacherous  memories,  personal,  political  and  sectarian 
prejudices  and  preferences  to  contend  against,  it  would  be  almost  a 
miracle  if  no  mistakes  were  made.  We  hope  that  even  these  defects, 
which  may  be  found  to  exist,  may  be  made  available  in  so  far  as  they 
may  provoke  discussion  and  call  attention  to  corrections  and  additions 
necessary  to  perfect  history. 

In  this  work  we  have  been  greatly  aided  by  the  officers  and  mem- 
bers of  the  Mercer  County  Historical  Society,  and  to  Messrs.  Tyler 
McWhorter,  I.  N.  Bassett,  C.  S.  Richey,  Graham  Leq,  and  John 
Geiger,  we  are  indebted  not  only -for  valuable  advice,  but  for  articles 
on  various  topics  that  cannot  but  prove  interesting  and  acceptable  to 
our  patrons.  Messrs.  L.  B.  Doughty,  C.  E.  Shove,  J.  S.  Fugate,  J.  V. 
Frazier,  R.  H.  Spicer,  Hopkins  Boone,  William  Marsh,  E.  S.  Ricker, 


16  PREFACE. 

Dr.  A.  W.  Hyde,  E.  Mathews,  Miss  Amanda  Frazier,  and  many 
others,  have  placed  Mercer  County  under  lasting  obligations  for 
valuable  matter  rescued  from  the  fading  years. 

The  biographical  department  contains  the  names  and  private 
sketches  of  nearly  every  person  of  importance  in  the  county.  A  few 
persons,  whose  sketches  we  would  be  pleased  to  have  presented,  for 
various  reasons  refused  or  delayed  furnishing  us  with  the  desired 
information,  and  in  this  matter  only  we  feel  that  our  work  is  incom- 
plete. However,  in  most  of  such  cases  we  have  obtained,  in  regard 
to  the  most  important  persons,  some  items,  atid  have  woven  them 
into  the  county  or  township  sketches,  so  that,  as  we  believe,  we  cannot 
be  accused  of  negligence,  partiality  or  prejudice. 


HISTORY   OF 


Mercer  and  Henderson  Counties. 


DISCOVERIES  AND  EXPLORATIONS. 

That  our  readers  mav  have  a  full  understanding  of  the  history  of 
Mercer  and  Henderson  counties,  it  will  be  necessary  to  take  them  back, 
not  merely  to  the  time  of  their  earliest  settlement  by  the  whites,  but  a 
time  far  anterior  to  that.  This  part  of  the  State  of  Illinois  has  at 
different  periods  been  in  the  possession  and  under  the  dominion  of 
various  persons  and  powers,  whose  acts  play  an  important  part  in  the 
history  of  this  section.  Of  course  we  fully  realize  that,  to  the  present 
population,  the  present  history  will  prove  much  more  interesting  than 
that  which  precedes,  but  as  the  foundation  of  the  house  is  much  less 
appreciated  by  the  occupants  and  is  yet  one  of  its  very  important  parts, 
so  that  part  of  history  which  forms  the  basis  for  what  follows  must 
necessarily  be  of  the  utmost  value  as  a  foundation  or  root  on  which  to 
develop  the  complete  work. 

Though  but  a  little  more  than  half  a  century  has  passed  since  the 
soil  of  this  part  of  the  Mississijtj^i  valley  was  occupied  and  cultivated 
by  white  men,  three  times  that  length  of  time  had  elapsed  since  its 
first  discovery.  During  that  150  years  it  was  occupied  by  various 
tribes  of  Indians,  and  was  under  the  dominion  of  several  powerful 
governments,  who  contended  for  its  possession  with  varying  success, 
with  but  little  aj^parent  design  of  occupation  other  than  for  the 
purpose  of  trading  with  the  original  owners,  in  furs  and  such  other 
natural  products  as  they  could  easily  gather,  and  their  simple  and 
indolent  habits  required.  Indeed  the  fur  trade  seems  to  have  been  not 
only  the  chief  object,  but  eventually  to  have  led  to  the  peo])ling  of  the 
country  with  those  who  added  to  the  industiy  of  fur  catching  that  of 
agriculture. 

The  first  white  men  to  visit  Illinois  with  a  view  of  making  extended 
explorations  were  Louis  Joliet  and  Jacques  Marquette,  their  travels  in 
this  state  beginning  in  1673. 

Joliet  was  born  at  Quebec  in  1645,  and  educated  for  a  priest  of  tlie 
2 


18  HISTORY    OF   JbfERCER    AJSTD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES, 

Roman  Catholic  Church,  but  at  the  time  of  which  we  write  had  aban- 
doned his  profession,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-eight  was  engaged  in  the 
fur  trade. 

Father  JNIarquette  was  born  in  France  in  1637.  He  was  also  a 
priest  of  the  same  church  and  of  the  order  of  Jesuits.  It  was  with  a 
view  to  promulgate  the  doctrines  of  Ms  church  that  he  left  comparative 
comfort  in  his  native  country,  crossed  the  Atlantic  and  braved  the 
western  wilderness,  hundreds  of  miles  beyond  the  boundaries  of  civili- 
zation, to  convert  the  Indians  to  the  faith  he  professed,  in  which,  by 
his  kindness,  he  made  many  enduring  friendships. 

These  t^'o  men,  with  their  several  objects  in  view,  set  out  from  the 
Jesuit  Mission  on  the  Sti-ait  of  Mackinaw  with  five  other  French  com- 
panions on  their  journey,  May  17,  1763,  their  objective  point  being  the 
Mississippi  river,  of  which  they  had  but  a  vague  idea.  Coasting  along 
the  northern  shore  of  Lake  Michigan,  they  reached  Green  Bay,  on  the 
west  side  of  the  lake,  and  the  mouth  of  Fox  river,  in  Wisconsin.  Up 
this  river  they  pushed  their  canoes  as  far  as  the  depth  of  the  water 
would  pemiit.  IIa\dng  reached  the  head  waters  of  the  Fox,  it  was  but 
a  few  miles  to  the  waters  of  the  "Wisconsin,  which  flows  thence  into  the 
Mississippi.  Across  this  stretch  of  prairie  they  carried  their  small 
boats  and  scanty  outfits,  and  again  launched  them.  On  the  17th  of 
June,  just  one  month  after  their  embarkation  at  the  Mackinaw,  they 
found  theraseltes  on  the  broad  bosom  of  the  Father  of  Waters  (mean- 
ing of  the  Indian  words  composing  the  name  Mississippi).  Down  the 
river  they  glided  rapidly  and  easily,  touching  frequently  at  difterent 
points  on  either  shore,  and  doubtless  the  soil  of  these  counties  was 
pressed,  for  the  first  time  by  white  men,  by  the  feet  of  Joliet  and  Mar- 
quette and  their  companions.  On  landing  at  one  place  their  journal 
shows  that  they  went  ashore  and  remained  several  days  with  the 
natives.  This  could  not  have  been  far  from  this  part  of  the  river's 
course  —  probably  near  Rock  Island  on  the  west  side.  They  were 
treated  kindly  by  the  Indians,  and  given  all  the  supplies  at  their  dis- 
posal for  the  further  prosecution  of  their  explorations.  They  continued 
tlieir  course  imtil  they  came  near  the  mouth  of  the  Arkansas  river, 
where,  finding  Indians  who  showed  some  signs  of  hostility,  they 
deemed  it  expedient  to  return.  They  now  entered  the  mouth  of  the 
Illinois  river,  up  which  they  toiled  to  Lake  Michigan,  whose  western 
shore  they  followed  to  Green  Bay,  where  they  arrived  the  latter  part  of 
September.  In  this  journey  they  had  spent  about  four  months  and 
traveled  nearly  3,000  miles.  Joliet  had  accomplished  his  purpose  of 
discovering  a  route  to  the  great  water  thoroughfares  and  opening  up 
friendly  relations  with  the  inhabitants  along  their  shores,  and  Father 


DISCOVERIES   AND   EXPLORATIONS.  19 

Marquette  had  made  known  the  gospel  to  those  with  whom  his  brief 
visits  brought  him  in  contact. 

The  formal  occupation  of  the  Mississippi  and  Illinois  valleys  was. 
accomplished  in  IBS**,  in  the  name  of  the  French,  by  Robert  La  Salle, 
who  came,  with  about  thirty  followers,  for  the  i)urpose  of  building  forts 
on  the  Illinois  river  at  different  points,  and  establishing  trading  points 
with  the  natives  in  the  name  and  for  the  benefit  of  the  French  govern- 
ment, which  he  represented.  Even  at  this  early  date  the  English  and 
French  were  disputing  the  rights  of  each  other  to  the  trade  of  these 
valleys,  and  this  expedition  was  watched  with  suspicious  eyes  by  the 
former.  Not  only  so,  but  the  enterprise  which  bid  fair  to  be  popular 
and  profitable  was  jealously  viewed  by  the  order  of  Jesuits,  who  had 
been  excluded  from  it,  and  their  rivals  of  the  Recollet  order  selected 
as  spiritual  counsel  and  companions.  Of  the  last  was  father  Hennepin, 
after  whom,  150  years  later,  was  named  a  town  on  the  Illinois  river. 
OwiTig  to  these,  and  unfaithful  members  of  the  expedition,  ti'eacherous 
guides  and  hostile  Indians,  with  many  unforseen  mishaps,  the  story  of 
La  Salle's  travels  sounds  more  like  fiction  than  truth.  Often,  almost 
alone,  he  traveled  for  many  days  through  the  wilderness  in  the  dead  of 
winter  and  almost  without  a  mouthful  of  food.  His  forts  and  trading 
posts  were  built  and  destroyed  and  rebuilt  by  turns,  until  at  last,  having 
formally  taken  possession  of  the  country  and  traversed  the  Illinois 
river  from  Lake  Michigan,  the  Kankakee  to  its  junction  therewith,  and 
the  Mississippi  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  he  was  basely  assassinated  by 
his  own  followers  in  January,  1687.  In  taking  possession  of  the 
country  he  gave  it  the  name  of  his  reigning  monarch  and  called  it 
Louisiana,  so  that  what  is  now  Mercer  and  Henderson  counties  and 
Illinois  was  once  called  by  that  name. 

Very  much  that  would  be  interesting  to  the  general  reader  concern- 
ing La  Salle's  voyages  must  necessarily  be  omitted,  as  our  work  has 
not  so  much  to  do  with  the  State  of  Illinois  and  the  great  water-courses 
explored  by  him  as  with  the  locality  under  immediate  consideration. 
Father  Llennejnn,  whose  name  has  already  been  mentioned,  made  by 
La  Salle's  order  an  excursion  from  the  mouth  of  the  Illinois  up  the 
Mississippi  as  far  as  the  Falls  of  St.  Anthony,  and  may  have  touched 
at  points  bordering  on  this  section.  Henry  Tonti,  one  of  La  Salle's 
companions,  figures  largely  in  the  early  explorations  of  this  part  of  the 
country.  He  spent  over  twenty  years  in  establishing  posts  and  build- 
ing fortifications  for  their  protection.  Under  his  command  was  all  of 
the  territory  from  the  Allegheny  to  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  from  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico  as  far  north  as  imagination  could  carry. 

Although  the  French  had,  as  noted,  taken  possession  of  this  large 


20  HISTORY   OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

tract  of  country,  it  was  not  an  undisijuted  occupation.  The  English, 
having  settled  the  Atlantic  coast,  were  gradually  pushing  their  settle- 
ments toward  the  west,  and  finding  the  fur  trade  a  profitable  soui-ee  of 
revenue  to  individual  enterprise  and  also  to  the  government,  disputed 
with  the  French  who  inhabited  the  shores  of  the  great  lakes,  the  right 
to  the  monopoly.  To  cany  out  then-  plans  it  became  necessary  for 
either  to  enlist  the  Indians  in  their  schemes,  as  from  them  they  were 
to  derive  their  profit.  Accordingly,  the  natives  of  the  Alleghenies  and 
the  Ohio  valle}'  were  naturally  arrayed  against  each  other  and  many 
and  bloody  wars  were  the  consequence.  In  the  mother  countries  the 
French  and  English  were  engaged  from  time  to  time  in  combat,  which 
naturally  extended  to  the  colonies  of  America,  and  thus  were  the  strug- 
gles for  the  fur  trade,  which  might  otherwise  have  been  confined  to 
active  comj^etition,  transformed  into  long-continued  and  bloody  conflict. 
These  wars  in  history  are  termed  the  French  and  Indian  wars,  and 
lasted  for  a  period  of  more  than  fifty  years.  At  last,  in  1763,  at  a 
ti'eaty  between  these  nations,  all  that  portion  of  the  Mississippi  valley 
east  of  the  river  was  ceded  to  England,  and  thus  for  a  time,  imtil  the 
war  of  the  revolution,  this  section  of  country  remained  a  province  of 
Oreat  Britain. 

The  great  struggle  of  the  colonists,  commencing  in  1775  and  ending 
with  then-  independence  in  1783,  though  mostly  confined  to  the  shores 
of  the  Atlantic  were  not  wholly  so,  for  while  a  fierce  conflict  was  going 
on  at  the  east,  the  valleys  of  the  Mississippi,  Wabash  and  Ohio  were 
receiving  some  attention  from  both  the  English  and  Americans.  At 
the  beginning  of  that  war  the  whole  northwest  was  in  the  possession 
of  the  British. 

Tlie  brilliant  achievements  which  wTested  these  beautiful  valleys 
from  English  rule  were  brought  about  by  Gen.  George  Rogers  Clarke, 
of  Virginia.  He  well  understood  the  relations  existing  between  the 
Indians  and  the  mother  country,  and  though  the  natives  had  been 
stirred  up  to  jealousy  by  the  rapid  encroachments  of  white  settlers  upon 
their  domain,  he  wisely  judged  that  if  the  British  posts  and  forts  could 
be  wrested  from  them,  the  subjugation  of  the  Indians  would  be  a  com- 
jjaratively  easy  matter.  Accordingly  he  applied  to  the  authorities  of 
Virginia  for  men  and  means  for  the  accomplishing  of  the  enterprise,  and 
though  they  could  at  that  time  ill  be  spared,  they  were  granted,  and 
Clarke  set  out  upon  the  undertaking.  Though  many  hardships  conse- 
quent upon  hunger  and  fatigue  had  to  be  endured,  the  whole  line  of  forts, 
including  Kaskaskia,  Cahokia  and  Vincennes,  was  taken  with  scarcely 
a  show  of  resistance,  the  inhabitants  of  the  posts  aj^jjarently  being 
desu-ous  of  coming  under  the  new  government.     In  February,  1777, 


DISCOVERIKS   AND    EXPLORATIONS.  21 

Yincennes  was  taken,  and  tlins  hostilities  for  this  region,  not  only 
between  tlie  Americans  and  English,  but  for  the  time  being  between 
the  Americans  and  Indians  were  terminated,  and  the  possession  of  the 
northwest  made  secure.  But  for  these  brilliant  strokes  of  Gen.  Clarke 
it  is  hard  to  conceive  what  would  have  been  the  history  of  this  part  of 
the  country.  Possibly  a  union  of  all  the  tribes  from  Maine  to  Florida 
might  have  been  effected,  which  in  conjunction  with  foreign  foes, 
though  then  somewhat  discouraged,  would  have  retained  jDOSsession  of 
the  whole  Mississipi)i  valley  even  to  this  time. 

The  close  of  the  war  of  independence  left  this  portion  of  the 
coimtry  under  the  government  of  the  United  States,  and  as  a  part  of 
Virginia.  In  1778,  the  legislature  of  Virginia  formed,  from  the  ter- 
ritory under  that  dominion,  all  of  the  country  now  embraced  in  the 
states  of  Ohio,  Indiana,  Illinois,  AVisconsin  and  Michigan,  the  county 
of  Illinois,  so  that  what  is  now  embraced  in  Mercer  and  Henderson 
counties  was  once  a  part  of  Virginia.  Illinois  continued  a  part  of 
Virginia  until  March  1,  1784,  when  that  state  ceded  it  with  all  other 
territory  north  of  the  Ohio  river  to  the  United  States. 

In  1787,  the  whole  country  under  consideration  was,  by  an  ordinance 
passed  by  the  government,  set  apart  and  named  the  Northwestern  Ter- 
ritorv.  After  a  while  the  terntory  was  divided  into  smaller  territories, 
and  what  is  now  the  state  of  Illinois  fell  into  that  portion  called 
Indiana  Territory  as  one  of  its  counties,  with  its  old  name  of  1778 — 
Illinois  county. 

In  1809,  the  country  now  known  as  Illinois  and  Wisconsin  was 
erected  into  a  separate  territory  with  the  name  of  Illinois  Territory. 
The  population  of  this  vast  region  was  then  only  about  half  that  of 
Mercer  and  somewhat  less  than  Henderson  county,  being  all  told 
9,000.  Many  of  the  oldest  citizens  of  this  region,  but  then  residents 
of  other  states,  doubtless  remember,  if  not  the  event  itself,  many 
incidents  of  as  early  a  date.  Now  there  are  102  counties  in  the  State 
of  Illinois,  few  of  which  contain  a  smaller  population  than  did  both 
these  great  states  only  seventy-iive  years  ago,  one  of  which  has  residing 
within  its  limits  a  population  sixty  times  as  great.  At  the  time  of 
which  we  write,  the  territory  was  divided  into  two  counties — St.  Clair 
and  Randolph. 

Though  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi  was  a  part  of  the  United 
States,^  and  though  it  belonged  to  the  government,  it  was  occupied 
almost  exclusively  by  the  Indians,  and  they  claimed  it  as  their  rightful 
possession  in  which  to  live  and  derive  support,  not  from  the  culti\'ation 
of  its  soil,  but  from  its  natural  products.  In  1801  William  Ilemy 
Harrison,  authorized  by  the  general  government,  made  a  treaty  with 


90 


HISTORY    OF   ^tERCER    AND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 


the  chiefs  and  head  men  of  the  Sac  and  Fox  nations  who  were  then  the 
occupants  of  all  this  region,  whereby  all  the  country  on  both  sides  of 
the  Mississippi  and  including  all  the  country  west  of  the  Illinois,  was 
given  up  to  the  government  for  purposes  of  settlement  by  the  wliites. 
Out  of  this  treatv,  a  number  of  years  later,  gi-ew  what  is  known  as  the 
Black  Hawk  wai-. 


GENERAL    HARRISON. 

In  1816  all  that  portion  of  the  state  between  the  Mississippi  and 
Illinois  rivers,  and  extending  from  the  mouth  of  the  latter  about  170 
miles  north,  and  including  the  counties  of  which  we  now  wi'ite,  was 
surveyed  by  the  government  and  subsequently  set  apart  as  bounties  to 
soldiers  of  the  regular  anny  who  had  served  in  the  war  with  Great 
Britain,  and  which  had  just  preceded  the  date  just  given.  The  whole 
tract  contained  207  entire  townships  and  several  fractions.  These  land 
grants  or  bounties  became  a  kind  of  currency  in  this  part  of  the  coun- 
try, and  were  used  not  only  by  actual  settlers  in  making  homes  for 
themselves,  but  large  numbers  were  bought  by  speculators  for  a  trifling 
part  of  their  face  value.  From  misunderstandings  as  to  their  real 
value  and  of  their  validity,  many  claims  were  put  in  jeopardy,  and 
much  litigation  in  regard  to  the  land  titles  in  the  parts  of  the  counties 
•embraced  by  the  military  tract  have  been  the  result.  "Wlioever  has 
held  successfully  a  disputed  title  in  the  Bounty  lands,  from  bitter  expe- 
rience has  learaed  the  history  of  these  land  schemes  and  speculations 
better  than  any  but  the  attorneys  engaged  in  unravelling  them  can 
know  or  cai*e  to  learn. 


BLACK   HAWK   WAR.  23 

In  1818  the  territory  now  embraced  in  Illinois  became  a  separate 
organization  and  was  admitted  into  the  Union  as  a  State.  As  yet  but 
fifteen  counties  had  been  formed  in  the  state  and  all  of  these  in  the 
southern  part.  None  had  been  formed  in  the  military  tract,  nor 
indeed  was  there  much  necessity  for  such  organizations,  as  there  was 
scarcely  a  lamily  permanently  established.  However,  a  few  years 
later,  Pike  county,  embracing  all  of  the  wilderness  of  Warren,  Mercer, 
Henderson  and  a  number  of  other  counties,  was  organized. 

From  and  after  the  Black  Hawk  war,  settlements  were  quite  rapid 

west  of  the  Illinois  river,  and  new  counties  were  accordingly  as  rapidly 

authorized.     The  army  which  went  forward  to  suppress  the  uprising  of 

the  Indians  under  that  chief  in  1832  had  much  to  do  in  settling  the 

section  between  the  mouth  of  the  Illinois  and  Eock  Island.     It  was 

then  discovered  by  many  of  the  soldiery  that  the  warden  of  Illinois  lay 

along  that  line  of  march.     Many  of  them  profited  by  their  experience 

by  themselves    selecting  homes  in   the  section  under  consideration. 

Information  sent  by  others  to  friends  in  the  east  and  south  brought 

many  more,  so  that  in  1825  the  county  of  Warren,  embracing  all  ot 

the  territory  now  included  in  Warren  and  Henderson,  and  Mercer  with 

its  present  limits,  were  formed  and  attached  to  Peoria  for  })olitical  i)ur- 

poses.     Subsequently,  Warren  county  was  organized  and  Mercer  was 

attached  to  Warren  for  a  few  years.     In  1835  Mercer  was  organized, 

and  in  1841  Henderson  with  its  present  limits  was  cut  oft'  fi'om  the 

west  side  of  Warren  and  immediately  organized.     This  then  brings  us 

to  the  consideration  of  the  several  counties  as  separate  organizations, 

and  as  such  we  shall  refer  to   them  as  separate  items  of  historical 

interest. 

BLACK  HAWK  AVAR. 

Tliough  this  was  not  the  battle-field  of  the  Indian  troubles,  yet  its 
proximity  to  the  scenes  of  the  stniggle  makes  the  Black  Hawk  war  a 
peculiarly  interesting  topic  for  consideration ;  indeed  this  petition  of 
the  valley  of  the  Mississippi  was  the  home  of  the  Indian.  On  its 
banks  and  those  of  the  Edwards,  Pope  and  Henderson  rivers,  and  the 
smaller  streams  of  the  two  counties,  he  built  his  wigwam,  hunted  game 
and  fished  in  theu-  waters.  Tlds  country  was  dear  to  him  and  for  it, 
though  not  in  it,  he  made  his  last  desperate  struggle. 

The  rich  mines  of  lead  at  and  in  the  \'icinity  of  Galena  had  for 
some  time  been  worked.  That  section,  about  fifteen  miles  square,  had 
been  bought  by  the  government  in  1804,  and  its  occupation  by  the 
whites  had  been  the  source  of  some  ill-feeling  on  the  part  of  the 
Indians,  which  was  resented  by  the  whites.  In  1825  or  thereabouts 
real  trouble  be£:an  to  show  itself  and  confiicts  between  the  two  races 


24  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

were  common.  At  this  time  the  number  of  miners  had  increased  to 
more  than  1,500  and  they  were  not  always  careful  to  avoid  crossing- 
the  Indian  claims,  nor  were  they  always  particular  about  holding  sacred 
the  rights  of  Indians  to  their  property,  or  of  shooting  their  game  or 
stealing  their  ponies,  and  it  finally  came  about  that  an  Indian's  scalp 
was  considered  as  much  of  a  trophy  as  was  a  white  man's  to  an 
Indian. 

These  gi-owing  animosities  hnally  culminated  in  an  attack  by  the 
"Winnebago  Indians  on  the  30th  of  July,  1827,  on  two  keel-boats  which 
were  passing  up  the  Mississippi  river  with  supplies  for  Fort  Snelling. 
Several  of  the  crew  were  killed  and  others  wounded.  The  state  gov- 
ernment being  apprised  of  the  outbreak  ordered  forward,  to  the  tlireat- 
ened  portion  of  the  state,  military  to  quell  the  hostiles.  The  whole 
countiy  roundabout  was  in  confusion  and  alarm,  and  settlers, 
throughout  the  northern  part  of  the  state  fled  to  distant  points  where 
had  been  erected  fortifications  for  safety.  At  Galena  3,000  people, 
men  women  and  children  from  the  surrounding  country  were  gathered 
for  protection.  Several  hundred  men  at  Galena  were  armed  and 
equipped,  and  in  Sangamon  and  Morgan  counties  a  regiment  was 
foraied  and  sent  foi*ward,  but  before  they  arrived  the  Indians  had  been 
driven  far  north  and  some  of  the  leaders  captured. 

Hardly  had  the  excitement  occasioned  by  this  outbreak  died  out, 
however,  until  trouble  began  with  the  Sac  and  Fox  tribes.  Tlie  leaders, 
and  chiefs  of  these  were  Keokuk  and  Black  Hawk,  whose  names  have 
been  perpetuated  in  different  localities  in  this  vicinity  by  places  which 
bear  their  names.  These  men  were  not  friends  ;  had  they  been,  the 
war  which  was  soon  to  follow  might  have  been  a  much  more  serious 
affair  than  it  proved.  Keokuk  was  loyal  to  the  government  and  con- 
trolled much  the  larger  portion  of  the  people,  though  they  were  anx- 
ious for  war,  and  in  accordance  with  the  stipulations  of  a  preceding 
treaty  he  with  a  majority  of  the  two  tribes  remained  on  the  west  side 
of  the  Mississippi  river.  Black  Hawk,  however,  claiming  that  the 
treaty  alluded  to  was  void,  crossed  the  river  with  300  warriors  in  the 
spring  of  1831  with  a  view  of  occupying  his  former  home  near  where 
the  city  of  Kock  Island  now  stands.  Here  had  these  people  lived  for 
more  than  a  hundred  years  and  this  was  the  principal  town  of  the  Sac 
nation.  According  to  one  provision  of  the  treaty  the  Indians  had  a. 
right  to  occupy  the  lands  until  wanted  by  the  government  for  actual 
settlement,  and  though  the  Indians  had  been  ordered  to  vacate  them 
no  actual  settlers  were  very  near — in  all  of  Mercer  and  Henderson 
counties  perhaps  not  more  than  five  or  six  families,  and  in  the  whole 
county  of  Rock  Island  not  one.     However,  in  those  times  people  liv- 


BLACK   HAWK   WAK.  25 

ing  witliin  forty  miles  of  each  other  were  neighbors,  and  the  two  races 
could  not  well  exist  within  twice  the  distance  without  encroaching  on 
each  other.  Doubtless  both  parties  were  much  to  blame  in  bringing 
about  this  final  conilict,  and  doubtless  both  were  anxious  that  the  iinal 
test  should  be  made.  It  is  not  our  province  to  discuss  causes  or 
details,  but  simply  relate  facts  that  seem  to  have  a  close  connection 
with  the  territory  whose  history  we  set  out  to  write. 

On  the  30th  of  April,  1831,  a  petition  signed  by  forty  persons  was 
sent  to  the  executive  of  Illinois  representing  that  the  Indians  had  done 
much  damage  to  their  property,  and  that  their  lives  and  homes  were 
in  constant  danger.  John  Reynolds  was  then  Governor  of  Illinois  and 
believing  from  this  petition  and  other  information  received,  that 
Black  Hawk  was  determined  to  retain  possession  of  the  dis- 
puted territory  to  the  detriment  of  tlie  state,  resolved  to  ex-pel 
him.  He  accordingly  made  a  call  for  volunteers.  In  a  vdry 
short  time  700  militia  were  assembled  at  Beardstown  on  the 
Illinois  river  ready  to  take  up  the  line  of  march  toward  the  camp  of 
Black  Hawk.  Before  moving,  however,  Gen.  Gaines,  who  was  then 
stationed  at  St.  Louis,  passed  up  the  river  to  Rock  Island  in  command 
of  a  regiment  of  United  States  troops,  with  the  hope  of  returning  the 
Indians  to  the  west  side  of  the  river  without  the  necessity  of  calling 
upon  the  militia.  The  Indians  were  obstinate  and  refused  to  move, 
and  according  to  previous  arrangement  the  volunteers  from  Beards- 
town  were  advised  to  go  forward,  which  they  did  with  much  enthu- 
siasm, their  numbers  having  in  the  meantime  been  swelled  to  twice 
the  original  call. 

The  brigade  was  accompanied  by  Governor  Reynolds  ;  and  Joseph 
Duncan,  whose  name  appears  on  the  records  of  Mercer  and  Henderson 
as  a  large  land-holder  in  the  early  times  of  this  section,  was  appointed 
brigadier-general.  On  the  loth  of  June,  this,  the  largest  body  of 
military  that  had  ever  been  seen  in  the  state,  left  their  encampment  at 
Rushville,  just  west  of  the  Illinois  river,  and  marched  to  within  a  few 
miles  of  the  Sac  village.  This  line  of  march  took  them  directly 
through  the  centi'al  part  of  Mercer  county,  and  the  exact  route  is  still 
known  and  pointed  out,  it  being  on  the  old  Indian  trail  (which  was 
nearly  on  the  Henderson  and  Warren  county  line)  and  extending 
through  Mercer  county  northward  between  Aledo  and  Joy.  When  the 
Indians  found  that  the  government  and  state  were  in  earnest,  and  that 
they  were  nearly  surrounded  with  bristling  bayonets  and  cannon,  and 
were  about  to  be  cut  off,  they  took  the  alarm,  and  the  night  before  the 
intended  attack  escaped  to  the  west  side  of  the  river.  Doubtless  their 
retreat  was  known  and  could  have  been  cut  off,  but  Gen.  Gaines  was 


"26  HISTORY    OF   >rERCER    AXD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

anxious  that  the  aftair  should  end  without  bloodshed.  The  soldiery 
were  somewhat  disai)pointed,  and  in  a  spirit  of  revenge  burned  their 
town,  though  the  wigwams  and  cabins  were  needed  to  i)roteet  them- 
.selves  from  the  rain  which  was  falling  incessantly. 

Thus  bloodlessly  terminated  the  campaign,  but  the  war  was  not  yet 
at  an  end.  Black  Hawk  had  promised  to  submit  to  the  government  of 
the  country  and  to  the  counsel  of  the  friendly  chiefs,  but  he  still  had 
the  defiant  \vi\\  which  ere  long  must  needs  break  out  in  the  act  which 
did  not  terminate  so  favorably  to  him  and  his  braves.  During  the  fol- 
lowing winter  he  was  busy  inciting  the  Indians  to  hostility,  and  by 
spring  had  succeeded  in  raising  a  force  of  500.  His  headquarters 
were  at  the  site  of  old  Fort  Madison,  just  on  the  west  side  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi. From  thence  they  proceeded  up  the  river  on  horses,  the 
women  and  childi'en  in  canoes,  to  a  point  just  opposite  the  present 
town  of  Oquawka.  Here  they  were  met  by  White  Cloud,  the  prophet, 
who,  at  a  council  held  at  the  place  named,  advised  them  to  go  torward 
and  cross  the  river,  and  that  numerous  other  tribes  would  surely  join 
them  in  a  war  against  the  whites.  Accordingly  the  Indians  crossed 
the  Mississippi  at  Rock  Island  and  ascended  the  Rock  river  to  the 
■country  still  occupied  by  the  Winnebagos,  near  its  source.  Couriers 
were  sent  to  warn  them  to  return,  but  with  no  effect.  The  attitude  of 
Black  Hawk  looked  so  alarming  that  the  settlers  of  the  whole  of  the 
north  half  of  the  state  fled  precipitately  to  the  southern  j^art  and  to 
the  more  thickly  settled  jjortions  of  Indiana. 

Governor  Reynolds  at  once  called  for  volunteers  to  meet  at  Beards- 
to^vn.  About  2,000  men  assembled  upon  this  call,  and  on  the  27th  of 
April  the  army  started  on  their  march  to  Oquawka,  whei'e  they  were 
joined  by  two  companies  from  Shelby  county.  Here  the  army 
encamped  for  several  days  awaiting  supplies  and  provisions,  which 
were  furnished  them  from  Rock  Island  and  St.  Louis.  As  soon  as 
they  could  be  supplied,  baggage  wagons  were  loaded  and  all  was  got 
in  readiness  for  a  march  to  Dixon,  where  they  had  been  informed  the 
■enemy  was  encamped.  When  the  army  was  ready  to  start  a  letter 
was  brought  from  Gen.  Atkinson,  who  commanded  several  com})anies 
■of  the  regular  army  at  Fort  Armstrong,  that  Black  Hawk  had 
descended  the  Rock  river,  and  requesting  tlie  governor  to  march 
immediately  with  troops  to  Fort  Armstrong.  The  army  was  then  put 
in  motion  and  moved  to  the  mouth  of  Rock  river,  where  they  were 
received  into  the  service  of  the  United  States,  and  Gen.  Atkinson 
.assumed  command. 

The  volunteers  now  took  up  their  course  along  Rock  river  toward 
Dixon,  where  they  were  joined  a  few  days  later  by  Gen.  Atkinson  and 


BLACK   HAWK   WAR.  27 

tlie  regulars.  From  this  point  ]\rajors  Stillman  and  ]*>aik'v  liad  been 
detailed  to  protect  the  pioneer  border,  and  having  as  yet  seen  l;ut  little 
service  they  were  anxious  to  go  farther  up  the  river  to  reconnoitre. 
Accordingly  orders  were  given  to  proceed  up  the  river  for  this  purpose, 
and  with  nearly  300  men  tliey  advanced  about  thirty  miles,  where  they 
captured  a  few  Indians  and  pursued  some  others,  who  had  tied,  into 
the  very  ambush  of  Black  Hawk,  who  with  only  about  forty  warriors 
put  them  to  flight  and  killed  several  of  them.  The  retreat  was  as 
inglorious  as  it  was  confusing ;  ammunition,  food,  horses  and  wagons 
were  left  in  the  precipitate  flight,  and  the  fugitives  did  not  stop 
running  until  they  arrived  at  Dixon,  in  squads  of  from  two  or  three  to 
a  dozen. 

The  war  was  now  fully  inaugurated,  and  the  next  day  the  army 
started  for  the  fleld  of  action.  They  found  the  ground  strewn  with 
their  comrades  in  a  horribly  mutilated  condition,  with  heads  and  limbs 
sundered  from  the  bodies  and  hearts  plucked  out.  The  fragments  were 
gathered  together  and  buried  in  one  common  grave  on  the  sjjot.  The 
Indians  had  fled,  well  knomng  that  the  fury  of  the  whites  would  be 
fully  aroused  upon  the  discovery  of  the  atrocious  deeds. 

The  Govermnent  now  sent  Gen.  Scott  with  1,000  United  States 
troops  to  superintend  operations  in  the  future  campaigns.  New  levies 
of  troops  were  made  and  sent  forward  by  the  State.  On  the  6th  of 
June  Black  Hawk  made  an  attack  with  about  150  warriors  on  the  fort 
at  Apple  river,  near  (xalena.  There  were  only  twenty-five  men  in  the 
fort,  but  they  defended  it  witli  desperation  for  fifteen  hours,  and  the 
Indians  were  finally  compelled  to  retire,  the  only  damage  sustained 
being  the  loss  of  one  man,  the  burning  of  the  houses  of  the  village, 
and  the  destruction  of  other  property. 

Other  conflicts  followed  rapidly  in  succession  between  bands  of 
Indians  and  detachments  of  American  troops,  but  as  the  engagements 
did  nf>t  occur  in  the  vicinity  of  the  counties  of  which  we  wi'ite,  we  shall 
but  mention  them.  The  battle  at  Kellogg's  Grove,  and  other  conflicts 
in  the  northern  portion  of  Illinois  and  the  southern  part  of  Wisconsin 
occurred  during  the  months  of  June  and  July. 

At  last,  about  the  first  of  August,  the  Indians  were  completely 
hemmed  in  at  a  point  on  the  Mississippi  called  Bad  Axe,  where  they 
were  driven  into  the  river,  many  being  killed  and  many  others  being 
drowned  in  the  attempt  to  gain  the  opposite  shore.  The  loss  of  the 
Indians  was  not  far  short  of  300,  and  near  100  more  were  wounded  and 
taken  prisoners.  The  war  \'irtually  ended  with  the  battle  of  Bad  Axe, 
-and  the  further  pursuit  of  the  hostiles  was  not  deemed  necessary. 

Many  of  the  names  of  those  engaged  in  the  war,  such  as  Anderson, 
Turney,  Ewing,  Breese,  Dement,  Ford,  Duncan,  Dodge  and  Lincoln, 


28  HISTORY    OF   >rERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COrNTIES. 

afterward  became  noted  in  the  history  of  the  state  and  of  the  nation. 
Among  the  many  who  distinguished  themselves,  none  made  a  more 
brilliant  record  than  did  Gen.  James  D.  Henry,  of  Springfield,  after 
whom  has  been  named  an  adjoining  county. 

A  few  weeks  subsequent  to  the  battle  of  Bad  Axe,  Black  Hawk  and 
the  Prophet  were  captured  by  some  friendly  Indians  and  turned  over 
to  the  United  States  authorities.  They  were  held  in  custody  for  about 
one  year,  when  they  were  set  at  liberty ;  subsequently  Black  Hawk 
settled  dowTi  in  Lee  county,  Iowa,  for  a  short  period,  and  then  moved 
to  the  vicinity  of  the  Des  Moines,  twenty  miles  above  its  mouth.  In 
1838  he  contracted  a  disease  which  ended  his  life  when  he  had 
attained  the  age  of  seventy-two  years.  Abraham  Miller,  formerly  a 
resident  of  Mercer  county,  says,  in  a  letter  to  the  Historical  Society  of 
Mercer  county,  that  he  frequently  saw  Black  Hawk  after  his  expulsion 
from  this  section,  in  the  neighborhood  of  New  Boston,  where,  Mr. 
Miller  says.  Black  Hawk's  daughter  lies  buried.  Quite  a  number  of 
citizens  of  Mercer  and  Henderson  counties  yet  survive  who  were  per- 
sonally acquainted  with  this  great  chief,  notably  amongst  whom  is 
Colonel  Patterson  of  Oquawka,  whose  intimacy  with  him  and  his  his- 
tory we  shall  notice  at  length  on  a  subsequent  page. 

MANNERS  AND  CUSTOMS  OF  THE  INDIANS. 

The  Indians  inhabiting  this  portion  of  the  state  at  the  time  of  the 
advent  of  the  white  settler,  and  for  many  years  previous,  were  the  Sac 
and  Fox  nations,  and  consisted  of  the  Ottawa,  Ivickapoo,  Chippewa, 
Shawnee,  Mascoutin,  Piankeshaw  aud  Pottawottamie  tribes.  They 
had  obtained  possession  of  this  part  of  the  State  by  conquest  from 
other  tribes  who  had  lived  here  before  the  occupation  by  these  nations. 
The  Sacs  and  Foxes  were  at  the  beginning  of  the  present  century 
indeed  but  one  nation  in  reality,  intermarrying,  li\nng,  hunting  and 
fighting  together  as  an  individual  nation.  As  their  history  is  so 
closely  connected  with  this  section,  doubtless  many  of  our  younger 
readers,  whose  fathers  and  mothers  and  elderly  fi'iends  have  recollec- 
tions reaching  back  to  the  closing  scenes  of  the  Indian's  last  years  on 
the  east  side  of  the  Mississippi  and  their  final  departure,  will  be  inter- 
ested to  read  something  relating  to  their  modes  of  life. 

Before  the  arrival  of  the  Europeans  and  their  intercourse  with  them, 
their  manners,  implements  of  agriculture,  hunting  and  war,  were  much 
more  rude  than  after  contact  with  the  more  enlightened  whites.  They 
were  at  first  found  in  possession  of  the  most  simple  utensils  ;  the  fiint 
dart,  of  which  many  have  been  found  along  the  timber  lands  of  the 
streams,  were  the  points  for  the  arrows,  which,  shot  from  the  bow, 
brought  down  the  game  which  was  their  principal  subsistence.     The 


MANNERS    AND    CUSTOilS    OF    THE    INDIANS. 


29 


"boys  as  soon  as  they  were  strong  enough  were  given  tliis  instrument, 
and  their  education  consisted  in  its  use  and  the  knowledge  of  the 
habits  of  the  animals  it  was  designed  to  destroy. 

This,  too,  was  theu-  instrument  of  warfare.  For  the  difterent  pur- 
poses different  shajjed  points  were  used.  Some  were  fashioned  with 
barbs  at  the  base,  so  that  the  arrows  ha%'ing  entered  the  object  would 
not  be  easily  withdrawn,  which,  possibly  were  used  for  shooting  fish  ; 
some  were  made  broad  at  the  base,   and  were  no  doubt  designed  to 


make  a  large  wound,  and  were  perhaps  used  for  the  slaying  of  the 
larg-er  animals  and  in  war  ;  and  vet  others  were  e^-identlv  intended  for 
small  game,  and  where  it  was  not  desirable  to  injure  the  flesh  more  than 


^ 


absolutely  necessary.  Of  these  three  principal  varieties  cuts  are  here 
given,  but  there  were  numerous  modifications  of  these,  as  can  be  seen 
by  reference  to  the  collections  in  the  possession  of  a  number  of  persons 


30  HISTORY   OF   MEKCEK   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

in  this  section.     For  knives  and  axes  they  also  used  iiint  and  granite 
stones  fashioned  into  proper  shapes. 

Mr.  Tyler  McWhorter  has  in  his  valuable  and  extensive  cabinet  Si 
very  large  number  of  these  and  other  implements  used  by  these 
people. 

These  rude  implements  were,  after  the  iur  trade  was  established, 
gradually  supei-seded  by  knives  and  guns  procured  fi-om  the  traders 
in  exchange  for  furs,  and  many  of  the  Indians  soon  became  as  skillful 
in  the  use  of  the  rifle  as  the  white  men,  and  afterward  made  eftectual 
and  savage  use  of  it  against  the  race  by  whom  it  had  been  supplied. 
However,  when  our  fathers  and  grandfathers  found  these  people  here 
they  were  still  anything  but  cultured  in  then*  ways. 

Tlieir  houses  consisted  of  a  few  poles  ten  or  fifteen  feet  in  length, 
planted  in  the  ground  in  circular  form  and  approaching  each  other  at 
the  top,  and  covered  with  the  skins  of  animals.  In  the  winter  the  fire 
was  kindled  in  the  middle  of  the  area  inside  and  the  smoke  found  its 
way  out  at  the  top,  where  an  opening  had  been  left.  At  this  fire  they 
cooked  their  food  by  roasting  animaFs  flesh  held  on  the  ends  of  sharp- 
ened sticks,  and  by  baking  cakes  of  meal  that  had  been  made  by 
breaking  the  grains  with  stones  on  flat,  heated  stones.  A  common  food 
was  made  by  boiling  the  carcass  of  an  animal  ^vith  kernels  of  corn  and 
such  vegetables  as  they  could  find.  Abraham  Miller,  an  early  settler 
at  the  town  of  Millersburg,  relates  that  he  saw  Black  Hawk  and  a  few 
of  his  friends  regale  themselves  on  a  stew  prepared  from  a  polecat 
thrown  into  the  kettle  without  any  dressing  whatever.  Skins  of  ani- 
mals taken  in  the  chase  constituted  their  beds,  and  around  the  smoul- 
deiing  embers  of  the  camp-fire  they  smoked  their  pipes  and  recounted 
there  the  incidents  of  the  chase  or  war,  and  slept  the  long  winter 
nights  upon  these  primitive  couches. 

The  business  of  the  Indian  was  to  kill  game  and  spear  fish,  while 
that  of  the  wife  was  to  till  the  soil  in  summer,  gather  and  chop  the 
wood  for  the  fires  and  do  the  drudgery  for  the  simple  household. 

Cleanliness  was  by  no  means  essential  to  respectability,  neither  did 
the  clothing  nor  the  person  of  the  Indian  receive  so  many  ablutions 
but  that  all  these  events  in  his  life  could  be  easily  remembered. 

Marriage  with  them  was  not  even  a  matter  of  form,  unless  it  be 
considered  in  the  light  of  a  bargain  and  sale,  for  such  it  really  was, 
ponies,  and  bear  and  deer  skins  being  almost  always  given  in  exchange- 
for  wives.  In  general  they  had  but  few  children.  The  women  were 
treated  as  slaves  and  were  subject  in  consequence  of  exposure  to  many 
and  severe  attacks  of  sickness. 

The  stories  found  in  novels  of  the  wooing  of  the  dusky  nuiiden  by 
the  noble  waiTior  or  daring  hunter,  and  of  their  tender  attachment  for 


DESCRIPTION,  31 

their  wives  and  children,  are  in  tlie  main  very  much  overdrawn.  A 
few  rare  exceptions  are  known.  It  is  said  tliat  Bhick  Hawk  was  a 
most  devoted  husband,  and  was,  througliout  his  h)ng  Hfe,  true  to  hi* 
marital  relations. 

The  amusements  of  the  Indians  were  the  war  dance,  athletic  sports, 
and  the  narration  of  their  hunting  and  war  experiences,  but  in  none  of 
these  did  the  females  take  any  part. 

Though  filthy  in  their  habits  to  the  extreme  they  were  nevertheless 
proud,  and  were  fond  of  decorating  their  dirty  bodies  with  paint, 
feathers,  and  such  bits  of  ribbons  and  beads  as  they  could  obtain. 

After  its  introduction  by  the  whites  the  Indians  grew  very  fond  of 
whisky,  and  drunkenness  became  much  more  common  with  them  than 
with  their  pale  brethren.  Sometimes  when  a  fresh  supply  of  liquor 
was  obtained,  a  whole  band,  with  the  exception  of  two  or  three,  who- 
were  required  to  remain  sober  for  the  puqjose  of  keeping  the  rest  from 
murdering  each  other,  would  get  on  a  grand  big  drunk,  which  would 
not  end  until  the  whisky  was  all  gone  or  they  got  beyond  the  power  of 
locomotion. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Mercer  county  lies  on  the  northwestern  border  of  the  state  and  em- 
braces a  little  more  than  fifteen  townships,  or  about  550  square  miles. 
It  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Rock  Island  county,  on  the  east  by  Henry 
and  Knox,  on  the  south  by  Warren  and  Henderson,  and  on  the  west 
by  the  middle  of  the  Mississippi  river.  The  fourth  principal  meridian 
passes  along  the  eastern  border,  and  it  embraces  townships  13,  14  and 
15  north,  and  ranges  1,  2,  3,  4,  and  a  part  of  5  and  6  west.  It  is  inter- 
sected fi'om  the  east  to  the  west,  through  the  northern  portion,  by 
Edwards  river,  which,  near  the  western  border,  changes  its  course,  and 
running  in  a  southwesterly  direction,  empties  into  the  Mississippi  about 
a  mUe  and  a  half  below  New  Boston.  A  few  miles  south  of  the 
Edwards  is  Pope  creek,  which  passes  through  the  county  in  the  same 
direction,  and  enters  the  Mississippi  at  Keithsburg.  In  addition  to 
these  there  are  in  the  northwest,  Eliza  creek,  which  empties  into  Swan 
lake,  and  Camj)  creek,  a  tributary  of  the  Edwards.  South  of  these  is 
North  Pope,  a  tributary  of  Pope  creek,  and  in  the  southeast  are  North 
Henderson  and  Duck  creeks.  These,  together  with  some  smaller 
streams,  farnish  an  abundant  supply  of  water. 

A  large  portion  of  the  county  is  prairie,  while  along  the 
borders  of  the  streams  are  the  so-called  barrens.  The  soil  of 
the  prairie  is  a  deep  black  or  chocolate  colored  loam,  with 
a  yellow  or  dark  bro%vn  clay  subsoil.  The  soil  of  the  barrens 
is    similar    to    that    of  the    prairie,    only    lighter    colored    and    of 


32  HISTORY    OF   SIEECER   AJJD    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

less  depth,  while  along  the  upper  part  of  the  slope  it  is  of  a  light 
hrown  or  yellowish  color,  owing  to  the  character  of  the  subsoil,  which 
comes  near  the  surface.  In  some  portions  of  the  barrens  there  is  but 
a  thin  covering  of  the  soil,  and  in  these  places  it  is  quite  light  colored. 
The  most  extensive  allmdal  deposit  is  along  the  Mississijipi  bottom. 
This  extends  along  the  whole  western  border  of  the  countj,  with  a 
varied  width  of  from  two  to  five  miles.  Of  this,  that  portion  which  is 
situated  on  the  northwest  and  extends  as  far  south  as  New  Boston,  is 
much  cut  up  by  swamps,  lakes  and  bays.  Through  a  large  j)ortion  of 
these  bottom  lands  there  are  one  or  more  low  ridges  of  sand.  The 
soil  of  this  sandy  portion  is  of  but  little  value,  there  being  but  few 
seasons  when  it  is  wet  enough  to  produce.  In  other  portions  the 
soil  is  a  deep  black  loam  and  very  productive.  [Narrow  alluvial  belts 
are  also  found  along  nearly  all  the  water-courses,  the  soil  of  which  is 
very  dark  colored,  but  more  or  less  intermingled  with  sand  and  peb- 
bles. Coal  of  a  good  quality  is  found  in  various  parts  ;  the  veins  are 
fi'om  three  to  five  feet  thick.  The  mines  furnish  a  large  amount  of 
good  coal.  The  seam  furnishing  the  largest  portion  of  the  coal  of  this 
county  extends  over  most  of  the  northeastern  half  of  the  county,  but 
is  most  extensively  mined  in  the  townships  of  Greene,  Rivoli,  Rich- 
land Grove  and  Preemption.  In  the  township  sketches,  devoted 
to  these  townships,  will  be  found  more  extended  notices  of  these 
mines. 

The  soU  of  this  county  is  well  adapted  to  agricultural  purposes,  and 
is  in  nearly  every  part  of  the  county  productive  of  large  crojjs  of  corn, 
oats  and  hay.  Wheat  is  not  much  raised.  Formerly,  spring  wheat 
was  grown  to  a  considerable  extent,  but  of  late  3T^ars  its  cultivation  has 
greatly  decreased.  Recently,  considerable  attention  has  been  given  to 
producing  winter  wheat.  The  land  along  or  near  the  water-courses, 
though  of  a  lighter  character,  is  valuable  for  the  production  of  fruit. 
Nearly  all  the  lands  along  the  streams  were  formerly  hea^ily  timbered, 
but  here  the  first  settlers  built  their  cabins,  and  in  consequence  of 
habits  acquired  in  their  eastern  and  southern  homes,  much  of  the  orig- 
inal forest  has  disappeared.  In  the  early  times  coal  was  not  used  for 
fuel ;  indeed  it  was  scarcely  known  to  exist,  and  its  value  as  a  fuel  was 
overlooked  for  a  number  of  years.  Fencing  and  house-building  also 
required  much  timber,  and  so  the  once  heavily  timbered  portions  of 
the  county  now  resemble  much  more  than  formerly  the  oi)en  prairies 
which  lie  beside  them.  The  kinds  of  timber  most  abundant  are  white, 
burr,  black,  red  and  laurel  oak,  red  and  white  elm,  blue  and  white  ash, 
hickory,  maple,  wild  cherry,  and  occasionally  a  black  walnut.  In  the 
bottoms  are  also  locust,  sycamore,  cottonwood,  box  alder,  wild  plum 


WILLIAM   DRURY. 


A    SCRAP   OF    ANCIENT    HISTORY.  35 

and  crab-apple,  and  occasionally  pecans  and  buckeyes.  Grape  Wnes 
and  other  climbers  are  abundant.  In  later  years  the  hand  of  man  has 
added  many  varieties  of  fruit  and  ornamental  trees,  which  thrive 
apparently  as  though  in  their  native  soil.  The  osage  orange  grows 
well  here,  and  many  of  the  most  tasty  farms  are  now  fenced  with  this 
shrub.  The  climate  is  rather  cold  for  it,  however,  and  its  fruit  scarcely 
ever  comes  to  perfection. 

In  the  larger  rivers,  especially  near  their  mouths,  are  abundant 
supplies  of  fish,  and  formerly  in  the  timber  along  their  banks  were 
found  many  wild  animals,  such  as  deer,  squirrels,  raccoons,  turkeys 
and  chickens.  The  game  has  almost  all  vanished  from  before  the  face 
of  the  white  man.  The  description  of  the  county  will  be  given  more 
in  detail  in  the  several  township  sketches. 

A  SCRAP  OF  ANCIENT  HISTORY. 

The  following,  wi'itten  nearly  half  a  century  ago,  by  a  visitor  to 
this  section,  will  doubtless  prove  interesting  to  many  readers.  It  is 
from  Augustus  Mitchell's  description  of  Illinois  in  1837. 

"Mercer  county  is  situated  in  the  northern  part  of  the  Military 
Bounty  tract.  It  lies  north  of  Warren,  south  of  Eock  Island,  west  of 
Henry,  and  east  of  Louisa  and  Musquitine  counties,  ^Wisconsin  terri- 
tory, from  which  it  is  separated  by  the  Mississippi  river. 
The  town  of  Mercer  is  located  in  the  exact  geogi*apliical  center  and 
wdtli  the  ex]Dres8  \dew  of  becoming  the  county  seat  of  Mercer  county. 
It  is  situated  midway  between  Pope  and  Edwards  rivers,  wliich  run 
through  the  county  parallel  to  each  other,  and  at  this  point  are  n<^t 
more  than  five  miles  apart.  The  site  is  healthy  and  elevated,  com- 
manding a  beautiful  Aiew of  the  smTounding  country,  which  is  as  rich 
and  as  well  adapted  to  the  culture  of  wheat,  and  indeed  of  all  kinds 
of  grain,  as  any  in  the  state.  The  county  is  settling  rapidly  with  a 
moral,  industrious  and  enterjjrising  population.  The  water-power 
afibrded  by  Pope  and  Edwards  rivers  is  equal  to  that  of  any  county 
in  the  state :  a  circumstance  of  much  importance,  not  only  for  fur- 
nishing lumber  for  building,  but  for  the  erection  of  grain  and  flouring 
mills.  There  is  one  saw  mill  now  in  operation  wdthin  two  and  one- 
half  miles  of  Mercer,  and  several  others  will  be  built  the  approaching 
season,  also  within  a  few  miles  of  the  town.  The  situation  of  Mercer 
admits  of  the  convenient  access  to  the  timber,  stone  and  stone  coal  of 
both  Pope  and  Edwards  rivers  and  their  branches.  Mercer  is  situa- 
ted about  fourteen  miles  from  New  Boston,  on  the  Mississippi,  at  which 
there  is  an  excellent  landing.     It  is  also  on  the  direct  route  from  the 

*Now  Iowa. 


36  HISTORY   OF   MERCER    AXD    HENDERSON   COrNTIES. 

latter  place  to  Heiinepiu.  and  from  Oquawka  to  Rock  Island.  New 
Boston,  the  seat  of  justice,  is  the  only  other  town  in  the  county,  and  is 
situated  at  the  upper  Yellow  bank,  just  above  Edwards  river,  nearly 
opposite  the  mouth  of  the  Lower  Iowa,  a  considerable  stream  of  the 
Wisconsin  territory.  This  place  has  a  good  landing  and  a  fine  harbor, 
and  when  the  opix>site  territory  becomes  settled  it  cannot  fail  to  become 
a  town  of  considerable  impoitimce,  as  it  will  be  the  commercial  entre- 
pot of  a  large  extent  of  feitile  covmtiy." 

HABITS  AND  CUSTOMS  OF  THE  PIONEERS. 

Perhaps  most  of  the  grown  people  of  this  section  have  some  knowl- 
edge, either  by  actual  observation  or  fi-om  the  lips  of  the  few  worthy 
pioneers  who  still  linger  on  the  shores  of  time,  of  the  eai'ly  modes  of 
life  which  obtained  during  most  of  tlie  first  quarter  of  a  centmy  of  its 
historv.  But  the  last  original  settler  will  soon  have  left  us.  and  then 
these  things,  but  for  the  historian's  pen.  would  become  but  matters  of 
tradition.  Even  now.  amonsrst  the  voun^er  class,  the  stories  of  the 
early  hardships,  tiials  and  triumphs  of  this  worthy  class  of  heroic  men 
and  women,  are  not  so  verv  ftdlv  realized,  and  in  the  neai*  future  an 
account  of  what  were  once  considered  **atilictions  gi-ievous  to  be 
borne."  will,  without  doubt,  prove  interesting  reading  to  the  gi-and- 
children  of  those  whose  voices  will  have  been  hushed,  and  whose 
weai-v  bodies  will  have  been  lain  awav  in  the  soil  thev  first  tm-ned  to 
the  sun. 

Hotc  they  came. — A  single  instance  would  almost  answer  for  the 
history  of  the  emigi-ation  of  all  of  the  early  settlefs  to  this  section. 
We  will  give  it  in  substance,  though  not  exactly  in  the  words  of  one 
who  came  to  this  connti'v  in  1S3S  : 

Far  across  the  dense  woodlands  of  Indiana,  neai*  where  Ohio's 
broad  watei"S  roU  onward  to  join  the  Mississippi  in  its  com'se  to  the 
great  ocean,  among  the  gi-aceful  forest  trees,  and  gushing  spi-ings  and 
fertile  fields  of  Oliio,  rests  in  quiet  beauty  a  shady  liillside,  a  bright 
green  valley,  and  a  dancing  water-brook.  Xear  the  lane  which  passes 
this  spot  and  crosses  the  little  stream  of  water  just  beyond,  may  be 
seen  a  fine  old  farm  house  surroimded  with  towering  elms  and  fronted 
with  evergreens  of  difierent  varieties.  But  not  with  this  place,  as  it 
exists  to-dav.  has  our  narrative  to  do.  True,  the  surroundmors  have 
changed  but  little  in  half  a  century.  The  trees  are  much  larger,  and 
the  house  has  been  so  metamorphosed  that  its  former  occu]»ant  would 
not  recognize  it ;  but  the  hillside  and  the  brook,  the  valley  and  the 
forest,  present  the  same  appearance  as  when  forty-odd  years  ago  the 
scene  which  we  are  about  to  describe  might  have  been  witnessed. 


HABITS    AN-D    CUSTOMS   OF   THE    PION-EEES.  37 

It  was  no  uncommon  ocenrrence  that  was  taking  place  Aere,  but 
because  of  its  being  a  usual  circumstanc-e  it  becomes  of  the  greater 
importance  and  is  described  the  more  minutely.  To  the  parties  c-on- 
cemed.  h<:»wever.  it  was  a  matter  of  the  greatest  moment.  The  family 
who  had  for  years  occupied  this  place  had  caught  a  glimpse  of  the 
wonderful  country  in  the  Bounty  tract,  one  of  the  number  having  the 
year  before  made  a  trip  to  the  new  State  of  Illinois  and  brought  back 
glowing  acti-ounts  of  the  broad  prairies,  the  fine  belts  of  timber,  the 
richness  of  the  soiL  the  abundanc-e  of  game,  and  the  many  other  real 
and  fancied  advantages  to  the  emigrant  bold  enough  to  face  the  dan- 
gers and  privatirins  incident  t«:>  a  pioneer  life.  The  matter  had  been 
talked  over  for  many  months.  The  children  talked  it  over  and  won- 
dered at  the  length  of  the  j< :»umey.  the  exciting  incidents  of  the  trip, 
and  the  novel  scenes  that  awaited  them  in  their  new  home,  little  c-om- 
prehending  the  hardships  to  which  they  would  be  subjected.  The 
mother  and  wife  had  said  but  little,  but  naturally  shrank  from  the  trial 
of  leaving  relatives,  friends  and  home,  and  taking  up  her  abode  in  the 
wilderness.  She  could  scarcely  rec-oncile  herself  to  the  life  of  priva- 
tion, and  perhaps  danger,  that  awaited  her  and  those  she  loved.  But 
the  father  argued  that  the  little  farm  on  which  they  lived,  and  rented 
by  the  year,  but  barely  gave  them  a  support :  that  the  prospect,  as 
much  as  he  liked  his  neighb<:>rs,  and  much  as  he  prized  the  social  and 
other  privileges,  was  very  feeble  for  an  independence.  He  was  advanc- 
ing in  years,  and  the  children  would  soon  arrive  at  manhc« :>d  and  wom- 
anhood with  no  prc> vision  for  old  age  for  himself  and  wife,  and  with 
nothing  for  the  young  f«:>lks  with  which  to  begin  life.  And  s<:»  it  was 
decided  to  remove  to  what  seemed  to  be  the  land  of  prcimise. 

Acc«:»rdingly,  their  plans  had  been  announced  to  their  neighbors, 
a  sale  had  been  made  of  what  they  found  to  be  superfluous  articles, 
though  f>erhaps  with  a  view  to  realize  a  little  ready  money,  with  which 
to  make  a  substantial  start  in  their  new  location  and  to  liquidate  a  few 
debts  that  had  been  contrac-ted  at  the  stores,  and  all  was  ready  for  the 
journey. 

The  wagon  had  been  backed  to  the  fi^^nt  d<x»r  the  evening  before, 
and  the  c-ows.  and  a  few  sheep,  that  they  had  concluded  to  take  with 
them,  and  which  had  been  reserved  frc»m  the  sale,  had  been  penned 
up.  that  they  might  not  stray  away  before  the  hour  at  which  they  were 
wanted  to  begin  the  ioumev.  The  morning  had  arrived,  the  c-andles 
were  lighted,  the  tire  in  the  tireplac-e  was  crackling,  and  the  kettle  boil- 
ing, preparatory  to  taking  the  last  meal  in  the  house.  The  breakfast 
was  dispatched  in  an  unusuallv  short  time,  and  then  commenced  the 
exciting  process  of  packing  up.     Bedsteads  were  knocked  to  pieces. 


38  HISTORY    OF    MEECEE   AND    HENDEESON    COUNTIES. 

bed-clothes  were  tlirown  in  all  directions,  and  things  in  general  pre- 
sented a  confused  appearance.  The  children  seemed  to  enjoy  the  ex- 
citement, the  mother  hastened  about,  but  on  her  face  was  a  look 
of  dejection  ;  but  the  father  and  husband  moved  around  vntli  a  firm 
gait,  attending  t<j  the  work  of  preparation  with  no  sign  that  betrayed 
the  feeling  of  reluctance  with  which  he  was  leaving  the  place  that  he 
had  for  so  many  years  called  home,  though  doubtless  much  of  his 
cheerfulness  was  assumed  for  the  eifect  that  his  demeanor  might  have 
on  the  other  members  of  the  familv. 

Soon  the  household  effects  and  the  simpler  class  of  farming  uten- 
sils were  stowed  away  in  -the  wagon,  the  bows  to  support  the  wagon 
cover  were  put  in  their  staples,  and  the  white  cover  stretched  on  and 
tied.  Then  the  oxen  were  hitched  to  the  wagon,  the  sheep  and  cows 
turned  into  the  road,  and  all  were  readv  to  start. 

Numerous  relatives  and  friends  by  this  time  had  gathered  to  bid 
them  good-by,  looking  on  in  the  meantime  with  mingled  feelings  of 
sorrow  and  wonder.  When  at  last  the  moment  for  starting  came,  the 
wife  broke  into  weeping ;  and  though  the  husband  showed  no  outward 
signs  of  regret,  when  he  bid  his  nearest  friends  farewell  his  hand 
shook  a  little  and  his  voice  was  husky. 

Such  a  trip  as  lay  before  these  adventurers  would  now  be  consid- 
ered comparatively  a  trivial  undertaking,  but  at  the  time  of  which  we 
write  it  was  of  a  more  serious  nature.  It  would  well  compare  with  the 
embarkation  of  the  hundred  pilgrims,  who  left  their  native  shores  two 
hundred  years  earlier  to  make  their  way  across  the  boundless  deep,  to 
find  a  home  in  the  new  world.  Indeed,  the  hardships  of  the  mlder- 
ness  road  which  lay  before  were  gi-eater  than  those  experienced  by  the 
emigrants  of  the  Mayflower.  The  length  of  time  required  to  complete 
the  journey  was  almost  as  great. 

The  mother  and  the  youngest  children  rode  in  the  wagon,  while 
the  father  and  oldest  boy  trudged  along  on  foot  to  guide  the  oxen  and 
attend  to  the  stock.  It  would  be  interesting  to  listen  to  the  account  of 
all  the  incidents  of  their  long  and  tedious  journey,  but  time  and  space 
forbids  more  than  brief  allusions.  The  roads,  even  in  Ohio  and  Indi- 
ana, were  but  poor,  and  after  crossing  the  AV abash,  consisted  of  mere 
trails  across  prairies,  through  sloughs,  fording  creeks  and  ferrying 
livers.  There  were  but  few  bridges  across  the  streams  then,  especially 
on  this  side  of  the  Wabash,  and  after  some  days  out  'some  of  the 
streams  were  found  to  be  so  swollen  by  recent  rains  that  the  emigrants 
were  compelled  to  go  into  camp  for  several  days  to  wait  for  the  flood 
to  subside.  On  one  such  occasion  they  became  so  impatient  that,  |)ut- 
ting  into  the  stream  before  it  had  fallen  sufficiently,  they  all  came  near 


HABITS    AND   CUSTOMS   OF    TIFE    PIONEERS.  39 

losing  tlieir  lives.  At  another  place,  where  there  was  a  prospect  of 
having  to  stay  several  days,  a  raft  was  constructed  of  timbers  cut  and 
prepared  on  the  spot,  and  lashed  together  with  bed  cords.  On  this 
they  crossed  to  the  other  side,  bringing  over  the  last  wheel  of  the 
wagon  after  a  whole  day's  M^f)rk,  tlius  camping  only  a  few  hundred  feet 
from  their  camping  place  of  the  night  before.  Their  little  stock  ot 
provisions  soon  gave  out,  but  they  did  not  suft'er  for  lack  of  food,  as 
the  timber  was  full  of  game  and  the  rifle  supplied  them  witli  i)lenty  ot 
meat.  The  cattle  easily  subsisted  upon  the  gi*ass  that  grew  along  the 
road.  However,  the  journey  was  a  wearisome  one,  and  all  were  well 
pleased  when  at  length  it  was  completed. 

Finally,  at  the  close  of  a  weary  day,  the  company  came  to  a  halt, 
not  with  a  design  of  locating  at  this  stopping  place,  but,  knowing  that 
they  must  be  in  the  vicinity  of  the  point  toward  which  they  had  been 
traveling,  they  concluded  to  camp  a  few  da^^s  and  look  around. 
Accordingly,  arrangements  for  more  than  an  ordinary  stop  were  made, 
and  our  pioneer  the  next  day  started  out  on  foot  to  select  a  location  for 
his  future  home,  leaving  his  family  in  camp.  After  a  few  day's  search, 
he  had  fully  made  up  his  mind,  and  the  camp  was  removed  to  the  s})ot 
selected  for  the  future  home,  provided  the  land  was  not  already  the 
})roperty  of  some  one  else.  It  was  yet  early  spring  and  they  at  once 
set  about  i)lanting  some  corn  and  other  vegetables,  even  before  the 
land  they  were  breaking  had  been  secured,  living  in  the  meantime  in 
the  now  empty  box  of  the  wagon. 

After  the  crop  was  planted,  the  father  made  his  way  to  the  land 
oflSce,  and  secured  the  quarter  on  which  he  had  pitched  his  tent.  By 
fall,  a  cabin  was  erected,  and  thus  began  the  new  life  of  one  of  the 
many  brave  families  who  at  that  early  date  came  to  this  country  to  seek 
an  independence  and  a  home. 

Doubtless  many  of  the  earliest  settlers  will  recognize  the  expe- 
riences of  this  familv  thus  far  as  that  of  their  own,  and  manv  of  the 
younger  people  will  imagine  they  have  heard  the  story  before,  as  told 
by  father  or  mother,  who  may  long  since  have  been  laid  to  rest  in  the 
little  cemetery  at  Sugar  Grove  or  the  Yellow  Banks,  near  the -great 
river. 

The  experiences  of  the  ficst  emigrants  were  so  similar  that  a  rep 
etition  of  them  destroys  the  novelty ;  but  it  could  never  destroy  the 
charm  or  lose  the  interest,  while  at  the  same  time  it  renders  the  faith- 
ful description  the  more  valuable,  applying  as  it  does,  to  so  many  cases. 
With  the  change  of  the  name  of  the  state  from  which  the  family  came, 
and  the  addition  or  suppression  of  a  few  more  details  which  marked 
their  journey,  no  doubt  the  narrative  might  be  made  to  tit  the  emigi'a- 


40  raSTORY   OF   MERCER   AND   HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

tioii  to  this  section  of  a  majoritv  of  its  early  occupants.  A  few  brought 
horses,  which  drew  the  great  prairie  schooner  wagon,  and  not  infre- 
quently a  horse  and  an  ox  did  duty  in  the  same  team.  A  single  ox  or 
a  single  horse  lias  drawn  to  this  country  all  of  the  worldlj'  wealth  pos- 
sessed by  some  of  what  have  proved  its  most  worthy  citizens. 

The  Fii'st  Dwellings. — Judge  Gilmore,  whose  recollection  of  the 
early  features  of  the  country  are  probably  as  correct  as  any,  gives  us 
the  pen  picture  of  the  pioneer  cabin  which  follows.  The  pioneer  cabins 
were  nearly  all  built  after  the  same  pattern,  the  plans  and  specifications 
being  very  simple  indeed.  Tlie  building  site  was  a  spot  in  the  edge 
of  the  grove,  so  as  to  be  near  the  patch  of  prairie  designed  to  be 
cultivated,  and  within  the  shelter  of  the  grove  for  the  protection  of 
themselves  and  stock  from  the  cold  winds  of  winter.  This  w^as 
considered  a  colder  climate  than  that  from  which  most  of  them  had 
come,  and  protection  from  its  inclemencies  was  a  matter  for  serious 
consideration. 

The  \'ery  first  cabins  were  constructed  from  logs  entirely  undressed, 
the  small  dift'erence  in  length  being  considered  no  disadvantage  to  looks 
or  utility.  The  trees  selected  for  the  purpose  were  generally  a  foot  or 
less  in  diameter.  From  these  logs  were  cut,  usually  about  sixteen  feet 
in  length.  In  both  ends  of  the  logs  notches  were  cut  to  receive  the 
notches  cut  in  each  other,  so  that  in  their  building  up  they  would  lie 
close  one  upon  the  other,  in  the  manner  of  a  rail  pen.  AVhen  the  pen 
was  built  to  the  height  of  six  or  seven  feet,  a  portion  of  one  or  two  logs 
on  one  side  would  be  removed  for  a  window ;  another  opening  would  be 
made  for  a  door,  and  another  for  the  stick  and  mud  chimney,  which 
would  be  built  outside  as  a  kind  of  an  addition  to  the  house. 

In  winter  the  windows  consisted  of  greased  paper  })asted  over  the 
opening  mentioned.  In  summer  none  were  needed.  The  door  was 
usually  made  from  boards  that  had  been  fashioned  from  a  straight 
grained  tree  by  no  other  tool  than  the  ax.  The  latch  was  a  liome-made 
affair,  similar  to  those  still  to  be  seen  on  farm  gates.  A  little  above 
the  latch  a  small  auger  hole  was  bored  through  the  door,  and  through 
this  hung  a  thong  of  buckskin  attached  to  the  latch,  by  which  it  could 
be  lifted  from  the  outside  by  pulling  the  string. 

The  floor  of  the  dwelling  in  very  many  instances  was  the  earth. 
The  heartli  of  the  fire  place,  where  the  cooking  was  done,  was  made  of 
such  fiat  stones  as  could  be  found  in  their  natural  state.  A  little  later 
bricks  for  this  purpose,  and  in  a  few  instances  for  entire  chimneys,  were 
made  by  tramping  mud  in  a  box  with  the  bare  feet  and  burning  a  few 
hundred  of  them  at  a  time.  Abraham  Miller,  formerly  of  Mercer 
county,  but  now  in  Oregon,  writes  that  he  made  the  first  bricks  ever 


HABITS    AND    CUSTOMS    OF   TIIK    PIONEERS. 


41 


used  in  Mercer  coiintj,  and  that  the  mud  for  them  was  mixed  with  his 
bare  feet. 

The  cabins  were  covered  witli  boards  riven  from  straiglit  grained 
trees  the  full  length  of  one  side  of  the  building,  and  held  in  their  places 
by  the  weight  of  the  bodies  of  small  trees.  The  cracks  between  the 
logs  composing  the  sides  of  the  cabin  were  filled  with  wedge  shaped 
pieces  of  wood  called  ''chinks,'"  and  these  were  daubed  over  with  mud, 
the  hands  in  many  cases  being  used  as  the  trowel.  Abraham  Miller 
says  that  the  young  men  were  particular  to  leave  linger  marks  on  this 
kind  of  work,  as  it  was  a  sure  road  into  the  good  graces  of  the  maidens, 
who  held  this  sign  of  industry  and  democracy  in  high  repute. 


"^ 


A   PIONEER   LOG   CABIN. 


Li  the  constructi(tn  of  these  simple  dwellings  the  only  tools  em- 
ployed were  an  ax,  a  saw  and  an  auger,  and  in  A-ery  many  cases  only 
the  ax.  Not  a  nail  or  any  piece  of  iron  was  used,  and  not  a  pane  ot 
glass;  neither  paint  nor  plaster  were  available. 

Decorations,  such  as  pictures  or  brackets  for  the  walls,  would  have 
been  a  great  curiosity.  In  their  ])lace  festoons  of  corn  for  the  next 
year's  planting  hung  from  poles  in  the  ui)})er  space  of  the  cabins.  The 
trusty  riile  lay  in  two  wooden  hooks  over  the  door  or  tire  place,  and 
from  pegs  near  the  chimney  often  hung  bits  of  venison  that  were  being 
dried  for  future  use,  and  was  called  ''jerk."  These  were  the  decora- 
tions of  grandfather's  house. 


42  •     HISTORY   OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

The  pioneer  cabin  has  seen  its  clay,  however,  and  is  now  a  thing  of 
the  past.  It  has  been  superseded  by  the  more  pretentious  hewed  log 
house  of  two  or  more  rooms,  and  this  in  turn  has  given  place  to  the 
fine  frame  and  brick  dwellings  which  dot  the  prairies  and  groves  all 
over.  A  few  of  the  ancient  cabins  are  still  doing  service  as  pig-sties  or 
hen  houses,  and  the  modern  traveler  would  hardly  dream  that  once 
they  were  the  dwellings  of  large  and  happy  families. 

We  give  in  this  connection  a  view  of  a  cabin  still  standing  in  Eliza 
township,  Mercer  county,  though  the  artist  has  had  to  draw  somewhat 
on  imagination  for  the  surroundings,  as  the  once  pioneer  mansion  now 
serves  the  ignoble  pui'pose  of  sheltering  the  chickens. 

Ancient  House  Furniture. — Perhaps  in  nothing  has  there  been  a 
greater  cluinge  than  in  the  furniture,  both  ornamental  and  useful,  with 
which  the  houses  of  this  county  have  been  supplied.  Any  one  curious 
enough  to  make  a  list  of  the  numberless  articles  now  considered  indis- 
pensable to  a  well  furnished  house,  will  be  surprised  to  find  that  scarcely 
an  article  now  in  use  was  in  the  early  times  of  this  section  even  known. 
And  so  also  the  few  utensils  and  ornaments  used  by  our  grandmothers 
would  be  curiosities  now.  Sewing  macliines  only  began  to  come  into 
use  here  in  about  1860,  and  now  scarcely  a  family  is  without  one. 
Grandmother  Dennison,  of  Keithsburg,  says  all  of  the  clothing  in  use 
by  the  family  was  made  by  the  skillful  and  industrious  fingers  of  the 
housewife  with  the  needle  and  thimble.  Not  only  so,  but  even  the 
cloth  of  which  the  clothes  were  made  was  a  home  manufacture. 
Each  family  kept  a  few  sheep,  and  from  these  the  wool  was  sheared, 
washed,  picked,  carded,  spun,  woven,  d^^ed  and  cut,  in  many  instances, 
all  at  home. 

None  of  the  young  ladies  of  to-day  know  what  a  "wool  pickin'"  is. 
The  last  one  was  had  years  ago.  The  picking  of  the  particles  of  dirt 
and  burs  from  tlie  fleece  was  a  very  tedious  process,  and  in  the  early 
times  it  was  customary  for  the  matron  of  the  family  to  call  in  the  help 
of  all  the  young  and  middle  aged  ladies  for  some  miles  around  to  assist 
in  tliis  work.  These  invitations  were  gladly  accepted,  for  the  picking 
always  ended  with  a  frolic  at  night,  to  which  the  young  ladies'  beaux 
were  invited. 

So  in  the  making  up  of  clothing,  there  were  in  use  the  big  sheep 
shears,  the  cards,  which  were  two  instruments  much  resembling  the 
instruments  used  for  currying  horses  at  the  present  day,  the  spinning- 
wheel,  the  hand  loom  and  the  dye  kettle.  None  of  these  remain  in 
use,  but  occasionally  one  may  be  found  in  the  garret  of  the  house  of  an 
old  settler. 

Many  of  the  early  settlers  were  skillful  in  the  use  of  some  of  the 


HABITS   AND   CUSTOMS   OF   THE    PIONEERS.  43^ 

simplest  tools  of  the  shoemaker,  and  could  turn  out  a  decent,  but  rough 
pair  of  shoes  from  leather  that  they  had  themselves  tanned  from  the 
skins  of  animals  that  they  had  themselves  reared.  Even  the  lasts  and 
the  pegs  were  of  home  manufacture.  The  simple  kits  of  tools  used  in 
the  manufacture  of  leather  and  shoes  were,  however,  soon  superseded 
by  the  tan  yards  and  the  professional  shoemaker,  and  they  in  turn  have 
had  their  time  and  are  almost  extinct.  The  few  pelts  that  are  now 
taken  from  the  cattle  are  sent  to  the  great  cities  and  tanned  by  improved 
processes,  made  into  shoes  by  machines  driven  by  steam,  and  sliipped 
back  to  us  in  nice  green  boxes  containing  a  dozen  pairs  of  all  sizes  and 
qualities. 

The  culinary  implements  were  as  rude  and  simple  as  it  is  possible 
to  conceive.  The  old  Dutch  oven  for  baking  bread,  a  skillet  and  an 
iron  pot,  that  hung  from  a  wooden  hook  in  the  great  wide  chimney, 
were  about  all  that  were  considered  necessary  for  baking,  frying  and 
boiling.  There  was  not  a  stove  in  the  county  until  about  1845,  and, 
therefore,  the  fireplace,  extending  almost  across  .one  end  of  the  cabin, 
was  the  only  source  of  heat  in  the  winter,  and  also  answered  all  the 
demands  of  cooking.  Even  the  first  cook  stoves  were  simple  aftairs- 
compared  to  those  in  present  use,  and  were  constructed  witli  a  double 
purpose  of  heating  and  cooking. 

In  a  letter  from  Abraham  Miller,  he  says:  "Our  early  crops  were 
mainly  corn,  wheat,  oats,  flax  for  home  use,  and  the  most  useful  vege- 
tables of  all  kinds,  all  of  which  did  remarkably  well.  We  raised 
melons  in  abundance.  The  only  market  point  for  the  county  was  New 
Boston,  then  only  known  as  Dennison's  Landing  and  wood  yard,  at 
upper  Yellow  Sand  Banks,  on  the  Mississippi  river.  The  first  store  or 
trading  post  was  there  in  1834,  and  was  kept  by  a  man  by  the  name  of 
Irvin,  who  was  very  exact,  both  in  a  commercial  and  moral  point  of 
view.  He  was  a  seceder  by  profession.  So  coiTect  was  he  in  his  views 
of  the  Sabbath  that  he  penned  up  his  rooster  on  that  day,  that  he  might 
not  disturb  the  holy  day.  This  is  neither  jest  nor  hoax.  I  only  men- 
tion it  to  show  that,  in  those  early  times  and  among  backwoods  settlers, 
religious  rites,  according  to  each  order,  were  stiictly  obsei*ved.  Prices- 
of  produce  were  very  low.  Wheat  was  not  more  than  forty  cents  per 
bushel,  and  this  was  the  highest  priced  article,  proporti(mately,  that  the 
farmer  had  to  sell.  In  those  days  we  were  all  new  begimiers  and  had 
but  little  suii^lus  to  market.  We  raised  our  own  hogs  and  hominy, 
killed  deer,  wild  turkeys,  prairie  hens,  caught  fish  and  found  wild  bees. 
We  had  to  get  what  little  groceries  we  had  with  raccoon  and  deer  skins, 
and  frequently  the  best  of  us  did  without  any.  We  were  inured  ta 
anything  from  hard  times  down,  and  small  privations  were  not  noted- 


44  HISTORY    OF    IVreRCER   AJS^D    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

Our  wives  and  dau^l  iters  could  spin  and  weave,  and  wear  the  product 
of  their  own  in(histry.  We  drank  i)arched  corn  or  pea  coffee  until  we 
got  to  raising  wheat  and  rye  enough  to  answer  the  pui-po^e.  "VVe  drank 
tea  made  from  sycamore  chips.  A  favorite  tea  was  made  of  red-root 
leaves,  sweated  under  a  Dutch  oven,  rolled  between  the  two  hands  and 
dried.  When  drawn  and  sweetened  with  well  scummed  honey,  your 
readers  are  assured  it  was  not  bad  to  take.  This  tea  we  called  grub 
h^'son.  An  early  merchant  of  ISTew  Boston,  after  the  discovery  of  this 
tea,  caught  at  the  idea,  and  when  his  black  tea  ran  short  in  the  store, 
ti-adition  says,  he  sold  many  a  pound  of  red-root  leaves. 

''  The  men  and  boys  could  wear  buckskin  breeclies  ;  and  a  coon- 
skin  cap,  wdth  the  tail  dangling  behind  the  head  as  an  ornament  thereto, 
was  not  a  novel  sight.  We  were  all  poor,  but  on  a  social  equality. 
We  hardly  had  an  idea  of  what  aristocracy  was.  With  the  greatest  of 
pleasure  I  yet  look  back  on  those  good  old  times  as  my  golden  days, 
when  all  around  was  clothed  in  the  wild,  yet  gorgeous  robes  of  nature, 
and  while  its  half-forgotten  scenery  plays  about  and  flits  across  mem- 
ory's path,  imagination  paints  the  flush  of  youth  where  age  as  well  as 
grief  have  coursed  bitter  tears  down  its  lachrymal  furrows.  Des])ite 
this,  for  the  moment,  the  blood  of  boyhood  rushes  through  the  sunken 
veins  and  makes  the  aged  young. 

''We  had  our  backwoods  mechanic  in  almost  every  farmer  and 
fai-mer's  boy,  who  learned  early  in  life,  and  who  turned  his  hand  to 
anything  necessary  for  carrying  on  our  backwoods  operations,  both  in 
wood  and  iron.  But  as  the  country  grew  uj)  mechanics  of  almost  all 
kinds  dro])ped  in,  but  it  was  only  upon  a  small  scale  that  they  were 
patronized,  or  that  they  expected  patronage,  as  they  generally  added  to 
their  mechanical  skill  agricultural  industries,  and  pursued  their  trades 
only  at  odd  times. " 

The  wool  picking  has  been  alluded  to.  It  had  its  corresjwnding 
diversion  for  the  young  men  in  the  corn  husking,  or  "•shuckin\'''  as  it 
was  called.  It  was  common,  not  only  in  the  early  days,  but  until  with- 
in a  score  of  years,  to  break  the  ears  from  the  stalks  as  they  stood  in 
the  fleld,  and  haul  them  to  the  vicinity  of  the  barn  and  then  invite  all 
the  young  men  to  come  in  on  some  afternoon  or  evening  to  strip  them 
of  their  husks.  Thus  a  wearisome  task  for  the  single  handed  farmer, 
refjuiring  weeks  of  labor,  would  be  performed  in  a  single  evening. 
The  husking  bee  would  usually  end  with  a  sumi)tuous  sup})er,  and  fre- 
quently with  a  spree,  to  which  the  young  ladies  had  been  previously 
invited.  Other  i)astimes  of  the  olden  time,  some  of  which  are  but 
barely  obsolete,  were  the  quiltings,  which  ])artook  of  features  of  the 
wool  pickings,  the  singing  schools,  the  spellings,  wolf  hunts,  house  and 


EAUI.V    SK'ITLKMENT.  45 

bam  raisings.  At  all  of  these  the  young  peo])le  took  great  interest  and 
manifested  their  skill  according  to  the  adajjtution  of  age  or  sex  for  such 
amusements. 

The  Fourth  of  July  was,  fifty  years  ago,  kept  more  as  a  reminder  of 
its  origin  than  it  is  to-day,  and  some  of  the  early  celebrations  were 
grand  affairs.  There  was  less  of  show  and  noise  than  to-day,  but  of 
all  that  goes  to  make  u])  a  grand  holiday,  and  that  conduces  to  a  hearty 
rejoicing  on  account  of  our  country's  independence,  was  present  in  full 
force.  The  people  were  more  democratic  in  their  habits  and  thoughts, 
and  consequently  a  gathering  of  the  kind  embraced  all  the  citizens  of 
the  county.  Not  unfrequently  a  revolutionary  hero  honored  the  scene 
with  his  presence,  and  exhibited  himself  in  the  evolutions  and  drill 
learned  by  necessity  in  his  country's  birth. 

EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 

The  Eastern,  Middle  and  Southern  states,  from  which  the  early 
settlers  came,  were  densely  covered  with  a  vigorous  growth  of  timber. 
A  patch  of  prairie  was  a  curiosity  east  or  south  of  the  center  of  In- 
diana. The  avocations  of  the  pioneer  in  the  east  and  south  had  been, 
for  the  lirst  half  of  his  manhood,  to  cut  down  the  giant  trees  of  the 
forest,  roll  the  logs  together  and  burn  them.  With  the  unpleasant 
remembrances  of  log  rolling,  brush  burning  and  stump  grubbing,  it 
seems  a  little  strange  that  the  prairies  of  the  Mississippi  valley  and  the 
tributaries  thereto  were  not  the  very  first  to  claim  the  early  settler's 
attention.  Here  were  open  farms  ready  for  the  plow.  Not  a  stump, 
or  a  root,  or  a  stone,  was  in  the  way  of  immediate  successful  culti^•a- 
tion.  The  oldest  and  most  carefully  cultivated  fields  of  Ohio,  Indiana 
or  Kentucky,  from  which  most  of  the  first  settlers  came,  were  not  as 
clear  of  obstacles  to  the  agriculturist's  implements  as  were  the  prairies 
of  Mercer  county. 

Then  where  shall  we  seek  for  the  reasons  tor  the  neglect  of  the 
more  generous  soil  of  the  prairie  and  the  preference  for  groves  and  the 
poorer  soil  bordering  thereon  ?  We  must  not  forget  that  times  have 
greatly  changed  within  a  half  century.  Implements  that  could  not  be 
used  on  rough  and  stuni])y  grounds  are  a  modern  invention.  Corn 
planters,  grain  drills,  reapers  and  culti\ators  were  invented  after  the 
prairies  began  to  be  cultivated,  and  their  uses  admissable.  These 
machines  were  not  invented  for  the  rough  lands  of  the  east,  but  for  the 
broad,  level  fields  of  the  western  states. 

Again,  we  nmst  keep  in  mind,  habits  of  thought  and  action  are 
not  very  easily  changed.  In  ]>arts  of  the  old  world  implements  of 
agriculture  have  not  changed  nmcli  in  some  thousands  of  years.     Tlie 


46  HISTORY    OF   MERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

pioneers  of  this  county  were  used  to  a  wooded  country.  Tliey  were 
used  to  having  stake  and  ridered  fences  ;  houses  and  barns  made  of 
logs ;  used  to  liaving  large,  blazing  fires  of  wood  in  the  large  chimney 
place  in  the  winter,  and  used  to  wasting  large  quantities  of  fine  logs  by 
burning  in  great  heaps  every  year.  So  when  they  came  here,  with  all 
these  habits  and  predispositions,  it  must  naturally  have  occurred  to 
them  that  the  supply  of  wood  was  limited  and  everyone  sought  for  a 
good  piece  of  timber,  which  should  adjoin  another  piece  of  prairie, 
whether  that  prairie  was  of  the  best  or  not.  So  we  find  all  of  the  first 
settlers  hugging  close  to  the  water-courses  upon  whose  banks  grew  the 
only  reminder  of  their  former  southern  or  eastern  homes. 

One  need  not  in  this  respect  be  told  the  early  history  of  any  locality 
in  the  state.  The  same  rule  governed  all  over,  and  Mercer  county  waa 
no  exception.  Of  course,  navigation  had  something  to  do  with  settling 
the  shores  of  such  sti'eams  as  were  large  enough  to  allow  the  steamboat 
to  ply  back  and  forth  upon  its  waters.  Steamboats  began  running 
along  the  Mississippi  in  1823,  and  to  tliis  circumstance,  doubtless,  we 
can  trace  very  many  of  the  first  settlements  in  the  valley.  The  vicin- 
ity of  New  Boston  was  permanently  occu])ied  first  by  paities  who  sup- 
plied the  boats  with  wood,  and  this,  indeed,  was  the  very  first  settle- 
ment made  by  white  men  in  the  county.  It  was  in  the  year  1827  that 
the  Dennison  family  came  to  that  point  to  supply  the  boats  with  fuel, 
and  in  the  plat  of  the  towTi  of  New  Boston  they  as  proprietors  reserve 
the  right  to  the  monopoly  of  that  trade,  and  of  running  a  ferry.  The 
Dennisons  were  a  large  and  respectable  family,  who  had  come  origi- 
nally from  Lidiana,  but  had  lived  a  year  in  Sangamon  county. 

These  were  the  first  to  make  what  is  now  embraced  in  Mercer 
county  a  permanent  home.  Through  the  influence  of  this  family  others 
came  in,  a  year  or  two  later,  and  settled  in  the  immediate  neighbor- 
hood. Indians  were  still  plenty  on  this  side  of  the  river  and  some  of 
them  were  quite  unfriendly  to  the  encroaching  settler,  though  they 
endeavored  to  keep  up  a  show  of  friendship  with  the  government. 
This  hostile  disposition  on  the  part  of  the  Indians  made  it  not  only 
desirable,  but  imperative,  that  settlers  should  keep  within  a  reasonable 
distance  of  each  other,  and  of  the  river,  and  for  this  reason,  more  than 
any  otlier,  no  settlements  were  made  far  up  the  Edwards  or  Pope 
rivers  until  after  the  Lidians  had  been  removed  in  1832. 

Among  the  earliest  records  of  Warren  county  we  find  the  names  of 
parties  who  voted  once  or  twice  in  this  vicinity,  but  of  whose  identity 
all  other  trace  seems  to  have  been  lost.  Tlie  earliest  settler  cannot  now 
even  remember  the  names.  These  were  ])robably  steamboat  men, 
hunters  or  laborers,  who  possibly  may  have  been  here  but  a  few  days.. 


EARLY    SETTLEMENT.  47 

III  those  times  the  ballot  was  not  guarded  so  closely  but  that  a  man 
could  have  deposited  his  ballot,  even  if  he  had  not  been  in  the  precinct 
the  prescribed  number  of  days.  The  names  of  such  cut  no  iigure  in  the 
history  of  the  county,  and  need  not  be  even  repeated  here. 

We  have  to  do  especially  with  those  who  came  here  to  reside,  to 
subdue  the  forest  and  the  soil,  to  pro\ide  for  families  who  have  since 
made  themselves  known  and  felt  in  the  comnninity,  who  founded 
society  and  moulded  opinions,  and  who,  in  a  general  way,  have  left 
their  mark  upon  the  county.  They  are  yet  kno\\ni,  or  if  de])arted,  they 
are  remembered  for  their  bravery,  their  endurance  of  hardshii)S,  tlieir 
virtue  and  honor.  Of  such  we  desire  to  write,  and  of  such  we  desire 
to  peq^etuate  the  memories. 

The  Dennison  family  came  originally  from  Ohio,  and  lived  a  short 
time  in  Indiana.  In  1826  they  came  to  Sangamon  county  in  this  state 
and  stayed  about  a  year,  and  in  the  year  above  named  came  to  the 
vicinity  of  New  Boston.  For  two  years  the  Dennisons  and  Shaunces, 
who  at  that  time  lived  a  few  miles  farther  north,  and  the  Vanatas  at 
Keithsburgh,  were  almost  the  sole  occupants  of  the  county.  In  1830 
the  census  reports  show  Mercer  county  as  ha^dng  a  population  of  only 
twenty-seven  persons,  and  these  nearly  all  belonged  to  the  two  families 
named.  In  1831  the  Indian  troubles  began,  and  did  not  end  until  the 
fall  of  1832,  and  of  course  no  additions  were  made  during  that  time, 
nor  indeed  for  a  year  or  so  after,  when  confidence  in  the  peaceful  solu- 
tion of  the  troubles  was  fully  restored. 

The  year  1834  brought  a  number  of  settlers,  not  only  to  the  Den- 
nison neighborhood,  but  to  other  portions  of  the  county.  In  the  spring 
of  the  year  named,  several  persons  fi*om  Indiana  came  in  and  took 
claims,  planted  sod  com,  and  went  back  in  the  fall  and  brought  out 
their  families.  Among  those  worthy  of  record  were  Joseph  Glancey, 
Wm.  Dniry,  William,  Newton  J,  and  Joshua  Willits,  Isaac  Drury, 
Joseph,  Jolm  S.  and  Lewis  Noble. 

Several  of  the  names  mentioned  will  be  found  in  future  pages  with 
extensive  and  numerous  notices,  as  they  proved  to  be  valuable  acquisi- 
tions to  the  then  new  but  growing  community.  Jesse  Willits  was  after- 
ward first  probate  judge,  with  his  appointment  from  the  governor. 
His  name  appears  on  the  poll  book  as  the  first  man  to  deposit  a  ballot, 
after  the  county  was  organized  in  1835.  Silas  Drury  was  the  first 
sherifi",  and  Isaac  Drury  was  one  of  the  first  county  commissioners. 
Other  prominent  settlers  in  the  west  end  of  the  county  (and  then  con- 
sidered in  reality  the  same  neighborhood),  were  Jolm  Long,  first  school 
commissioner,  Wm.  L  Ne^'ius,  Eli  Reynold's,  a  physician,  and  Isaac 
Dawson,  a  carpenter. 


48  inSTORY    OF   MERCER    AND    HEKDERSON   COUNTIES. 

In  the  meantime  a  new  and  distinct  settlement  was  forming,  some 
ten  miles  np  the  Edwards  river,  at  a  point  then  and  for  years  aftei*ward 
known  as  the  Sngar  Grove  settlement,  and  after  the  organization  of  the 
county,  called  the  Sugar  Grove  precinct.  A  large  family,  consisting  of 
four  brothers,  John,  Isaac,  George  and  Abraham  Miller,  wath  several  rel- 
atives and  friends,  settled  at  tliis  point  in  1834,  completely  surrounding 
the  grove.  The  Miller  family  was  originally  from  Crab  Orcliard, 
Tennessee,  whence  they  had  removed  to  near  Crawfordsville,  Indiana, 
in  about  1820.  From  that  place  several  members  of  the  family  came 
on  here,  in  the  latter  part  of  April,  1834,  bringing  Avith  them  several 
yoke  of  oxen  and  some  agricultural  im]>lements,  for  the  pui-pose  of 
making  claims  and  of  planting  sod  corn.  AH  but  Abraham  Miller, 
Junior  (son  of  George  Miller),  and  his  wdfe  and  wife's  sister,  returned 
to  Indiana  and  came  out  subsequently.  Abraham  Miller,  Jun.,  proved 
to  be  a  man  <if  much  note  in  public  affairs  of  this  county,  and  indeed 
the  whole  family  was,  for  ten  years  or  more,  during  their  sojourn  here, 
an  influential  one. 

Abraham  Miller  remained  with  the  growing  crops,  built  a  cabin, 
and  became  the  fu*st  permanent  settler  of  the  grove,  and  indeed  of  a 
radius  of  ten  or  twelve  miles.  Several  other  families,  some  relatives 
and  others  mere  acquaintances,  followed  these  during  the  next  season, 
so  that  by  the  time  the  county  was  organized  in  1835,  it  was  found 
most  convenient  to  diA'ide  the  county  into  two  precincts  :  the  one  at 
New  Boston,  which  had  just  been  laid  out  and  given  that  name,  instead 
of  Dennison's  Landing,  and  the  Sugar  Grove  precinct.  By  the  fall  of 
1835  there  were  i)r(jbablv  about  sixtv  inhabitants  in  and  about  the 
Grove,  and  between  200  and  250  in  the  whole  county. 

The  groves  along  tlie  Edwards  river  were  gradually  being  occupied 
by  settlers,  who  ])ushed  farther  and  farther  toward  its  source.  In 
the  spring  of  1835  a  distinct  settlement,  known  as  the  Eichland  settle- 
ment, or  Farlow's  Grove,  was  begun.  This  was  not  in  what  is  now 
known  as  Richland  Grove  township,  but  in  reality  along  the  north  side 
of  the  Edwards,  in  what  is  now  Preemption  township. 

John  Farlow  and  family,  who  settled  on  section  22,  came  from 
Indiana  in  the  s])ring  of  1835,  and  settled  as  stated.  In  the  fall  of  the 
same  year  Hopkins  P)Oone,  now  a  resident  of  Viola,  occupied  section 
34.  Mr.  Boone,  with  his  faniily,  came  from  Pennsyhania.  This  was 
the  fartliest  from  the  mouth  of  the  river  that  any  one  had  yet  settled, 
and  inde(Ml  at  that  time  there  was  not  a  family  residing  between  that 
l>oint  and  the  Rock  ri\-ci-,  nor  for  many  miles  to  the  east,  and  but  one 
family  on  the  south,  between  that  and  Monmouth.  The  next  spring 
(183(1)  Rev.   John  Montgomery,  a  Presbyterian  minister,  and  James 


ORGANIZATION    OF   MERCER   CONUTY.  49 

Boone,  came  out  t'roni  Pennsvlvania  and  located  in  the  Ricliland  neiirh- 
borliood.     (-rabriel   Barklev,    Rev*  Joseph  Jones,   a   Baptist  minister, 
and  C.  IMiller,  came  the  same  year  from  Indiana  and   settled  in  the 
vicinity  of  Farlow's  Grove. 

Thus  have  we  traced  the  main  settlements  of  the  Edwards  valley, 
from  the  mouth  of  that  river  to  near  the  eastern  line  of  the  county.  In 
the  same  way  the  banks  of  Po])e  creek  were  being  occupied,  but 
not  quite  so  rapidly,  nor  were  the  neighborhoods  quite  so  distinct,  but 
were  considered  somewhat  as  branches  of  the  three  principal  settle- 
ments named.  Up  the  North  ITenderson,  from  the  vicinity  of  Oquawka, 
the  pioneer  was  gradually  extending  his  domain,  until  the  banks  of 
these  streams  were  lined  on  either  side,  where  grew  the  native  forests, 
with  the  pioneer's  cabins  and  the  pioneer's  patches  of  corn  and  other 
crops. 

As  the  settlements  grew  older  and  more  populous  they  gradually 
divided  in  interest,  and  centers  began  to  form  at  points  which  at  the 
first  were  considered  as  being  in  the  same  neighborhood,  and  thus  two 
or  more  new  neighborhoods  were  by  common  consent,  and  by  conven- 
ience, formed  from  one.  Keithsburg  and  Eliza,  on  the  west  side  of  the 
county,  separated  their  interests  from  ]Vew  Boston.  Ohio  Grove, 
farther  up  the  Pope,  and  North  ITenderson,  became  more  dis- 
tinct and  held  less  close  relations  with  Sugar  Grove  or  the  Miller 
neighb<jrhood.  Most  of  these  places  had  for  their  centers  either  a  post 
office  or  a  voting  place,  and  in  some  cases  a  church  organization  was- 
the  distinctive  feature. 

ORGANIZATION  OF  MERCER  COUNTY. 

By  the  year  1835  the  territory  now  embraced  within  the  limits  of 
Mercer  county  had  received  quite  a  number  of  permanent  settlers. 
The  Black  Hawk  war  had  ended  three  years  previously,  and  the  excite- 
ment caused  thereby  had  almost  all  passed  away.  Information  had 
been  spread  abroad  that  this  country,  so  lately  overrun  by  the  Indians, 
and  about  which  comparatively  little  was  known,  was  one  of  the  most 
desirable  for  settlement  in  the  west.  Accordingly,  emigrants  began  to 
find  their  way  up  the  Mississippi  and  overland,  from  the  more  thickly 
settled  portions  of  Ohio,  in  search  of  cheap  homes  ;  some  in  search  of 
good  hunting  grounds,  the  game  having  begun  to  be  scarce  in  their 
former  haunts.  So  they  came,  some  on  horseback,  some  on  foot,  some 
up  the  river  on  boats,  and  some  in  wagons,  bringing  with  them  all  their 
worldly  goods,  and  their  families.  Nearly  all  were  ])oor,  but  nearly 
all  came  with  the  one  ])ur]iose  of  securing  an  independence  and  a  home 
for  their  families,  which  could  not  be  obtained  in  tlie  older  sections  of 


50  HISTORY   OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

the  country,  where  land  had  ah-eady  become  comparatively  dear.  The 
iii-st  settlements  were  made  along  the  Mississippi  river,  and  from 
thence  they  gradually  spread  outward  and  followed  the  smaller  rivers 
toward  their  sources.  By  the  date  named,  there  were  probably  forty 
or  fifty  families  in  the  territory  designed  for  Mei'cer  county. 

The  act  of  the  legislature  organizing  the  county  was  passed  January 
31,  1835.  By  a  provision  of  the  act,  an  election  was  directed  to  be 
held  on  the  first  Monday  of  April,  1835,  in  the  to^v^l  of  New  Boston, 
at  the  house  of  Eli  Reynolds,  and  at  the  house  of  Geo.  Miller,  for 
county  ofiicers.  James  Irvin,  George  Piper  and  Benjamin  Yanata,  or 
any  two  of  them,  were  to  be  judges  at  New  Boston,  and  George  Mil- 
ler, David  Shaunce  and  Ebenezer  Cresswell,  or  any  two  of  them,  at 
the  house  of  George  Miller.  New  Boston  was  designated  as  the  tem- 
porary county  seat.  Tlie  following  is  an  exact  coj^y  of  the  act,  as  will 
be  found  on  page  156  of  the  session  laws  for  the  year  1835,  and  as  it 
will  be  deemed  a  historical  relic  by  many,  we  think  it  advisable  to  give 
it  entire. 

AN   ACT  TO   ORGANIZE   MERCER   COUNTY. 

Section  1.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  people  of  the  state  of  IlUnois  represented  in 
the  general  assembly,  That  on  the  first  Monday  of  A];)ril  next,  between  the  hours 
of  eight  o'clock  in  the  morning  and  seven  o'clock  in  the  evening,  an  election 
shall  be  held  in  the  town  of  New  Boston,  at  the  house  of  Eli  Eeynolds,  and  the 
house  of  George  Miller,  in  the  county  of  Mercer,  for  three  county  commissioners, 
one  sheriff,  and  one  coroner,  for  said  county,  who  shall  continue  in  office  until 
their  successors  shall  be  duly  elected  and  qualified. 

Sec  2.  That  James  Irvin,  George  Piper  and  Benjamin  Vanata,  or  any  two 
of  them,  shall  be  judges  of  the  election  to  be  held  at  the  town  of  New  Boston, 
and  George  Miller,  David  *Shonce  and  Ebenezer  Cresswell,  or  any  two  of  them, 
shall  be  judges  of  the  election  to  be  held  at  the  house  of  George  Miller.  Said 
judges  shall  be  authorized  to  a^jpoint  two  clerks  at  each  precinct,  and  said  judges 
and  clerks  shall  be  qualified  in  the  same  manner  as  judges  and  clerks  of  elections 
are  now  required  by  law,  and  said  elections  shall  in  every  respect  be  conducted 
in  conformity  with  the  election  laws  of  this  state. 

Sec.  3.  Until  the  county  seat  of  said  county  of  Mercer  shall  be  located,  it 
.shall  be  the  duty  of  the  county  commissioner's  court  of  said  county  to  procure  a 
suitable  house  at  New  Boston,  and  the  several  courts  shall  be  held  at  New  Boston 
until  suitable  buildings  are  furnished  at  the  county  seat  thereinafter  to  be  located, 
and  the  said  town  of  New  Boston  is  hereby  declared  the  temporary  seat  of  said 
county  of  INIercer  until  the  same  shall  be  permanently  located  by  law. 

Sec.  4.  Said  county  of  Mercer  is  hereby  declared  to  be  organized,  with  such 
corporate  powers  as  belong  to  other  counties  in  this  state. 

This  act  to  be  in  force  from  and  after  its  j)assage. 

Approved  January  31,  1835. 

The  act  was  passed  at  Vandalia,  which  was  at  that  date  the  capital 
of  the  state,  to  and  from  which  the  legislator  of  the  olden  time,  unlike 

*  Shaunce. 


VASHTI    DRURY. 


UNIVUiblTY  OF  laiNOtS 
UKBAMA 


ORGANIZATION   OF   MERCKR   (y)UNTY.  53 

his  more  aristocratic  successor  who  may  travel  in  the  palace  cars,  jonr- 
neved  to  and  fro  on  horseback,  with  his  changes  of  raiment  strapped  on 
behind  his  saddle. 

The  act  of  organization  was  completed  on  the  <Uh  day  f)f  April  of 
the  same  year  by  the  election  of  officers,  as  pro^^ded  in  the  law.  Two 
voting  places  were  designated.  Tlie  one  })recinct  embracing  the  terri- 
tory in  the  west  part  of  the  county,  and  the  other  the  eastern  settle- 
ments. At  the  election  in  the  New  Boston  precinct  there  were  thirty- 
five  votes  cast  for  Edward  AVillett  for  coroner  ;  twentv-five  and  twelve 
votes  respectively  for  Silas  Drurs-  and  John  Long  for  sheriff;  and 
twenty-four,  thirty-three,  sixteen  and  thirty  votes,  respectively,  for  Isaac 
Drury,  Abraham  Miller,  Jose])h  Noble  and  Erastus  Dennison  for 
countv  commissioners.  Jesse  Willits,  Benjamin  Yanata  and  Samuel 
Piper  were  the  judges,  and  AVilliam  C.  Townisend  and  Ephraim  Gil- 
more  acted  as  clerks.  At  the  Miller  precinct,  Isaac  Drury,  Joseph 
Noble,  Erastus  Dennison  and  Abraham  Miller  received  five,  nine, 
thirteen  and  twelve  votes,  respectively,  for  commissioners  ;  John  Long 
received  six,  and  Silas  Drury  seven,  votes  for  sheriff,  and  Edward 
Willett  received  thirteen  votes  for  coroner.  David  Shaunce  and  Ebe- 
nezer  Ci*esswell  acted  as  judges,  and  John  and  Abraham  Miller  as 
clerks.  The  result  of  the  election  can  be  seen  bv  the  reader  without 
recapitulation. 

We  cannot  think  of  a  more  interesting  item  of  histon-  than  the  list 
of  names  of  those  who  took  part  in  the  election  that  day,  as  sho-wnng 
who  were  the  residents,  heads  of  families  and  politicians  of  Mercer 
county  in  1835.  A  number  of  the  names  figure  prominently  in  the 
history  of  the  county,  some  drop  out  of  sight  in  a  very  few  years,  and 
a  very  few,  with  whitening  heads  and  bent  forms,  are  still  with  us  to 
tell  the  story  of  the  early  times,  waiting  only  a  little  while  when  they 
will  follow  on  to  a  new  and  better  countiy  beyond  the  river  of  time. 
As  the  list  is  short  we  give  it  entire,  as  recorded  on  the  poll  book  of 
the  two  precincts.  There  may  have  been  a  few  others  entitled  to  vote, 
but  if  there  were  tlieir  names  are  not  now  remembered. 

Jesse  Willits,  Samuel  Piper,  Benjamin  Vanata,  Hamilton  Christie, 
Newton  Willitts,  John  Long,  Silas  Drury,  Lewis  Noble,  William 
Dniry,  George  Fisher,  Joseph  Leonard,  William  Jackson,  William 
AVillitts,  John  Hall,  Elias  Fisher,  William  Wilson,  John  Kester,  James 
H.  Barnes,  AVilliam  J.  Nevius,  Joseph  Dennison.  AVilliam  Pool.  Adam 
W.  Richie,  John  Richardson,  W.  Dennison,  John  Reynolds,  Edward 
Willett,  AA^lliam  Dennison,  Joseph  Noble,  Jose])h  Glancy,  Tsjuic 
Drury,  M.  Leeper,  Jesse  Kester,  Robert  Reynolds,  E.  S.  Dennison, 
Ephraim  Gilmore,  William  C.  Townsend.  Second  precinct  —  John  AV. 
4 


54:  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

Dennison,  David  Sbaimce,  Eli  Reynolds,  Isaac  Dawson,  John  Farlow, 
John  Shaunce,  George  Miller,  Ebenezer  Ci*eswell,  Abraham  Miller, 
Sen.,  John  Miller,  A.  Miller,  Jun.,  Harrison  W.  Riggs,  George 
Miller,  Jun. 

One  week  after  the  first  election  was  held  (April  13,  1835)  the 
commissioner's  court,  corresponding  in  later  times  to  the  board  of 
supervisors,  met  at  Kew  Boston  and  transacted  the  first  public  business. 
The  court  consisted  of  the  recently  elected  commissioners,  Isaac  Drury, 
Abraham  Miller  and  Erastus  Dennison.  The  first  business  was  to 
appoint  a  clerk,  which  they  did  in  the  person  of  William  C.  Townsend. 
Ephraim  Gilmore  was  then  appointed  treasurer,  Jolm  Long,  school 
commissioner,  Harrison  W.  Riggs,  judge  of  election  in  first,  and  Isaac 
Miller  in  second  precinct.  William  Dennison  was  granted  a  license  to 
run  a  ferry  at  New  Boston,  on  the  Mississippi  river,  for  which  Dennison 
had  to  pay  four  dollars  tax.  In  his  license  he  was  allowed  to  charge 
for  ferriage  for  1835  :  for  each  four-horse  wagon,  $1.50  ;  two-horse 
wagon,  $1  ;  man  and  horse,  50c  ;  one  horse,  18f c  ;  cattle,  each,  18fc  ; 
sheep  and  hogs,  each,  6Jc ;  each  footman,  18f c  (it  will  be  noticed 
that  it  was  somewhat  cheaper  for  a  man  to  send  his  horse  across  alone); 
each  yoke  of  work  cattle,  50c  (cheaper  to  send  them  separately).  The 
county  was  laid  off"  into  four  road  districts,  of  which  Abraham  Miller  was 
designated  as  supervisor  of  first,  Lewis  Noble  of  second,  Jesse  Kester  of 
third,  and  James  H.  Bane  of  fourth.  Ordered  that  a  tax  of  $1.20  be 
levied  on  each  quarter  section  of  taxable  land  in  the  county.  Tlie 
above  embraced  all  of  the  business  of  the  fii'st  day. 

On  the  second  day,  Tuesday  morning  at  eight  o'clock,  the  court, 
consisting  of  the  commissioners,  the  clerk,  and  Silas  Drury,  sheriff, 
met  and  transacted  additional  important  business.  The  following  per- 
sons were  selected  as  grand  jurors  for  the  first  term  of  circuit  court  in 
Mercer  county  :  George  Miller,  Isaac  Miller,  John  Farlow,  Jesse  Wil- 
lits,  John  Hill,  Mark  Willits,  David  Shaunce,  Lewis  Noble,  Daniel 
Pinkley,  John  W.  Deimison,  William  Willitts,  Joseph  Glancey,  John 
Reynolds,  George  Blake,  Benjamin  Vanata,  Jolm  Long,  James  Irvin, 
Wesley  Wicks,  Ephraim  Gilmore,  Jolm  Kester,  Jesse  Kester,  Thomas 
Morgan  and  John  Bates.  And  for  petit  jurors  :  John  Miller,  Isaac 
Miller,  George  Miller,  Abraham  Miller,  Isaac  Dawson,  William  W. 
Wilson,  John  Shaunce,  Isaac  Drury,  Wm.  H.  Dennison,  Joseph  Noble, 
Joseph  A.  Dennison,  William  Drury,  Harrison  W.  Riggs,  William 
Jackson,  Robert  Reynolds,  Newton  Willits,  Joseph  Leonard,  Joshua 
Willits,  James  H.  Bane,  Eli  Reynolds,  John  P.  Reynolds,  Drury  Rey- 
nolds, Cln-istopher  Shuck,  John  Rankins.  This,  with  the  addition 
of  levying  a  tax  of  one-half  of  one  })er  cent  on  certain  personal  projv 
erty,  embraced  all  the  business  of  the  special  term. 


ORGAJ^IZATION   OF   MERCER   COUNTY.  55 

At  the  first  regular  term,  wliich  was  held  June  1,  1835,  though  the 
first  appointed  clerk  had  recorded,  as  the  first  item,  that  he  had  taken 
the  oath  and  given  bond,  iie  failed  to  get  the  bond  approved,  and  so  at 
the  regular  meeting  it  was  found  necessary -to  appoint  a  new  clerk,  in 
the  person  of  William  Drurj,  upon  which  Mr  Townsend  resigned. 
Mr.  Drury  did  not  experience  the  ti'ouble  in  giving  secm-ity,  as  did  his 
predecessor,  E.  S.  Dennison  and  Joseph  Leonard  going  on  the  bond  in 
the  sum  of  $1,000.  Mr.  Drury  made  a  good  clerk  and  served  until 
succeeded  by  Abaham  Miller  in  October  1837.  Mr.  Drury,  in  signing 
his  name  to  all  of  his  legal  documents,  makes  a  ])eculiar  flourish  be- 
neath his  signature,  which  cannot  be  described  without  an  engraving, 
and  indeed  which  could  not  be  easily  imitated.  Judge  Gilmore  is  our 
authority  for  a  stoiy  that  has  been  received  for  more  than  forty  years  as 
genuine  history,  that  when  Miller  was  elected  to  succeed  Driu*y,  he  was 
found  one  day  sitting  on  the  sand  bank  barefooted  tr^dng  to  cut  the 
figure  in  the  sand  with  his  great  toe.  The  evidence  in  the  record  bear- 
ing on  the  case  is  quite  strong.  The  first  two  or  three  times  that  Miller 
signs  his  name  to  the  record  there  is  an  e^ddent,  but  fraitless,  attempt 
to  imitate  Drury's  flourish,  but  after  that  it  is  entirely  abandoned. 

In  the  Recorder's  oflice  is  a  relic  that  marks  its  author  as  a  boss 
mechanic.  It  consists  of  a  blank  book  of  home  manufacture,  and  to 
William  Drury  is  given  the  credit  of  its  construction.  It  is  one  of  the 
first  record  books,  and  its  description  is  worthy  of  a  place  here.  The 
book  consists  of  about  one  hundred  pages  of  foolscap  paper.  This  the 
maker  evidently  ruled  himself  with  columns  to  suit  his  convenience, 
and  also  headed  in  a  proper  manner.  The  cord  for  binding  tile  leaves 
together  seems  to  have  been  a  fishing  line,  or  some  other  equally  stn^ng 
cord.  Tlie  sides  are  two  oak  boards,  evidently  rived  ti'om  a  straight- 
grained  tree  and  di*essed  down  with  a  draw  shave  ;  or  if  with  the  axe, 
must  have  been  by  an  exceedingly  skillfiil  hand.  The  sides  are  then 
covered  with  paper  that  seems  to  have  been  a  window  blind.  The  back 
and  corners  are  buckskin,  doubtless  taken  from  the  body  of  some  deer 
shot  by  the  rifle  of  the  bookmaker  and  tanned  by  himself.  The  book  is  in 
excellent  preservation,  as  ai-e  all  the  old  records  of  Mercer  county,  which 
show  that  our  first  ofiicers  were  not  only  men  of  ability  and  taste,  but 
that  they  exercised  proper  care  of  what  was  entrusted  to  their  keeping. 

Mr.  Miller  doubtless  had  in  his  soul  real  genius,  and  though  he 
could  not  imitate  Drury's  flourish,  has  left  e\ndences  of  his  invention 
and  artistic  skill  upon  the  records.  In  one  of  the  records  we  find  the 
title  page  decorated  with  red,  black  and  yeUow  colors,  the  artist's  hand 
revealing  itself  in  gaudy  colors  and  finely  displayed  printing,  of  which 
the  following  is  as  nearly  a  copy  as  our  type  will  represent : 


56  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND   HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

Count 


Y.  c  O  M  I 


S  S  I  O  N  E  Rs 


Recoil 


D 


Vol.  I 


OROAMIZATION    OF   MERCER   COUNTY.  57 

In  another  record,  Mr.  Miller  makes  a  further  disjilay  of  his  skill  in 
the  use  of  the  brush.  The  law  required  that  the  owners  of  stock  shc^uld 
mark  the  same  by  a  cut  of  some  kind  in  one  of  the  ears  of  the  animal. 
Some  chose  as  their  mark  a  slit  in  the  right,  some  a  crop  from  the  left 
ear,  and  the  crops,  slits  and  quarters  of  either  ear  were  varied  to  suit 
the  taste  of  the  owner.  To  make  these  distinctions  legal,  it  was  neces- 
sary to  have  a  description  of  the  same  recorded  in  a  book  used  for  the 
"recording  of  marks  of  animals."  Tlie  common  method  with  record- 
ers is  to  write  the  description,  appending  the  name  of  the  owner,  with 
date  of  entry,  but  Mr.  Miller,  finding  this  a  good  opportunity  for  the 
dis})lay  of  his  genius,  paints  in  the  margin  of  the  record  the  whole 
animal,  with  the  particular  ear,  minus  the  crop,  pointing  directly  to  the 
name  of  the  man  who  mutilated  it. 

The  iirst  business  transacted  at  this  term  of  court  was  the  granting 
of  a  license  to  Eli  Reynolds  to  vend  gi'oceries  in  New  Boston,  for 
which  privilege  he  had  to  pay  into  the  treasury  of  the  county  87^  cents. 
The  iirst  road  established  by  authority  of  the  county  was  ordered  at 
this  term.  The  road  was  from  New  Boston  toward  Rock  Island,  and 
was  designated  by  stakes  driven  in  the  prairie  and  trees  blazed  through 
the  timber.  The  road  was  viewed  by  Ephraim  Gilmore,  Harrison  W. 
Riggs  and  Lewis  Noble,  for  which  services  they  received  in  the  aggre- 
gate the  sum  of  $8.  Of  course  it  is  not  a  profane  pun,  but  simply  a 
coincidence  of  euphony,  that  at  this  meeting  the  board  ordered  that  a 
writ  of  ad  quod  dam-num  be  granted  to  Silas  B.  Hubbard  to  enquire 
and  ascertain  what  d^images  may  be  sustained  by  building  a  mill  and 
dam  on  Edwards  river.  An  ad  quod  da7n-n\un  was  also  granted  to 
Charles  Jack  in  regard  to  dama,ges  for  a  mill  dajn  on  same  river. 

Tlie  county  at  this  session  was  laid  oft'  into  two  justice  districts. 
Tlie  New  Boston  district  embraced  all  that  part  of  the  county  lying 
west  of  the  middle  of  township  4,  and  the  balance  of  the  county 
embraced  the  Sugar  Grove  disti-ict. 

The  state  road  ft-om  Knoxville  to  New  Boston  was  at  this  session 
endorsed. 

For  a  number  of  terms  the  most  of  the  business  of  the  court  con- 
sisted in  authorizing  roads,  and  the  sm'veyor  was  the  ofticer  of  greatest 
importance. 

The  first  report  by  the  commissioners  made  March  9,  1837,  is 
interesting,  as  compared  with  similar  reports  at  present.  It  is  gi\'en 
entire: 


58  HISTORY    OF   MERCEK   AJSTD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

1836,  Receipts.  $      cts. 

Mar.  7,    Remaining  in  tlie  treasury 4  47^ 

Revenue  from  the  state 400  00 

Tax  on  personal  property 58  61 

Road  tax 922  38 

Received  for  licenses 35  00 

Interest  on  notes 12  25 

1,432  71^ 

•  To  amount  paid  on  county  orders  for  county  jjurposes,  439  51 J 

Balance  in  treasury 993  20 

The  above  balance  included  notes  for  $950,  leaving  $43.20  cash  on  hand. 

The  regular  election  of  county  officers  occurred  August  3,  1835. 
At  this  election  William  Drury  was  elected  recorder,  Ephriam  Gilmore, 
surveyor,  E.  Creswell  and  Abner  Arrasmith  were  elected  justices  of  the 
peace,  and  John  Miller  and  Wesley  Arrasmith,  constables.  The  elec- 
tion of  justices  and  constables  was  found  to  be  illegal,  and  a  special 
election  was  held  October  5,  for  the  purpose  of  electing  two  justices  and 
two  constables  for  New  Boston  and  one  justice  and  one  constable  for 
Sugar  Grove  precinct.  To  these  offices  Joshua  Willits  and  Lewis 
Noble  .were  elected  justices,  and  Newton  I.  Willits  and  William  B. 
Wilson  constables,  for  New  Boston,  and  Abraham  Miller,  Jun.,  and 
John  INIiller  were  elected  justice  and  constable,  respectively,  for  Sugar 
Grove. 

An  idea  of  some  of  the  difficulties  that  our  primitive  officers  had  to 
contend  with  in  administering  justice,  may  be  easily  gained  fi-om  the 
following,  in  Mr.  Abraham  Miller's  own  words:  "'The  iirst  lawsuit  ever 
instituted  in  the  Sugar  Grove  precinct  was  by  an  old  Yankee  plaintiff 
(B.  Lloyd),  who  from  that  time  onward  kept  his  neighbors  warmed  up 
to  more  than  fever  heat  with  vexatious  lawsuits,  as  far  as  his  neighbor- 
hood dealings  or  business  transactions  were  extended.  An  excuse  for 
a  lawsuit  was  a  sufficient  warrant  for  a  'pitch  in.'  Sometimes  they 
were  civil,  sometimes  criminal,  and  sometimes  for  a  supposed  trespass. 
This  first  suit  was  the  first  ever  tried  before  me,  and  the  court  was 
without  practice,  precedent  or  law.  There  was  then  but  one  copy  of 
the  statutes  of  Illinois  in  Mercer  county,  and  that  was  in  the  hands  of 
the  county  clerk  (Wm.  Drury)  at  New  Boston,  and  could  not  be  loaned. 
The  justice  begged  time  to  get  up  the  papers  till  law  could  be  procured, 
but  our  plaintiff*  was  so  rampant  for  litigation  that  but  little  or  no  time 
could  be  given.  The  poor  justice  was  therefore  doomed  to  saddle  'old 
gray,'  throw  a  bed  cpiiit  around  him,  and  ride  some  twelve  miles 
over  the  prairie  on  a  cold,  snowy  day,  with  a  bleak  northwest  wind 
on  the  side  of  the  court's  face,  to  Dan  Edgingtoii's,  a  justice  of  the 
peace  in  Rock  Island  county,  to  borrow  a  statute.     Tlie  loan  of  thia 


ORGANIZATION    OF   MERCER   COUNTY.  59 

conld  only  be  procured  for  tliree  days,  and  it  would  be  needless  to  say 
that  tlie  honiestretcli  of  that  day"'s  travel  was  s])eedily  ])erfomied.  For 
the  three  days'  grace  allowed  in  the  loan,  this  backwoods  justice,  now 
a  law-student,  ])lied  all  his  ])owers,  manual  and  mental.  Day  and 
night  were  spent  in  poring  over  this  precious  volume  to  discover  the 
duties  enjoined  upon  a  justice  of  the  peace,  and  short  notes  were  taken 
for  ftiture  reference.  Being  rather  ex]3ert  with  the  ])en,  a  summary 
statute  of  Abe's  own  was  comjnled,  published  and  issued  from  the 
press  (not,  bless  you,  reader,  from  a  printing  press,  but  from  the  com- 
pulsory press  of  necessity),  and  tit  for  use  in  the  short  space  of  three 
days  and  nights.  This  backwoods  edition,  comprised  of  the  general 
duties  of  justice  and  constable,  was  destined  to  become  as  useful  and 
familiar  as  household  words  in  a  family.  During  the  night  part  of  his 
labor,  the  second  or  third  night,  the  court,  becoming  very  drowsy,  upset 
an  inkstand,  emptying  its  sable  contents  upon  a  good  part  of  a  page  of 
the  borrowed  statutes.  Seizing  the  book,  the  obliterated  part  was  saved 
from  entire  ruin  by  licking  the  ink  from  the  same  with  the  tongue. 
The  book  was  returned  within  the  specified  time,  with  many  baclcM'oods 
thanks  and  humble  apologies  for  the  accident  of  the  old  ink  liorn,  all 
of  which  were  most  courteously  accej)ted  by  Dan,  who  was  every  inch 
of  him  a  backM'oods  gentleman,  and  a  full  pardon  granted  and  gra- 
ciously accepted."  It  is  needless  to  add  tliat  the  Yankee  plaintiff  got 
ample  justice,  as  did  many  others  who  brought  their  grievances  to 
this  court;  for,  whatever  may  have  been  his  peculiarities,  he  is  not 
accused  of  any  of  the  peculiar  methods  that  obtain  in  some  high  and 
low  courts  of  a  later  day. 

August  1,  1836,  the  first  election  for  members  of  congress  and  leg- 
islature in  which  the  voters  of  Mercer  county  took  part  was  held.  Of 
the  sixty-seven  votes  cast  for  congi-essman,  John  T.  Stuart  received 
fifty-three  and  William  L.  May  fourteen.  Elijah  Cliarles  and  James 
Craig  received  the  highest  number  of  votes  for  re])resentatives  in  the 
state  legislature.  At  that  election  James  IT.  Bane,  Iliram  llardie  and 
James  Burleigh  were  elected  county  commissioners,  and  Daniel  Pinck- 
ley  sherift'. 

As  we  have  seen,  the  county  was  divided  into  two  precincts,  or  dis- 
tricts, but  soon  settlements  made  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  county,  far 
up  the  Edwards  river,  called  for  fiirther  division.  At  the  regular 
meeting  of  the  newly  elected  commissioners,  September  5,  1836,  that 
p<^)rtion  of  the  countv^  east  of  a  line  running  due  north  and  south,  one 
mile  east  of  the  line  dividing  ranges  two  and  three  west,  was  erected 
into  a  new  precinct.  Tliis,  it  will  be  seen,  embraced  all  of  what  are 
now  known  as  Richland   Grove,  Rivoli  and  North  Henderson  town- 


60  HISTORY   OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

ships,  and  nearly  all  of  Preemption,  Green  and  Suez.  The  name  of 
Kichland  was  given  to  this  district.  One  of  the  commissioners,  Hiram 
Hardie,  was  a  citizen  of  the  district.  Besides  him  there  were  about 
one  dozen  voters. 

A  year  later,  September  5,  1837,  Richland  precinct  was  divided, 
forming  a  new  election  and  justice's  district  out  of  all  that  portion  of 
Richland  lying  south  of  the  line,  separating  townships  14  and  15,  and 
leaving  Richland  with  a  little  less  than  two  congressional  townsliips. 
The  settlements  to  be  provided  for  were  mostly  those  along  Pope  creek 
and  the  new  precinct  was  called  by  that  name. 

Pope  creek  was  now  setthng  rapidly.  A  year  later  a  new  district 
was  found  necessary  in  the  southern  middle  part  of  the  county,  and  so 
at  the  meeting  of  the  board,  March  9,  1838,  it  was  ordered  that  all 
that  part  of  Sugar  Grove  lying  south  of  an  east  and  west  line  equally 
diA'iding  township  14  be  organized  and  called  Ohio  precinct.  Edwards 
precinct  was  formed  March  9,  1839,  from  what  are  now  all  of  Preemp- 
tion, the  north  half  of  Green,  the  northeast  quarter  of  Mercer,  and  the 
east  half  of  Perryton.  At  the  same  meeting  Eliza  precinct  was  estab- 
lished, and  was  composed  of  the  territory  which  now  lies  within  Eliza 
township.  Keithsburg  precinct  was  formed  by  the  commissioners  June 
1,  1840,  and  comprised  the  territory  now  embraced  in  Abington  and 
Keithsburg  tovniships.  This  pro^'ided,  as  was  supposed,  all  parts  of 
the  county  \vith  convenient  polling  places,  and  with  local  offices  for  the 
government  of  the  different  neighborhoods,  and  these  divisions  thus 
remained  intact  until  the  adoption  of  township  organization,  after  which 
each  congressional  township,  with  the  exception  of  the  fractional  town- 
ships of  the  western  portions  of  Eliza  and  Xew  Boston,  were  organized 
separately.  The  convenience  of  this  method  is  apparent.  Congres- 
sional townships,  by  act  of  congress,  are  separate  school  townships,  and 
cannot  be  changed  to  suit  any  other  boundaries  by  any  state  or  local 
enactment. 

THE  REPUBLICAN  PARTY  IN  MERCER  COUNTY. 

Prior  to  the  passage  of  what  is  known  as  the  ''  Kansas  and  Nebras- 
ka Act  of  1854,"  Mercer  county  was  a  whig  county  in  politics.  The 
democratic  party  was  in  a  minority  of  some  two  or  three  hundred. 

Tlie  anti-slavery  feeling  was  strong  in  both  of  the  old  parties,  and 
there  were  quite  a  number  of  A'oters  who  were  abolitionists  or  free- 
soilers,  and  who  would  vote  for  the  abolition  or  fi-ee-soil  candidates 
when  an  o])p()rtunity  occurred ;  but  the  most  of  these,  in  all  except 
presidential  elections,  voted  and  acted  with  the  other  political  parties. 

When  the  ''Kansas  and  Nebraska  Act"  was  passed  in  May,  L854, 


THE  REPUBLICAN  PARTY  IN  MERCER  COUNTY.  f)l 

it  created  such  an  excitement  and  alarm,  that  a  large  number  of  the 
people,  of  both  of  the  old  parties,  were  ready  to  unite  with  the  free- 
soil  ers  and  abolitionists  in  the  fonnation  of  a  new  party,  to  resist  the 
aggressive  policy  of  the  pro-slavery  party,  which  controlled  the  two 
■dominant  political  parties  of  the  United  States.  Meetings  were  called 
as  early  as  June  9,  1854,  in  two  at  least  of  the  townships  of  the  county, 
and  resolutions  passed  in  opposition  to  the  ^ '  Kansas-Nebraska  Act, " 
and  calling  for  a  united  effort  of  all  persons  oj)posed  to  the  extension 
of  slavery  in  the  territories,  to  fonn  a  political  party  to  stay  the  aggress- 
ive pro-slavery  legislation. 

Leading  citizens  of  the  county  conferred  with  each  other ;  and  a 
convention  of  all  persons  in  the  county,  of  all  political  parties,  wlu» 
were  opposed  to  the  "Kansas-Kebraska  Act''  and  the  extension  of  slav- 
ery in  the  territories,  to  meet  at  Millersbm-g  for  the  pm'pose  of  organ- 
izing a  new  political  anti-slavery  party. 

Tlie  convention  assembled  in  Millersburg  pursuant  to  the  call,  in  the 
summer  of  1854,  and  was  represented  by  delegates  from  all  parts  of 
the  county,  and  from  all  of  the  old  political  parties.  John  Collins,  an 
old  settler,  and  life-long  democrat,  was  elected  president  of  the  conven- 
tion. A  committee  of  nine  was  appointed  to  draft  resolutions  and  arti- 
cles of  organization.  Tlie  committee  was  composed  of  Judge  E.  Gil- 
more,  a  whig  and  old  resident  of  the  county,  who  had  tilled  many 
important  offices,  and  who  is  now  (1882)  residing  in  Aledo  ;  James  H. 
Reed,  a  whig,  who  was  afterward  successively  editor  of  the  ''Oquaw- 
ka  Plaindealer,"  the  ''Aledo  Weekly  Record"  and  the  "Monmouth 
Atlas,""'  and  who  died  in  Monmouth  ;  L.  W.  Myers,  an  abolitionist, 
then  a  young  man,  who  is  now  and  has  been  for  a  number  of  years, 
editor  of  the  "  Wappello  Republican,"  Iowa  ;  Isaac  N.  Bassett,  a  whig, 
who  is  still  liWng,  a  lawyer  in  Aledo  ;  John  W.  Miles,  a  whig,  after- 
ward quartermaster  of  the  17th  reg.  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  who  died  in  1863  ; 
Harvey  S.  Senter,  a  whig,  who  tilled  various  offices  in  the  county,  and 
has  since  died  in  Aledo  ;  Tyler  McWhorter,  a  democrat,  now  resident 
near  Aledo  ;  Samuel  Miller,  an  abolitionist,  who  has  been  dead  several 
years  ;  J.  R.  Whitham,  abolitionist,  now  residing  near  Aledo. 

There  was  an  animated  controversy  in  the  committee  room,  and  at 
•one  time  it  seemed  impossible  for  the  committee  to  agree  ;  but  tinally 
resolutions  and  a  platform  were  agreed  upon  that  was  satisfactory  to 
all,  and  a  unanimous  report  made  to  the  convention,  which  was  adopted, 
and  the  organization  of  the  republican  party  of  Mercer  county  was 
completed.  The  exact  date  of  this  convention  cannot  now  be  ascer- 
tained, but  it  is  believ^ed  to  have  been  the  iirst  county  convention  of  the 
kind  held  in  the  state. 


62  HISTOKY    OF   MEKCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

There  had  not  at  least  been  any  convention  called  for  a  similar  pur- 
pose in  any  of  the  adjoining  counties,  and  Mercer  county  is  properly 
entitled  to  the  credit  of  being  the  pioneer  county  in  the  formation  of 
the  republican  party.  Tlie  gi*eater  part  of  the  whigs  in  the  county 
approved  of  the  platform,  and  at  once  became  active  members  of  the 
new  party.  Some  of  the  political  leaders  in  the  whig  party,  however, 
approved  the  formation  of  the  new  party.  John  S.  Tliompson  and 
Lewis  W.  Thompson  (both  lawyers,  and  one  clerk  of  the  county  court 
in  Keith sburg),  were  at  first  violently  opposed  to  the  new  party  organi- 
zation, but  another  year  gave  the  party  such  recognition  throughout  the 
state  and  United  States  that  they,  with  other  opponents,  ceased  their 
opposition,  and  became  warm  supporters  of  the  party. 

Tlie  abolitionists  and  ii-ee-soilers,  with  a  considerable  number  of  the 
democrats,  were  incorporated  into  the  new  party,  which  was,  fi'om  the 
commencement,  strong  in  numbers.  In  the  presidential  election  ia 
1856,  Fremont  received  1,141  votes  ;  Buchanan,  769  ;  and  Filmore,  140. 
Tlie  Filmore  vote  doubtless  represented  the  whigs  who  refused  to  act 
with  the  re'publican  party.  In  1860,  Lincoln  received  1,808  votes,  and 
all  the  democratic  candidates  received  1,193  votes,  the  majority  being 
615,  and  the  majority  has  never  been  less  than  that  since,  at  any  presi- 
dential election.  I.  N.  Bassett. 

THE  CHICAGO,  BURLINGTON  &  QUINCY  RAILROAD. 

As  stated  on  another  page,  the  first  settlements  of  this  region  were- 
made  along  the  water-courses,  and  nan-ow  belts  of  timber  skirting  the 
same,  and  to  the  fact  of  the  existence  of  these  natural  features  can  be 
traced  nearly  every  improvement  in  the  whole  State  of  Illinois  prior  to- 
about  1850.  Even  as  early  as  1840  almost  all  the  timber  tracts  were 
occupied  by  sattlers,  and  it  was  then  supposed  by  many,  that  further 
development  of  the  country,  if  made  at  all,  would  be  by  a  poorer  class 
of  herdsmen  and  other  employes  of  the  more  fortunate  inhabitants  of 
better  favored  portions  of  the  country.  Tlie  Mississippi  was  of  course 
the  great  thorouglifare  of  business  and  travel  on  the  west,  and  the  Illi- 
nois river  on  the  east,  and  between  these  was  a  barren,  trackless  waste. 
Whole  townships,  and  indeed  almost  whole  counties,  were  without  a 
single  inhabitant,  and  though  the  soil  was  known  to  be  excellent,  every- 
body supposed  that  a  century  would  elapse  before  it  could  be  made 
available  for  any  purpose.  Indeed,  it  was  difficult  to  see  that  with 
the  lack  of  fuel  and  building  timber  it  could  ever  be  more  than  a  grand 
herding  ground  for  stock  owned  by  those  wlio  had  been  so  foi-tunate  a& 
to  secure  homes  and  strips  of  woodland  along  the  courses  of  the  streams, 
of  water. 


THE    CHICAGO,    BURLINaTON    AND    QUENOY    RAILROAD.  63 

It  will  not  do  to  sav  that  railroads,  which  eventually  redeemed  the 
best  country  that  lay  under  the  sun  from  absolute  uselessness,  had  not 
been  dreamed  of,  for  from  1835  until  1840  they  had  been  the  dream  of 
politicians,  speculators  and  emigrants,  but,  as  all  supposed,  they  had  all 
been  awakened  by  a  crash  in  financial  matters  in  1838^0  to  the  reality 
that  such  enterprises  were  a  luxury  not  to  be  enjoyed  by  this  portion  of 
the  world.  For  now  they  began  to  argue  that  the  country  was  about 
settled  up,  and  the  small  trathc  that  would  come  to  such  an  enterprise 
would  not  be  sufficient  to  sustain  it,  and  that  population  must  necessa- 
rily precede  such  improvement.  The  more  modern  idea  of  such  roads 
as  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  is,  to  make  the  improvement 
first,  and  the  population  and  the  traffic  immediately  follow,  and  it  is 
now  well  understood  that  nothing  in  the  natural  features  of  the  country 
have  ever  tended  so  much  to  its  development  as  the  opening  up  of  these 
means  of  travel  and  commerce. 

At  the  risk  of  seeming  to  write  in  the  interest  of  railroads,  or  for 
the  purpose  of  manufacturing  sentiment,  we  venture  the  remark  that, 
as  far  as  can  now  be  seen,  the  opinions  of  the  early  settlers  that  the 
great  prairies  of  this  section,  only  for  the  advent  of  the  railroad,  were 
sound,  and  that  improvement -of  Illinois  to-day  would  have  been  but 
little  in  advance  of  what  might  have  been  seen  in  1850.  The  water- 
courses had  exerted  all  their  influence  in  settling  and  developing  the 
country,  and  as  has  been  noted,  that  infiuence  extended  back  but  a  few 
miles,  and  now  the  railroads  begin  and  complete  their  work  where  the 
other  left  it  unfinished. 

It  is  interesting  to  note  the  changes  that  have  come  to  this  portion 
of  the  country  since  the  advent  of  the  railroad  system  which  now  pre- 
vails so  universally,  and  while  it  is  not  claimed  that  railroads  have  done 
everything,  it  is  doubtless  true  that  much  of  the  present  prosperity  and 
greatness  of  the  country  are  due  to  their  influence. 

The  railroads  have  brought  better  prices  for  grain,  and  reliable 
markets  for  it ;  consequently,  these  surplus  profits  in  agriculture  have 
brought  to  the  farmer  hundreds  of  comforts  of  which  the  pioneers  knew 
but  little  by  experience,  and  scarcely  hoped  to  make  their  own.  The 
railroads  themselves  have  been  a  miracle  of  growth  and  improvement. 
A  notable  example  of  this  is  to  be  found  in  the  Cliicago,  Burlington  &- 
Quincy,  which  passes  through  the  entire  length  of  both  Mercer  and 
Henderson  counties.  From  a  small,  unimportant  line  of  thirteen  miles, 
a  little  more  than  twenty-five  years  ago,  it  has  grown  to  include  in  its. 
organization  lines  amounting  to  3,500  miles,  its  facilities  for  transit  in 
tlie  meantime  increasing  in  proportion. 

The  nucleus  for  this  great  enterprise  was  a  line  extending  from 


64  HISTORY    OF    MERCEK    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

Aurora  to  a  point  now  known  as  Turner  Junction,  thirteen  miles  nearly 
nortl least.  Aurora  was  a  small  village  then,  and  the  other  end  of  the 
line  was  nothing,  so  it  will  be  seen  how  insignificant  this  beginning 
was.  However,  a  charter  had  been  granted  to  what  was  known  as  the 
Aurora  Branch  company  for  a  line  from  Aurora  to  Mendota,  a  distance 
of  fifty-eight  miles.  These  two  lines  were  consolidated  under  tlie  name 
of  the  Chicago  tfe  Aurora  railroad,  their  connection  with  Chicago  being 
by  way  of  the  Galena  branch  from  Turner  Junction.  Another  charter 
had  been  granted  to  what  was  styled  the  Central  Military  Tract  road, 
extending  from  Mendota  to  Galesburg,  in  about  the  center  of  the 
northern  part  of  the  Bounty  lands.  On  July  9,  1856,  this  last  named, 
with  the  Chicago  ct  Aurora  road,  consolidated  under  the  name  of  the 
Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  railroad,  thus  giving  a  line  of  151  miles. 
The  comi)any  had  taken  a  lease  of  the  Peoria  &  Oquawka  road  and 
had  advanced  considerable  money  to  aid  in  completing  the  line  from 
Galesburg  to  Burlington.  Tliis  gave  them  a  through  line  to  the  last 
named  place.  The  Peoria  &  Oquawka  company  failed  to  pay  the 
indebtedness,  the  mortgage  secui'ing  the  money  loaned  was  foreclosed, 
and  thus  another  line  was  added  to  the  already  fast  growing  enterprise. 
'Tlie  company  then  built  a  track  of  their  own  from  Aurora  to  Chicago 
and  made  rumiing  arrangements  with  a  line  then  in  operation  ti-om 
Galesburg  to  Quincy,  100  miles  distant.  In  1864  the  Quincy  road 
came  into  possession  of  the  company,  thus  making  the  three  termini 
indicated  in  the  name  of  the  corjioration.  From  that  time  to  the  pres- 
ent, branches  have  been  built  or  bought  in  quick  succession,  until  a 
map  of  the  same  looks  like  a  ])icture  of  a  great  occiput,  with  its  long 
arms  stretching  out  in  all  directions  over  the  vast  plains  of  Illinois, 
Iowa,  Missouri  and  Nebraska.  By  the  time  this  will  be  in  print  a  di- 
rect line  will  have  been  completed  to  Denver  in  Colorado.  When  we 
take  into  consideration  the  wondeiful  groM^h  of  these  states,  and  the 
^reat  probability  of  still  greater  development,  we  are  led  to  wonder 
what  the  tiiture  of  this  enterprise  is  to  be. 

The  branch  that  most  interests  our  readers,  however,  is  that  now 
known  as  the  Galva  and  Keithsburg  extension,  from  Galva  to  Glad- 
stone. Originally  this  was  three  distinct  enterprises,  the  main  one 
from  Galva  to  New  Boston  being  called  the  American  (^entral  railroad. 
This  road  was  built  by  the  company  named,  but  equi])i)ed  by  the  Chi- 
cago, Burlington  ik  Quincy,  and  finally  passed,  with  the  short  branches 
between  Gladstone  and  Keithsburg  and  New  Boston  and  Keithsburg, 
into  the  possession  of  the  present  owners. 

The  road  enters  Mercer  county  on  the  east  at  Windsor,  and  takes  a 
nearly  dii'ect  westerly  course  through  the  townships  of  Ilivoli,  Green, 


ROCK    ISI.AND    AND    MERCER   COUNTY    RAILROAD.  65 

Mercer  and  Millersburg,  and  tlien  deflecting  somewliat  toward  the 
sontlu  it  reaches  the  town  of  New  Boston,  in  the  soutliwest  c(jrner  of 
the  township  by  the  same  name.  From  thence  it  follows  the  course  of 
the  Mississippi  river  south,  tlirough  the  towaiships  of  Keithsburg,  Bald 
Bluff  and  Oquawka.  tf)  Oquawka,  finally  reaching  the  main  line  at 
Gladstone.  Tlie  main  line  passes  through  the  townshij)S  of  Biggsville, 
South  Henderson  and  Warren,  in  a  westerly  direction.  The  direct 
branch  from  P>urlington  to  Quincy  ])asse8  througli  three  townships  of 
Henderson:  "Warren,  Honey  Creek  and  Dallas.  The  local  enterj)ri8es 
complete  and  in  prospect  will  be  noticed  on  anotlier  page. 


THE  ROCK  ISLAND  AND  MERCER  COUNTY  RAILROAD. 

A  line  of  railroad  of  a  good  deal  of  local  imjxtrtiince  is  the  one 
indicated  by  the  above  title,  extending  from  Rock  Island  in  a  southerly 
direction  to  the  town  of  Cable,  in  Richland  township.  The  road  is 
twenty-six  miles  in  length,  including  a  run  of  four  miles  of  the  C'hicago 
&  Rock  Island  road,  from  Milan  to  Rock  Island.  The  line  was  pro- 
jected by  R.  R.  Cable  (vice  president  of  the  Chicag(%  Rock  Island  & 
Pacific),  P.  L.  and  Ben.  T.  Cable,  for  the  purpose  of  reaching  the  great 
coal  fields  of  Richland  township,  and  by  these  gentlemen  built  and  made 
ready  for  the  use  of  tlie  coal  comjjany  organized  and  owned  by  the 
same  paities.  The  cost  of  the  road,  including  grading,  ties,  iron,  etc., 
was  about  $18,000  per  mile,  or  about  ,$3(>(»,000. 

The  coal  com])any  mentioned  has  fiirnished  the  rolling  stock  and 
put  the  line  in  operation,  not  only  for  carrying  coal  but  for  the  trans- 
portation of  merchandise  and  grain  from  and  to  the  little  towns  that 
have  since  sprung  up  all  along  the  line.  Passenger  coaches  are 
attached  to  all  the  trains  for  the  accommodation  of  the  ti-aveling  public. 
Tlie  mails  and  express  matter  are  also  sent  over  this  line,  so  that  this 
enteii^rise  has  not  only  been  the  means  of  bringing  the  coal  deposits  to 
market,  but  has  also  given  a  considerable  section  of  country  through 
which  it  lies  postal,  commercial,  telegraphic  and  traveling  facilities. 

The  road  passes  tln-ough  the  town  of  Preemption,  and  nearly 
througli  that  of  Richland  Grove,  in  this  county,  and  is  highly  appre- 
ciated by  the  citizens  of  the  northeastern  part  of  the  county. 

Tlie  coal  company,  of  which  an  extended  notice  is  given  in  the  his- 
tory of  Richland  township,  mines  and  transports  from  90,000  to  100,000 
tons  of  coal  yearly. 


66  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AJSTD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

MERCER  COUNTY  SCIENTIFIC  AND  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY. 

Mr.  Tyler  McWhorter  and  James  H.  Connell,  Esq. ,  ftirnish  us  data 
for  the  following : 

This  society  was  organized  in  Aledo  February  19,  1878,  under  the 
name  of  Mercer  County  Scientific  Association.  At  this  meeting  were 
present  Tyler  McWhorter,  W.  J.  Pepper,  J.  H.  Connell,  I.  N.  Bassett, 
J.  V.  Frazier  and  W.  A.  Marsh.  Mr.  McWhorter  presided,  and  Mr. 
Connell  served  as  secretary.  A  constitution  and  by-laws  were  adopted; 
a  number  of  invitations  issued  to  others  to  attend  the  next  meeting, 
and  adjourned  to  March  5,  1878,  to  which  time  election  of  officers  was 
postponed. 

The  objects  and  purposes  of  this  organization  may  be  briefly  stated 
as  follows  : 

DiflPerent  individuals  of  our  county  were  more  or  less  interested  in 
scientific  investigation,  but  were  isolated  from  each  other,  and  had  few 
opportunities  for  interviews,  or  to  profit  by  each  other's  study,  or  line 
of  thought. 

The  native  flora  and  fauna  of  our  county  ;  the  carboniferous  fossils, 
in  connection  with  our  seams  of  coal ;  the  implements  and  relics  found 
in  connection  with  the  numerous  ancient  mounds  in  various  parts  of 
the  county;  these,  and  other  kindred  subjects  had  elicited  the  atten- 
tion of  many  of  our  citizens.  Already  many  j^rivate  collections  of  sci- 
entific interest  had  been  made  by  difterent  individuals  of  the  county, 
and  it  was  thought  that  persons  whose  minds  are  directed  to  scientific 
investigation  should  associate  themselves  together,  so  as  to  have  an 
interchange  of  ideas,  and  enjoy  the  advantages  of  each  other's  re- 
search. It  was  believed  that,  with  such  an  organization,  a  more  gen 
eral  interest  might  be  elicited  to  investigate  and  attain  to  a  higher  com- 
prehension of  nature. 

While  we  have  social  organizations,  with  large  expenditures,  in 
support  of  our  various  churches,  it  would  seem  that  we  should  also 
have  some  organizations  to  encourage  thought  and  stimulate  investiga- 
tion in  those  important  questions  of  science  that  are  so  directly  related 
to  the  progress  of  the  present  age.  It  was  for  these  reasons  that  many 
of  our  citizens  felt  that  many  advantages  might  be  enjoyed  by  banding 
themselves  together  in  such  a  society.  Another  purpose  of  the  society 
was  to  make  up  a  cabinet,  or  scientific  collection,  of  such  specimens 
relating  to  the  natural  sciences  as  might  be  contributed  by  its  members, 
or  others. 

The  meetings  of  the  society  are  held  quarterly,  on  the  first  Tuesday 
of  March,  June,  September  and  December  of  each  year. 

On  March  5,  1878,  the  adjourned  meeting  was  held,  and  ten  names 


MERCER   COUNTi'    SCIENTIFIC   AND   HISTORICAL   SOCIETY.  67 

were  added  to  the  roll  of  members.  Orgaiiization  was  completed  by 
the  election  of  the  following  officers :  president,  Dr.  J.  V.  Frazier,  of 
Viola ;  vice  president,  I.  N.  Bassett,  Esq. ,  of  Aledo ;  secretary,  J.  H. 
Comiell,  of  Aledo ;  treasurer,  W.  J.  Pei)per,  of  Keithsburg ;  trustees, 
six  years,  Tyler  McWliorter,  Aledo ;  four  years,  W,  J.  Pepi)er,  Keiths- 
burg ;  two  years,  J.  C.  Pepper,  Aledo. 

Tlie  presidents  of  the  society  to  date,  each  holding  one  year,  are  as 
follows :  Dr.  J .  Y.  Frazier,  Yiola ;  I.  jS^.  Bassett,  Aledo ;  E.  L.  Larkin, 
New  Windsor ;  Tyler  McWlioiter,  Aledo  ;  and  John  Geiger,  now  serv- 
ing in  that  capacity. 

James  H.  Connell  was  elected  secretary  at  the  tirst  meeting,  and 
was  reelected  annually  until  March,  1882,  when  Alex.  McArthur  was 
elected. 

The  cabinet  of  the  society  is  very  interesting,  and  includes  several 
hundred  specimens — geological,  fossil,  mineral,  etc.  The  largest  do- 
nations were  made  by  the  following  persons:  geological,  etc.,  by  Tyler 
McWhorter;  shells,  by  W.  A.  Marsh;  mineral,  etc.,  by  J.  IT.  Connell; 
miscellaneous,  by  J.  C.  Pepi)er  and  W.  J.  Pepper ;  birds,  by  W.  B. 
Crapnell. 

The  followiug  papers  have  been  read  before  the  association :  Cli- 
matic Changes  and  their  Resultant  Periods,  Dr.  J.  Y.  Frazier ;  Metric 
System  of  Weights  and  Measures,  J.  R.  Wylie ;  The  Domain  of  Sci- 
entific Investigation  and  Thought,  I.  N.  Bassett ;  The  Mississippi  River: 
Its  Geological  History,  Tyler  McWhorter;  Future  Punishment; 
from  Etlmical  Scripture,  E.  L.  Larkin ;  Probable  Origin  of  Life  on  the 
Globe,  John  Geiger ;  Shall  we  Impo^'erisll  the  Fertility  of  the  Earth, 
T.  McWliorter ;  Utility  of  the  Stars,  W.  J.  Pepper ;  Antiquity  of  Man, 
T.  McWhorter ;  Crystalography,  J.  R.  W}  lie  ;  Electricity,  R.  H.  Spi- 
cer,  Sr. ;  Conchology,  W.  A.  Marsh ;  Inclination  of  the  Earth's  Axis, 
T.  McWhorter ;  Force,  E.  L.  Larkin  ;  Flesh  Eating.  John  Geiger ; 
Flesh  Eating,  Joseph  McCoy ;  Population  and  its  Distribution,  C.  Y. 
Shove ;  Motion,  E.  L.  Larkin ;  The  Birds  and  Animals  we  are  Losing 
and  Gaining,  W.  B.  Crapnell ;  Hygiene  of  Soil  Waters,  Dr.  J.  Y.  Fra- 
zier ;  Embryology,  J.  R.  Wylie ;  Axial  Rotation,  John  Geiger ;  People 
of  North  America,  E.  L.  Larkin  ;  Biology,  T.  McWhorter ;  The  Sur- 
face or  Economic  of  our  Prairies,  Graham  Lee  ;  Imj^erfections  of  Hu- 
man Knowledge,  Tyler  McWhorter  ;  The  Planet  Yenus,  J.  C.  Pepper ; 
The  Coming  Man,  Tyler  McWhorter;  Conscience  Man's  True  Guide, 
J.  Geiger ;  Progress  in  Science,  I.  N.  Bassett ;  Some  Observations  on 
the  Rocky  Mountains,  J.  H.  Connell;  Silver  Coinage,  John  Geiger; 
Protoplasm  and  Life,  I.  N.  Bassett ;  Scientific  Instruments,  E.  L.  Larkin  ; 


68  HISTORY    OF   MERCER    AND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

Improved  Socialism,  John  Geiger ;  Clianges  of  Organic  Life  with  the 
Advance  of  Civilization,  Tyler  McWhorter. 

In  December,  1879,  the  name  was  changed  to  the  "Mercer  County 
Scientific  and  Historical  Society,"  the  object  being  to  gather  up  notes- 
on  the  liistory  of  Mercer  county.  John  Geiger,  I.  N.  Bassett,  Graham 
Lee  and  C.  S.  Richey  were  appointed  a  committee  to  receive  all  that 
had  been  prepared.  May  1,  1880,  the  committee  reported  that  they 
had  received  a  considerable  amount  of  historic  matter  from  diflferent 
sources,  which  was  given  into  the  custody  of  the  society.  In  1882  the 
society  turned  all  papers  in  their  hands  over  to  Prof.  H.  H.  Hill,  to  be 
embodied  in  this  book. 

Tlie  membership  roll  contained  the  following  names:  Tyler  Mc- 
Whorter, Aledo ;  J.  V.  Frazier,  Viola ;  W.  A.  Marsh,  Millersburg  tp. ; 
I.  N.  Bassett,  Aledo ;  W.  J.  Pepper,  Millersburg  tp. ;  J.  H.  Connell, 
now  of  Pueblo,  Col. ;  J.  C.  Pepper.  J,  P.  Wylie,  Aledo ;  E.  L.  Larkin, 
New  Windsor ;  W.  B.  Crapnell,  New  Boston  t]>.  (died  1881) ;  C.  A. 
Ballard,  New  Boston ;  W.  C.  Galloway,  Joseph  McCoy,  John  Geiger, 
Aledo ;  John  B.  Holland,  Keithsburg  ;  Thos.  Shaver,  Tennessee  Poll- 
ing Mills,  Ky. ;  Geo.  P.  Graham,  Paola,  Kan. ;  F.  D.  Pathbun,  New 
Windsor;  K  H.  Spicer,  Sr.,  Viola;  C.  F.  Durston,  J.  M.  Wilson,  W. 
A.  Lorimer,  B.  F.  Brock,  Alex.  Stephens,  D.  T.  Ilindman,  Horace 
Bigelow,  L.  B.  Morey,  Alex.  McArthur,  Aledo  ;  C.  S.  Ortli,  William 
Griftin  (died  1882),  E.  L.  Marshall,  Keithsburg ;  C.  V.  Shove,  E.  L. 
McKinnie,  G.  L.  F.  Pobinson,  Viola ;  L.  C.  Gilmore,  E.  B.  Da\T.d, 
Miss  A.  E.  Frazier,  B.  C.  Taliaferro,  D.  P.  Johnston,  Aledo  ;  P.  F. 
Warner,  Havana,  Pis.;  Graham  Lee,  Hamlet;  C.  H.  Gran,  Alpha, 
Henry  county ;  J.  F.  McCutcheon,  Norwood  ;  A.  P.  Willits,  T.  B. 
Cabeen,  Keithsburg.  Honorary  member :  Lieut.  F.  S.  Bassett,  U.  S. 
Na\'y. 

Such  is  the  history,  objects  and  membership  of  this  societ)%  which 
has  already  accomplished  a  work  of  which  its  members  may  feel  ]3roud, 
and  has  but  laid  the  foundation  of  a  grand  and  most  commendable 
effort  in  the  advancement  of  scientific  research.  And  from  the  pro- 
gressive character  of  the  men  composing  its  membership  we  may  safely 
predict  for  the  society  a  glorious  future,  and  a  name  that  will  be  knoAvn 
wherever  science  is  made  a  special  study. 

NOTES  ON  THE   NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  MERCER  AND  HENDERSON 
COUNTIES,  ILLINOIS,  BY  WILLIAM  A.  MARSH. 

Paloiontology. — The  ])rincipal  geological  formations  that  occur  in 
Mercer  and  Henderson  counties  which  contain  fossils  are,  the  coal 
measures  and  the  St.  Louis  group,  Keokuk  limestone,  Burlington  lime- 


: ;,  >:& 


W. 


•X 


■/•?t 


JAMES  M.  EMERSON 

(OECE-ASEDJ 


1 


NOTES   ON   NATURAL   HISTORY.  71 

stone,  and  Kinderhook  group,  of  tlie  lower  carboniferous  system.  Tlie 
number  of  s])ecies  of  fossil  flora  found  within  the  limits  of  these  two 
counties  is  very  small  compared  with  other  sections,  but  our  fossil  fauna 
will  compare  favorably  with  any  section  of  the  state,  at  least  as  far  as 
the  number  of  species  is  concerned,  although  they  are  not  found  in  as 
good  a  state  of  preservation  as  might  be  desired.  The  whole  number 
of  fossil  species  that  have  come  under  my  observation,  in  collecting 
among  the  different  fonnations  of  the  two  counties,  is  about  400  species, 
divided  as  follows  :  coal  measure  flora,  twenty-five  species ;  coal  meas- 
ure fauna,  250  species;  lower  carboniferous,  125  species.  The  most 
remarkable  and  interesting  forms  are  the  crinoiden  of  the  lower  car- 
boniferous, and  the  different  fonns  of  the  genus  Productus,  belonging 
to  the  Brachiopoda. 

Miirnmals. — The  mammalian  fauna  of  these  two  counties  is  almost 
the  exact  counterpart  of  all  prairie  sections.  Tlie  time  was  wlien  the 
larger  forms  of  life  abounded  ;  when  the  deer,  elk,  bufi'alo,  beaA'er, 
etc.,  made  the  prairies  their  home.  The  coming  of  the  white  man, 
attended  by  all  the  circumstances  of  progress,  has  driven  these  larger 
fonns  fi-om  the  country,  and  now  the  smaller  kinds  alone  retain  a  foot- 
ing. They  are  American  buffalo,  beaver,  red  deer,  gray  wolf,  prairie 
wolf,  gray  fox,  otter,  mink,  weasel,  skunk,  Nvild  cat,  opossum,  raccoon, 
fox  Squirrel,  gray  squirrel,  black  squirrel,  flying  squirrel,  chipmunk, 
gray  prairie  squirrel,  striped  prairie  squirrel,  woodchuck,  striped 
badger,  rabbit,  brown  rat  (introduced),  white-footed  wood  mrmse,  white- 
footed  prairie  mouse,  long-tailed  jumping  mouse,  prairie  meadow 
mouse,  wood  meadow  mouse,  long-haii*ed  meadow  mouse,  shrew  mole, 
star  nose  mole,  muskrat,  house  mouse  (introduced),  long-eared  bat. 

The  number  of  species  of  birds,  as  far  as  I  have  been  able  to  iden- 
tify them,  ^vill  reach  about  180  species,  embracing  forty-one  families. 
This  includes  those  that  remain  with  us  the  year  round,  those  that  are 
known  to  visit  us  through  the  spring  and  summer  season,  and  those 
that  tariy  with  us  a  short  time  during  tlieir  migrations  through  the 
country  from  north  to  south. 

The  number  of  fish  species  thus  far  identified  as  occurring  in  the 
Mississip])!  river,  its  lakes  and  sloughs,  and  the  small  sti'eams  flo\vnng 
into  it,  through  the  counties  of  Mercer  and  Henderson,  is  about  seven- 
ty-seven species.  Besides  the  fish  used  for  food,  this  list  includes  the 
dog  fish,  the  eel,  the  gar  pike,  the  alligator  gar,  the  spoon-bill,  the 
spotted  sturgeon,  and  the  leech  lamprey. 

The  snakes  are :  blowing  viper,  hog-nosed  snake,  red-bellied  water 
snake,  Holbrookes  water  snake,  ribbon  snake,  Faireye's  garter  snake, 
5 


72  HISTORY    OF    MERCER    A>fD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

racer,  summer  green   snake,  king  snake,  com   snake,  spotted  adder, 
ground  snake,  timber  rattlesnake  (now  extinct),  prairie  rattlesnake. 

Tlie  Batrachians  are  :  frogs,  four  species  ;  tree  frogs,  three  species  ; 
toads,  one  species  ;  salamanders,  seven  species ;  lizards,  four  species  ; 
turtles,  ten  s])ecies. 

The  molluscan  tauna  of  Mercer  and  Henderson  numbers  137 
acknowledged  species.  Seven  years  of  careful  studj  and  collecting  in 
this  particular  branch  leads  me  to  believe  that  very  few,  if  any,  new 
forms  will  be  likely  to  be  found.  They  may  be  classed  as  follows: 
unionidae,  sixty-eight  species  ;  corbiculadae,  twelve  species ;  ^'iviparida3, 
seven  species ;  vulvatidae,  one  species ;  strepomatidse,  one  species ; 
rissoidae,  six  species ;  helicidse,  twenty-five  species ;  limnaeidre,  four- 
teen species ;  ancylinse,  three  species.  It  will  be  observed  that  the  per 
cent  of  land  shells  is  very  small  in  comparison  to  the  water  shells. 
The  absence  of  timber,  the  frequent  overflowing  of  our  water-courses, 
and  the  great  number  of  swine  running  in  the  timbered  sections,  has 
had  a  tendency  to  nearl}^  destroy  this  interesting  class  of  mollusks. 

The  flora  of  Mercer  and  Henderson  counties  presents  a  study  of 
very  great  interest  to  the  botanist.  Over  800  sj)ecies  have  been  iden- 
tified, including  indigenous  and  introduced  species,  as  existing  in  the 
two  counties.  The  woody  plants,  including  the  trees,  shrubs  and 
woody  climbers,  number  about  120  species.  The  filices  or  ferns,  twelve 
species.  The  grasses,  including  the  juncacese  or  rush  family,  and  the 
C}^erace8e  or  sedge  grass  family,  number  180  species.  Among  the 
ti'ue  grasses  may  be  found  some  of  the  most  valuable  and  interesting 
species  found  in  the  United  States,  and  a  few  of  the  most  obnoxious 
kinds.  It  would  be  a  pleasant  task  to  present  lists  of  some  of  the  most 
interesting  orders  of  our  plants,  but  as  the  number  is  so  great,  it 
would  be  almost  imi)ossible  to  list  them  in  a  brief  report  like  this. 


NEW  BOSTON  TOWNSHIP. 

Tlie  township  of  New  Boston  embraces  congressional  to-^aiship  14 
north,  and  ranges  5  and  6  west,  extending  to  the  Mississippi  river. 
The  eastern  part  is  undulating  and  contains  a  depth  and  richness  of  soil 
unexcelled  in  the  county.  The  westeiTi  part  of  the  township  is  level, 
containing  a  narrow  strip  of  sandy  soil,  in  some  places  almost  destitute 
of  vegetation  ;  between  this  strip  and  the  undulating  region  of  the  east 
the  bottom  land  is  extremely  fertile  and  })roduces  heavy  crops. 

The  minerals,  as  far  as  knowai,  are  limited  in  kind  and  quantity, 
being  wholly  comprised  in  a  stone  quarry  at  the  mouth  of  the  Edwards 


NEW    BOSTON   TOWNSHIP.  73 

river.  The  drainage  is  excellent.  Tlie  swamp  lands  so  common  to 
some  localities  are  almost  wholly  wanting  here.  The  Edwards  river 
flows  through  the  townshij),  entering  on  section  1  and  })assing  out  on 
section  33.  In  the  western  part  are  several  small  lakes,  of  which  Bald 
Eagle,  Eliza  and  ISwan  lakes  are  the  principal  ones.  The  township  is 
well  supplied  with  timber  in  the  eastern  part  and  along  the  river  bot- 
tom, the  kinds  being  oak,  maple,  walnut,  sycamore,  and  similar  decid- 
uous trees. 

The  township  has  a  somewhat  interesting  railroad  history,  to  which 
we  shall  refer  more  fully  farther  on.  The  Galva  and  Keithsburg 
branch  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  enters  the  township  on 
section  2-i  and  takes  a  diagonal  course  to  the  to\vn  of  New  Boston,  a 
branch  running  to  Keithsburg  from  a  point  on  section  27,  thereby  giv- 
ing a  southern  outlet  and  southern  connections. 

This,  in  brief,  is  a  description  of  the  tow^l  today,  ^vith  its  happy, 
independent,  self-reliant  people.  Let  us  tuiTi  back  to  earlier  days  and 
trace  the  work  of  the  hardy  pioneers,  who  bravely  struggled  to  reclaim 
the  land  trom  its  native  wikhiess,  and  plant  here  the  institutions  of  the 
more  favored  east. 

To  Mr.  William  Denison  and  his  son  John  W.  belong  the  honor 
of  planting  the  first  settlement  in  the  township,  as  well  as  in  the  county. 
They  were  Pennsylvanians,  and  came  directly  fi-om  Wa}Tie  county, 
Indiana,  ha%nng  previously  lived  for  a  short  time  in  Ohio.  They  set- 
tled near  the  site  of  the  present  town  of  New  Boston  in  ]  827,  and  there 
lived  in  close  and  friendly  relations  with  the  Indians  who  at  that  time 
frequented  the  place.  The  \'icinity  offered  many  attractions  to  the 
Indians  in  the  shape  of  hunting  and  fishing  ;  and,  indeed,  at  the  pres- 
ent time  it  has  more  than  a  local  celebrity  in  this  respect. 

H.  W.  Denison,  a  son  of  John  W.  Denison,  born  in  1832,  was 
the  first  white  child  born  in  Mercer  county.  He  is  still  a  resident  of 
New  Boston,  as  is  also  his  mother. 

Let  the  reader  pause  here  a  moment  and  call  to  aid  his  imagination 
in  picturing  a  settlement  of  this  kind.  On  the  one  hand  a  boundless 
waste  of  prairie,  covered  with  tall  waving  grass,  which  sinks  and  rises 
with  a  billow}-  motion,  as  far  as  the  eye  can  reach.  On  the  other  lumd 
the  great  Father  of  "Waters,  spread  out  in  silent  majesty,  or  lashed  to 
fiiry  by  the  untrammeled  winds  which  sometimes  sweep  over  the  ])lains 
from  the  west.  Here  was  to  be  found  the  savage  in  his  native  wildness. 
Here  he  smoked  his  pipe  of  peace  or  hallooed  his  wnld  war-dance.  And 
here  was  started  the  first  settlement  of  what  was  to  be,  at  a  tuture  time, 
one  of  the  myriads  of  fair  towns  that  dot  the  broad  State  of  Blinois. 

The  elder  Denison  had  several  children  besides  John  AV.,  mention- 


74  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AXD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

ed  above.  Among  them  were  Erastns,  James,  Joseph,  Ezra,  Xewton 
and  Ehner.  .  The  family  of  Denisons,  individually  and  collectively, 
(»ecn])ied  the  greater  portion  of  the  region  bordering  on  the  river, 
including  what  is  now  the  to^^^l  of  Xew  Boston. 

During  the  Black  Hawk  war  of  1832,  the  Denisons  left  the  county, 
but  returned  after  the  close  of  hostilities.  Tlieir  being  enabled  to  leave 
the  county  iminjured  was  due  wholly  to  the  warning  of  friendly 
Indians.  Tlie  tirst  of  these  warnings  were  not  heeded,  but  at  last  those 
Indians  with  whom  they  were  friendly  came  and  told  them  that,  as  they 
seemed  determined  to  stay  and  be  killed,  it  was  thought  best  to  let  the 
friendly  Indians  kill  them  decently.  The  ftimily  concluded  that  they 
would  take  an  excursion  in  preference  to  staying  at  home,  even  though 
the  staying  would  secure  "decent"  killing  by  their  friends.  The  story 
is  told  that,  after  they  had  left,  their  Indian  friends  gathered  up  all  the 
articles  that  had  been  left  in  the  hurrv  and  excitement  of  the  occasion 
and  placed  them  in  the  deserted  cabin,  marking  the  spot  with  such 
signs  as  would  deter  other  marauding  parties  from  committing  any  dep- 
redations. These  articles  were  found  on  the  return  of  tlie  family,  all 
in  good  order  and  nothing  missing.  A  detailed  account  of  the  dangers 
and  narrow  escapes  is  given  elsewhere. 

Mr.  Denison's  recollections  of  the  manners,  customs  and  traits  of 
the  Indians  in  tliis  vicinity,  are  curious  and  interesting.  Though 
exceedingly  cruel  after  the  actual  commencement  of  hostilities,  they 
invariablv  abstained  from   anv   preliminarv   bloodsheddinff,       Wlien 

•  fit/  o 

Black  llawk  was  passing  his  warriors  up  the  Mississippi,  previous  to 
the  last  campaign  of  1832,  he  came  ashore,  stopped  at  Mr.  Denison's 
house,  partook  of  tlieir  hospitality,  and  guarded  the  house  until  the  last 
canoe  had  passed  up  the  river.  They  were  capable  of  the  strongest 
sentiments  of  friendship,  and  held  in  lasting  remembrance  any  act  of 
kindness,  rewarding  the  same,  sometimes,  after  the  lapse  of  3'ears. 
They  were  strictly  honest  with  those  whom  they  considered  honest,  and 
though  the  Denison  family  lived  among  them  for  years  they  never 
suifered  a  loss  from  theft  or  other  depredation  committed  by  them. 

Immediately  after  the  death  of  an  Indian,  the  family  and  friends 
went  into  mourning  for  a  length  of  time  proportioned  to  the  dignity  of 
the  deceased,  which  continued  day  aud  night  until  the  appointed  time 
had  expired.  When  the  sick  became  conscious  of  approaching  death, 
they  usually  selected  their  own  burial  place,  which  was  located  gener- 
ally on  some  commanding  eminence,  thus  enabling  the  spirit  to  have  a 
commanding  view  of  the  surrounding  country,  with  its  more  or  less 
busy  scenes  of  wartare  or  friendly  intercourse.  In  burying  the  dead,  a 
small  amount  of  food  was  deposited  with  the  body  to  last  the  spirit  a 


NEW    BOSTON   TOWNSHIP.  75 

year.  This  was  repeated  until  the  rehitioii  oY  body  and  spirit  was  8ui>- 
posed  to  be  tf)tally  severed  ;  nsnally  till  about  tlie  third  year.  A  stran- 
ger was  disposed  of  by  beinpc  \n'aj)ped  in  bark  and  hoisted  among  the 
branches  of  some  comnumding  tree.  From  this  fact  doubtless  arose 
the  supposition  that  this  style  was  a  mode  of  burial  among  some  of  the 
tribes. 

Black  IFawk  is  described  as  a  short,  thick-set  indiWdual,  wlio  was 
the  war  chief,  wliile  his  associate,  Keokuk,  was  a  peace  chief  Although 
knowing  the  su]>erior  power  of  the  whites,  lie  made  war  relying  on  the 
help  of  the  Great  Spirit  to  sustain  the  right.  He  was  taught  by  bitter 
experience,  as  many  another  has  been,  the  time  when  ''right  shall 
trium])h  over  might ''  is  still  in  the  future. 

From  Mrs.  Margaret  Denison,  widow  of  John  W.  Denison,  who 
was  one  of  the  original  settlers  at  the  Upper  Yellow  Banks,  we  have 
derived  the  follo^ving  information,  here  given  almost  in  her  own  words: 

William  Denison,  and  his  son  John  W.  Denison,  with  their  tam- 
ilies,  came  from  Conners^-ille,  Ind.,  to  Springfield.  111.,  in  lS2<i.  In 
1827  both  families  came  to  this  county,  arriving  on  the  2oth  of  A])ril, 
and  made  settlement  at  New  Boston.  They  were  the  first  white  settlers 
in  Mercer  count  v.  A  week  afterward  John  Vannatta  arri^•ed  and  lo- 
cated  his  home  on  the  present  site  of  Keithsburg.  His  brother  Benja- 
min came  two  or  three  years  later  to  the  same  place.  The  Denisons 
pitched  their  home  on  the  river  bank,  half  a  mile  below  New  Boston, 
where  they  started  and  kept  a  wood  yard  for  supplying  steamboats. 
They  lived  opposite  the  old  graveyard.  William  Denison  made  a 
claim  in  that  place,  and  John  Denison  took  the  ])resent  site  of  New 
Boston.  Until  the  Black  Hawk  war  they  planted  their  garden  close  to 
where  Dr.  Willits'  house  stands,  in  rear  of  the  Union  hotel.  The  soil 
was  a  rich  mold  on  which  vegetables  flourished  ;  but  it  was  blown  ofl"  by 
the  winds,  and  is  now  only  a  bleak  sand  ridge. 

The  Indians  called  this  locality  "Upper  Yellow  Banks."  From  the 
time  of  their  settlement  here  till  the  spring  of  1831.  the  Denisons 
lived  in  perfect  peace  with  the  Sacs  and  Foxes.  Only  occasionally  did 
a  Winnebago  Indian  show  himself  in  these  parts.  The  men  of  this 
tribe  were  large,  tall,  broad-shouldered,  and  superior  in  stature  to  the 
Sacs  and  Foxes,  and  spoke  a  difl'erent  dialect.  The  Indians  dwelt  here 
in  great  numbers. 

In  the  s])ring  of  1831  the  friendly  Indians,  who  l)i'Ionged  to  Keo- 
kuk's band,  told  the  whites  at  the  Upper  "i'ellow  Banks  that  there  was 
going  to  be  war,  and  urged  them  to  dej)ai't  to  a  place  of  safety  among 
their  own  people,  or  to  go  with  them  and  they  would  secure  them  from 
hann.     Keokuk  was  livhig  on  the  Iowa  river;  he  said  he  was  going  to 


76  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND   HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

build  a  town,  and  tried  to  persuade  them  to  come  to  his  settlement, 
promising  to  give  them  ftill  protection,  but  they  declined  to  go,  feeling- 
that,  if  they  must  leave  their  homes,  it  would  be  better  to  be  among 
their  kindred  race. 

Tlie  only  settlers  at  this  place  at  that  time  were  the  Denisons,  and 
Daniel  S.  Witter  and  Avife,  and  his  hired  man,  named  Twist.  A  cap- 
tain coming  down  the  river  ti'om  Rock  Island  brought  word  that  an 
outbreak  was  imminent,  and  all  these  persons  were  taken  on  board  his 
steamer  and  carried  to  Nauvoo.  Aiter  a  sojourn  there  of  two  months 
tliey  returned,  but  found  their  com,  which  was  up  large  enough  to  be 
cultivated  when  they  went  away,  all  destroyed,  and  not  an  ear  was 
raised  that  year.  Witter  and  Twist  never  came  back.  The  latter  had 
taken  a  claim  and  was  cutting  wood. 

Concerning  the  troubles  of  this  year,  it  is  recorded  in  the  Atlas  Map 
of  Mercer  county,  that  after  the  whites  "had  been  moved  to  Fort 
Edwards,  now  Warsaw,  the  ti'iendly  or  'pet'  Indians  assembled  on 
the  deserted  premises,  gathered  up  all  the  articles  of  their  friends  that 
had  been  left  in  tlie  hurry  and  excitement  of  the  occasion,  stored  them 
safely  away  in  the  loft  of  the  house,  closed  the  doors  securely,  and  put 
a  mark  upon  them  well  understood  by  the  tribes.  When  the  family 
returned  home  not  an  article  was  missing." 

Against  this  recreation  of  fancy  stands  the  ti'ustworthy  statement  of 
old  Mother  Denison,  that  they  left  behind  a  part  of  their  movable 
effects,  as  dishes,  books,  soap,  chairs,  chickens,  and  that  such  goods  as 
tliey  could  they  buried ;  but  the  despoilers  carried  off  everything.  Her 
lady's  saddle  was  found  with  the  plush  covering  taken  ofl'  and  the  skirts 
cut  into  strips.  Mrs.  Denison  complained  to  Keokuk  of  the  loss  of 
this,  and  when  he  went  to  St.  Louis,  he  bought  another  and  gave  her. 

At  that  time  there  was  not  business  enough  on  the  upper  Mississippi 
to  call  for  a  special  class  of  boats.  The  furnishing  of  wood  to  these 
boats  was  a  considerable  business.     About  $3  per  cord  was  paid. 

The  Denisons  all  conversed  readily  in  the  Indian  language,  having 
learned  it  after  their  settlement  on  the  river.  The  Indians  could  talk 
but  little  in  English. 

Early  in  1S32  a  council  of  war  was  held  at  New  Boston.  This  was 
attended  by  Black  Hawk,  Keokuk,  and  some  3,000  followers.  Black 
Hawk  came  down  the  Mississi])pi,  and  Keokuk  down  the  Iowa  river,  on 
which  he  was  living.  New  Boston  was  a  central  point,  and  the  general 
rendezvous  on  grave  or  mirthful  occasions.  The  council  was  held  on 
the  site  of  the  town,  beneath  some  scattering  trees.  The  Denisona 
were  present  and  heard  the  speeches  of  the  two  chiefs.  Keokuk  spoke 
first.     His  counsel  was  jjacific.     He  told  his  people  that  a  war  with  the 


NKW    BOSTON   TOWNSHIP.  77 

wliites  would  be  wasteful,  hopeless,  disastrous ;  that  they  were  as 
numerous  as  the  trees  of  the  Mississippi  valley,  and  could  not  be  con- 
quered. Black  Hawk  sullenly  closed  his  ears  with  his  fingers,  and 
refused  to  hear  what  was  said.  He  followed  in  a  speech"  for  war.  He 
said  the  whites  had  stolen  his  land;  that  his  father  was  buried  at  Rock 
Island,  and  his  desire  was  to  be  laid  among  his  ancestors. 

These  two  men  were  strikingly  dissimilar  in  personal  appearance. 
Keokuk  was  large,  of  fine  person,  noble  bearing,  neat  in  dress,  and 
went  appareled  like  a  white  man,  in  fine  blue  broadcloth.  Black  Hawk 
was  a  heavy  set  man,  not  tidy  like  Keokuk,  and  wrapped  his  muscular 
form  in  his  blanket,  though  sometimes  he  was  seen  to  wear  a  coat. 

Once  more  the  Denisons  were  urged  by  their  red  friends  to  aban- 
don their  home.  They  were  told  that  war  was  decided  upon,  and  that 
to  remain  was  to  court  cei-tain  death.  They  were  on  familiar  and 
friendly  terms  with  the  savages,  and  their  experiences  of  the  year 
before  did  not  make  them  hasty  subjects  of  fright.  AVhen  they  asked 
why  the  war  was  not  begun  when  threatened  the  first  time,  the  Indians 
replied  that  they  were  not  ready  then ;  that  they  submitted  to  the  situ- 
ation to  gain  time ;  but  that  they  were  now  fully  prepared  for  war. 

The  Denisons  hesitated  about  departing  three  or  four  days,  and  all 
the  while  the  Indians  showed  a  truly  anxious  interest  in  their  safety  and 
did  not  relax  their  exertions  to  induce  them  to  go  away  to  a  white  set- 
tlement. Keokuk,  who  was  employing  all  his  infiuence  to  prevent  his 
followers  from  joining  the  war  party,  promised  them  protection  if  they 
would  come  and  live  with  him.  Appearing  still  to  be  determined  not 
to  forsake  their  homes,  an  Indian  calling  himself  Captain  Pepo,  who 
seemed  to  have  a  solemn  concern  about  their  respectable  extermination, 
came  to  them  and  with  all  the  fidelity  of  a  friend  urged  them  to  go, 
telling  them  that  the  young  warriors  who  would  come  would  roughly 
insult  and  barbarously  murder  and  mutilate  them,  and  that  to  save 
them  from  so  painful  and  humiliating  treatment,  it  they  would  not 
leave  for  a  place  of  safety,  "he  would  come  and  kill  them  decently  .^" 
After  this,  discovering  moccasin  tracks  among  their  garden-beds,  they 
concluded  that  the  savages  were  prowling  around,  and  thought  it  no 
longer  safe  to  tarry  in  the  neighborhood.  They  were  living  about  iialt 
a  mile  down  the  river,  where  the  woody ard  was,  and  opposite  where 
the  graveyard  now  is.  Taking  most  of  their  goods,  they  began  their 
removal  one  morning,  and  went  down  to  Pence's  Fort,  which  consisted 
of  some  block-houses,  and  was  situated  four  miles  northeast  of 
Oquawka. 

Having  at  the  time  nearly  150  cords  of  wood  at  the  yard,  the  two 
sons  of  the  senior  Denison,  William  and  Erastus,  were  left  behind  to 


78  HISTORY   OF    MERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUTS'TIES. 

cord  up  what  was  not  piled",  and  to  sell  as  much  as  they  could  to  the 
steamboats.     In  the  turn  that  affairs  took,  this  wood  was  all  lost. 

A  Frenclnnan  b}'  the  name  of  Pentacosa,  who  called  himself  Coty, 
had  a  trading  house  at  ]^^ew  Boston,  and  that  evening  the  young  Den- 
isons  went  up  to  stay  with  him.  In  the  night  the  Indians  surrounded 
the  premises  and  assaulted  the  building ;  the  three  inmates  escaped  by 
the  back  way,  and  gliding  swiftly  but  cautiously  down  to  the  edge  of 
the  nver,  followed  along  precipitately  under  the  bank,  tlie  Indians 
coming  behind  and  whooping  with  vengeance.  The  fleeing  men  waded 
the  Edwards  at  the  mouth,  and  then  struck  for  Pope  creek,  at  a  point 
where  it  was  spanned  by  a  foot-log,  Ave  miles  distant.  At  this  point  a 
dog  in  pursuit  closed  up  with  them  and  Erastus  Denison  shot  him. 
The  Indians  were  last  heard  here,  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  back,  and 
it  is  supposed  they  threw  up  the  chase  at  the  creek.  The  party  con- 
tinued their  flight  apprehensive  of  pursuit  until  *  *  Coty  *"  ga^'e  out  and 
was  secreted  by  his  companions  in  the  tall  grass,  in  a  sink  or  basin. 
Tlie  two  men  now  went  forward  as  rapidly  as  the  darkness  of  night 
would  allow,  and  arrived  at  Pence's  at  two  in  the  morning,  having 
accomplished  the  flight  of  sixteen  miles  since  nightfall.  At  daylight 
the  men  at  the  stockade  turned  out  to  go  for  the  Frenchman,  and  when 
he  had  been  safely  brought  in  they  went  up  the  river  together  in  boats 
to  the  Upper  Yellow  Banks,  and  brought  away  all  his  goods  from  the 
trading  post.  Two  squaws  were  found  sitting  in  the  house,  having 
been  stationed  there  to  take  care  of  the  place  and  prevent  its  being 
despoiled. 

After  peace  was  made  and  the  families  returned,  the  Indians  affected 
to  have  much  sport  in  telling  the  Denison  boys  that  in  their  flight  they 
made  the  brush  crack  as  if  they  had  been  bucks. 

Not  being  satistied  with  their  confinement  at  the  fort,  the  Denisons, 
a  week  later,  went  to  Monmouth  to  stay.  John  Denison  bouglit  a 
house  and  a  small  piece  of  ground,  and  lived  there  through  the  summer. 
In  the  fall  they  came  back  to  New  Boston  in  time  to  put  up  hay  for 
winter.  AVilliam  Denison  returned  to  his  old  place  on  the  river,  but 
John  went  back  two  miles,  where  he  made  a  farm.  Mrs.  Denison 
had  three  small  children,  and  that  fall  she  stayed  alone  with  the  children 
in  her  house  a  week,  while  her  husband  went  back  to  Monmouth  to  get 
his  com  and  potatoes.  Mother  Denison  was  a  brave  woman  and  felt 
no  alarm,  though  she  heard  the  guns  of  the  Indian  hunters  as  they  were 
fowling,  and  her  husband's  absence  was  prolonged  several  days  beyond 
expectation. 

The  same  day  that  the  Denisons  left  the  Upper  Yellow  Banks, 
Benjamin  Yannatta,  who  was  living  at  Keithsburg,  loaded  up  his  goods 


NEW   BOSTON   TOWNSHIP.  79 

at  night  and  drove  out  on  the  prairie  and  remained  in  a  low  place, 
going  from  there  next  day  to  the  fort. 

Just  before  hostilities  ended  a  party  of  seven  Indians  i)enetrated  the 
country  as  far  as  Little  York,  and  creeping  uj)  on  a  young  num  named 
Martin,  who  was  mowing  on  the  prairie,  all  fired  ujjon  him  at  once  and 
shot  him  dead.  They  aftei*ward  said  that  they  could  have  killed  many 
more,  but  being  acquainted  with  them,  and  having  been  fed  and  warmed 
by  them,  they  were  deterred  from  taking  their  lives.  Uufortunately, 
Martin  was  a  stranger  who  had  never  had  the  privilege  of  bestowing  a 
favor.  A  company  of  rangers  was  raised  that  summer  at  Monmouth, 
and  this  command  scoured  the  country  between  Oquawka,  New  Boston 
and  Monmouth.  A  detachment  of  these  was  sent  out  after  this  prowl- 
ing band  and  pursued  them  so  close  that  they  threw  away  everything 
in  their  flight,  and  escaped  across  the  Mississippi. 

When  Black  Hawk  returned  from  his  tour  to  Washington,  he  had 
the  candor  to  tell  his  people  that  Keokuk  was  right  in  his  estimate  of 
the  strength  and  number  of  the  whites,  and  assured  them  that  instead 
of  being  as  mnnerous  as  the  trees  of  the  Mississippi  valley  they  were 
as  numberless  as  the  trees  and  the  leaves  together,    - 

William  Denison  had  a  very  handsome  daughter  by  the  name  of 
Julia,  about  lifteen  years  old,  for  whom  the  savages  conceived  a  great 
fancy  and  to  buy  whom  they  exhausted  every  means.  Mother  Den- 
ison cannot  remember  the  offers  that  were  made  by  her  savage 
admirers,  but  thinks  that  they  at  one  tune  brought  thirty  ponies.  They 
came  several  times  to  urge  a  bargain.  That  young  lady  is  now  the 
wife  of  Judge  E])liraim  Gilmore,  of  Aledo.  • 

Nancy  Denison,  daughter  of  John  Denison  (now  Mrs.  William 
Willett,  of  Keithsburg),  was  another  white  child  whom  the  savages 
were  bent  on  possessing,  and  several  times  attempted  to  kidnap.  The 
squaws  would  pick  her  up  and  wi'ap  her  in  a  blanket,  but  before  they 
could  get  away  the  vigilant  watch  dog  would  discover  their  movements, 
and  assailing  them  funously,  compel  them  to  leave  her.  They  were 
often  at  the  house,  and  by  making  much  of  her,  and  giving  her 
presents,  had  artfully  won  her  childish  confidence  so  that  she  was 
greatly  pleased  at  the  prospect  of  going  with  them.  She  learned  to 
converse  in  the  Indian  as  early  as  in  her  own  tongue. 

All  the  Indians  drank  whisky.  When  they  went  on  a  spree  two  or 
more  kept  sober  to  take  care  of  the  others.  When  any  got  trouble- 
some and  ungovernable,  these  would  bind  them  till  they  recovered 
themselves. 

Mrs.  Denison  is  living  in  New  Boston  at  the  age  of  eighty. 

In  1833  Wm.  Drury  came  to  this  vicinity  and  made  a  claim  near 


80  HISTORY    OF   MERCER    AND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

the  bluffs.  At  the  first  glance  he  felt  convinced  he  had  found  "God's 
country,  "  and  he  has  never  felt  that  he  made  a  mistake  in  so  estimating 
it.  At  that  time  there  were  but  four  distinct  white  families  in  the 
township. 

VerN'  soon  after  this,  as  the  richness  of  the  soil  became  tested,  set- 
tlers began  to  come  in  rapidly.  At  about  the  same  time  land  specula- 
tors from  the  east  also  turned  their  attention  to  this  locality.  The^ 
inordinate  cupiditN'  of  these  speculators  often  involved  them  in  bitter 
contests  with  the  settlers.  As  soon  as  the  lands  were  surveyed  and  came 
into  market,  the  settlers,  in  order  to  compete  more  successftiUy  with  the 
speculators,  were  in  the  habit  of  forming  a  ring  around  the  land  office, 
and  endeavoring  to  keep  out  the  "  land  sharks,  "  as  they  were  called,  by 
physical  strength.  Nearly  all  the  land  sold  in  this  locality,  was  sold 
from  the  government  land  office  in  Galena.  The  settlers  usually  ap- 
pointed some  one  person  to  attend  the  land  sale  and  bid  otF  the  several 
lots  upon  which  they  had  made  claims.  The  settlements  mere  made 
principally  along  the  river,  the  settlement  of  the  upland  country  being 
regarded  as  an  absurdity. 

In  1834  Wm.  AVilson  made  a  settlement.  During  this  year  tlie^ 
number  of  settlers  increased  so  rapidly  as  to  cause  great  inconvenience 
in  some  parts  of  the  country  on  account  of  the  great  extent  of  territory- 
embraced  in  the  jurisdiction  of  AVarren  county. 

In  September  of  this  year,  1834,  the  town  of  New  Boston  was  laid 
out  (the  first  of  any  in  the  county).  The  land,  as  has  been  previous- 
ly stated,  was  owned  originally  by  Wm.  Denison.  He  sold  out  his 
claim,  or  two-thirds  of  it,  to  Elijah  lies,  of  Springfield,  and  Edward  Bur- 
rail,  of  Massachusetts.  An  honor  attaches  to  it  of  more  than  usual 
importance  fi'om  the  fact  that  the  surveying  was  done  by  Abraham 
Lincoln,  the  Mart}T  President  of  the  United  States.  The  site  possessed 
peculiar  natural  advantages,  and  had  been  known  as  the  upper  Yellow 
Banks,  the  Lower  Yellow  Banks  being  located  at  Oquawka.  To  say  that 
site  was  more  favorable  for  a  city  than  any  other  point  for  miles  either 
way  is  certainly  no  discredit  to  the  larger  cities  that  have  since  been 
founded  and  hold  populations  largely  in  excess  of  New  Boston.  Situ- 
ated opposite  the  mouth  of  the  Iowa  river,  which  is  a  navigable  stream 
for  some  distance  ;  located  on  high  banks,  without  the  inconvenience 
of  bluffs  in  the  roar  ;  with  Sturgeon  Bay  as  a  safe  and  commodious  har- 
bor ;  a  rich  agricultural  ccjuntry  surrounding  it,  and  no  large  city  with- 
in a  great  distance  ;  what  more  natural  than  to  suppose  it  simply  a 
question  of  time  when  it  should  be  the  city  of  the  west !  The  thought- 
ful reader  will  undoubtedly  satisfv  himself  why  these  expectations  were 
not  fulfilled  as  he  peruses  the  subsequent  history. 


NEW    BOSTON   TOWNSHIP.  81 

In  1835  the  legislature  passed  an  act  erecting  the  new  county  of 
Mercer,  and  ap})ointing  New  Boston  as  the  tempoary  county  seat.  By 
the  ])rovisions  of  the  act  an  election  was  directed  to  be  held  on  the  first 
Monday  in  April,  1835,  in  tlie  town  of  New  Boston  at  the  house  of  Eli 
Reynolds.     Thirty  seven  votes  were  deposited  for  county  officers! 

S.  V.  Prentiss  located  here  during  this  year,  as  did  also  Mr.  Ed. 
Drury  and  M.  L.  Willits.  They  are  all  living  in  the  township  at  present 
and  have  been  since  their  settlement  here. 

About  1835  a  school  was  organized  at  the  bluff  about  four  miles 
east  of  New  Boston.  This  was  also  the  first  school-house  in  Mercer 
county.  The  first  school  teacher  was  the  Hon.  Geo.  W.  Julian,  since  that 
time  almost  countless  numbers  of  teachers  have  been  engaged  in  the  work 
in  the  town  ;  but  perhaps  the  most  prominent  and  deserving  of  mentic)n  is 
the  name  of  Simeon  P.  Smith.  Hardly  a  man  now  living  in  the  vicinity 
but  knows  personally  or  by  hearsay  of  his  good  work  as  an  educator. 
Of  him  Dr.  Thomas  AVillitts  says  :  "Among  the  aims  and  interests  of 
human  life,  opening  wide  the  avenues  to  independent  thought  and 
efficient  intellectuality  is  paramount,  and  he  who  has  been  successful 
as  an  educator,  is  most  tiiily  a  benefactor. 

Having  lived  long,  and  been  an  interested  observer  of  human  pro- 
gress in  many  of  its  phases,  I  can  most  conscienciously  say  that  no  other 
instance  has  come  under  my  notice  in  which  so  much  was  achieved  in 
common  schools  in  the  same  time  (short  or  longf  as  was  done  by 
my  friend  Simeon  L.  Smith  in  the  town  of  New  Boston  and  vicinity 
(begining  about  forty  years  since),  in  awakening  the  latent  possibilities 
of  the  infant  mind. 

The  causes  and  reasons  for  his  singular  and  marked  success  in 
school  were  no  doubt  many  ;  perhaps  some  that  were  peculiar  and 
purely  intellectual. 

But  he  seemed  to  form  a  clear  and  correct  judgment  quickly  of  the^ 
capacity  of  each  pupil,  and  of  their  home  discipline,  and  was  so  intensely 
earnest  himself  that  his  feeling  and  action  seemed  contagious.  He 
seemed  to  know  just  what  a  jmpil  could  do,  or  should  do.  and  was  careful 
to  know  that  it  was  done,  or  to  require  a  suitable  reason  why  it  was  not. 
If  one  in  a  class  failed,  he  seemed  to  know  whether  idleness  or  ina- 
bility was  the  cause,  and  promptly  used  the  appropriate  remedy.  Even- 
ings, mornings.  Satin-days ;  indeed,  any  unoccupied  time  the  class,  or  the 
pupil,  or  any  number  that  he  deemed  required  awakening  aid,  were  called 
to  the  residence  of  some  employer,  his  boarding  place,  or  the  school- 
house,  where  the  appropriate  exercises,  instructions  or  questions  were 
presented.  Prompt  and  absolute  obedience  of  evefy  scholar  seemed 
a   prerequisite,  and   understanding   every   principle   in    the  branches- 


82  HISTORY    OF   MERCER    AJs^D    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

taught  himself,  knew  the  cause  of  faihire  or  embarrassment,  and  lifted 
or  led  the  pupil  so  gentlv  into  the  light  that  he  was  impressed  that  he 
had  found  it  himself.  Scholars  thus  energized  went  on  and  up  to 
greater  and  more  successful  effoi-ts,  opening  wider  the  way  to  greater  at- 
tainments in  the  more  advanced  and  progressive  series  of  scholarly 
developements.  Every  pupil  under  his  teaching  for  a  few  years  is  now 
easily  distinguished  from  the  mass  in  this,  that  they  are  good  spellers,  good 
readers,  and  prompt,  ready  and  accurate  mathematicians,  all  achieved  by 
a  thorough,  clear,  and  logical  mental  analysis  of  the  problem,  ever 
making  their  own  rules,  and  never  committing  those  of  another.  Of 
his  religious  sentiments  I  can  say  that  he  was  an  admirer  of  puritanic 
rigidity  in  the  observances  of  an  ideal  straight  edge,  as  a  guide  in  re- 
ligious and  moral  duties.  If  not  an  apologist  for  its  bigotry  of  the  inspira- 
tional claim  for  or  of  the  bible,  he  said  or  cared  little,  but  ever  obsen'ed, 
applauded  and  advocated  the  clearly  marked  moral  duties  as  expressed 
by  the  life  and  precepts  of  Jesus,  with  little  or  no  respect  for  the  cere- 
monies and  formalities  of  the  churches,  regarding  them  as  figments  ot 
€atholicity  that  the  world  would  be  the  better  for  losing. 

Johnson  Koble  settled  in  the  township  in  this  year,  1835.  Mr. 
Ephraim  Gilmore  was  the  first  assessor  and  treasurer,  appointed  April 
13,  1835.     He  was  also  the  first  surveyor  and  first  postmaster. 

The  following  settlements  were  -made  in  1836.  John  "VV.  Ditto, 
who  settled  on  S.  E.  ^  Sec.  27,  having  previously  made  the  claim 
in  March  of  the  same  year.  His  was  the  only  house  out  on  the 
prairie  except  Joseph  Denison\s  on  the  S.  W.  ^  Sec.  34,  which  was  built 
the  same  spring.  John  Denison  was  living  in  the  timber  out  on  the 
Edward's  Elats,  liaving  settled  there  on  his  return  after  the  Black  Hawk 
war  in  the  autumn  of  1832.  John  Pratt,  Milton  L.  Willits,  Isaac 
Lutz,  James  M.  Mannon,  Gilbert  Ives,  and  Harley  Ives,  also  made 
settlements  in  this  year. 

During  this  year  a  somewhat  animated  discussion  arose  in  regard  to 
the  removal  of  the  county  seat.  ISTew  Boston  being  situated  at  the  ex- 
treme west  of  the  county  lacked  a  central  location,  an  item  of  great  im- 
portance in  the  days  of  horseback  conveyances,  and  this  fact  was  strongly 
urged  as  sufiicient  grounds  for  the  removal  of  the  county  offices  to  a 
more  accessible  point.  Those  who  favored  its  retention  did  so  on  the 
grounds  that  as  New  Boston  was  the  town  of  the  county,  and  always 
destined  to  be,  so  far  as  could  be  ascertained  at  tliat  time,  nothing 
€0uld  be  more  aj)propriate  than  to  let  the  county  seat  remain. 

In  1837  the  legislature  enacted  a  law  by  which  Win.  Mc.Murty,  ot 
Knox  county  ;  Thomas  Spragins,  of  Jo.  Da^•iess  ;  and  John  S.  Stei)hen- 
son,  of  Ogle,  were  appointed  a  commission  to  locate  a  permanent  seat 


NEW    BOSTON    TOWNSHIP.  83 

of  justice.  The  provisions  of  the  act  required  that  the  proprietors  of  the 
place  selected  should  donate  to  the  county  lots  equal  to  at  least  twenty 
acres,  the  proceeds  of  the  sale  of  which  should  be  used  in  the  erection  of 
public  buildings.  The  commissioners  fixed  the  site  at  Millersburg  on 
the  N.  E.  i  Sec.  3,  T.  14,  K.  4. 

Dissatisfaction  still  existing,  the  question  of  its  removal  was  agitated 
still  further,  until  the  legislature,  in  1839,  authorized  an  election  to  be 
held  in  April  of  that  year,  to  decide  its  location  by  vote ;  providing, 
how^ever,  that,  if  it  resulted  in  locating  it  at  New  Boston,  the'propnetors 
"should  donate  not  less  than  two  acres  of  land  and  the  sum  of  four 
thousand  dollars  in  money,"-  the  money  to  be  paid  in  four  semi-annual 
instalhnents.  The  effort  was  unsuccessful.  The  matter  did  not  stop ; 
but,  as  the  topic  is  a  matter  of  county  history,  we  we  will  return  to  our 
settlements  of  tlie  year  1836  and  1837. 

Lots  in  New  Boston  were  held  at  high  figures  in  these  earlier  times, 
prices  ranging  from  $20(1  to  $7U0.  The  lot  where  the  old  "Drury 
Warehouse"  stands  brought  $900.  James  S.  Thompson  settled  and 
commenced  business  in  New  Boston  in  1836,  and  from  that  time  until 
his  death,  1868,  was  closely  connected  in  public  and  private  life  with 
the  welfare  of  the  community.  In  1837  John  Roberts,  J.  C.  Sloan, 
N.  N.  Larrance  and  John  Davis  settled  in  the  township. 

In  1838  Isaac  Lutz  came  to  this  township,  and  began  the  erection 
of  a  grist  mill  on  Edwards  river,  on  section  1.  This  mill  has  been 
kept  up  ever  since,  and  is  still  running  and  doing  good  work.  It 
belongs  to  some  of  the  heirs  of  Isaac  Lutz. 

Elias  Pullen,  E.  A.  Crapnell  and  Joseph  Alyea,  with  their  families, 
settled  in  the  towhship  in  this  year.  Elias  Pullen  settled  on  section  9, 
E.  A.  Crapnell  on  section  14,  and  Joseph  Alyea  in  town,  which  at  that 
time  contained  twelve  or  fifteen  buildings.  This  was  four  years  after 
the  survey  and  plat  of  the  town  was  made ;  and,  although  the  town 
was  laid  out,  only  a  small  portion  had  been  subdivided  into  lots. 
Tliis,  together  with  the  lact  that  the  majority  of  the  proprietors  were 
non-residents  and  held  their  property  at  high  figures,  ijartially  accounts 
for  the  slow  growth  of  the  town. 

In  1839  Jacob  Beard  settled  on  section  9,  and  Charles  and  Christian 
Rader  settled  on  section  27.  The  settlements  up  to  this  time  had  been 
located  mostly  along  the  rivers  Mississippi  and  Edwards ;  but  from  this 
time  forward  the  settlements  increased  rapidly  in  number  and  take  a 
wider  range. 

In  1840  Dr.  Mark  Willits  settled  in  New  Boston,  the  fii-st  resident 
doctor  of  the  place. 

He  is  still  living  in  the  town  at  this  date,  April,  1882,  and  has  had 


S4:  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

a  wide  and  extensive  practice  almost  continually  during  his  long  sojourn 
in  the  county.    *Drs.  Hereld,  Shiner  and  Howej  were  early  physicians. 

Mr,  M.  Potfenbarger  settled  in  the  town  in  1840. 

In  184.5  the  first  newspaper  in  tlie  county  was  established  at  New 
Boston,  under  the  name  of  the  "New  Boston  Advertiser."  The  name 
and  management  were  changed  several  times,  being  successively  "The 
Yeoman  of  the  Prairie  Land,"  the  "New  Boston  Broadhorn,"  "The 
Golden  Age,"  ''The  New  Boston  Nonpareil,"  "The  New  Boston  Ee- 
poiter,"  and  lastly,  the  "New  Boston  Herald,"  the  last  number  of  the 
latter  being  published  in  1872,  C.  A.  Ballard,  editor. 

The  township  was  organized  in  1852  ;  and  the  first  super^^sor  from 
New  Boston  was  I.  N.  Bassett ;  the  first  town  clerk,  Thomas  Alyea  ; 
the  first  justice,  G.  W.  Warner. 

The  following  have  been  supervisors  for  the  township  :  I.  N.  Bassett, 
one  year ;  Sidney  Chidester,  one  year ;  Amos  Prouty,  one  year ;  Wil- 
liam Drury,  one  year;  John  Boberts,  five  years;  D.  J.  Noble,  two 
years ;  Thomas  Martin,  four  years ;  Walter  Pryne,  one  year  ;  William 

A.  Wilson,  twelve  years.  Mr.  Wilson  is  supervisor  at  the  present 
time. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  town  clerks :  Thomas  Alyea,  one  year ; 

B.  Tliomas,  one  year ;  Isaiah  Alyea,  one  year ;  G.  B.  Tyler,  one  year ; 
Simeon  Sheldon,  one  year ;  J.  E.  Griffin,  six  years ;  A.  F.  Waterman, 
two  years ;  D.  T.  Hindman,  one  year ;  George  Lytle,  one  year ;  C.  A. 
Ballard,  three  years ;  R.  S.  Scudder,  two  years ;  T.  H.  Doughty,  eight 
jears. 

.  The  justices  of  the  peace  have  been :  G.  W.  Warner,  sixteen  years ; 
J.  C.  Swafford,  two  3'ears  ;  Amos  Prouty,  fourteen  years ;  John  Sharp, 
four  years ;  C  W.  Bras,  twelve  years ;  W.  C.  Austin,  eight  years ; 
John  Roberts,  four  years. 

The  village  of  New  Boston  is  situated  on  a  part  of  sections  31  and 
32.  It  received  an  addition,  known  as  Turner's  Addition,  in  1856,  and 
in  1859  was  incorporated  under  a  special  charter,  lia\dng  at  that  time 
about  TOO  inhabitants. 

At  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  in  1861,  New  Boston  responded 
promptly  to  the  call,  and  was  always  ready  to  aid  the  cause  with  men 
or  money.  To  say  there  were  none  who  sympathized  with  the  South, 
would,  of  course,  be  an  exaggeration  ;  but  the  town  may  justly  feel 
proud  of  her  war  record.  We  give  elsewhere  a  detailed  history  of 
company  "G,"  27th  regiment.  The  whole  interest  of  the  town,  during 
the  four  years  of  this  bloody  struggle,  seemed  centered  in  the  welfare 
of  her  "boys  in  blue"  and  the  success  of  the  Union  forces. 

Shortly  before  the  war,  in  May,  1859,  the  township  held  an  election 


NEW   BOSTON   TOWNSHIP.  85 

to  vote  for  or  against  a  subscription  of  $  IS,  000  to  aid  in  the  construc- 
tion of  the  Western  Air  Line  railway.  The  bonds  were  voted,  but 
the  road  was  never  completed.  In  June,  1868,  another  election  was 
held  to  vote  for  or  against  a  subscription  of  $18,000  to  aid  in  the  con- 
struction of  the  American  Central  Kailway  Company.  One  hundred  and 
eighty-four  (184)  votes  were  polled  for  the  subscription  and  three  (3) 
against.  The  township  bonds  were  to  run  ten  years,  bearing  ten  per 
cent  interest.  In  June,  1879,  the  unpaid  bonds  were  refunded  at  a 
lower  rate  of  interest,  and  there  now  remains  but  $5,500  indebtedness 
against  the  townshi]),  a  mere  trifle  when  her  magnificent  resources  are 
taken  into  consideration.' 

The  village  of  New  Boston  voted  bonds  to  the  amount  of  $30,000, 
running  twenty  years  and  bearmg  se^'en  per  cent  interest,  for  the  same 
purpose.  All  these  bonds  were  voted  -with  the  understanding  that  the 
road  was  to  be  extended  to  Fort  Wayne,  thus  making  connections  with 
the  eastern  seaboard  lines,  and  westward  to  Council  Bluffs.  The  reac- 
tion in  railroad  speculation  set  in  before  the  road  was  completed,  and 
the  company  soon  found  themselves  in  want  of  capital,  being  finally 
compelled  to  sell  the  road  to  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Rail- 
road Company,  by  which  company  it  is  now  owned  and  operated.  Had 
the  road  been  completed  as  projected,  crossing  the  Mississippi  at  its 
present  western  terminus,  there  is  hardly  a  doubt  that  New  Boston 
would  to-day  have  been  one  of  the  most  thriving  cities  in  the  west. 
At  the  present  time  a  new  road  is  surveyed  from  Rock  Island  south- 
ward, crossing  the  Mississippi  at  or  near  New  Boston,  and  making  con- 
nections through  to  Kansas  City.  Should  this  road  be  completed,  the 
future  prospects  of  the  town  are  indeed  bright. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  first  school  was  held  in  a  log  cabin  out  at  the  blutt",  and  pre- 
sided over  by  the  Hon.  George  W.  Julian,  in  1834  or  1835.  The 
township  was  finally  divided  into  eight  districts,  each  supporting  school 
for  six  or  more  months  each  year.  The  only  graded  school  is  the  New 
Boston  public  school,  it  being  divided  into  five  departments.  Tlie  first 
school-house  built  in  the  city  district  still  stands  in  a  rather  dilapidated 
condition  on  lot  1,  block  3. 

At  the  last  census  there  were  517  school  children  in  the  township, 
distiict  No.  5  furnishing  312. 

The  religious  sentiment  of  the  people  is  quite  diversified,  a  large 
number  being  in  opposition  to  the  ortliodox  church.  Of  the  three  or 
more  church  organizations,  but  one,  the  Methodist,  supports  a  resident 
pastor. 


86  HISTORY    OF    MERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

THE  :methodist  episcopal  church  society. 

This  society  was  organized  in  July,  1S38,  at  the  residence  of  Emily 
Burleigh,   with  the  following  members,  viz :  Joseph  Alyea,  Thorlea 

Alyea,  Tliomas  Alyea,  Mary  Alyea,  Dr.  Edmond  Harrell,  Butler, 

Emily  Burleigh — 7.  New  Boston  at  that  time  was  in  what  was  called 
the  Mercer  Mission.  There  were  so  many  appointments  that  the 
preacher  was  comi)elled  to  preach  almost  daily,  having  but  two  or  three 
rest  days  in  a  month. 

Tlie  tirst  resident  preacher  was  George  Smith,  who  was  pastor  over 
the  society.  The  first  meetings  of  the  class  were  held  at  the  residence 
of  Emily  Burleigh,  but  after  Joseph  Al^-ea  had  built  his  house  in  the 
toAMi  of  Xew  Boston,  the  meetings  were  moved  to  that  point.  Mr. 
Smith  remained  with  the  church  but  one  year,  and  but  little  is  remem- 
bered concerning  him.  Henry  Summers  was  the  presiding  elder  at  the 
time  of  organization.  The  next  year  Tliomas  M.  Kirkpatrick  was  the 
preacher  in  charge.  This  was  about  the  year  1839.  The  preacher  in 
those  times  had  to  be  economical.  He  was  allowed  for  that  year,  $75 
for  table  expenses,  and  $100  salary,  and  a  trifle  for  traveling  expenses. 
He  also  remained  a  year,,  and  accomplished  a  good  work.  He  was  fol- 
lowed by  Brothers  McMurtry,  Wilson  and  Burr.  Brothers  Doughty 
and  Ross  at  this  time  were  local  preachers,  and  as  the  circuit  was  very 
large,  most  of  the  work  devolved  upon  them. 

In  1866  the  society  built  the  parsonage  on  lots  7,  8  and  9,  block  4, 
in  Thompson's  addition.  It  cost  about  $1,500.  The  church  building, 
in  which  the  congregation  has  since  worshiped,  was  erected  in  1876, 
on  lots  2,  3  and  4,  block  13,  in  Thompson's  addition.  At  the  time  of 
its  erection  it  was  the  best  in  the  county,  and  it  still  remains  one  of  the 
best.  Its  cost  was  nearly  $6,000.  The  present  board  of  trustees  con- 
sists of  T.  H.  Bras,  J.  T.  Bell,  E.  Stevens,  John  Stevens,  W.  A.  Wil- 
son,. Eli  Ci-aft  and  Thomas  Alyea.  The  last  named  has  been  trustee, 
with  the  exception  of  one  year,  since  1845,  and  class  leader  thirty-four 
years.  Tln-ee  of  the  members  of  the  first  class,  Emily  Burleigh,  Mary 
Willits  and  Thomas  Alyea,  are  yet  alive  and  members  of  the  church, 
having  been  engaged  in  the  good  work  forty-four  years. 

The  present  pastor  of  the  church  is  Rev.  G.  B.  Snedecker.  The 
church,  like  most  organizations  of  such  long  existence,  has  had  its  ups 
and  downs,  sometimes  in  the  valley  of  humiliation  and  sometimes  on 
the  mountain's  top,  as  on  the  mount  of  transfiguration  ;  but  always  has 
its  course  been  forward,  and  the  good  it  has  accomplished  cannot  be 
comi)ared  with  anything  in  this  world.  Only  eternity  will  reveal  the 
amount  of  treasure  gathered  on  earth  and  stored  in  the  Master's  gran- 


•^,. 


HON.  FREDERICK      PR  I CK 

(dec  eased) 


NEW    BOSTON   TOWNSHIP.  89 

eries  above.     [To  Mr.  Thomas  Alyea  we  are  indebted  for  the  notes  from 
which  the  foregoing  has  been  written. — Ed.] 

BAPTIST  SOCIETY. 

The  Ba})tist  society  was  organized  in  1844  by  Elder  Hovey,  with  the 
following  members,  viz :  William  Denison  and  wife,  James  Denison 
and  wife,  Harrison  Smith  and  wife,  M.  Poffenbarger  and  wife,  E.  A. 
Crapnell  and  wife,  William  Crapnell,  William  Xoble  and  wife,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  McChesney,  and  Miss  Williamson.  In  1845  a  church  buihiing 
was  commenced  on  lot  5,  block  13,  and  completed  in  1848. 

Elder  Hovey  is  described  as  a  man  of  great  mental  powers,  and  one 
thoroughly  in  earnest  in  his  work.  Although  a  man  well  advanced  in 
years  at  the  time  he  began  his  labors  in  the  place,  he  remained  as  resi- 
dent pastor  for  five  years  after  its  organization. 

The  building  being  situated  on  sandy  foundation,  was  at  length  com- 
pletely undermined  by  the  action  of  the  wind,  and  fell  down  about  1859. 
The  last  resident  pastor  was  Elder  Brimhall,  who  remained  a  year  or 
two.  The  society  has  had  no  resident  pastor  since  1851,  but  has  kept 
up  the  organization,  and  also  a  Sunday  school,  holding  meetings  at 
present  in  the  town  hall.  It  is  hoped  at  some  future  time  to  see  the 
scciety  in  a  flourishing  condition; 

PRESBYTERIAN  SOCIETY. 

This  society  was  organized  in  February,  1857,  ^\^th  the  following 
members,  viz :  Mrs.  Eva  Nevius,  Mrs.  Joseph  Kane,  Mrs.  M.  J. 
Edwards,  Mrs.  Sarah  Poffenbarger,  Mrs.  M.  J.  McLaughlin,  Mr.  G. 
W.  Crabb.  The  first  and  only  church  building  the  sogiety  has  had  was 
begun  about  1868.  It  is  a  large,  commodious  structure,  and  cost,  when 
completed,  $6,620.17.  The  first  pastor  was  Eev.  S.  G.  Hair.  The 
church  has  had  no  resident  pastor  for  some  years,  the  last  one  being  the 
Rev.  William  Gay. 

At  the  present  writing,  no  meetings  are  held,  but  the  society  still 
keeps  up  its  organization,  and  the  few  members  left  hope  at  some  future 
time  to  see  the  church  resume  its  old  position. 

INDEPENDENT  ORDER  OF  ODD -FELLOWS. 

In  the  latter  part  of  the  year  1855  a  few  members  of  the  society  of 
Odd-Fellows  determined  to  establish  a  working  lodge  of  the  order  in 
New  Boston,  and  the  following  facts  have  been  presented  by  M.  Cham- 
berlin,  D.D.G.M.  :  The  mystic  number  (five)  made  a]>plication  for 
a  dispensation.  Tlie  Grand  Master,  by  authority  of  the  Right  Worthy 
Grand  Lodge  of  Illinois,  issued  a  charter  dated  October  12,  a.d. 
6 


90  HISTORY   OF   MERCER   AND   HEXUERSON   COUNTIES. 

1855,  granting  tlie  dispensation.  Monday  evening,  November  20, 
A.I).  1855,  a  meeting  was  held  with  District  Deputv  Grand  Master 
Kelley  in  the  chair,  Past  Grand  Sweeny  acting  as  grand  marshal.  By 
order  of  Grand  Master  Kelley,  the  grand  marshal  presented  Charles  H. 
Bell,  M.  M,  Prentiss,  John  L.  Hartson,  Mark  J.  O'Brien  and  W.  T. 
Power,  who  were  duly  obligated,  and  the  grand  master  declared  the 
lodge  duly  instituted  under  the  name  and  title  of  "JS^ew  Boston  Lodge, 
No.  188,  I.O.O.F. 

After  election  and  installment  of  officers.  Brothers  J.  C.  Bell  and 
Daniel  Ilines  were  admitted  by  card,  H.  W.  Denison  and  B.  Milliken 
were  initiated,  and  J.  S.  Thompson  petitioned  for  membership.  The 
meeting  was  regularly  held  on  Monday  evening  of  each  week. 

During  the  late  rebellion  the  membership  was  reduced  very  nearly 
to  the  magic  number,  several  brothers  being  enlisted  as  soldiers.  The 
form  of  one  now  lies  moldering  away  to  kindred  dust  in  southern  soil 
—  a  tear  to  his  memory.  All  credit  is  due  to  the  few  members  who 
held  their  meetings,  paid  the  capitation  tax,  and  held  their  representa- 
tion in  the  Grand  Lodge.  Several  lodges  in  the  state  became  defunct 
during  the  war. 

After  peace  was  again  restored  No.  188  increased  in  membership, 
and  in  October,  1865,  the  brothers  were  very  arduous  in  their  endeavors 
to  secure  a  home  for  themselves.  Clieerfully  each  brother  donated  to 
the  building  fund,  and  on  the  evening  of  May  21,  1866,  the  lodge  met 
in  their  new  hall,  size  27x-iO  feet,  lodge  room  cai-peted  and  well  fur- 
nished, and  no  one  regrets  the  extra  effort  to  secure  a  home,  but  with 
honest  pride  they  can  feel  that  they  are  beneath  ''the  shadow  of  their 
own  vine."  The  membership  enrolled  from  organization  up  to  April 
1,  1882,  is  178.  The  number  of  brothers  buried  by  the  lodge  has  been 
nine.  The  amount  of  relief  paid,  $1,456.^0  (this  amount  was  paid  by 
the  lodge  and  the  members  by  individual  donation).  Charity  abideth 
in  the  heart  of  every  good  and  true  Odd-Fellow.  It  is  within  tlie  knowl- 
edge of  members  of  our  order  that  the  relief  extended  by  them,  under 
their  teachings,  has  been  the  means,  under  providence,  of  bringing 
within  the  church  many  who  to-day  would  have  been  aliens  from  the 
household  of  faith.  Many  of  the  brothers  cheerfully  donated  in  honor 
to  the  "Wiley  monumeut  fund ;  also  to  the  Lincoln  monument  fund,  not 
forgetting  our  worthy  and  honorable  G.R.S. ;  to  his  memory,  we  have 
a  name  in  the  Ridgley  Monument  Fund.  Of  the  members  at  the 
organization  of  our  lodge,  only  one.  Brother  Daniel  Hiixes,  now  holds 
a  membership. 

Connected  with  the  order  is  the  Rebekah  Degree.  This  degree 
associates  the   wives  of   Odd-Fellows  with   them   in   the   high   and 


^'E^V   BOSTON   TOAVNSHIP.  91 

imiX)i'tant  work  of  "\'isiting  the  sick,  relieving  the  distressed,  burying 
tlie  dead,  and  educating  the  orphan."  • 

ARCHER  ENCAMPMENT  No.  70,  I.O.O.F. 

This  is  the  liome  of  the  patriarch,  the  evergreen  retreat  of  Odd- 
Fellowship,  supported  bv  the  three  ])iilars  of  Faith,  Hope  and  Charity, 
and  here  we  have  the  tables  of  law,  likewise  the  lesson  as  taught  in  the 
golden  rule.  A  weary  pilgrim  can  here  find  rest,  eat  at  our  table  and 
drink  of  our  pure  water.  IIosj)itality  to  the  stranger  is  a  pure  prin- 
ciple within  the  heart  of  every  true  patriarch  encampment. 

No.  70  was  instituted  December,  1866.  The  number  of  patriarchs 
enrolled  up  to  April  1,  1SS2,  was  eighty-two.  Several  of  the  patriarchs 
instituted  a  new  encampment,  others  changed  their  residence,  and  like 
our  subordinate  lodge,  the  time  came  when  there  were  but  one  or  two 
more  members  than  the  original  number ;  but  like  the  ancient  Patriarch 
Abraham,  the  father  of  the  faithful,  our  trust  was  in  God,  and  to-day 
our  tent  is  enlarged  for  the  increase  of  membership. 

A^'CIENT  FKEE  AND  ACCEPTED  MASONS. 

A  dispensation  and  charter  were  issued  to  New  Boston  Lodge  No. 
59,  in  the  latter  part  of  1848.  Tlie  history  from  that  time  to  1853  is 
somewhat  obscure,  owing  to  the  fact  that  in  1851  the  records  were 
burned  ;  also,  all  books,  paj^ers,  furniture,  etc. 

In  1852  a  new  dispensation  was  granted,  and  the  following  officers 
duly  installed  :  John  E.  AYillits,  W.M.;  George  Ralston,  S.W.;  Wil- 
liam Wilson,  Jr.,  J.W. ;  Elias  Willits,  Treas. ;  Daniel  Winslow,  Sec; 
E.  J.  Denison,  S.D. ;  M.  Potfenbarger,  J.D. ;  Josiah  Mai-field,  Tyler. 
In  October,  1853,  a  new  charter  was  issued  and  the  following  named 
individuals  duly  elected  and  .installed  as  officers,  viz :  J.  E.  Denison, 
W.M.;  E.  Harrell,  S.W.;  A.  Gingles,  J.W.;  R.  Thomas,  Treas.; 
G.  W.  Warner,  Sec;  Elias  Willits,  S.D. ;  John  Hoover,  J.D. ;  Josiah 
Maxfield,  Tyler. 

The  lodge  has  had  a  prosjjerous  existence,  and  to-day  is  one  of  the 
strongest  and  most  efficient  in  the  state.     The  misfortune  of  losing  the 
records  by  fii'e  is  more  to  be  deplored,  fi*om  the  fact  that  the  Grand  ' 
Lodge  of  the  state  has  also  lost  the  records  covering  about  the  same 
facts. 

The  lodge  has  always  been  noted  for  its  activity,  and  during  the 
somewhat  lengthy  jjeriod  of  its  existence  has  had  no  serious  dissen- 
sions. 

Something  over  200  members  have  been  admitted  since  the  re- 
organization, and  at  present  the  membership  is  sixty-seven,  with  the 
following  corps  of  officers  :    George  Lytle,  W.M.  ;    Ed.   L.  Willits, 


92  HISTORY    OF    >rERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

S.W. ;  A.  Iinber,  J.W.  ;  John  Fry,  Treas. ;  W.  C.  Austin,  Sec. ;  -J.  J. 
Mason,  S.D.  ;  N.  W.  Gibson,  J.D.  ;  S.  Swartwout,  Tyler. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Henry  ^V.  Dexisox  was  born  in  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  IMarcli 
16,  1832,  being  the  first  Avhite  child  bora  in  the  county.  His  father, 
John  AV.,  together  with  his  grandfather,  William,  formed  the  first  set- 
tlement in  the  county,  which  was  in  the  year  1827.  He  is  the  youngest 
child  of  John  AY,  and  Margaret  (Swatford)  Denison.  His  folks  came 
overland  with  teams  from  AA^ayne  county,  Indiana,  with  Indians  on  all 
sides  of  them,  reaching  Mercer  county  without  losing  any  of  their 
family.  They  ever  afterward  lived  on  friendly  terms  with  the  Indians. 
One  of  the  Indian  warriors  once  remarked  that  if  they  killed  them  they 
would  do  it  easy,  which  meant  that  they  would  never  do  anything  more 
than  whij)  them.  He  has  been  mostly  engaged  in  farmmg  and  stock- 
raising.  His  chances  for  obtaining  an  education  were  limited  to  what 
he  could  obtain  from  Simeon  P.  Smith,  who  taught  his  first  school  in 
Henry's  father's  kitchen.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd-Fellows  since  the  first  organization  of  that  society  in  New 
Boston.  He  was  either  the  first  or  second  one  taken  into  the  lodge. 
He  does  not  know  whether  he  or  B.  Milliken,  of  A^iola,  was  first,  as 
the}''  both  came  in  at  the  first  meeting.  He  has  held  all  the  oflices  in 
Iiis  lodge  at  various  times.  He  was  always  a  democrat  until  1872. 
From  that  time  to  the  present  he  has  been  a  "greenbacker.'''  He  was 
married  to  Miss  Turana  C.  Moore,  daughter  of  John  S.  and  Hannah 
Moore.  Mrs.  Denison  was  born  February  17th,  1814.  They  have 
had  six  children,  in  the  following  order :  Carrie  (dead).  Sail}'  (married 
to  Herbert  Good),  Alice  (married  to  -John  Fuller),  Maggie  (dead), 
"Willie  (dead),  and  Freddie. 

Stanton  V.  Prentiss,  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  was  born  in  Meigs 
county,  Ohio,  May  10,  1826,  and  is  the  fifth  child  of  Stanton  and 
Susannah  (Brookheart)  Prentiss.  His  parents  came  west  and  settled  at 
AVarsaw,  in  Hancock  county,  where  they  remained  until  1833.  AVhile 
living  at  that  pr)int,  they  were  often  compelled  to  leave  their  farm,  and 
flee  to  Fort  Edwards  for  safety  from  the  Indians,  as  this  was  at  the 
time  when  Black  Hawk  was  making  his  raids  up  and  down  the  Missis- 
sippi. In  1833  they  came  to  Mercer  county,  where  they  have  lived 
ever  since,  with  the  exception  of  a  short  time  in  Rock  Island  county, 
and  two  years  spent  in  California.  He  has  always  been  engaged  in  farm- 
ing and  raising  stock,  the  latter  very  extensively.  During  the  period 
between  1852  and  1857,  he  also  ran  a  dry  goods  and  grocery  store. 
His  means  of  attaining  an  education  were  very  limited  ;  however,  he 


NEW    BOSTON    TOWNSHIP.  93 

managed  to  get  a  common  school  education  between  the  intervals  of 
farming.  He  owns  l,l»o<i  acres  of  land  on  Bay  Island,  all  in  one  body 
and  under  fence,  forming  the  largest  pasture  in  the  county,  and  the 
largest  body  owned  by  any  one  person.  In  })olitics  he  has  always  been, 
a  rei)ublican.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Hannah  E.  Creveston  in  May^ 
1865.  They  have  two  children:  Park  and  Don.  They  are  both  living 
arid  at  home  with  their  parents.  Mr.  Prentiss'  m(»ther  died  in  1852  at 
New  Boston,  and  his  father  in  1875. 

William  Drury,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  Pickaway 
county,  Ohio,  September  17,  1809,  and  removed  to  Wayne  county  in 
1811,  with  his  parents,  where  Mr.  Drury  remained  until  he  attained  the 
age  of  manhood.  The  family  were  subject  to  all  the  ]>rivations  of  pio- 
neer life  as  well  as  the  alarms  of  savage  warfare,  and  during  the 
troubles  in  1812  they  often  had  to  retreat  to  the  block-houses  for  pro- 
tection. Mr.  Drurv's  education  was  limited  to  a  common  school,  but 
he  attained  education  enough  to  teach  several  terms  of  school  before  he 
came  west.  In  1833  Mr.  Drury  came  to  Illinois  to  look  at  the  country, 
and  for  the  tii'st  time  saw  real  prairie  land  —  quite  a  curiosity  to  one 
who  has  been  reared  in  a  wooded  country.  Mr.  Drury  <letermined  to 
make  this  his  home,  made  a  selection,  and  in  1834  returned  and  made 
a  claim,  and  settled  down  at  the  foot  of  the  bluffs,  near  where  he  now 
resides.  Through  his  influence  several  families  came  with  him.  So' 
disgusted  wnth  things  were  they,  that  they  threatened  a  dissolution  of 
friendship  with  him  if  he  did  not  desist  in  S})eaking  in  praise  of  the 
country.  In  184(»  Mr.  Drury  returned  to  Indiana,  and  was  married, 
July  1,  to  Miss  Vashti  Lewis,  daughter  of  Caleb  and  Polly  (Willits) 
Lewis.  Mrs.  Drury's  father  served  as  a  member  of  the  legislature 
a  number  of  times.  Immediately  after  the  organization  of  Mercer 
county  in  1835,  Mr.  Drury  was  elected  to  fill  .the  office  of  countj 
recorder  a  number  of  consecutive  years.  In  183(1  he  was  elected  county 
clerk,  in  conjunction  with  the  former  office.  While  holding  these  offices 
Mr.  Drury  furnished  all  his  own  stationery  and  met  his  office  expenses 
out  of  liis  own  private  means.  In  1836  he  commenced  a  small  trade  in 
dry  goods  and  groceries  in  partnership  with  Levi  Willits,  under  the 
firm  name  of  Drur}'  <fe  AVillits.  They  furnished  the  people  with  all 
necessaries  that  were  required.  They  bought  pork,  grain  and  other 
products,  and  shipj>ed  them  to  St.  Louis.  They  did  the  first  pork  pack- 
ing in  the  county.  They  continued  business  until  1848,  when  they  sold 
out  to  Courtney  Drury  and  James  S.  Thompson,  who  formed  a  partner- 
ship under  the  name  of  Thompson  tk  Drury.  Mr.  Drury  spent  about 
a  year,  after  the  sale  ttf  liis  interest,  in  settling  up  his  business,  when,  in 
1850,  he  started  a  small  cash   store,  whicii  he  conducted  until  1853, 


94:  HISTORY   OF    >rERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

when,  on  account  of  failing  liealth,  be  sold  out  his  interest,  and  has 
since  given  his  attention  to  the  management  of  his  large  estate,  and 
to  the  importation  and  raising  of  fine  stock,  and  the  banking  business. 
In  1871,  in  ])artnership  with  other  wealthy  men  of  the  county,  he 
assisted  in  organizing  a  Farmer's  Xational  Bank,  at  Keithsburg,  of 
which  he  is  a  large  stockholder  and  president.  Mr.  Drurj  says  he  has 
made  it  a  j)ractice  all  his  life,  that  at  the  end  of  each  year  his  income 
shall  be  greater  than  his  expenses.  He  thinks  this  accounts  for  his 
large  estate,  and  not  to  an}-  mental  gift.  This  he  would  recommend  to 
all  young  men  staiting  in  life.  Mr..  Drury  was  among  the  first  settlers 
of  the  county.  lie  was  well  acquainted  with  Black  Hawk  and  Ivet)kuk, 
the  two  noted  Indian  chiefs. 

Courtney  Druky  was  born  in  WajTie  county,  Indiana,  November 
23,  1820.  He  came  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  with  William  Willits 
and  family,  in  the  fall  of  1834.  He  remained  witli  them  for  some  time, 
and  then  sold  goods  for  the  firm  of  Drury  it  Willits.  In  1842  he 
returned  to  his  old  home  in  Indiana,  and  went  to  school  that  fall  and 
winter.  He  was  married  April  12,  1842,  to  Ruth  Willits,  and  removed 
to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year.  That  winter 
he  bought  eighty  acres  of  land,  partly  improved.  He  sold  his  farm  in 
the  winter  of  1845,  and  the  following  spring  moved  to  the  village  of 
Kew  Boston.  Mr.  Drury  lost  his  wife  February,  1847.  He  then 
returned  to  the  State  of  Indiana,  and  spent  the  most  of  that  summer 
there  ;  then  returned  to  Kew  Boston,  and,  with  James  S.  Thompson, 
purchased  the  mercantile  establishment  of  Drury  &  AVillits.  The  new 
fii-m  conducted  the  trade  of  this  house  for  eight  years,  at  the  end  of 
which  time  they  sold  out,  and  Mr.  Drury  benight  land  near  the  village 
of  New  Boston,  which  he  improved,  and  has  engaged  in  farming  and 
stock  raising  ever  since.  Mr.  Drury  has  made  a  specialty  of  breeding 
fine  horses,  and  has  had  some  of  the  best  stock  ever  kept  or  owned  in 
Mercer  county.     He  has  a  passion  for  a  fine  horse,  and  gratifies  it. 

William  A.  Wilson,  farmer,  was  born  in  Shelby  county,  Indiana, 
August  18,  1831.  Tlie  family  removed  to  Mercer  county  in  the  fall 
of  1834,  and  settled  in  Eliza  to%ynship.  Mr.  W^ilson's  education  was 
limited  to  a  common  school,  as  in  those  early  times  the  advantages 
■ofiered  were  few  and  rude ;  however,  he  acquired  considerable  of  a 
business  education,  especially  in  arithmetic,  as  that  was  a  favorite 
«tudy  of  his.  When  twenty-two  years  of  age  he  commenced  farming 
for  himself  on  a  small  scale.  His  father  wanted  liim  to  take  a  horse 
when  starting  out,  but  he  refused  to  do  so  ;  but  by  persuasion  he 
accepted  a  ten  dollar  biJ].  He  rented  three  years,  when  he  found  he 
liad  money  enough  to  buy  eighty  acres  of  land  lying  in  New  Boston 


NEW    BOSTON   TOWNSHIP.  95 

township.  lie  lived  with  his  brother-in-law,  Tiiehard  Shields,  and 
tilled  his  small  farm  until  1857,  when  he  was  married  to  Miss  Kate 
"Woodward,  daughter  of  Joel  and  Keziah  Woodward.  A  year  after 
his  marriage  he  sold  his  farm  for  $2,5(>(J,  and  bought  another  in  Mer- 
cer township  for  $3,500,  wiiere  he  lived  until  1S61.  Mr.  Wilson  has 
always  dealt  considerably  in  live  stock  while  farming.  In  1861,  in 
response  to  the  country's  call  for  troops,  Mr.  Wilson  enlisted  in  the 
102d  Vol.  Inf.,  and  was  elected  second  lieutenant  of  Company  K,  and 
before  going  into  active  service  was  promoted  to  tirst  lieutenant.  His 
first  engagement  ■with  the  enemy  was  at  Gallatin,  Tennessee,  after 
which  he  was  elected  captain  of  his  company  by  a  unanimous  vote. 
Returning  home  from  the  war  in  1864,  he  sold  his  •  farm  in  Mercer 
township  for  $7,000,  and  again  bought  a  farm  of  120  acres  in  New 
Boston  township,  which  he  has  increased  to  420  acres  in  New  Boston 
township,  and  402  acres  in  Eliza.  They  have  had  eleven  children : 
Jay,  Ed.,  Dick,  Ressa,  Gen.  Phil.  Sheridan,  John  S.,  Harvey,  Louie, 
Grace,  Bert.  M.  and  Frank  M.  Grace  and  Louie  are  deceased.  The 
rest  are  in  good  health  and  at  home  with  their  parents.  Mr.  Wilson's 
mother  still  sur^■ives  at  the  age  of  eighty-seven,  and  is  in  good  health. 
D.  J.  Noble  is  the  ninth  child  of  a  family  of  twelve  children.  He 
was  born  May  1,  1818,  in  Fayette  county,  Indiana.  His  parents,  Lewis 
and  Elizabeth  (Burgess)  Xoble,  came  to  Mercer  county,  lUinois,  in 
1835,  and  settled  on  Sec.  16,  in  New  Boston  townsldp,  where  they 
lived  until  their  death.  His  father  gave  D.  J.  seventy  acres  of  Sec. 
16,  and  to  this  he  added  the  N.  W.  i  of  Sec.  22  and  the  N.  E.  i  of 
Sec.  21.  He  has  a  large  and  commodious  residence  and  is  comfort- 
ably situated.  Besides  making  a  competency  for  himself  he  has 
helped  each  of  his  sons  to  a  good  home.  He  has  the  benefits  of  only 
a  common  school  education,  owing  to  the  many  disadvantages  aft'orded 
in  youth.  He  has  been  engaged  in  farming  from  boyhood  up.  He 
has  always  taken  an  active  part  in  temperance,  and  has  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  ]\Iethodist  church  since  1840.  He  has  held  all  the  offices  in 
his  church  at  various  times.  In  politics  he  has  always  been  a  republi- 
can. He  was  married  July  5,  1840,  to  Miss  Sally  liadei-,  daughter  of 
Abraham  and  Catharine  Bader.  She  was  born  March  4,  1818.  They 
have  had  ten  children,  nine  of  whom  are  living :  Melissa,  married  to 
Frederick  Fleming;  John  N.,  married  to  Mary  Hill,  and  lives  in  Da- 
kota; Leroy,  married  to  Miss  Rachel  Ilollingsworth  ;  David  L.,  dead  ; 
Harvey,  married  t<j  Miss  Luella  Bowden  ;  Nathan,  married  to  ]Miss 
Alida  Pryne ;  Sarah  E.,  married  to  J.  A.  Coding;  Dora,  married  to 
Melvill  Danford  ;  Robert,  married  to  Miss  lola  Ilolingsworth,  ami 
James,  who  lives  at  home  vArith  his  parents. 


96  HISTORY   OF   MERCER   AIJD   HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

Milton  L.  Willits,  farmer,  son  of  Reuben  and  Mary  Willits,  wa& 
bom  in  Wavne  conntv,  Indiana,  Kovember  13,  1826.  He  came  west 
with  his  gi-andfather,  Isaac  AVillits,  in  the  spring  of  1836,  and  settled 
in  New  Boston  township,  where  he  has  lived  ever  since,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  three  years  spent  in  California.  He  crossed  the  plains  in 
the  summer  of  1850,  and  returned  in  the  spring  of  1853  to  Isew  Bos- 
ton, and  started  a  lumber  yard  in  partnership  with  Anderson  Kirlin. 
They  continued  business  until  fall,  when  they  dissolved,  and  Mr,  Wil- 
lits started  a  grocery  store,  which  he  continued  till  the  spring  of  1854, 
when  he  traded  his  grocery  in  part  payment  on  seventy-six  acres  of 
land  "five  miles  northeast  of  New  Boston,  where  he  has  been  engaged 
in  farming  ever  since.  He  was  married  October  25,  185-1,  to  Miss 
Sarah  J.  Kirlin.  They  have  had  ten  children  :  Horace  G.,  born 
July  31,  1855  ;  Mary  L.,  December  23,  1856  ;  Homer  C,  January  8, 
1858;  Lavina  H.,  March  25,  1859;  Elias  M.,  December  13,  1860; 
William  R.,  September  23,  1862;  Minnie  D.,  March  3,  1864;  Frede- 
rick, June  22,  1866  ;  Ruth,  November  6,  1867  ;  Sarah  J.,  February  8, 
1869.  His  wife  died  February  13,  1869  ;  Mary  L.,  October  31,  1857; 
Sarah  J.,  March  17,  1869  ;  Ruth,  August  26,  1869  ;  Frederick,  Jan- 
uary 5,  1873  ;  William  R.,  October  25,  1879.  His  oldest  son,  Horace 
G.,  mamed  Miss  Ida  McGrew  ;  Clinton,  to  Miss  Adda  Kiddoo  ;  La- 
vina. to  Levi  Lewis.  The  other  two  remain  at  home  with  their  father. 
Mr,  Willits'  education  was  liriiited  in  youth  but  improved  by  study  in 
later  life.  He  was  one  of  the  pupils  of  Simeon  P.  Smith,  one  of  the 
first  and  best  teachers  of  the  county.  His  early  youth  was  spent  in 
farming  until  eighteen  years  of  age,  when  he  learned  the  carpenter's 
trade,  at  which  he  worked  for  six  years.  He  has  always  been  an 
active  temperance  man.  In  politics  he  is  a  reijublican.  He  has  at 
present  513  acres  of  Mercer  county's  best  land  situated  in  New  Boston 
township. 

We  cannot  expect  in  a  short  sketch  to  do  justice  to  one  who  has  re- 
sided in  the  county  near  foi*ty  six  years,  but  glean  a  few  facts  in  which 
the  readers  of  this  work  will  feel  a  deep  interest.  Such  a  person  is 
James  M.  Mannon,  who  was  born  in  Wayne  county,  Indiana,  Septem- 
ber 16,  1823.  He  resided  in  his  native  state  until  thirteen  years  of  age 
and  then  came  west  to  Mercer  county,  and  with  his  parents  settled  in 
Eliza  township,  where  he  lived  until  he  attained  the  days  of  manhood. 
He  took  such  chances  as  were  offered  in  those  early  times  for  acquiring 
a  common  school  education.  By  much  reading  and  general  study  he 
has  become  well  infoniied  on  all  the  leading  questions  of  the  da}^  April 
6,  1849,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Rebecca  daughter  of  Patrick  Sliirkey. 
After  being  married  some  nine  years,  his  companion  was  called  away  to 


NEW    BOSTON    TOWNSHIP.  9T 

the  silent  tomb,  September  5,  1857.  He  married  his  present  wife, 
Sarah  J.  ^Nfoore,  January  6,  1859.  She  is  a  daughter  of  George  and 
Jemima  Moore,  of  New  Boston  townsliij).  Their  ehihh-en  are  Bertha 
B.,  George  M.,  James  M.,  Levi  E.,  and  Charles  N.  Mrs.  Mamion's 
grandfather,  liobeit  Moore,  served  in  the  war  of  1776 — ^^and  he  and  his 
two  sons,  Thomas  and  James,  served  in  the  war  of  1812.  CVjlonel  ^[an- 
non  started  out  in  life  as  tiller  of  the  soil  which  business  he  followed  some 
fifteen  years,  when  he  was  elected  sheriff  of  ]\Iercer  county  on  the  re- 
publican ticket.  In  1858,  after  serving  his  term  as  sherift',  he  was  elected 
circuit  clerk  and  county  recorder,  w4iich  positions  he  held  for  two  years. 
In  response  to  the  call  of  the  government  for  troops  to  put  down  the  re- 
bellion of  the  southern  states,  he  enlisted  in  the  102d  111.  Yt)l.  Inf.,  and 
was  elected  captain  of  company  K,  afterward  major,  and  latei-,  lieu- 
tenant colonel.  He  was  in  all  of  the  fighting  in  Sherman's  march  to 
the  sea  coast,  until  the  siege  of  Atlanta,  when  pressed  by  home  interests 
he  resigned  and  came  home.  Soon  after  joining  his  family  he  com- 
menced mercantile  business  in  New  Boston  in  partnership  with  Anthony 
Burdick  under  the  firm  name  of  Burdick  and  Mannon.  They  did  a  large 
business  for  some  tjiree  years  when  Mr.  Mannon  purchased  the  interest 
of  Mr.  Burdick  and  continued  the  business  two  years  longer.  He  then 
sold  off  his  stock  of  goods  and  bought  a  fann  five  miles  northeast  of 
New  Boston,  where  he  resides  at  present,  comfortably  situated.  He 
commenced  his  business  life  vrith  only  eighty  dollars.  Mr.  Mannon 
has  always  been  an  active  republican  and  taken  considerable  interest  in 
advocating  its  principles,  and  carrying  into  effect  the  doctrines  advo- 
cated by  that  party. 

John  Fkatt,  butcher,  was  born  in  Union  county,  Indiana,  in  1829. 
He  is  the  oldest  son  of  Begin  and  Mary  (Long)  Pratt.  His  parents  came 
to  Mercer  county  in  1836,  and  are  therefore  among  the  earliest  settlers  of 
the  county.  He  was  engaged  in  farming  and  carpentering  until  1876, 
since  which  time  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  butcher's  trade.  In  1869 
he  joined  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  of  which  body  he  has 
been  a  member  ever  since.  He  has  held  numerous  offices  in  his  lodge 
at  various  times.  In  politics  he  is  a  democrat.  His  father  lived  in 
Mercer  county  until  June  6,  1880,  when  he  was  called  away  to  a  bet- 
ter land.  His  mother  is  still  living  at  the  age  of  seventy-five,  and 
maintains  good  health. 

Of  the  representative   men  of  Mercer  county  the  name  of  none 
occupies  a  more  honorable  ]>lace  in  the  list  than  that  of  Dr.  Thomas- 
"WiLLrrs,  of  New    Boston.     He  was  a  pioneer  in  his    profession    as 
well  as  a  pioneer  settler,  and  has  been  a  practitioner  fifty^six  years. 
His  nativitv  was  in  Pickawav  countv,  Ohio,  in  1S(I5.     It  was  there 


58  HISTORY    OF   FIERCER   AND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

his  parents,  James  and  Amy  (Allison)  Willits,  wlio  had  emigrated 
from  Penns}-lvania,  were  married.  At  the  age  of  twenty  he  started 
out  from  home  with  the  design  of  going  to  St.  Louis,  but  stopped 
at  Montezuma,  Parke  county,  Indiana,  where  lie  began  the  practice  of 
medicine.  In  three  or  four  years  he  returned  to  his  father's  home,  which 
had  meantime  been  removed  to  Richmond,  Indiana.  He  remained 
there  till  1837,  and  then  came  west  and  settled  in  AVarren,  now  Hen- 
derson, county,  this  state,  on  the  line  between  that  and  INIercer.  There 
he  entered  500  acres  of  land,  which  property  is  now  known  as  the 
Mickey  farm.  Having  enclosed  a  large  tract,  he  gave  his  attention 
for  a  few  years  to  raising  stock  for  market ;  but  after  hauling  to  Xew 
Boston  he  could  obtain  only  $1-50  per  hundred  for  the  hind  quarters 
of  neat  animals  and  $1  for  fore  quarters,  while  pork  brought  but 
$1.25,  all  in  store  pay,  and  corn  could  not  be  sold  at  any  price.  N^ot 
pleased  with  this  state  of  things,  in  184-0  he  decided  to  quit  farming, 
and  moved  ta  New  "Boston  and  continued  his  practice.^  In  1850  he 
was  elected  a  representative  to  the  legislature  from  Mercer  county  and 
served  one  term.  While  a  member  of  that  body  the  charter  for  the 
Illinois  Central  railroad  was  passed,  and  he  made  a  strenuous  but  futile 
eifort  to  fix  the  percentage  which  the  company  should  be  obliged  to 
pay  into  the  state  treasury  at  ten  per  cent  of  their  gross  earnings, 
instead  of  seven.  The  doctor  \'oted  first  for  president  for  John  Quincy 
Adams,  but  fell  into  line  with  the  opposite  party  in  the  Jackson  cam- 
})aign  of  1828,  and  since  that  time  has  been  an  old  school  democrat. 
In  controversy  he  has  upheld  the  principles  of  his  party,  but  never  with 
hope  of  office  or  aspiration  for  it.  With  the  exception  of  a  division  of 
the  Sons  of  Temperance,  which  he  organized  in  Kew  Boston,  he  has  not 
been  connected  with  any  of  the  secret  orders  which  are  now  so  com- 
mon. To  the  extent  that  his  example  could  give  force  to  his  convictions, 
he  has  encouraged  the  temperance  cause,  and  under  no  circumstances 
could  he  ever  have  fallen  to  such  depths  of  humiliation  as  to  counte- 
nance or  tolerate  drunkenness  or  any  patronage  of  the  rum  traffic. 
Dr.  Willits  was  married  in  early  life  to  Mrs.  Catherine  Libby,  formerly 
Miss' Ainsworth,  and  five  children  were  the  fruits  of  this  union.  The 
eldest,  Ehnira,  died  in  infancy;  Leroy  lives  in  New  Boston  township; 
Viola,  who  was  the  wife  of  Russell  Scudder,  died  over  twenty  years 
ago ;  Celeste  is  now  Mrs.  William  A.  Anderson,  of  Chicago ;  and  Kate 
is  the  wife  of  Thomas  Manning  of  the  same  city.  We  regret  our  ina- 
bility to  give  a  more  extendi^d  notice  of  one  who  has  figured  so  largely 
in  the  useful  aft'airs  of  this  locality,  and  who,  by  universal  consent,  has 
been  of  so  much  service  and  benefit  to  the  public  at  large  as  Dr. 
Willits.     A  man  of  liberal  education  and  correct  understanding,  whose 


NEW    BOSTON   ToWNSHII'.  99 

Icnowledge  covers  a  wide  range,  Mercer  county  has  never  liad  a  better 
tvpe  of  the  old  school  practitioner  and  gentleman  than  he.  As  a  con- 
versationalist he  is  fluent,  entertaining  and  instructive,  with  ]>leasing 
powei's  of  description. 

Jacob  II.  Swoffokd  was  born  in  llenrv  county,  Indiana.  A])ril  8, 
1829.  His  ])arents  were  born  in  North  Carf)lina.  lie  came  to 
Mercer  county,  Illinois,  August  10,  1837.  He  was  a  common  laborer 
for  a  time,  and  then  learned  the  ])rinting  business,  which  he  followed 
for  ten  years.  Since  leaving  oft'  the  ])rinting  business  he  has  engaged 
in  various  avocations.  He  was  married  November  16,  1854,  to 
Annie,  daugliter  of  John  and  Mary  Shuft".  They  are  the  parents  of 
•eleven  children,  eight  of  whom  are  living.  The  family  have  resided 
in  the  villa":e  of  New  Boston  for  manv  vears. 

IIarley  I^'ES,  farmer,  was  born  in  Connecticut,  January  15,  1803. 
He  is  the  third  child  of  Caleb  and  Sarah  (Booth)  Ives.  He  came  over- 
land, and  settled  near  Oquawka,  in  Henderson  county,  in  1836,  where 
he  lived  two  years,  when  he  moved  to  Mercer  county,  and  settled  one 
mile  east  of  New  Boston,  where  he  has  lived  ever  since.  During  the 
early  part  of  his  life  he  was  engaged  in  farming,  and  working  at  the 
cooper  trade,  being  the  first  cooper  in  the  county.  In  1827  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Ruth  Ives,  daughter  of  Gideon  and  Charlotte  (Hall) 
Ives.  They  have  had  five  children  born  to  them  :  Gilbert  II.,  who  is 
man-ied  to  Miss  Mary  A  Scudder.  a  daugliter  of  Ennis  Scudder  ;  Mar- 
tha AV.,  dead  ;  Gideon,  at  home  with  his  parents;  Emery  K.,  married 
to  Miss  Marv  E.  Hartsock  ;  Caroline,  married  to  John  AV.  Histed. 
Mrs.  Ives  has  always  been  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church.  Mr.  Ives 
has  always  been  an  active  temperance  man.  In  politics  he  is  a  demo- 
crat. At  present,  Mr.  Ives  is  seventy-nine  years  of  age  and  in  splen- 
did health  and  ver}"  active.     Financially  he  is  in  good  circumstances. 

Thomas  Alyea,  druggist,  was  born  at  Miamitown,  Ohio,  Se]>tem- 
ber  21,  1821.  His  fathei-,  Joseph  Alyea,  from  New  Jersey,  was 
tliree  times  married.  By  his  first  wife  he  had  two  children  ;  by  his 
second,  Margaret  Love,  mother  of  our  subject,  four  were  born  ;  and  by 
the  last,  eight  :  three  sons  and  five  daughters.  The  family  moved 
from  Mr.  Alyea's  birthplace  to  Fairfield,  Franklin  county,  Indiana, 
where  his  mother  died  when  he  was  eight  years  old.  In  1838  a  second 
removal  broujrht  them  to  New  Boston  where  Mr.  Alvea  has  resided 
continuously  until  the  present  time.  In  1845  he  went  to  Mount  Morris 
Seminary  in  Ogle  county  and  attended  school  there  one  year.  He  was 
the  second  vender  of  drags  in  New  Boston,  and  oj^ened  in  1853  the 
first  exclusive  drug  store,  which  he  has  conducted  since.  From  1847 
lo  1853  he  was  selling  dry  goods,  and  from  1854  till  now  he  has  been 


100  HISTORY    OF    MERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

engaged  in  the  ice  business.  On  the  28tli  of  June,  1849,  he  was  mar-^ 
ried  to  Miss  Sarali  A.,  daughter  of  John  and  Amelia  C.  Signor.  The- 
same  year  he  was  elected  county  surveyor,  and  hekl  that  office  one  term 
of  two  years.  He  still  devotes  a  little  attention  to  surveying,  and  has 
in  his  possession  the  old  field  notes  procured  by  Judge  Gilmore  nearly 
fifty  years  ago.  He  was  the  first  town  clerk  after  the  adoption  of  town- 
ship organization,  and  has  filled  the  same  position  in  the  town  of  New 
Boston.  A  leading  member  of  the  Methodist  church  for  many  years, 
he  has  held  official  connection  in  the  responsible  positions  of  trustee 
thirty  years,  class-leader  twenty-five  years,  and  sexton,  recording 
steward  and  Sunday  school  superintendent,  also,  for  long  periods.  He 
was  the  first  treasurer  of  the  American  Bible  Society  in  this  county. 
He  has  shown  himself  active  and  useful  in  the  temperance  movement, 
and  has  belonged  to  about  all  the  organizations  in  New  Boston.  He 
was  bred  politically  in  the  whig  party,  and  cast  his  first  vote  for  Henry 
Clay  in  1844.  He  has  maintained  his  fidelity  to  the  republican  party 
since  its  organization.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Alyea  have  been  the  parents  of 
eleven  children,  seven  of  whom  are  dead.  The  survivors  are  :  Thomas 
Edmund,  a  physician,  living  at  Princeville ;  Willard  Henry,  Florence 
Luella,  and  Lily  Belle. 

Sidney  Chidster,  farmer,  was  born  in  Trumbull  county,  Oliio^ 
April  1,  1816.  He  is  the  fourtli  child  of  Hezekiah  and  Lyda  Chidster. 
He  worked  with  his  father  at  the  carpenter's  trade  until  twenty-two 
years  of  age,  when  he  came  west  and  settled  in  Mercer  county,  where 
he  has  lived  ever  since.  Being  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  the  county, 
he  had  to  endure  all  the  hardships  connected  with  pioneer  life.  His  edu- 
cation was  limited  to  a  common  school  course.  In  politics  Mr.  •Chidster 
had  always  been  a  republican  until  1875,  when  he  joined  the  party  known 
as  the  greenback  party,  of  which  he  has  since  been  a  member.  He 
was  elected  school  trustee  in  1845,  and  served  twenty-five  years  consec- 
utively. In  1847  he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace,  and  served  three 
years.  In  1840  he  was  elected  county  associate  justice  for  the  term  of 
three  years.  He  was  the  first  supervisor  of  New  Boston  township,  and 
served  as  chairman  of  that  board.  In  later  years,  he  has  served  ten 
years  as  township  collector.  He  has  always  been  an  active  temperance 
man.  In  Mai-ch,  1842,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Rachel  Stewart, 
daugliter  of  William  and  Nancy  Stewart.  She  was  born  in  Trumbull 
county,  Ohio,  August  10,  1823.  They  have  had  three  children :  Wil- 
liam and  Lyda,  who  are  at  home,  and  Bachel,  who  is  married  to  Milton 
F.  Weeden.  August  10,  1853,  Mr.  Chidster  was  called  to  mourn  the 
loss  of  his  beloved  wife. 

Henry   H.    Roberts,    lumber   merchant,    was    born    in    England,. 


NEW    BOSTON   TOWNSIIIl'.  lUl 

August  11,  1819.  He  is  nest  to  the  youngest  child  of  James  and 
Elizabeth  Roberts,  who  came  to  America  in  1828,  landing  at  Boston, 
]\[assachusetts,  where  they  lived  until  1836.  Mr.  Roberts  lived  in 
Indiana  two  years  before  coming  to  Mercer  county.  He  built  a  card- 
ing machine  in  New  Boston  township,  which  was  the  first  in  the  county. 
This  he  ran  for  two  years,  M'hen  he  removed  to  P^liza  townshi]),  entered 
120  acres  of  land  and  bought  eighty  acres  more,  and  went  to  farming. 
He  remained  in  this  business  until  185P),  when  he  went  to  New  Boston 
and  built  a  large  three-story  brick  carriage  and  wagon  factory  in  part- 
nership \dth  Joe  Graham,  forming  the  Unn  of  Graham  &  Roberts. 
They  continued  business  until  1860,  when  Mr.  Roberts  bought  Graham 
out.  In  1S61  Mr.  Roberts  went  back  to  his  farm,  and  farmed  until 
1865,  when  he  went  to  Monmouth.  Illinois,  and  started  a  sash,  door 
and  blind  factory  and  planing-mill,  which  he  ran  until  1869,  when  his 
mill  was  burned  down.  Returning  to  New  Boston,  he  refitted  the 
building  he  had  formerly  occupied  as  a  factory,  for  a  hotel,  the 
Roberts  House,  wdiicli  he  ran  until  1875,  since  which  time  he  has  been 
engaged  in  the  lumber  trade.  On  March  20,  1845,  he  was  married 
to  Miss  Mary  Baker,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  Baker.  She 
was  born  December  7,  1826,  and  died  June  16,  1858.  He  was  mari-ied 
again  September  29,  1859,  to  Miss  Maria  J.  Dunn,  daughter  of  Thomas 
and  Nancy  Dunn.  By  his  first  marriage  he  had  six  children  :  Eliza- 
beth H.  (married  to  Albert  Denison),  Marshall,  Albert  (dead),  Harriet 
(dead),  Clarence  (dead).  Charles  S.  (dead).  By  his  last  marriage  he 
has  two  children  :  Richard  II.  and  Ernest.  Morally  speaking,  he  has 
always  been  an  active  temperance  man.  Politically  he  was  a  republi- 
can until  1872,  when  he  joined  the  greenback  party,  to  which  party  he 
has  ever  since  strictlv  adhered. 

^  Mary  D.  Willits  was.  born  in  Butler  county,  Ohio,  May  31,  1823. 
She  is  the  sixth  child  of  Joseph  and  Margretta  (Love)  Alyea.  She 
•came  wdth  her  parents  to  Franklin  county,  Indiana,  where  they  lived 
until  1838,  when  they  came  to  Mercer  county,  settling  in  the  town  of 
New  Boston.  Her  father  was  one  of  the  first  to  start  in  business. 
She  was  married  to  William  Danford  September  13,  1845.  i\Ir.  Dan- 
ford  was  born  March  21,  1807.  He  was  the  third  child  of  Enoch  and 
Mary  Danford.  They  had  four  children :  William  B.,  married  to  Alice 
Kesler;  Melville  C,  to  Dora  Noble;  Joseph  A.,  to  Famiie  Strong; 
Mozart,  to  Clara  Mannon.  William  B.  was  born  June  29,  1846  ;  Mel- 
ville C,  September  22,  1847;  Joseph  A.,  Decembers,  1848;  Mozart, 
March  16,  1850.  AVilliam  Danford,  Sr.,  died  July  27,  1850.  Mrs. 
Danford  married  again  March  10,  1852,  to  William  Willits,  who  was 
the   seventh  child   of  Jesse   and   Susannah   Willits.       He   was  bom 


104  HISTORY   OF   iCERCER   AKD   HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

sionally  as  far  as  Preemption.  He  was  always  present  at  the  annual 
cam|>meetings  at  Sugar  Grove,  where  he  worked  incessantly,  ardu- 
ously and  willingly  in  the  grand  cause.  He  would  frequently  start 
from  home  early  on  the  Sabbath,  preach  at  11  a.m.  at  one  point,  at 
4  P.M.  at  another,  and  at  early  candle-light  at  a  third,  driWng  home, 
twelve  or  fifteen  miles,  at  the  close  of  the  latter  serWce,  and  all  from 
a  love  for  the  work,  with  no  thought  of  reward  in  this  life.  He  was 
very  frequently  called  uj)on  to  perform  the  marriage  ceremony  and  to 
preach  funeral  sermons,  often  riding  fifteen  to  twenty  miles  in  response 
to  these  calls,  and  recei\'ing  only  the  thanks  of  interested  parties  as 
payment  for  liis  serWces  and  loss  of  time.  In  the  spring  of  1850  his 
second  wife  went  to  her  reward,  closing  a  life  of  earnest,  active  and 
efficient  christian  work,  loved  and  mourned  by  all  who  knew  her,  yet 
lea^dng  the  memory  of  her  pm-e  nature  to  be  fondly  cherished  b}'  all. 
In  October,  1851,  he  was  again  married,  his  wife  being  Mrs.  Rachael 
SahTU,  of  Warren  county.  On  the  night  of  his  return  to  Isevf^  Boston 
with  his  bride  liis  residence  was  burned  to  the  ground,  and  as  it  was 
bis  all,  he  removed  what  little  was  saved  fi*om  the  flames  to  the  farm 
of  his  wife,  lying  in  the  northwest  corner  of  Warren  and  the  northeast 
comer  of  Henderson  counties,  adjoining  the  Mercer  county  line.  Here 
he  continued  his  pastoral  labors,  having  regular  aj^pointments  at  Sun- 
beam, Bald  Bluff,  Little  York,  Pleasant  Green  and  other  points.  For 
three  years  he  rode  the  Camden  circuit.  Rock  Island  county,  as  a 
"supply,"  and  for  one  or  more  he  supplied  the  Oquawka  circuit,  Hen- 
derson county.  He  organized  what  is  now  known  as  Belmont  Church, 
in  the  latter  county,  and  it  was  largely  tlii'ough  his  influence  that  the 
church  building  was  erected.  In  the  winter  of  1865,  after  a  life  of 
earnest  work  and  usefulness,  he  passed  ' '  over  the  river  "  to  meet  the 
Master  whom  he  had  so  faithfully  and  conscientiously  served,  well 
assured  of  the  welcome,  "Well  done,  good  and  faithftil  servant,  enter 
thou  into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord."  His  remains  were  interred  at  Bel- 
mont, but  in  1872  were  removed  to  the  New  Boston  cemetery,  where 
a  small  but  appropriate  stone  marks  his  grave.  His  wife  died  in  1872. 
!Kot  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  the  county  was  more  widely  known, 
more  highly  respected,  or  more  sincerely  mourned  than  Father 
Doughty.  Politically  Father  Doughty  was  identified  with  the  demo- 
cratic party,  particularly  the  Douglas  wing,  until  the  breaking  out  of 
the  rebellion,  after  which  he  voted  with  the  republicans.  His  sympa- 
thies were  all  with  the  Union,  and  the  enlistment  of  his  youngest  son, 
Lucien  B.,  and  two  stepsons,  F.  J.  and  Benjamin  Sarvin,  deepened 
his  interest  and  solicitude  in  the  movements  of  the  Union  army.  In 
answer  to  a  letter  announcing  the  enlistment  of  his  son,  he  wrote  : 


V-- 


-1  ■■■■^.:i 


NEW   BOSTON   TOWNSHIP.  lU7 

"  AVliile  I  sluill  always  feel  an  anxiety  for  your  safety,  and  all  the  more 
keenly  that  I  realize  in  part  the  dangers  to  which  you  will  be  exposed, 
I  have  no  word  of  regret  for  your  course.  G<jd  bless  you  and  ])reserve 
you,  and  grant  a  sj.)eedy  victory  to  our  noble  army."  And  again, 
when  that  son  wrote  that  he  had  re-enlisted  as  a  veteran,  he  writes  : 
"I  had  hoped  that  you  would  return  after  your  three  years'  service. 
It  would  seem  that  you  had  certainly  pert'ormed  your  whole  duty  in 
that  time,  and  that  some  one  might  take  your  place.  But  perhaps  I 
am  getting  selfish,  as  it  seems  so  long  since  I  have  seen  you.  Your 
iirst  duty  is  to  your  country,  and  I  will  only  say  what  I  said  when  you 
first  enlisted  :  *Do  your  duty,  and  may  God  protect  and  keep  you.'" 
Who  will  say  that  the  prayers  of  such  a  true  christian  were  not 
answered  in  the  return  of  that  son  unharmed  after  over  four  years  of 
active  service.  His  educational  advantages  were  limited,  but  the  Bible 
was  his  constant  companion  and  study.  Without  the  rhetorical  flour- 
ish and  orat(jrical  display  of  the  modern  preacher,  his  sermons  were 
delivered  with  a  force  and  earnestness  peculiar  to  the  early  itineracy, 
and  with  a  power  for  good  that  would  to-day  seem  phenominal.  Of 
this  power  lie  v.  Richard  Haney,  still  li^'ing,  tells  the  following/  "I 
remember  one  scene  at  an  early  campmeeting  at  Sugar  Grove.  I 
had  charge  of  the  services  for  the  day.  Two  sermons  had  been  deliv- 
ered, and  in  the  afternoon  Father  Doughty  occupied  the  stand.  I 
never  listened  to  such  earnest  appeals  to  the  sinner,  nor  did  I  ever 
witness  such  an  immediate  answer  to  the  prayers.  Tlie  large  audience 
were  completely  carried  away  by  the  sermon,  and  the  shouting,  and 
praying,  and  crying  soon  drowned  the  voice  of  the  preacher,  who,  with 
his  gray  locks  flying  m  the  wind,  and  the  tears  rolling  down  his  cheeks, 
was  vainly  tr}4ng  to  make  himself  heard.  Turning  to  me  he  asked, 
'  what  shall  I  do  V  and  I  could  only  say,  '  let  them  alone.  Father 
Doughty  ;  the  Lord  has  taken  this  meeting  out  of  your  hands.  Let 
them  alone  ;  He  will  take  care  of  it  now ;'  and  he  sank  exhausted  to 
his  seat.  I  repeat  it  :  I  never  heard  a  sennon  of  more  power,  nor  ever 
witnessed  such  an  outijouring  of  the  s])irit.''  With  an  early-day  mar- 
riage at  which  he  ofliciated,  we  will  close  this  sketch.  Driving  along 
the  "Blutt"'  road  one  summer  day,  he  was  hailed  by  a  man  plowing 
cor",  who,  leaving  his  plow,  invited  Father  D.  into  the  house  of  his 
employer  "  on  urgent  business."  Here  was  the  daughter  of  the  house, 
a  comely  maiden,  engaged  in  mixing  bread.  After  a  whispered  word 
from  the  plowman  she  wiped  the  flour  from  her  hands,  rolled  down  her 
sleeves,  and  the  pair  presented  themselves  for  marriage,  he  in  his  shirt- 
sleeves, she  with  a  big  apron  on.  The  ceremony  was  promj)tly  per- 
7 


108  HISTORY   OF   MERCER    AJST»    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

formed,  the  bride  returned  to  her  bread,  the  groom  to  his  plow,  and 
the  minister  proceeded  on  his  jom-ney,  all  as  if  nothing  unusual  had 
happened. 

The  ancestors  of  John  L.  Hartson,  of  IS^ew  Boston,  came  from 
England  and  settled  at  Haverhill,  Massachusetts,  and  took  an  active 
part  in  the  struggle  for  American  indej)endence.  Andrew  Hartson, 
grandfather  of  J.  L.,  who  was  bom  April  6,  1756,  was  under  twentj 
jears  of  age  when  serving  under  Gen.  Washington  at  Dorchester 
Heights,  etc.  He  was  mariied  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Baldwin,  November 
28,  1780,  in  Connecticut,  where  he  subsequently  made  his  home,  fol- 
lowing the  occupation  of  a  mechanic,  excelling  in  the  manufacture  of 
augurs.  He  invented  the  screw  augur,  although  the  credit  has  since 
heen  claimed  by  another.  His  family  consisted  of  three  sons  :  Jesse, 
the  eldest,  who  died  in  early  childhood;  Ebeuezer,  still  li^dng  (Feb- 
ruary 11,  1882),  at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-six  years ;  and  John,  the 
father  of  John  L.  John  was  born  September  3,  1790  ;  was  married 
in  March,  1810,  to  Miss  Alice  Utley,  by  whom  he  had  three  sons, 
named  in  the  order  of  then-  ages  :  Andrew,  Lester  and  John  Lyman, 
"born  December  29,  1814.  His  father  died  March  5,  1816,  when  John 
X.  was  but  little  past  fourteen  months  old.  He  remained  with  his 
mother  until  about  ten  years  old,  when  he  started  out  to  make  his  own 
way  in  the  world.  The  first  two  or  three  years  he  worked  on  a  farm 
in  summer,  and  went  to  school  in  winter,  doing  chores  for  his  board. 
lie  thus  received  the  rudiments  of  an  English  education,  and  acquired 
£i  love  of  reading,  by  which  means  he  has  stored  uj)  a  large  fund  of 
useful  knowledge  and  general  intelligence.  He  next  worked  in  a 
Tvoolen  factory  a  year  or  two,  but  not  liking  that  business  aj)preuticed 
liimself  to  learn  the  trade  of  scythe-making ;  but  his  employer  being 
an  intemperate  man  failed  in  business,  and  John  L.  was  thus  thrown 
out  of  employment  before  he  had  served  his  time.  It  was  at  this  time, 
seeing  the  e\"il  eifects  of  strong  drink,  he  became  a  firm  advocate  of 
total  abstinence,  and  has  always  been  strictly  temperate,  using  neither 
spu-ituous  liquors,  wine  nor  tobacco.  He  soon  after  found  employ- 
ment in  an  augur  factory  in  Ashford,  Windham  c(mnty,  where  he  re- 
mained until  he  was  twenty-one  years  old,  becoming  a  very  skillful 
workman.  He  went  to  Ilumphreysville  (now  Seymour),  New  Haven 
county,  in  January,  1836,  where  he  worked  as  journeyman  at  augur- 
making.  He  was  married  April  24,  1836,  to  Miss  Mary  J.  Hartshorn, 
by  whom  he  had  three  children :  one  daughter,  Alice  A.,  and  two  sons, 
Lyman  L.  and  John  S.,  all  of  whom  died  under  three  years  of  age. 
In  January,  1843,  he  united  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of 
which  he  was  an  active  and  exempUiry  member.     In  March,  1843,  he 


NKW   BOSTON   TOWNSHIP.  100 

was  initiated  into  tlie  Housatonic  Lodg^e,  No.  6,  I.O.O.F.,  at  Bir- 
mingluini,  and  in  September,  ls4<),  he  withdrew  from  tliat  lodge  in 
order  to  organize  one  in  llmnplireysville,  his  ])lace  ot'  residence,  and 
accordingly  was  a  charter  member  of  Mechanics  Lodge,  No.  73,  and 
was  the  second  N.G.  (^f  that  lodge.  In  1848  he  purchased  an  inter- 
est in  the  manufactory  where  he  had  been  employed  since  1836.  In 
1850  he  bought  the  whole  establishment,  which  he  carried  on  very  suc- 
cessfully for  a  number  of  years.  In  1852  he  was  elected  re})resenta- 
tive  to  the  state  legislature,  which  office  he  tilled  with  credit  to  himself 
and  satisfaction  to  his  constituents.  In  1854,  having  met  with  a  con- 
siderable loss  by  indorsing  for  others,  he  sold  out  and  came  west,  landing 
in  New  Boston  November  8th  of  that  year,  where  he  i)urchased  the 
N.  W.  ^  of  Sec.  29,  T.  14,  R.  5,  which  he  commenced  improving  the 
following  s])ring.  Soon  after  his  settlement  in  New  Boston.  J.  L. 
Hartson,  Mark^  J.  O'Brien,  J.  C.  Bell,  C.  II.  Bell,  D.  Ilhies  and 
others,  became  charter  members  of  the  New  Boston  Lodge,  I.O.O.F., 
which  was  the  tirst  organized  in  the  county.  Mr.  Hartson  was  the 
lirst  N.G.  and  the  first  representative  to  the  state  Grand  Lodge  from 
this  town  and  county.  He  remained  on  his  farm  about  four  years, 
when  he  bought  a  drug  store  in  New  Boston,  which  he  carried  on  a 
little  over  two  years  ;  during  that  time  his  wife  Mary  died.  On  Jan- 
uary 8,  1860,  he  was  married  to  his  present  wife,  who  was  Mrs. 
Fanny  M.  Campbell,  nee  Mead.  In  April  of  1863,  having  sold  his 
town  property,  he  returned  to  his  farm,  where  he  is  still  enjoying  the 
quiet  of  rural  life  in  his  home,  surrounded  by  a  few  congenial  friends 
who  know  him  best  and  love  him  most. 

William  Lewis  was  born  in  Wayne  county,  Indiana,  April  25,  1832. 
His  parents  were  formerly  from  Greene  county,  Virginia.  He  received 
a  common  school  education,  and  in  1854  came  to  Mercer  county  and 
settled  in  New  Boston  township,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  was 
married  October  30,  1850,  to  Sarah  Jane,  daughter  of  Pettis  and  Maria 
J.  Finch.  They  have  one  child  :  Levi.  Mr.  Lewis  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  fraternity,  and  has  been  since  1862.  He  is  an  extensive 
farmer,  owning  620  acres  of  land.  He  has  very  fine  buildings  on  his 
farm,  and  is  engaged  largely  in  stock  raising  and  shipping.  Politic- 
ally he  is  a  republican. 

William  T.  Murray  was  born  in  Frederick  county,  ^laryland, 
April  16,  1820.  He  is  tlie  oldest  son  of  William  and  Susan  (Jackson) 
Murray.  William  T.  left  his  native  state  in  1840,  and  aftei-  traveling 
over  the  states  of  Indiana  and  Ohio,  he  settled  in  Wayne  county,  In- 
diana, where  he  lived  several  years.  In  1856  he  came  to  Mercer  county, 
Illinois,  where  he  has  resided  ever  since.     During  his  early  life  he  was 


108  HISTORY   OF   IVrERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

formed,  the  bride  returned  to  lier  bread,  the  groom  to  his  plow,  and 
the  minister  proceeded  on  his  journey,  all  as  if  nothing  unusual  had 
liappened. 

The  ancestoi-s  of  John  L.  Hartson,  of  JSTew  Boston,  came  from 
England  and  settled  at  Haverhill,  Massachusetts,  and  took  an  active 
part  in  the  struggle  for  American  indej^endence.  Andrew  Hartson, 
grandfather  of  J.  L.,  who  was  bom  Apiil  6,  1756,  was  under  twenty 
years  of  age  when  serving  under  Gen.  Washington  at  Dorchester 
Heights,  etc.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Baldwin,  November 
28,  1780,  in  Connecticut,  where  he  subsequently  made  his  home,  fol- 
lowing the  occupation  of  a  mechanic,  excelling  in  the  manufacture  of 
augurs.  He  invented  the  screw  augur,  although  the  credit  has  since 
"been  claimed  by  another.  His  family  consisted  of  three  sons  :  Jesse, 
the  eldest,  who  died  in  early  childhood;  Ebenezer,  still  living  (Feb- 
ruary 11,  1882),  at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-six  years ;  and  John,  the 
father  of  John  L,  John  was  born  September  3,  1790  ;  was  married 
in  March,  1810,  to  Miss  Alice  Utley,  by  whom  he  had  three  sons, 
named  in  the  order  of  theii*  ages  :  Andrew,  Lester  and  John  Lyman, 
Tjorn  December  29,  1814.  His  father  died  March  5,  1816,  when  John 
L.  was  but  little  past  fourteen  months  old.  He  remained  with  his 
mother  until  about  ten  years  old,  when  he  stai-ted  out  to  make  his  own 
way  in  the  world.  The  first  two  or  three  years  he  worked  on  a  farm 
in  summer,  and  went  to  school  in  winter,  doing  chores  for  his  board. 
He  tlnis  received  the  rudiments  of  an  English  education,  and  acquired 
a  love  of  reading,  by  which  means  he  has  stored  up  a  large  fund  of 
"useful  knowledge  and  general  intelligence.  He  next  worked  in  a 
"woolen  factory  a  yeai*  or  two,  but  not  liking  that  business  apprenticed 
liimself  to  learn  the  trade  of  scythe-making ;  but  his  employer  being 
an  intemperate  man  failed  in  business,  and  John  L.  was  thus  tlii'own 
out  of  employment  before  he  had  served  his  time.  It  was  at  this  time, 
seeing  the  evil  efiects  of  strong  drink,  he  became  a  firm  advocate  of 
total  abstinence,  and  has  always  been  strictly  temperate,  using  neither 
spirituous  liquors,  wine  nor  tobacco.  He  soon  after  found  em})loy- 
ment  in  an  augur  factory  in  Ashford,  AVindham  county,  where  he  re- 
mained until  he  was  twenty-one  years  old,  becoming  a  veiy  skillful 
workman.  He  went  to  Humphreysville  (now  Seymour),  I^ew  Haven 
county,  in  January,  1836,  where  he  worked  as  journeyman  at  augur- 
making.  He  was  married  April  24,  1836,  to  Miss  Mary  J.  Hartshorn, 
by  whom  he  had  three  children :  one  daughter,  Alice  A.,  and  two  sons, 
Lyman  L.  and  John  S.,  all  of  whom  died  under  three  years  of  age. 
In  January,  1843,  he  united  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of 
which  he  was  an  active  and  exemplary  member.     In  March,  1843,  he 


NEW    BOSTON   TOWNSHIP.  109 

was  initiate(l  into  the  Ilousatoiiic  Lodge,  Xo.  6,  I.O.O.F,,  at  Bir- 
mingliam,  and  in  September,  184<>,  lie  withdrew  from  that  lodge  in 
order  to  organize  one  in  lluniphreysville,  his  place  of  residence,  and 
accordingly  was  a  charter  member  of  Mechanics  Lodge,  No.  73,  and 
was  the  second  N.G.  of  that  lodge.  In  1848  he  purchased  an  inter- 
est in  the  manufactory  where  he  had  been  em])loyed  since  1836.  In 
1850  he  bought  the  whole  establishment,  which  he  carried  on  very  suc- 
cessfully for  a  number  of  years.  In  18.52  he  was  elected  rejM-esenta- 
tive  to  the  state  legislature,  which  office  he  tilled  with  credit  to  himself 
and  satisfaction  to  his  constituents.  In  lSo4,  having  met  with  a  con- 
siderable loss  by  indorsing  for  others,  he  sold  out  and  came  west,  landing 
in  New  Boston  November  8th  of  that  year,  where  he  purchased  the 
N.  W.  ^  of  Sec.  29,  T.  14,  R.  5,  which  he  commenced  improving  the 
following  s])ring.  Soon  after  his  settlement  in  New  Boston,  J.  L. 
Hartson,  Mark  J.  O'Brien,  J.  C.  Bell,  C.  H.  Bell,  D.  Hines  and 
others,  became  charter  members  of  the  New  Boston  Lodge,  I.O.O.F., 
which  was  the  tirst  organized  in  the  county.  Mr.  Llartson  was  the 
first  N.G.  and  the  first  representative  to  the  state  Grand  Lodge  from 
this  town  and  countv.  He  remained  on  his  farm  about  four  vears, 
when  he  bought  a  drug  store  in  New  Boston,  which  he  carried  on  a 
little  over  two  years  ;  during  that  time  his  wife  Mary  died.  On  Jan- 
uary 8",  1860,  he  was  married  to  his  present  wife,  who  was  Mrs. 
Fanny  M.  Campbell,  nee  Mead.  In  Ai)ril  of  1863,  having  sold  his 
town  property,  he  returned  to  his  farm,  where  he  is  still  enjoying  the 
quiet  of  rural  life  in  his  home,  surrounded  by  a  few  congenial  friends 
who  know  him  best  and  love  him  most. 

WiLLiAJM  Lewis  was  born  in  Wayne  county,  Indiana,  April  25,  1832. 
His  parents  were  formerly  from  Greene  county,  Virginia.  He  received 
a  common  school  education,  and  in  1854  came  to  Mercer  county  and 
settled  in  New  Boston  township,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  was 
married  October  30,  1856,  to  Sarah  Jane,  daughter  of  Pettis  and  Maria 
J.  Finch.  Thev  have  one  child  :  Levd.  Mr.  Lewis  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  fraternity,  and  has  been  since  1862.  He  is  an  extensive 
farmer,  owning  620  acres  of  land.  He  has  very  fine  buildings  on  his 
farm,  and  is  engaged  largely  in  stock  raising  and  shipping.  Politic- 
ally he  is  a  republican. 

WiLLiA]^!  T.  Murray  was  born  in  Frederick  county,  ^larvland, 
April  16,  1820.  He  is  the  oldest  son  of  William  and  Susan  (Jackson) 
Murray.  William  T.  left  his  native  state  in  1840,  and  after  tra\'eling 
over  the  states  of  Indiana  and  Ohio,  he  settled  in  Wayne  county,  In- 
diana, where  he  lived  several  years.  In  1856  he  came  to  Mercer  county, 
Illinois,  where  he  has  resided  ever  since.     During  his  early  life  he  was 


110  HISTORY    OF   ilERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

engaged  in  tlie  butchering  business.  Since  coming  to  Mercer  county 
he  lias  been  cliiefly  engaged  in  fanning  and  stock  raisting.  In  1877- he 
again  engaged  in  the  butcherhig  bus-iness  in  New  Boston.  Pohtically 
he  has  been  a  republican  since  1860,  but  previous  to  that  time  he  was 
a  democrat.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church  since 
1854,  and  has  always  advocated  the  temj^erance  cause.  In  August, 
1843,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Jackson,  daugliter  of  Amor  and 
Debbv  Jackson,  of  Wavne  countv,  Indiana.  Althouii:h  her  maiden 
name  is  the  same  as  his  mother's,  tliey  are  not  related.  They  have 
reared  three  children:  "William  H.,  who  is  married  to  Miss  Amna^ 
Essley ;  Alice,  married  to  Thomas  Murphey ;  and  Gertrude,  who 
remains  at  home  with  her  parents. 

Jacob  Loozer,  farmer,  was  born  March  10,  1834,  in  Switzerland, 
and  emigrated  to  this  country  in  1854,  and  after  working  one  year  in 
Michigan  came  to  Mercer  county,  where  he  has  since  resided.  Mr. 
Loozer  came,  hearty  and  industrious,  and  with  nothing  to  aid  himself 
in  this  distant  land  but  a  willing  pair  of  hands.  Although  he  did  not 
come  until  much  later  than  some,  he  ranks  among  the  wealthiest  men  in 
the  county.  After  he  came  to  the  county  he  labored  for  four  years  on 
the  farm  for  William  Drury.  Living  very  economically,  at  the  end  of 
four  years  he  found  he  had  money  enough  to  purchase  eighty  acres  of 
land,  which  he  did.  He  has  added  to  it  at  different  times,  until  he  has  at 
present  640  acres.  He  was  married  March  10,  1859,  to  Miss  Barbary 
Sloan.  They  have  four  children,  all  of  whom  are  living.  Mr.  Loozer 
was  the  first  man  in  the  county  to  put  up  a  wind  pump.  He  is  also 
agent  for  the  Halladay's  wind-mill,  which  is  one  of  the  best  mills  manu- 
factured. He  has  always  been  an  active  republican.  Mr.  Loozer  farms 
on  a  very  large  scale.     He  generally  puts  in  250  acres  of  corn. 

John  Seastone,  wagomnaker  and  blacksmith,  was  born  in  Sweden, 
August  3,  1834.  He  came  to  this  country  in  1858,  landing  at  Quebec 
August  21.  From  Quebec  he  went  to  Minnesota,  where  he  stayed 
until  1859,  when  he  came  on  to  New  Boston  townshi}),  where  he  has 
lived  ever  since.  He  worked  at  the  blacksmith  trade  about  four  years 
at  the  "brick  yard,"  which  is  five  miles  northeast  of  New  Boston. 
From  this  point  he  removed  to  New  Boston,  where  he  has  been  largely 
engaged  in  wagonmaking,  blacksmithing,  and  selling  machinery  of 
all  kinds.  He  does  a  very  large  business,  especially  in  the  way  of 
selling  machinery.  May  23,  1860,  he  was  married  to  ]\Iiss  Eva  S. 
Hilmore.  They  have  had  seven  children:  Mary,  Dora,  Kate,  JolmE., 
Charles  V.,  Emma,  Charlotte.  They  are  all  single,  and  live  at 
home  with  their  parents.  Mr.  Seastone  is  a  member  of  the  Swedish 
Lutheran  church,  at  Swedona,  Mercer  county,  Illinois.     He  is  also  a 


NEW    BOSTON   TOWNSHIP.  Ill 

member  of  the  order  of  ^lasoiis,  at  New  Boston.       Politically  he  is  a 
republican. 

T.  II.  DouGHTi',  police  magistrate  and  book-keeper,  was  bom  in 
Centerville,  "Wayne  county.  Indiana,  in  1831,  and  was  the  fourth  child 
in  a  family  of  eleven  children  by  Thomas  L.  and  Mary  J.  (Kibbey) 
Doughty.  In  1842  he  emigrated  to  New  Boston  with  his  parents. 
He  was  a  pu})il  of  Simeon  P.  Smith,  and  under  his  tuition  obtained 
a  useful  education.  When  a  boy  he  worked  in  his  father's  shop  and 
learned  the  saddler's  trade ;  but  most  of  the  time  since  he  became 
of  age  he  has  been  a  book-keeper.  He  was  married  in  1850  to  ^liss 
Hattie  M.  Doughty,  b}'  whom  he  has  had  seven  children :  Willie 
(dead),  Kate  (now  Mrs.  P.  E.  Tovey),  Harry  (dead),  Josie  (dead), 
Jim  E.,  Sue,  and  an  unnamed  infant.  Mr.  Doughty  has  been  active 
among  his  townsmen  in  promoting  temperance  work,  and  the  interests 
of  the  republican  organization.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Indei)endent 
Order  of  Mutual  Aid,  and  has  held  several  local  ottices.  He  was  the 
Urst  mayor  of  New  Boston,  and  is  at  present  town  clerk  and  police 
magistrate. 

Gideon  Ivks,  merchant,  was  born  in  Wallingford,  Connecticut, 
in  1825,  and  was  the  youngest  son  of  Gideon  and  Charlotte  (Hall) 
Ives.  He  received  an  academic  education  in  his  native  town,  and 
in  1843  came  west  and  settled  in  New  Boston,  where  he  at  once 
began  clerking  for  the  tirm  of  Denison  &  Ives.  As  early  as  1846 
he  embarked  in  general  merchandising  in  partnership  with  Elmer  J. 
Denison,  and  kept  up  this  connection  until  about  1865.  At  that  date 
Mr.  Ives  withdrew  from  the  firm  and  was  out  of  trade  till  1881,  when 
he  formed  a  partnership  with  Frank  Ives  (his  son)  and  C.  II.  Ballard 
(his  son-in-law),  under  the  style  of  Ives,  Ballard  tt  Co.  Mr.  Ives  was 
originally  a  whig,  and  voted  first  for  president  for  Gen.  Taylor  in  1848. 
He  has  been  a  steadfast  republican  since  his  party  came  into  existence. 
He  has  always  been  squarely  identified  with  the  tem})erance  work.  In 
1853  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  ]\Iiss  Rachel,  daughter  of  John 
Dniry,  by  whom  he  has  had  seven  children,  as  follows :  Frank,  who 
married  Miss  Lizzie  Moll ;  Jennie,  wife  of  C.  H.  Ballard;  Flora,  Fred, 
Nellie  (died  in  infancy),  Hattie  and  Paul. 

CiiAKLEs  W.  Bras,  lawyer  and  collector,  was  born  in  Lake  county, 
Ohio,  May  16,  1828,  and  is  the  fourth  child  of  Thomas  and  Ann 
(Norton)  Bras.  He  came  west  with  his  parents  in  1S3T,  settling  in 
Louisa  county,  Iowa,  wiiere  he  worked  with  his  father  until  of  age.  He 
then  learned  the  mason's  trade  and  was  engaged  in  this  until  l^.■)(^ 
when  he  went  overland  to  California,  enduring  all  the  hardshij)s  con- 
nected with  an  overland  trip  across  hundreds  of  miles  of  a  wilderness, 


112  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

where  rain  never  falls,  and  vegetation  does  not  exist.  After  arriving  irr. 
California  lie  clerked  in  a  store  one  year,  after  which  he  was  engaged 
in  mining  and  running  a  pack-train.  He  returned  to  Louisa  county, 
Iowa,  in  1853,  and  was  in  business  there  until  1868,  when  he  came  to- 
New  Boston,  where  he  opened  up  a  law  office,  and  has  been  in  business' 
ever  since.  During  the  late  rebellion  he  enlisted  in  the  '45th  reg.  Iowa 
Vol.,  and  served  six  months,  and  was  discharged.  He  received  sl 
common  school  education,  and  being  a  close  student  he  has  acquired  a 
good  education.  In  September,  1853,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Hannah. 
M.  Dennott.  They  have  four  children :  Clarence  C,  Harry  L.,  Ralph 
C,  Charlotte  E.,  all  of  whom  are  living.  He  has  served  eleven  years- 
as  justice  of  the  peace,  and  has  been  a  Mason  over  sixteen  years.  In 
pohtics  he  is  a  republican. 

R.  S.  Cramer,  farmer,  was  born  in  Clermont  county,  Ohio,  Se])- 
tember  5,  1825,  being  the  first  child  of  William  and  Sarah  (Shute) 
Cramer.  AYilliani  was  tlie  first  son  of  Adam  Cramer,  an  early  settler 
of  Kentucky,  being  a  near  neighbor  of  the  noted  Daniel  Boone  of  early 
Kentucky  fame.  R.  S.  was  married  to  Mrs.  Charlotte  B.  Hams  in  the 
fall  of  1847  ;  she  was  born  in  Miami  countv,  Ohio,  in  the  vear  of  1831. 
They  emigrated  to  Knox  county  in  the  fall  of  1855.  His  wife  was 
feeble  at  the  time,  and  died  in  Julv,  1856.  Two  children  were  born 
of  this  union,  but  they  both  died  while  quite  young.  Mr.  Cramer 
came  to  this  county  in  the  fall  of  1856  to  make  this  his  permanent 
home.  He  remembers  of  passing  along  the  Air  Line  raih-oad  (surveyed) 
over  the  site  where  now  stands  Aledo.  It  was  tlien  (1855)  nothing  but 
a  bleak  j^rairie,  relieved  only  by  the  stakes  for  the  raih-oad.  He  made 
his  home  with  James  M.  Manon,  of  Eliza  township  (afterward  elected 
sheriff  and  circuit  clerk  of  this  county,  and  who  was,  during  the  late 
war,  colonel  of  the  102d  111.  Vol.),  until  he  married  the  Widow  Cole  in 
February,  1857.  She  was  a  sister  of  the  colonel  and  daugher  of  Aaron 
Manon  of  the  same  township.  The  Widow  Cole  (his  present  wife)  was 
born  in  Wayne  county,  Indiana,  in  1820,  and  emigrated  to  this  county 
with  her  father's  family  in  1836,  and  settled  in  Eliza  township.  There 
has  been  no  children  by  this  marriage.  Immediately  after  his  marriage 
he  settled  two  and  a  half  miles  north  of  New  Boston,  where  he  has 
lived  for  more  than  twenty-five  years.  Mr.  Ci'amer  was  brought  up  in ' 
a  neighborhood  where  almost  everybody  belonged  to  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church.  He  joined  at  fifteen  years  of' age  and  remained  a 
member  of  the  same  some  fifteen  years.  He  always  indulged  in  much 
reading  and  refiection.  The  result  was  he  became  heterodox  in  his 
theological  opinions,  and  to-day  is  well  known  as  a  spiritualist.  In 
politics  he  early  became  convinced  of  the  great  wrongs  infiicted  upon 


NEW    BOSTON    TOWNSHIP.  113 

the  slaves.  He  gave  his  lirst  vote  for  Sahnon  P.  Chase  for  governor  of 
Oliio,  because  of  his  anti-slavery  proclivities.  From  that  time  till  the 
formation  of  the  republican  party  he  gave  his  votes  where  he  thought 
they  would  promote  the  anti-slavery  interest.  He  voted  for  Fremont, 
in  1856  and  continued  to  act  with  the  republican  party  until  Grant  was- 
candidate  for  president  the  second  time;  and  although  he  was  a  great 
admirer  of  Greeley  he  refrained  fi'om  voting  at  all  until  Peter  Cooper 
run  on  the  greenback  ticket  for  president.  From  that  time  to  the 
present  he  has  been  an  ardent  greenbacker  and  anti-mono}>olist.  He 
is  serving  at  this  time  (1882)  as  chairman  of  the  central  committee  for 
the  greenback  labor  party  of  this  county.  Mr,  Cramer  was  a  very 
enthusiastic  supporter  of  the  late  war,  having  full  coniidence  that  it 
would  result  in  the  fi'eedom  of  the  slaves.  He  wrote  the  first  articles 
(published  in  the  "New  Boston  Herald"  and  the  "Aledo  Record") 
that  were  ever  published  in  this  county  advocating  the  policy  as  well  as 
the  justice  of  giving  the  negro  the  right  to  vote. 

We  think  it  proper  to  mention  here  the  name  of  Stephen  Randall 
as  one  of  the  well  to  do  farmers  of  New  Boston  township.  He  came 
to  the  northeastern  part  of  the  township,  where  he  has  resided  ever 
since,  having  accumulated  considerable  property.  He  was  born  in 
Rensselaer  county,  New  York,  November  8,  1813.  He  is  the  oldest 
child  of  Stephen  and  Nancy  (Cutler)  Randall.  He  came  with  his 
parents  to  Mercer  county  in  the  year  1843.  He  was  married  February 
13,  1844,  to  Miss  Rachel  Trumbull  of  Rensselaer  county,  New  York. 
She  was  born  September  29th,  1827,  and  is  the  sixth  child  of  William 
and  Pauley  Trumbull.  They  have  had  eleven  children  (three  of  whom 
are  dead):  Nancy  A.,  married  to  Joseph  Tomelson;  William  M.,  to 
Lueinda  Uterback;  Lucy  M.,  to  Calvin  C.  Wyatt;  Pauley  E.,  to  John 
Fulerton;  Celia  M.,  to  James  AV.  Scott;  Stephen,  Cilvia  and  Aaron 
are  dead ;  Minnie,  Alonzo  and  Tlieron  are  at  home  with  their 
parents.  Rachel,  his  wife,  died  November  15,  1864.  He  was  married 
again  June  14,  1875,  to  Mrs.  M.  J.  Jones.  She  was  born  June  29, 
1833,  in  Rensselaer  county.  New  York,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and 
Catherine  (Brooks)  Bradt.  Mr.  Randall  received  only  a  common 
school  education.  In  politics  he  is  a  republican.  He  has  at  present 
434  acres  of  land  in  section  10  of  New  Boston  township,  and  also  160 
acres  in  Iowa. 

Tlie  subject  of  this  sketch,  O.  C.  Lutz,  was  born  in  Mercer  county, 
Illinois,  March  14,  1845,  and  is  next  to  the  youngest  child  of  Isaac  and 
Lydia  (Light)  Lutz.  His  father  came  to  Mercer  county  in  1836  and 
settled  in  New  Boston  township,  where  he  resided  until  his  death, 
which  took  place  in  October,  1879.     His  mother  died  Sei>tember,  1879, 


114  HISTORY   OF   IVIERCER   AXD   HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 


at  the  age  of  seventy-four.  His  father  was  seventy-eight  years  of  age 
at  his  death.  O.  C.'s  father  built  the  iirst  grist  mill  in  the  county 
about  1838.  In  1858  he  built  a  large  and  commodious  mill  near  the 
site  of  the  old  one.  O.  C.  Lutz  started  out  in  life  with  limited  means. 
He  has  gradually  worked  his  way  u])  until  he  now  owns  considerable 
property.  The  first  real  estate  he  owned  was  eighty  acres  in  Eliza 
township.  This  he  sold  in  1873  and  went  to  York  county,  Nebraska, 
"where  he  became  the  owner  of  480  acres  of  land,  which  yields  him  an 
annual  income  of  $700.  In  March,  1881,  he  bought  the  mill  estate  of 
his  father's  in  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  and  returned  in  October  of  the 
same  year,  and  has  refitted  the  mill  and  is  now  prepared  to  compete 
with  any  other  mill  in  the  country.  Xovember  1,  1871,  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Permelia,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Permelia  Hempton. 
She  was  born  October  12,  1854.  They  have  had  two  children.  In 
connection  with  his  mill  property  he  owns  167  acres  of  land.  •  Mr. 
Lutz  is  a  republican  and  cast  his  first  vote  for  Lincoln. 

Thomas  Willitt,  farmer,  was  born  August  22,  1846,  in  Mercer 
county,  Illinois.  His  parents  were  Kentuckians.  He  was  married 
September  18,  1871.  His  wife  was  the  daughter  of  David  and  Xancy 
Brought.  She  was  born  in  Hancock  county,  Ohio,  December  9,  1848. 
In  1862  Mr.  Willitt  enlisted  in  the  30th  reg.  111.  Yol.  He  served  his 
country  until  the  close  of  the  war,  and  then  returned  to  his  home  and 
engaged  in  agriculture.  He  received  a  common  school  education.  He 
makes  a  living  for  himself  and  family  by  honest  toil. 

LviiAN  H.  ScuDDER  was  born  in  Cattaraugus  countv,  Xew  York, 
October  29,  1829.  In  the  year  1847  he  came  to  jS^ew  Boston,  where  he 
resided  until  the  spring  of  1852,  when  he  started  with  an  ox  team  for 
California,  and  arrived  in  Placerville  in  September  of  that  year.  He 
was  engaged  in  mining  and  farming  until  the  summer  of  1855,  when  he 
returned  to  iS^ew  Boston.  He  then  ene-a^ed  in  the  liverv  business, 
which  he  followed  until  the  summer  of  1862.  In  July  of  that  year  he 
enlisted,  and  on  the  tenth  day  of  September  he  was  mustered  into  the 
service  of  the  United  States  as  captain  of  company  G,  124th  reg. 
111.  Yol.  Inf.  His  regiment  became  a  part  of  the  third  Division  of 
the  17th  Ai'iny  Corps,  which  was  then  engaged  in  pre})aring  for 
the  capture  efYicksburg,  Miss.  He  i)articipated  in  several  skirmishes 
and  battles,  in  one  of  which  (Champion  Hills,  Miss.)  he  was  wounded, 
and  in  July,  1864,  owing  to  ill  health,  he  resigned  his  commission  and 
returned  to  his  home.  He  has  been  a  resident  of  New  Boston  ever 
since.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  has  been  twice  married.  May  13, 
1861,  he  was  nuirried  to  Miss  Fanny  E.  Ives,  of  Oquawka,  Illinois, 
who  died  in  May,  1865,  leaving  one  son.     February  11.  I>i66,  he  was 


NEW   BOSTON   TOWNSHIP.  115 

inarried  to  !Miss  Helen  L.  Moore,  daughter  of  George  and  Jemima 
Moore,  of  New  Boston.  She  was  born  in  EHza  township,  four  miles 
from  her  ])resent  residence,  on  May  10,  1837.  She  has  a  just  claim 
to  be  called  one  of  the  early  settlers.  In  politics  Captain  Scudder 
is 'republican,  having  voted  and  advocated  the  principles  of  that  party 
ever  since  its  organization.  For  the  past  sixteen  years  he  has  resided 
on  a  farm  three  miles  north  of  New  Boston  and  has  taken  considerable 
interest  in  a])ianan  pursuits. 

The  subject  of  the  following  sketch  is  not  identified  with  the  his- 
tory of  Mercer  county  for  so  long  a  period  as  some  others,  as  he  did 
not  come  until  1S48.  Mr.  Isom  Jackson  was  born  in  Hancock  county, 
Indiana,  A})ril  4,  1839,  and  consequently  was  nine  years  of  age  when 
he  came  to  this  county  with  his  parents.  He  is  the  youngest  child  of 
Dempsy  and  Mary  Jackson.  His  parents  are  still  living  at  the  age  of 
seventy-five"  each.  As  a  tiller  of  the  soil  Mr.  Jackson  has  worked  at 
it  all  his  life.  By  grasping  the  few  advantages  afforded  in  early  times 
he  obtained  a  common  school  education.  He  was  married  May  29, 
1864,  to  Miss  Salinda,  daughter  of  John  and  Rachel  Fisher.  Mr. 
Jackson  was  always  a  democrat  nntil  1876,  when  he  joined  the  green- 
back party,  of  which  he  has  been  a  member  ever  since.  They  have 
had  six  children,  all  of  whom  are  living:  they  are  Ed.,  John,  Homer, 
Thomas,  Bert  and  Edney.  Mr.  Jackson  has  been  very  successful  in 
accumulating  property.  At  present  he  has  240  acres  of  land,  200  of 
which  is  in  New  Boston  township  and  40  in  Eliza.  In  response  to  his 
country's  call  he  enlisted  in  the  124tli  regiment,  and  after  serving 
eleven  months,  was  wounded  in  the  left  hand  and  right  arm,  from 
which  he  has  been  a  cripple  ever  since. 

Among  the  well-to-do  farmers  of  New  Boston  townshi])  may  be 
mentioned  Thomas  J.  Jackson,  who  was  born  in  Hancock  county, 
Indiana,  July  24,  1837.  He  is  next  to  the  youngest  child  of  Demsy 
and  Mary  Jackson.  When  eleven  years  of  age  he  came  with  his 
parents  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  settling  in  New  Boston  township, 
where  he  has  resided  ever  since.  His  parents  are  still  living  at  the 
age  of  seventy-five  each,  and  in  good  health.  Mr.  Jackson  worked 
with  his  father  until  twenty-one  years  of  age,  when  he  commenced 
farming  for  himself,  in  which  business  he  has  been  engaged  ever  since 
with  the  exception  of  two  years  spent  in  California,  where  he  went  in 
1862,  staying  two  years.  He  went  by  the  way  of  New  York,  down 
the  Atlantic,  across  the  Isthmus  of  Panama,  and  up  the  Pacific  ocean 
to  San  Francisco,  and  returned  in  1864.  Received  a  common  school 
education.  He  was  marrie<l  to  Miss  Samantha  Drew,  daughter  of 
Harrison  and  Eliza  Drew,  ]\Iarch,  1860.     They  had  one  child,  which 


116  HISTORY    OF    MERGER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

died  April,  1862,  His  wife  died  March,  1863.  He  was  married  again- 
August  12,  1868,  to  Miss  Louisa,  daughter  of  David  and  Eliza  Honey- 
man.  They  had  one  child :  Gid,  who  was  born  April  23,  1875.  Mr. 
Jackson  owns  the  northeast  quarter  of  section  8,  in  New  Boston  town- 
ship, 80  acres  of  which  he  bought  in  1873  and  80  in  1875. 

Marshall  Fleming,  farmer,  was  born  in  Henry  county,  Indiana, 
September  8,  1831,  and  is  the  oldest  child  of  John  W.  and  Angeline 
(Cellars)  Fleming.  He  came  with  his  parents  to  Mercer  county,  Illi- 
nois, in  the  year  of  1819.  Two  years  later  he  commenced  farming 
for  himself.  His  father  was  born  in  Fairmont  county.  West  Virginia, 
April  20,  1809,  and  departed  this  life  February  26,  1854.  His  remains 
rest  in  the  New  Boston  cemetery.  His  mother  was  born  in  1812,  in 
Brown  county,  Ohio,  and  is  still  living  at  the  age  of  seventy  years. 
Marshall  was  married  to  Miss  Nancy  Kader  August  20,  1853.  She  is 
the  daughter  of  Abraham  G.  and  Catharine  Rader.  Her  pareiits  were 
among  the  early  settlers  of  the  county,  coming  in  the  year  1838.  She 
was  born  September  27,  1836,  in  Henry  county,  Indiana.  The  young 
couple  started  out  in  life  with  nothing  but  a  two-year-old  colt.  For 
their  household  goods  and  one  horse  they  went  in  debt.  This  horse 
and  his  two-year-old  colt  made  his  teauL  Thus  he  went  on  adding  a 
little  each  year  to  his  capital,  until  he  has  acquired  a  good,  well- 
improved  farm,  having  twice  taken  the  first  premium.  His  farm  is 
situated  two  miles  northeast  of  New  Boston.  He  and  his  wife  have 
been  members  of  the  Methodist  church  since  1 872.  In  politics  he  is  a 
republican.  They  have  had  two  children  :  Josephine,  born  November 
27,  1858 ;  Elsie,  iDorn  January  29,  1862,  and  died  October  8,  1863. 

G.  W.  Bridger,  farmer,  was  born  January  13,  1858,  in  Mercer 
county,  Illinois,  and  is  the  oldest  son  of  Charles  H.  and  Martha  F. 
Bridger.  He  was  married  February  3,  1881,  to  Miss  Josephine  Flem- 
ing, daughter  of  Marshall  and  Nancy  Fleming.  He  lived  with  his 
father  and  worked  on  the  farm  until  nineteen  years  of  age,  when  he 
determined  to  have  at  least  a  common  school  education.  Working  in 
summer  he  earned  enough  to  send  him  to  the  village  school  of  Viola 
during  the  fall  and  winter.  This  he  followed  up  for  three  years,  work- 
ing summers  and  attending  school  fall  and  winter.  He  then  taught 
school  for  a  number  of  terms.      At  present  he  is  engaged  in  farming. 

James  P.  Powley,  farmer,  was  born  in  Hancock  county,  Indiana,. 
September  4,  1832.  He  came  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  in  1849. 
He  was  married  February  22,  1854,  to  Sarah  J.,  daughter  of  Andrew 
and  Jane  Malady.  He  has  been  in  Mason  since  1861.  He  owns  a 
farm  of  140  acres,  well  improved.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Powley  have  had 
born  to  them  two  children. 


NEW    BOSTON   TOWNSHIP.  117 

George  H.  Signor,  grocer,  was  born  in  New  York  in  1835.  He 
was  the  oldest  son.  His  parents,  John  and  Araminta  C.  (Lawi-ence)- 
Signor,  had  eleven  children,  and  in  1839  they  removed  with  them  to 
Ross  conntv,  Ohio.  In  1845  the  family  emigrated  still  farther  west, 
settling  in  Columbus  City,  Louisa  county,  Iowa.  Living  there  a  year, 
they  next  came  to  Oquawka,  where  his  father  shortly  after  died,  aged 
about  forty-six  years.  In  1853  Mr.  Signor  settled  in  New  Boston, 
where  he  was  married  and  has  since  had  his  home.  His  mother  is  still 
living  at  the  age  of  seventy-three.  It  is  a  curious  fact  that  the  ages  of 
her  nine  living  brothers  and  sisters  average  her  own  age.  His  mar- 
riage on  January  1,  1857,  was  with  Miss  Maria  Alyea,  of  New  Boston, 
daughter  of  Josei)li  Alyfea,  one  of  the  tirst  settlers  and  business  men 
in  the  place.  Mr.  Signor  was  employed  by  him  as  a  clerk  when  he 
iirst  came.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  communicants  in  the  Methodist 
church,  of  New  Boston,  of  which  he  is  steward.  He  takes  a  lively 
interest  in  the  temperance  cause,  and  has  always  taken  a  leading  part 
in  organizations  of  that  nature.  He  has  filled  the  highest  position  in 
three  Good  Templar  lodges  and  is  an  Odd-Fellow  of  twenty-five  years' 
standing.  Raised  a  whig,  he  voted  first  for  Fremont,  and  has  since 
trained  strictly  with  the  republicans.  In  1880  he  started  in  the  grocery 
trade. 

George  Gore,  banker,  was  born  in  Maryland  in  1837,  and  was 
the  only  son  of  Philip  and  Susannah  (Baugliman)  Gore.  He  had  six 
sisters.  In  1841  his  parents  moved  west  and  settled  in  Columbus 
City,  Louisa  county,  Iowa,  where  his  mother  died  the  next  year  at  the 
age  of  forty-two.  In  1846  his  father  married  again,  this  time  Mrs. 
Margaret  Alexander,  and  in  1854  moved  with  his  family  to  Keiths- 
burg,  where  he  engaged  in  merchandising.  He  had  been  previously 
selling  goods  in  Columbus  City.  Mr.  Gore  remained  with  his  father 
at  Keithsburg  until  1864,  when  he  went  to  Montana  for  the  benefit  of 
his  health.  Being  restored,  he  returned  at  the  end  of  nine  months  and 
settled  in  New  Boston,  and  during  the  succeeding  eight  years  was  in 
the  service  of  Wells  Willits  as  book-keeper.  In  1873  he  embarked  in 
trade  on  his  own  account,  and  was  in  partnership  the  first  two  years 
with  C.  H.  Bell.  Impaired  health  caused  him  to  sell  out  in  1880,  and 
with  his  family  he  went  to  Florida,  spending  seven  months  there. 
Returning  somewhat  improved,  he  engaged  in  banking  in  the  autumn 
of  1881.  Mr.  Gore  has  been  a  Mason  since  1874,  and  has  held  the 
office  of  alderman  and  mayor.  He  was  mayor  of  New  Boston  in 
1879,  and  as  a  firm  sui)porter  of  the  tem])erance  programme  and  princi- 
ples was  chosen  to  that  place  to  further  the  interests  of  the  conmninity 
from    that    standpoint.     Always    a    democrat    in    politics,    he    stood 


118  HISTORY   OF   MEKCEK    A^"D    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

with  tliose  who  gave  hearty  encouragement  to  the  Union  cause 
throughout  the  war.  In  h)cal  elections  he  votes  for  whomsoever  is,  in 
his  judgment,  the  best  man.  He  was  married  in  July,  1861,  to  Miss 
Emily  C.  Hubbell,  step-daughter  of  H.  G.  Calhoun.  Their  only  son, 
Clair,  is  nine  years  old. 


Is:eithsburg  township. 

This  is  township)  13,  range  5,  embracing  fifteen  full  and  four  frac- 
tional sections.  The  soil  is  generally  sandy,  particularly  so  along  the 
river  which  is  skirted  above  Keithsburg  by  a  narrow  belt  of  timber. 
It  lies  upon  the  elevated  bottom  lands  below  the  blutf,  which  once 
confined  a  mightier  and  more  majestic  flood  than  the  "Father  of 
Waters,"  whose  headstrong  tide  washes  its  western  boundary  in  easy 
and  graceful  curves. 

The  first  settler  was  John  Vannatta.  He  came  alone  from  Pitts- 
burgh, Pennsylvania,  arriving  here  about  the  first  of  May,  1827,  and 
ojjened  a  supply  yard  for  wooding  steamboats.  A  year  oV  two 
afterward  his  brother  Benjamin  followed  him,  and  the  two  carried  on 
together  the  peaceful  employment  of  cutting  and  selling  wood,  until 
interrupted  in  1831  by  disquieting  rumors  of  the  uneasy  disposition 
of  the  Indians  and  their  pre])arations  for  war.  Their  neighbors  at  the 
Upper  Yellow  Banks,  the  Denisons,  left  their  home  for  two  months, 
and  it  is  probable  that  these  families  also  went  away  until  security  was 
assured.  Next  year  the  Black  Hawk  war  broke  out  —  a  war  in  which 
the  excitement  was  more  disproportion  ed  to  the  danger  than  in  any 
other  of  which  we  read.  But  the  danger  was  real  and  imminent  in 
this  region.  Yet  these  white  families  remained  busy  at  their  toil,  un- 
moved by  the  warnings  and  entreaties  of  their  dusky  friends,  tarrying 
in  the  face  of  peril,  refusing  to  depart.  How  was  it  hundreds  of  miles 
away  ?  The  people,  alarmed  by  exaggerated  reports,  had  loaded  their 
wagons  for  possible  flight,  and  regularly  laid  down  to  their  slumbers 
with  barricaded  doors  and  in  feverish  anxiety.  On  the  day  that  the 
Denisons  came  down  on  their  way  to  Pence's  fort,  so-called,  the  Yan- 
nattas  gathered  up  their  goods,  and  with  their  families  went  out  and 
stayed  all  night  in  a  low  place  on  the  j)rairie.  The  following  day  they 
reached  Pence's,  where  the  inhabitants  had  collected  from  the  sur- 
rounding country.  This  i)lace  and  Monmouth  were  the  rallying  points 
for  a  large  section  during  the  war.  Pence's  stockade  was  made  of 
logs  split  once  in  two,  stood  upright  and  close  together  with  one  end 
in  the  ground,  forming  a  palisade  not  less  than  twelve  feef  high  and 


KEITHSBIRG   TOAVNSHIP.  119 

enclosing  about  700  square  yards  of  ground.  After  a  few  months^ 
absence  the  Vannattas  returned.  Benjamin  Vannatta  liad  a  pre-emj^- 
tion  claim  to  the  S.  E.  ^  of  See.  22,  where  Keithsburg  now  stands. 

About  the  montli  of  August,  1833,  John  Bates  settled  on  the 
N.  W.  ^  of  Sec.  33,  and  made  a  small  farm  which  was  occu})ied  some 
three  years  afterward  by  Isom  Lakey,  who  continued  to  reside  in  this 
township  with  his  family  up  to  1860  or  1861.  The  next  settler  was 
Erastus  S.  Denison,  who  came  down  from  the  Upper  Yellow  Banks- 
(New  Boston)  in  1835,  and  made  a  claim  npon  the  N.  E.  ^  of  Sec.  1. 
Samuel  Vannatta  joined  his  brothers  about  the  spring  of  1835.  In 
the  fall  of  that  year  they  sold  out  their  claims  to  Robert  Keith,  a 
Scotchman,  who  had  emigrated  to  America  the  year  before,  and  who 
took  possession  the  following  spring,  when  the  Vannattas  all  removed 
to  the  vicinity  of  Muscatine  (then  called  Bloomington),  Iowa. 

As  the  founder  of  Keithsburg  Robert  Keith  is  entitled  to  more 
than  incidental  notice.  He  was  reared  in  Belfrone,  Scotland,  where 
he  received  a  liberal  education. 

After  his  second  mamage  in  that  country  in  1821,  he  lived  two 
years  in  London,  and  was  a  traveling  salesman  for  a  book  establish- 
ment. He  then  went  to  Dublin,  where  he  had  control  of  a  similar 
house,  and  whence  he  embarked  for  this  countrv.  He  left  New  York 
and  came  direct  to  Quincy,  Illinois,  in  the  spring  of  1835,  and  in  the 
autumn  following  made  his  selection  for  a  permanent  home  at  this 
place,  which  became  known  as  Keith's  Landing. 

In  the  spring  of  1836  Abner  Martin  settled  on  the  southwest  quar- 
ter of  section  13,  and  in  the  same  year  sold  out  to  John  McH. 
AVilson,  who  occupied  the  premises  the  following  year  and  lived  in 
the  same  place  until  his  death  in  1879.  He  was  one  of  the  most 
respectable  citizens  of  the  township. 

The  same  spring  William  Sheriif  and  Paul  Sheriff  settled  on  the 
west  half  of  section  24,  and  on  the  southwest  quarter  of  the  same  sec- 
tion the  latter  is  still  a  resident  and  prosperous  farmer.  In  1837 
William  Sheriff  erected  a  saw-mill  on  Pope  creek  on  the  northeast 
quarter  of  section  23,  and  expended  a  large  amount  of  money  upon  a 
dam  which  was  a  total  loss,  owing  to  quicksand  in  the  bed  of  the 
stream,  rendering  the  structure  unserviceable.  The  mill  rotted  down, 
but  at  low-water  mark  some  of  the  spiles  in  the  bottom  of  the  creek 
on  which  the  dam  rested  may  still  be  seen.  J.  McH.  Wilson,  Paul 
Sheriff,  A.  B.  Sheriif  and  T.  B.  Cabeen  were  employed  as  laborers, 
and  did  many  hard  days'  work  ui)on  this  mill  and  dam,  and  all  except 
Wilson  are  still  living  in  the  t<jwnship.  This  was  the  only  attempt 
ever  made  to  erect  a  dam  on  Pope  creek  in  this  township.    A.  B.  Sheriff 


120  HISTORY   OF   MERGER   AJS'D    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

came  in  1836,  and  Matthew  Sheriff  a  year  or  two  later.     The  latter 
■died  in  1863. 

In  1836  Daniel  Justice  began  to  improve  a  farm  on  tlie  southwest 
quarter  of  section  1,  where  he  made  a  fine  home  and  resided  until  the 
summer  of  1851,  when  he  sold  to  John  Doak  and  moved  to  Polk 
countv,  Iowa.  William  "Wilson,  formerlv  of  Dam-ille,  Pennsylvania, 
then  of  Chicago,  Illinois,  settled  also  in  1836  on  the  east  half  of  the 
northeast  quarter  of  section  13,  where  he  improved  a  good  farm  and 
where  his  wife  died  in  18M,  and  he  himself  about  two  years  later. 
John  McH.  Wilson  was  his  son.  His  daughters,  Hannah  Ne^•ius  and 
Xucy  Cabeen,  are  still  residents  of  this  township.  About  the  year 
1838  Joel  A.  Hall,  the  mill-wright  who  had  charge  of  the  work  on 
William  Sheriff^s  mill,  entered  and  settled  on  the  northwest  quarter  of 
section  13,  but  resided  there  only  a  year  or  two,  when  he  sold  out  and 
■went  west.  Near  the  same  time  Bennett  Hurst  settled  on  the  north- 
east quarter  of  section  2  and  made  his  home  in  that  place  up  to  1850, 
when  he  disposed  of  his  farm  and  bought  other  property  in  the  town- 
ship, and  has  been  a  citizen  here  till  a  recent  date.  Benjamin  F. 
Gruwell  moved  from  Indiana  and  took  up  a  farm  in  November,  1837, 
on  the  northwest  quarter  of  section  1  ;  in  1852  he  sold  out  and  came 
to  Keithsburg,  where  he  \e^t  hotel  a  number  of  years  and  has  since 
resided.  In  1837  or  1838  John  W.  Nevius  began  a  home  in  the 
township.  He  lived  here  till  his  death  in  1875,  Joseph  J.  AYordin 
emigrated  from  Ohio  and  landed  at  New  Boston  in  1837.  The  follow- 
ing spring  he  became  a  resident  of  this  township,  and  has  had  his 
iome  in  Keithsburg  nearly  ever  since.     His  wife  died  here  in  1873. 

Robert  Keith  laid  out  the  town  in  1837,  and  between  that  date  and 
1846  not  more  than  half  a  dozen  families,  including  Mr.  Wordin's,  came 
to  reside  in  the  place.  The  Rev.  James  Ross,  a  local  preacher  of  the 
United  Brethren  church,  arrived  with  his  family  about  1841,  and  was 
the  first  minister  to  take  up  his  residence  here.  Both  he  and  his  wife 
died  in  this  township  some  five  years  afterward,  and  many  of  their 
descendants  can  yet  be  found  in  this  vicinity.  In  1841  B.  L.  Hardin 
began  a  home  on  the  S.  E.  ^,  Sec.  11,  where  he  still  resides  and  has 
"become  one  of  the  solid  farmers  of  the  neighborhood.  About  1842 
James  Garner  came  to  Keithsburg  with  a  few  trifling  articles  of  trade 
and  a  barrel  of  whisky,  and  made  the  first  attempt  at  merchandising  in 
the  township.  The  business  was  unremunerative,  and  he  sold  out  to 
David  Bowen,  who  had  come  in  1839,  and  moved  on  to  the  N.  E.  J, 
Sec.  25.  In  1847  he  left  that  place  and  came  again  to  Keithsburg  and 
this  time  went  to  keeping  hotel.  In  the  same  year,  and  again  in  1849, 
lie  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace,  and  at  one  time  was  sheriff  of  the 


KEITHSBUEG   TOWNSHIP.  121 

'County  two  years.  I^ot  long  after  his  first  election  as  magistrate  he 
presided  in  a  jury  trial,  with  C.  M.  Harris,  of  Oquawka,  and  John 
Mitchell,  of  Monmouth,  as  opposing  attorneys.  The  former  was  a 
man  of  admirable  physical  resources,  while  the  latter  would  scarcely 
weigh  a  hundred  pounds,  and,  besides,  was  disabled  in  the  left  arm 
from  a  wound  received  in  the  Mexican  war,  Harris  stated  the  case  to 
the  jury  and  sat  down.  Mitchell  arose  and  had  proceeded  but  a  little 
way  with  his  statement  when  Harris  in  bullying  tones  said,  "That  is  a 
lie!"  A  glance  from  Mitchell  was  all  the  attention  that  this  sally 
received.  A  few  moments  elapsed  and  again  Harris  interposed,  say- 
ing, "That  is  another  lie !"  Mitchell  turned  to  him  with  gleaming  eye 
.and  warned  him  not  to  repeat  that  insult  or  he  would  strike  him,  and 
then  went  on.  A  minute  or  two  more  and  Harris  broke  in:  "And 
that  is  an  infernal  lie  !  "  The  words  were  not  more  than  uttered  before 
Mitchell  delivered  a  stunning  blow  between  his  eyes  which  sent  him 
over  backward  to  the  floor.  Some  one  interfered  to  separate  them, 
while  the  justice  was  standing  and  looking  over  his  table  in  bewilder- 
ment to  see  the  light  go  on.  All  of  a  sudden,  as  soon  as  it  was  over, 
he  involuntarily  brought  his  finger-tips  down  upon  the  board  with 
a  thud,  exclaiming,  in  blank  astonishment:  "Well,  I'll  be  d — d!" 
but  instantly  recovering  himself  and  his  dignity  he  called  out  to  the 
offenders  :   ' '  Gentlemen,  I  fine  each  of  you  $10,  by ! " 

A  small  chapter  of  such  court  incidents  could  be  written,  but  this 
furnishes  fully  enough  at  one  view  of  the  manners  of  the  period.  Many 
years  ago  Mr.  Garner  removed  to  Millersburg  where  he  still  lives, 
holding  on  to  life  by  feeble  tenure. 

Soon  after  purchasing  Garner's  mercantile  stand  Bowen  closed  up 
the  business  and  moved  to  Rock  Island,  of  which  city  he  is  still  a  resi- 
dent. His  son  George  was  born  on  election  day,  August  3,  1840,  and 
this  is  supposed  to  have  been  the  first  birth  in  Keithsburg.  This  elec- 
tion is  said  to  have  been  the  first  held  in  the  place.  "A  quart  cup  of 
whisky  was  kept  standing  on  the  judges'  table  all  day  for  an  hour  glass," 
writes  Mr.  Bowen.  About  1843  an  old  Frenchman  by  the  name  of 
Bochelle  landed  here  in  a  small  boat,  bringing  with  him  a  few  goods 
with  which  he  started  a  country  store.  Shortly  after  a  family  named 
Omy  came  to  the  settlement,  and  it  has  always  been  reported  that  the 
young  men  made  an  excursion  down  the  river  one  fine  day  in  an  open 
boat,  accompanied  by  Rochelle,  who  suspiciously  failed  to  return,  and 
that  his  companions  approjjriated  his  effects. 

In  1842  Zephaniah  Wade  made  a  claim  to  the  N.  W.  ^,  Sec,  14 ;  he 
died  in  a  few  years,  but  his  widow  survived  until  a  few  months  since, 
when  she  jjassed  away  in  Keithsburg  among  her  decendants. 


122  HISTORY   OF   jrERCER   AXD   HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

In  1843  Nicliolas  Edwards  settled  on  section  5,  at  the  moutli  of  the 
Edwards  river,  where  he  and  "William  Willett  and  Isaiah  Brown  had 
the  year  before  erected  a  saw-mill.  This  year  AYillett  sold  his  interest 
to  Brown.  After  doing  a  successful  business  for  sometime  Edwards 
removed  to  his  farm  in  Mercer  townshi])  and  is  now  a  resident  of 
Aledo.     Brown  went  to  California,  where  he  died. 

Another  settler,  who  was  less  conspicuous  for  the  term  of  his  resi- 
dence than  for  his  ambition  to  become  the  builder  of  a  town,  was  a  man 
named  Gavitt  who  made  a  claim  about  a  mile  below  the  landing,  wdiere 
in  1837  he  laid  off  a  town  and  designated  it  Columbia  city.  It 
occupied  a  high  plateau  which  bore  signs  of  having  been  formerly  an 
Indian  encampment.  There  was  the  held  where  the  squaws  had  raised 
their  corn  ;  the  pits  in  which  it  had  been  buried ;  and  the  places  where 
their  fires  had  burned  were  yet  visible ;  and  poles  still  standing  in  the 
ground  showed  where  their  lodges  had  stood.  Gavitt's  i)lat  was  not 
recorded,  and  he  was  not  long  in  this  vicinity.  Alexander  Davis 
bouo-ht  his  claim  and  entered  the  land. 

"VVe  borrow  the  following  sketch  of  "What  Grandmother  Said," 
which  gives  a  very  fair  idea  of  the  methods  and  resources  of  every  day 
life  in  the  pioneer  period:  "We  came  here  in  October,  1832.  We 
lived  the  first  winter  in  a  log  cabin  made  of  hickory.  We  had  a  door 
made  of  clapboards,  and  a  crack  between  the  logs  for  a  window.  Our 
bedstead  was  made  in  the  corner  with  one  leg  drove  into  the  ground 
(we  had  no  floor)  and  slabs  laid  across.  The  straw  would  freeze  to  the 
slabs.  We  had  two  chairs,  brought  with  us  from  Kentucky ;  grandfather 
made  stools  for  the  children.  We  built  our  fire  on  the  ground,  and  our 
chimney  was  made  of  sticks  and  daubed  with  mud.  We  baked  our 
bread  in  a  skillet,  and  made  our  own  coftee  by  scorching  meal  and 
pouring  boiling  water  on  it.  We  had  no  table,  so  we  ate  on  a  goods 
box.  We  bored  holes  in  the  logs  and  put  pins  in  and  made  our  cup- 
board. I  swept  our  floor  with  a  bunch  of  hazel  brush  or  a  hay  broom. 
In  those  days  we  never  had  to  scrub  or  mop.  Wlien  we  butchered  we 
made  a  scafibld  on  one  side  of  the  chimney  and  laid  our  meat  up  there, 
so  the  dogs  and  wolves  could  not  get  it.  When  I  washed  I  went  down 
to  the  spring,  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  the  house,  and  carried  the 
clothes.  I  had  neither  tub,  board,  nor  boiler,  but  washed  on  my 
hands,  in  a  large  bucket,  and  did  the  boiling  in  an  iron  kettle.  I  have 
the  kettle  yet. 

"'  This  is  the  way  we  lived  the  first  winter,  and  we  were  glad  to  get 
so  good  a  house.  I  lived  hapj)ier  then  than  I  do  now  in  a  fine  house. 
There  were  two  or  three  log  cabins  and  a  log  court-house  in  Mon- 
mouth.    .     .     .     The  mail  carrier  carried  the  mail  from  Oquawka  to 


"Wk 


W"^    G  AY  LE 


KEITHSBURG   TOWNSHIP.  125 

Monmouth  in  the  top  of  his  hat.  We  had  to  go  to  Rock  Island  to  mill. 
We  lived  here  one  year  without  cows,  sheep  or  chickens.  We  had  one 
horse  and  two  yoke  of  oxen  that  we  moved  here  with,  and  a  few  hogs. 
In  the  fell  of  1834  my  husband  died  and  left  me  with  five  little  children. 
That  fall  the  Indians  burned  our  flax  and  wheat.  When  the  children 
saw  the  flax  burning  they  said :  '  Oh !  mother,  what  are  we  to  do  for 
clothes  ?  our  flax  is  burning  up ! '  I  j^aid  my  children's  schooling,  and 
my  store  bill,  and  my  expenses  for  one  year,  with  $15.  My  taxes  on 
half  a  section  of  prairie  land  and  eighty  acres  of  timber  were  two  or 
three  dollars." 

The  flrst  visible  results  of  civilized  society  are  mail  privileges, 
religious  exercises  and  public  instruction  of  the  young. 

PoRtoffice. — The  ''Bluft'"  postotflce,  the  pioneer  in  this  vicinity,  was 
established  some  time  about  1837  at  the  house  of  Frederick  Frick,  in 
Abington  towniship,  Ave  miles  northeast  of  Keithsburg.  As  late  as 
1846  the  people  of  the  village,  yet  inconsiderable  in  numbers,  went 
away  out  there  to  post  their  letters  and  to  bring  back  their  own  and 
their  neighbors'  mail. 

First  Schools. — The  first  school  in  Keithsburg  township,  as  we  learn 
from  Mrs.  Samuel  Scott,  who  was  one  of  the  pupils,  was  kept  by  Mrs. 
William  Sherift',  in  the  summer  of  1841  or  1842,  in  one  room  of  her 
double  log  house,  situated  close  to  the  site  of  the  present  farm  house  of 
James  AVilson,  northeast  of  Upper  Keithsburg.  The  next  was  in  John 
McH.  Wilson's  cabinet  shop,  in  the  summer  of  1845,  and  Miss  Lucy 
Wilson,  noW'  Mrs.  T.  B.  Cabeen,  was  the  teacher.  The  third  school 
was  in  Keithsburg  ;  but  we  shall  defer  the  account  of  this  and  others 
imtil  we  come  to  the  history  of  the  town. 

Early  Preaching. — The  earliest  preaching  was  by  the  Rev.  John 
Montgomery,  who  settled  in  Preemption  township  in  the  S]M"ing  of 
1836.  He  w^as  a  Presbyteiian  and  held  services  throughout  the  coun- 
try in  difterent  places,  and  usually  in  these  parts  once  in  two  weeks, 
sometimes  at  William  Sherifl''s  in  this  township,  at  other  times  at 
Frederick  Frick's  in  Abington,  or  at  Thomas  Candor's  in  Ohio  Grove, 
lie  died  over  thirty  years  ago. 

The  first  Methodist  minister  of  wdiom  we  have  heard  any  account 
was  the  Rev.  Asa  McMurtry,  who  preached  at  the  house  of  John 
Nevius  in  1838.  Religious  services  for  some  years  after,  no  less  than 
at  this  period,  W'ere  irregular  and  only  occasional.  Tiie  Revs.  Frank 
Smith  and  Sanuiel  P.  P>urr  came  among  the  people  soon  after 
McMurtry. 

For  a  long  wliile  at  first  the  inhabitants  were  mostly  Universalists, 
and  they  were  ministered  to  from  about  1842  to  1850  by  the  Rev. 
8 


126  HISTOKT   OF   MERCER   AJiTD   HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

Gregg,  who  came  fi-om  Galesburg  and  occupied  the  church  at  the  bluff 
in  New  Boston  township,  and  whejti  passing  through  Keithsburg  to  and 
from  his  charge,  held  services  in  the  place. 

The  outward  evidence  was  that  the  Master's  kingdom  did  not  more 
than  hold  its  own.  B.  L.  Hardin,  who  came  in  the  sprmg  of  1841, 
was  here  three  montlis,  he  says,  before  he  discovered  a  professing 
cliristian,  though  like  Diogenes  he  hunted  the  bailiwick  over,  but  not 
with  the  same  c^niical  philosophy.  The  first  meeting  he  attended  was 
four  miles  north  of  his  home,  in  New  Boston  township,  at  a  Mr. 
Rader's,  where  the  congregation  numbered  just  six  persons,  including 
Mr.  Rader's  family.  The  Rev.  Wiley  was  the  itinerant.  Preaching 
followed  at  that  place  every  four  weeks  during  the  summer,  and  has 
been  kept  up  in  that  neighborhood  nearly  ever  since. 

In  the  autumn  of  the  same  year  services  were  begun  at  Mr. 
Hardin's  house,  and  the  first  sermon  was  by  the  Rev.  Burr,  who  had  a 
charge  in  New  Boston  township.  When  the  appointment  was  given 
out  Mr.  Hardin  set  himself  to  making  benches  out  of  common  slabs  to 
seat  the  crowd  that  he  could  see  with  the  eye  of  faith  would  come  to 
the  meeting.  He  labored  with  zeal  and  the  pile  of  benches  grew. 
Unwittingly  though  done,  it  was  successful  advertising,  rivaling  the 
subtlest  conception  of  the  down-east  Yankee.  Curiosity  and  inquiry 
were  the  result,  and  as  Noah  when  building  the  ark  was  the  butt  of 
questioners  and  doubters,  so  Mr.  Plardin  was  beset  with  questions  and 
skeptical  objections,  and  if  he  was  ridiculed  a  little  it  was  all  the  same ; 
the  work  went  on.  The  preacher  was  early  at  hand,  and  as  the  hour 
for  service  approached,  the  door  was  thrown  open  to  surjDrise  the  wait- 
ing minister  with  the  inspiring  sight  of  people  swarming  from  every 
direction.  He  said  the  house  would  not  hold  the  people,  and  it  would 
not  but  for  their  standing  up  in  a  densely  packed  throng.  The  benches 
and  the  Christian  perseverance  of  Brother  Hardin  had  done  holy  work, 
iMit  the  former  were  now  as  useless  as  the  open  roof  of  the  Arkansas 
traveler.  However,  they  had  subsequent  use.  This  meeting  showed 
that  souls  were  hungry.  Either  an  influx  of  orthodox  Christians  had 
come  into  the  settlement  between  spring  and  fall,  or  the  Universalists 
had  turned  out  like  boys  to  a  circus. 

The  appointment  was  regularly  continued  at  this  place,  and  in  the 
autumn  of  1843  the  first  class  ever  organized  in  the  township  was 
formed  at  Mr.  Hardin's  house.  The  original  members  were  James 
Gibson  and  his  wife  Polly,  John  Nevius  and  his  wife  Hannah, 
B.  L.  Hardin  and  his  wife  Minerva,  and  James  Nevius,  Jr.  Mr  .Kel- 
logg joined  at  the  next  meeting.  In  the  summer  of  1846  preaching 
was   begun   at   John   McII.    Wilson's   by    the    Revs.   Whitman  and 


KEITHSBURG   TOWNSinP.  127 

Geddings,  circuit  riders,  and  services  were  kept  up  liere  one  year.  In 
warai  Aveatlicr  day  nieetinfi;s  were  held  in  tlie  grove ;  and  at  night  in 
Mr.  Wilson's  cabinet  shop.  Other  preaching  points  in  the  country 
were  at  John  Nevius' and  James  Gibson's;  and  all  four  places  were 
used  until  about  1850,  when  Keithsburg  became  the  center  where  the 
people  came  together  for  worship. 

Tlie  Vannattas  made  the  beginning  here.  As  early  as  1834  Rousy 
Bowen  was  living  in  a  little  house  on  the  bank  of  the  river,  and  chop- 
ping wood  for  these  men.  By  the  next  year  Jesse  Mount  had  come 
to  the  settlement,  and  the  same  season  Robert  Keith  bought  Benjamin 
Vannatta's  claim,  which  embraced  the  site  of  the  present  town,  and  in 
the  spring  of  1836  took  possession  of  his  purchase.  He  continued 
keeping  the  wood-yard  which  his  predecessors  had  started,  and  hence- 
forth the  place  was  called  Keith's  Landing.  It  was  in  this  same  year 
that  the  insane  policy  of  internal  improvement  inaugurated  an  era  of 
the  wildest  speculation  ever  witnessed  in  this  country.  It  is  next 
to  incredible  that  men  could  have  been  capable  of  so  \asionary 
schemes.  In  the  absence  of  epidemic  excitement,  half-grown  boys 
would  have  shown  more  reason.  But  as  it  was,  towns  were  planted 
everywhere  by  being  laid  off,  as  this  was  cheaply  done  ;  for  the  pro])ne- 
tors  imagined  they  saw  in  it  the  source  of  sudden  wealth.  Although 
Father  Keith  could  not  have  escaped  the  ruling  influence  of  the  times, 
it  is  ])lain  that  he  did  not  reckon  without  some  judgment,  and  that  he 
was  not  mistaken  as  to  the  right  place  for  the  town,  but  it  was  witli 
several  years  of  patient  suspense  that  he  waited  for  the  fruition  of  his. 
hopes  and  plans. 

The  original  survey  was  made  by  Hiram  Hardie,  deputy  county 
surveyor,  on  July  29,  1837,  and  the  plat  was  acknowledged  before 
Abraham  Miller,  Jr.,  county  clerk,  by  Mr.  Keith,  on  November 
IS.  The  location  is  on  Sec.  23,  T.  13,  R.  5.  Two  principal  streets, 
Main  and  Washington,  were  laid  out  east  and  west,  and  these  were 
crossed  by  seven  others  designated  as  First,  Second,  etc.,  beginning 
next  the  river.  The  plat  com})rised  thirteen  blocks.  The  first  sale  of 
lots  took  place  in  July,  the  same  year,  and  several  of  them  were 
bought  at  prices  varying  fi*om  $20  to  $60.  Subsequeiitly  a  few  families 
came  here  to  settle,  and  prominent  among  the  number  was  Joseph  J. 
Wordin,  the  first  wheelwright,  who  still  resides  in  the  town.  But  the 
place  lingered  along  in  discouraging  inactivity  until  1845.  We  refrain 
from  calling  it  a  town  at  this  date,  for  its  actual  towjihood  has  always- 
been  reckoned  by  the  citizens  from  1847,  when  it  succeeded  to  the  dig- 
nity of  county-town.  When  emigration  had  brought  to  the  back 
country  a  moderate  but  sturdy  population,  a  convenient  ship]ting  })oint. 


128  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AJS'D    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

was  of  the  first  necessity.  Even  yet  eai)ital  was  scarce,  and  the  times 
had  not  ahogether  abated  their  stringency,  and  business  men  did  not 
stand  ready  then  to  invest  in  town  })roperty  in  a  new  country,  in 
advance  of  the  real  demands  of  trade.  So  an  association  of  farmers, 
living  mostly  in  Abington  and  Ohio  Grove  townships,  undertook,  in 
1844,  to  erect  a  warehouse  in  Keithsburg  for  storing  and  handling 
then-  grain.  To  encourage  the  project,  Robert  Keith  gave  lots  six  and 
iseven,  in  block  three,  on  which  the  building  was  begun,  facing  north 
at  the  foot  of  Main  street ;  and  when  the  fi'ame  was  up,  title  to  the 
property  passed  to  William  Willett.  The  evident  prospect  of  future 
business  brought  Col.  J.  B.  Patterson,  of  Oquawka,  here,  and  he 
secured  an  equal  interest  in  the  warehouse  on  condition  of  finishing  it. 
Keith  had  put  up  a  small  building  for  a  business  stand,  and  he  per- 
suaded Patterson  to  fill  it  with  a  stock  of  goods.  "The  Colonel  put 
Spence  Record  into  the  new  warehouse  to  receive  grain,  while  he  and 
Roothe  Nettleton  sold  -dry  goods  and  groceries  over  on  Washington 
street." 

Writing  afterward  of  the  small  beginnings  of  the  place.  Col.  Pat- 
terson said:  "At  this  time,  1845,  we  visited  Keithsburg  with  a  view 
of  making  it  a  trading  point ;  to  sell  goods  and  buy  produce.  The 
improvements  consisted  of  one  frame  house  (which  we  had  fitted  up 
for  a  store),  one  log  house,  and  three  cabins.  The  trade  of  that  season 
amounted  to  3,690  bushels  of  wheat,  512  barrels  of  flour  and  2,250 
bushels  of  corn.  At  the  close  of  the  season  we  retu*ed,  leaving  the 
work  we  had  begun  in  the  good  hands  and  stout  hearts  of  Messrs. 
Noble  &  Gayle;  and  Nohly  have  they  kept  the  banner  we  entrusted 
to  them  waving  in  the  Gayle  until  many  a  Doughty  champion  has 
risen  up  to  proclaim  the  glories  of  a  town  which,  though  a  wilderness 
a  few  years  ago,  is  now  Rife  with  business  (the  Spice  or  life  we  may 
say  of  prosperous  progress),  and  ranks  high  among  her  sister  towns. " 

Noble  &  Gayle,  young  and  enterprising  business  men,  erected  a 
one-story  frame  store  on  lot  1,  block  2,  corner  of  Main  and  Second 
streets,  and  a  warehouse  on  lot  10.  In  1848,  thev  built  a  brick 
packing  house,  which  stood  on  lot  0.  In  the  same  year  that  Noble  & 
Gayle  began  business,  McConaha  &  Rife  started  a  saloon,  called  in 
those  days  a  grocery.  The  next  store  was  ojjened  the  following  year 
by  Jonathan  Judah,  a  Jew,  and  occupied  lot  7,  block  4.  The  old 
building  is  still  standing.  In  1848  Wilford  J.  Ungles  arrived  with  his 
family  and  began  trading  at  the  foot  of  Washington  street,  where, 
in  1855,  he  erected  a  large  warehouse,  which  is  yet  in  use.  Wilson 
Redmon  began  the  erection  this  year  of  the  brick  building  on  Main 
street  now  owned  and  occupied  by  Mrs.  McManus.     AVhile  in  process 


KEITIISBURG   TOWNSHIP.  ,  120 

of  building  lie  sold  it  to  Dr.  A.  ]].  Campbell,  who  finished  it.  In  the 
spring  of  1849,  McConaha  tfc  Rife  dissolved  partnership,  and  the  latter 
embarked  in  the  grocery  trade,  afterward  adding  dry  goods,  first  occu- 
pying the  Camj)bell  building  until  he  erected,  the  same  year,  the  brick 
house  adjoining  it  on  the  west.  The  brick  store  on  the  northeast 
corner  (»f  ^fain  and  Second  streets  was  built  by  T.  B.  Cabeen,  in  1S48. 
On  the  second  and  third  floors  lie  fitted  up  a  suit  of  rooms  which 
were  occupied  by  his  family,  while  the  business  part  of  the  house  was 
filled  the  next  year  with  a  stock  of  goods  by  Mrs,  E.  Smith.  In 
1851,  R.  H.  Spicer  *k  Co.,  Mrs.  Smith  being  the  other  member  of  the 
firm,  started  in  trade  in  the  same  place. 

In  1847  a  series  of  elections  liaving  taken  place,  the  ultimate  choice 
for  the  county  seat  fell  to  Keithsburg,  Donations  from  the  citizens  in 
and  around  the  place  were  nearly,  if  not  fully,  sufficient  to  build  the 
court-house.  Keith  gave  half  of  the  fractional  tract  known  as  Keith's 
first  addition,  which  was  shortly  after  laid  out  (January  12,  1848),  and 
then  the  division  of  blocks  was  made  by  alternate  choice.  Those  fall- 
ing to  the  county  were  subdivided  into  lots,  which  were  sold  and  the 
proceeds  ajiplied  to  the  erection  of  the  court-house ;  but  Keith  did  not 
commence  the  sale  of  his  for  some  years.  The  first  term,  and  several 
subsequent  ones  of  the  circuit  court,  after  the  removal  of  the  seat  of 
justice,  were  held  in  AVillett's  warehouse,  which  use  in  various  ways 
became  a  public  convenience.  The  coui't-house  was  built  on  the 
secluded  campus  covering  four-fifths  of  block  7,  and  all  that  part  lying 
within  the  addition.  It  was  finished  at  the  end  of  the  summer  of 
1851,  and  was  considered  a  building  that  the  county  might  be  proud 
of  in  its  infancy,  though  its  squat  a])pearance  called  out  the  malicious 
remark  that  it  might  be  mistaken  for  a  church.  It  is  a  one-story  brick, 
40  X  50  feet  on  the  foundation. 

Col.  Patterson  having  wound  up  his  business  here  in  1846,  William 
Willett,  who  emigrated  in  1838  and  had  just  settled  in  the  town  this 
year,  started  up  in  the  grain  trade  in  the  warehouse  in  which  he  and 
Patterson  held  joint  ownership.  When  the  latter  transferred  his 
interest  to  Burr  P.  McConaha,  in  1849,  the  two  formed  a  short-lived 
partnership,  the  last-named  withdrawing  early  in  1850  and  joining  the 
emigration  to  California.  Willett  then  leased  the  building  foi-  one 
year  to  Willits  &  Doughty  and  accepted  a  situation  in  their  service. 
Next  year  Willits,  who  was  tlie  heavy  member  of  the  firm,  and  had 
stocked  the  house  and  sent  Df)ughty  down  from  New  Boston,  where 
both  lived,  to  manage  the  business,  sold  out  to  A.  B.  Sherifi",  William 
Willett  and  J.  W.  Doughty,  and  these  men  carried  on  business 
together  a  few  years,  Doughty  fiiuilly  selling  to  his  partners.     The 


130  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

partnership  of  Sheiiff  &  "Willett  lasted  till  1864,  when  the  latter 
retired  just  in  time  to  save  himself  fi-om  the  prodigious  decline  in 
prices  following  the  close  of  the  war,  which  overtook  his  partner  and 
swamped  him,  as  had  been  the  issue  with  nearly  all  of  the  tradesmen 
in  the  crisis  of  1857.  The  building  was  used  for  grain  storage  till 
about  1875,  and  from  that  time  as  a  liver j  until  January  20,  1879,  at 
wdiich  date  it  was  burned  down.  Thus  disappeared  the  original  land- 
mark in  which  the  real  business  history  of  Keithsburg  had  birth. 
Phelps  tfe  Brewer  occuj^ied  it,  but  the  loss,  reaching  $1,000,  fell  upon 
Willett. 

Dropping  back  to  1850,  we  find  trade  and  industry  in  lively 
growth  and  activity,  and  the  other  attributes  of  townhood  multiplying 
in  social,  benevolent  and  literary  organizations.  Before  railroads  came 
into  use  produce  was  hauled  to  the  Illinois  and  Mississippi  rivers ;  and 
prior  to  the  construction  of  the  Illinois  &  Michigan  canal  farmers 
went  all  the  way  to  Chicago  from  this  and  adjoining  counties  with  ox 
and  horse  teams  to  sell  a  little  grain  and  pork,  and  to  bring  back  a 
few  store  goods.  Some  of  the  pioneers  who  toiled  in  this  manner  are 
still  living,  and  we  have  heard  them  say  that  the  expenses  of  a  trip 
were  sometimes  greater  than  the  receipts.  In  point  of  business 
Oquawka  was  the  senior  of  Keithsburg  by  a  number  of  years,  but 
now  she  had  a  spirited  rival  which  was  diverting  a  generous  share  of 
her  hitherto  large  trade. 

October  16th  Col.  Patterson  published  in  Oquawka  the  first  num- 
ber of  the  ' '  Oquawka  Spectator  and  Keithsburg  Observer, "  this  title 
being  confined  to  the  inside  of  the  sheet,  and  the  ''Observer"  depart- 
ment to  the  third  page.  The  Keithsburg  editor  was  James  "W. 
Doughty,  of  the  mercantile  firm  of  Doughty  &  Willits. 

At  this  time  there  were  two  places  of  public  entertainment :  the 
Calhoun  House,  built  by  John  Moore  in  1850,  and  kept  by  H.  G. 
•Calhoun ;  and  the  Keithsburg  House,  with  J.  B.  McConaha  as  land- 
lord. 

A  division  of  the  Sons  of  Temperance  was  in  a  fiourishing  state, 
and  in  the  early  spring  of  1852   "Star  Union"  of  the  Daughters  of 
Temperance  came  to  its  support  in  the  same  beneficent  work. 

Late  in  the  season  a  debating  society  was  formed  by  some  of  the 
leading  men  for  mental  culture  and  entertainment  during  the  winter, 
the  most  active  being  Robert  Keith,  John  C.  Pepper,  B.  C.  Taliaferro, 
N.  C.  Adams,  R.  C.^Cabeen,  O.  C.  Allen  and  Dr.  E.  L.  Marshall. 

At  the  opening  of  the  packing  season  James  A.  ISToble  put  in  oper- 
ation his  large,  new  slaughter-house,  and  about  the  same  time  Gayle 
finished  an  additional  warehouse.  Next  spring  Noble  began  selling 
the  first  drugs. 


KEITIISBURG   TOWXSIIII'.  131 

A  little  later  occurred  the  remarkable  flood  of  1851.  Tlie  water 
began  rising  near  the  end  of  May,  and  on  the  2^th  was  encroaching 
upon  the  streets ;  it  continued  to  spread  until  it  reached  nearly  to 
Fifth  street,  when  it  was  standing  over  the  lower  part  of  the  town 
from  four  to  seven  feet  in  depth,  according  to  the  inequalities  of  the 
surface.  In  the  main  quarter  the  ground  has  since  been  raised  four 
feet  by  filling.  The  river  kept  u]i,at  its  highest  stage  until  the  11th  of 
June,  when  it  commenced  falling  slowly.  The  "Observer"  of  that 
date  said:  "Our  town  is  flooded.  Goods  and  household  furniture 
on  platforms  and  second  floors.  We  share  the  fate  of  our  neighbors." 
It  adds  that  the  Mississippi  covers  the  country  from  seven  to  ten  miles 
in  width  1,800  miles  above  its  mouth.  Rafts  circulated  in  the  streets 
in  the  course  of  business ;  and  the  row  and  sail  boats  Kate  and  Fawn 
went  about  the  town  by  moonlight,  bearing  ' '  lovely  women  and  brave 
men,"  in  pleasuring  and  serenading  parties.  The  river  was  not  within 
its  banks  again  till  after  the  20th.  This  rise  was  compared  to  those  of 
1844  and  1828,  and  it  is  said  sui-passed  them. 

The  high  water  of  October,  1881,  rose  within  a  few  inches  of  the 
same  mark.  Half  a  mile  of  the  railroad  track  was  submerged  ;  and 
skifl^'s  tied  up  on  Second  street.  There  was  a  notable  freshet  the  previ- 
ous June,  and  also  one  the  preceding  year. 

July  15,  1852,  by  a  vote  of  the  citizens,  Keithsburg  became  a 
corporate  town  under  the  general  incorporation  law ;  and  on  Monday, 
the  26th,  the  first  board  of  trustees  was  elected,  consisting  of  AVilliam 
Willett,  J.  J.  Wordin,  T.  B.  Cabeen,  Alexander  Davis  and  X.  B. 
Partridge. 

The  same  year  William  Gayle  built  a  steam  saw  mill  on  Pope 
•creek,  where  the  railroad  bridge  crosses,  and  sold  it  to  John  H.  Mar- 
shall &  Co.,  by  whom,  in  1856,  it  was  converted  into  a  flouring  mill. 
Subsequently  it  was  known  as  the  Ogden  mill,  and  was  burned  after  a 
few  years.  Tlie  second  saw  mill  was  built  by  Ender  &  Eckly  at  the 
foot  of  Van  Buren  street.  This  was  burned  down,  and  they  immedi- 
ately built  another,  which  was  run  unsuccessfully  some  three  years, 
when,  being  abandoned  to  creditors,  it  was  bought  b}'  William  D. 
Smith,  who  moved  it  to  Jackson  street,  between  Eighth  and  Ninth, 
where  it  was  used  for  planing  and  sawing  out  dimension  and  hardwood 
lumber.  Tlie  next  saw  mill  was  removed  in  1857,  or  the  year  after,  to 
the  foot  of  Jackson  street,  by  Alexander  Frick,  it  having  been  flrst  put 
up  on  John  E.  Willit's  land  to  saw  ties  and  timbers  for  the  Warsaw  & 
Rockford  railroad.     It  was  leveled  by  fire  in  1859. 

Tlie  fourth  saw  mill  is  the  one  standing  at  the  foot  of  Tan  Buren 
street,  on  the  site  of  the  Ender  6c  Eckly  mill,  and  was  built  about  1865 


132  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

by  Smitli  c%  Hersey.  It  was  the  largest  mill  in  the  county  when  biiilty 
and  was  run  with  profit,  employing  some  thirty-iive  men,  till  1872, 
since  which  time  it  has  not  been  operated,  except  in  a  small  way, 
James  C.  Stevens  erected  a  grist  mill  on  Eighth  street,  between  Main 
and  AVashington,  about  1864.  This  was  never  a  success,  and  was  dis- 
mantled between  1877  and  1879.  The  Elevator  Flour  Mills  were  put 
into  the  Eife  warehouse  on  Second  street,  at  the  foot  of  Washington,  by 
W,  D.  Smith,  in  1868.     This  building  was  consumed  January  1,  1878. 

About  1855  a  distillery  was  erected  on  the  river,  in  Mechanics'^ 
addition,  by  W.  L.  Matthews  and  O.  C.  Richardson.  After  operating 
it  a  year  they  sold  it  to  AVilliam  Gayle.  Through  his  failure  it  passed 
out  of  his  hands  in  1857,  and  was  idle  till  Benjamin  Phelps  became  the 
o-vvner.  He  ran  it  very  successfully  three  years  and  sold  it  to  Pickering. 
Stewart  and  Colvin  each  owned  it  afterward,  a^id  finally  Mason  & 
Crosby,  of  Chicago,  who  refitted  it  at  large  expense,  when  it  was 
burned  down  in  1872,  before  they  had  put  it  in  operation.  It  wa& 
insured  for  the  sum  of  $10,000.  This  distillery  was  not  exempt  fi-om 
certain  infirmities  of  transaction  which  was  common  to  the  distiller's 
business  after  the  war  had  induced  the  high  tax  on  spirits. 

In  1880  C.  A.  &  L.  L.  Mertz  erected  a  saw  and  planing  mill  at  the 
base  of  the  sand  bluif  in  Keith's  first  addition,  which  they  are  now 
operating  in  conjunction  with  their  lumber  trade. 

In  July,  1853,  the  ferry  boat  Dove,  owned-  by  Seth  H.  Redmon, 
began  making  daily  trips  between  Keithsburg  and  Huron  and  Prairie 
Point.  The  same  proprietor  was  "running  the  swift,  staunch  and 
capacious  steam  ferry  boat  Iowa,"  three  years  later. 

Mr.  Gayle  erects  a  large  two-story  packing  house  in  1853.  Keiths- 
burg is  in  the  middle  of  the  period  of  its  greatest  growth,  which 
extended  from  1850  to  1856,  and  two  more  additions  are  laid  out: 
Keith's  seconfl,  April  1,  and  Sheriff  &  Cabeen's,  June  3.  The  country 
for  thirty-five  miles  back  was  tributary  to  this  point,  which  was 
becoming,  and  soon  became,  the  leading  produce  market  above  St. 
Louis.  Trade  got  to  be  immense  for  a  town  of  so  moderate  size.  One 
"big  day"  in  February,  1854,  250  teams  were  counted  in  the  town, 
and  it  was  believed  that  300  had  been  in  from  the  country.  Of  this 
number  eighty  remained  over  night.  Gayle  &  Co.  and  Noble  &  Bro. 
were  the  packers  at  this  date.  In  the  following  autumn  the  first- 
named  firm  erected  a  slaughter  house  near  the  steam  mill.  It  might 
be  well  to  say  that  the  first  packing  done  in  the  place  was  by  Noble  & 
Cxavle  in  the  winter  of  1846-7.  Gore  ife  Gamble  beffan  business  in  the 
spring  of  1854.  The  latter  retired  at  the  end  of  two  years  and  Miv 
Gore  remained  in  trade  till  after  the  war. 


KEITHSBURG    TOWNSHIP.  133- 

Tlie  storekeepers  and  produce  dealers  in  1855  were  W.  Gayle  &  Co., 
A.  Rife,  Sheritf  &  AVillett,  B.  P.  Frick  &  Co.,  Gore  &  Gamble  and  P. 
T.  Iluijlies.  Three  of  these  iirms  were  doing  the  i)aeking  at  the  close 
of  tlie  year. 

At  this  period  goods  were  sold  on  long  credit,  a  year's  time.  After 
a  day  of  large  sales  hardly  money  enough  could  be  found  in  the  drawer 
to  take  the  salesmen  to  a  show.  At  the  end  of  the  year  debtors  settled 
their  accounts  by  note.  Many  of  these  ran  one,  two  and  three  years, 
and  some  are  running  yet.  For  ten  years  from  1850,  when  the  ])opu- 
lation  of  the  county  was  5,300,  the  country  east  of  Keithsburg,  like  all 
parts  of  the  west,  settled  up  rapidly.  The  settlers  were  generally  men 
of  small  means,  who  depended  upon  the  heavy  dealers  for  money  to 
make  payments  on  their  land,  expecting  and  engaging  to  discharge 
tliese  second  obligations  with  their  crops.  It  was  the  custom  of  Messrs. 
Gayle  and  Rife  to  advance  large  sums  in  this  way,  and  tliey  oflen  took* 
the  risk  of  cri])])ling  their  own  credit  by  these  accommodations.  Tlie 
necessities  of  trade  also  required  that  the  more  extensive  tradesmen 
should  buy  their  patrons'  grain  and  hogs,  and  these  two  kinds  of  busi- 
ness, dissevered  now,  naturally  iitted  together  then  as  parts  of  the  same 
system.  Accordingly  the  heavy  merchants  combined  a  warehouse  and 
slaught.ering  business  with  merchandising. 

A  few  statistics  will  show  the  gi'owth  and  amount  of  business  better 
than  any  other  form  of  statement.  From  the  first  of  October,  1850,  to 
the  iirst  of  October,  1851,  the  shipments  of  grain  purchased  here 
amounted  to  169,366  bushels  of  wheat,  corn  and  oats,  besides  some 
meat  and  other  products.  In  the  same  time  tliere  were  received  407-|- 
tons  of  merchandise.  Februaiy  24,  1852,  3,176  bushels  of  grain 
were  taken  in,  "this  being  no  inore  than  an  average  day  for  the  last 
ten.  The  receipts  for  the  week  ending  the  2Stli  exceeded  20,000 
bushels." 

During  the  packing  season  of  1854-5  there  were  slaughtered  6,852 
hogs  by  the  several  packers,  as  follows :  William  Gayle  &  Co.,  4,790 ;. 
A.^Rife,  1,064 :  J.  A.  Noble,  853 ;  and  W.  H.  tingle's,  145. 

Between  May  10  and  June  14,  1856,  there  were  shipped  48,231 
pieces  of  bulk  pork,  374  barrels  of  pork,  75  casks  of  hams,  344  sacks 
of  hair  and  250  sacks  of  potatoes.  From  May  10  to  October  11  the 
aggregate  amount  of  grain  taken  on  board  here  (in  addition  to  heavy 
shipments  in  April)  reached  108,291  sacks,  or  27tN727  bushels.  During 
the  two  weeks  ending  October  11  the  shipments  by  the  various  firms- 
were  as  follows:  William  Gayle  &  Co.,  16.162  sacks;  A.  Rife, 
10,284;  B.  P.  Frick  6z  Co.,  3,536;  W.  II.  Ungles,  7,018;  and  Slieriff 
&  Willett,  2,054. 


134  HISTORY   OF   MERCEE    AND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

Tlie  largest  single  shipment  ever  made  was  33,000  bushels  of  corn 
Id  J  William  Orayle,  in  April  of  the  present  year  (1882).  The  total 
receipts  at  this  market  between  the  opening  of  navigation  in  1881  and 
the  same  time  this  rear  were  550,000  bushels. 

The  first  shipment  ever  made  from  here  was  by  Thomas  B.  Cabeen, 
March  25,  1842,  and  consisted  of  about  1,400  bushels  of  wheat  in 
437  barrels.  The  grain  was  raised  by  himself  and  his  father  in  Ohio 
Grove  township,  and  was  transported  by  the  steamer  Hunts ville,  which 
was  a  week  making  the  passage  to  St.  Louis. 

In  1855  Mr.  Gayle  erected  the  three-story  brick  structure,  now  the 
Larue  House,  on  the  corner  of  Main  and  Second  streets,  for  a  store, 
and  the  next  year  put  up  the  addition  on  the  west.  The  same  year 
B.  F.  Gruwell  built  a  three-story  brick  addition  to  his  hotel  on  the 
•corner  of  Main  and  Third  streets  where  Wliiting's  store  stands.  The 
•main  part  was  also  brick,  and  from  September,  1850,  until  it  became 
the  property  of  Mr.  Gruwell  in  1852,.  it  was  conducted  by  H.  G.  Cal- 
houn. The  entire  establishment  was  destoyed  by  lire  in  February, 
1860. 

Among  the  earlier  and  better  residences  we  note  as  landmarks  the 
first  brick  building  in  the  place,  the  small  house  put  up  by  Robert 
Keith  in  1846,  on  Fourth  street,  adjoining  the  Commercial  Hou§e  ;  the 
wing  of  C.  S.  Ortli's  liouse  by  J.  A.  Noble  in  1849,  and  the  two-story 
front  subsequently  added  by  him ;  Gayle's  in  1850-51 ;  EUett's  in  1853  ; 
T.  B.  Cabeen's  in  1854  ;  Rife's  in  1855,  and  Keith's  new  brick  in  1856. 

The  Central  House  was  built  for  a  residence  by  Oliver  Ross,  in 
1856,  and  next  year  it  was  enlarged  by  G.  J.  Ross.  At  one  time  it 
Avas  the  Beasley  House. 

The  Commercial  House  was  erected  in  1849  by  Matthew  R.  Patter- 
son, for  a  private  residence.  In  1850  he  conveyed  it  to  S.  S.  Phelps, 
^nd  then  went  to  California,  where  he  died.  Seven  years  ago  it  was 
opened  as  a  public  house  by  the  present  proprietor,  David  N.  "Wolfe. 
He  was  born  in  Wayne  county,  Indiana,  February  27,  1833,  and  is 
the  son  of  Jacob  and  Mary  (Yount)  Wolfe.  In  1852  he  came  to 
Mercer  county,  looking  for  a  place  for  settlement.  He  soon  returned 
to  Indiana  and  made  arrangements  to  remove  and  permanently 
inhabit  this  county,  and  in  1855  carried  out  this  plan.  His  first  loca- 
tion was  in  New  Boston  township,  where  he  engaged  in  farming.  In 
September,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  company  G,  30th  111.  Inf ,  and  carried 
a  gun  in  his  country's  service  nearly  four  years.  After  his  ""veteran" 
re-enlistment  he  was  appointed  second  sergeant,  but  very  soon  was 
commissioned  captain  of  his  company  by  Gov.  Yates.  He  was  hon- 
orably mustered  out  of  the  army  at   Louisville.      On  his  return  he 


KKITHSIURG    TOWNSHIP. 


135 


began  doing  a  mercantile  business,  but  in  a  little  while  was  compelled 
by  loss  of  eyesight  to  abandon  it.  lie  went  t(t  Chicago  for  treatment, 
which  resulted  in  partial  recovery.  Since  1875  he  has  been  keeping 
the  Commercial.  On  March  4,  1857,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  J., 
daughter  of  John  and  Sarah  (Campbell)  Willits.  She  was  born  in 
the  same  county  that  he  himself  was,  October  17,  1833,  and  was 
brought  to  Mercer  county  in  her  infancy.  Gertrude,  Josephine  and 
Sarah  E.  are  their  children. 

The  following  list  is  believed  to  contain  about  all  the  tradesmen 
and  mechanics  whose  length  of  residence  or  business  importance  enti- 
tles them  to  mention.  The  dates  cover  the  term  of  their  residence  in 
the  town  ;  while  many  of  them  are  exact,  some  are  only  approxi- 
mately so,  and  a  very  few  may  be  found  wider  still  of  the  correct 
mark  : 


1838-82.  J.  J.  Wordin.  1848-75. 

1830-49.  David  Bowen.  1848-80. 

1840-59.  G.  J.  Ross.  1848-56. 

1840-77.  C.  C.  Wordin.  1848-56. 

1842-56.  James  Garner.  1848-81. 

1844-82.  H.  G.  "Calhoun.  1848. 

1845-6.     J.  B.  Patterson.  1849-82. 
1845-50.  Matthew^  R.  Patterson.      1849-82. 

1845-82.  T.  B.  Cabeen.  1849-73. 

1846-57.  James  Patterson.  1849-58. 

1846-82.  William  Gayle.  1849-82. 

1846-62.  James  A.  Noble.  1849-69. 

1846-56.  Jonathan  Judah.  1849-82. 

1846-82.  II.  G.  Calhoun.  1850-56. 

1846.         Mrs.  J.  A.  Hubbell.  1850-54. 

1846-82.  Abraham  Rife.  1850-58. 

1846-82.  William  Willett.  1850-67. 

1846-79.  Daniel  Keith.  1850-82. 

1846-82.  A.  F.  Glover.  1850-82. 

1846-65.  I.  J.  Mitchell.  1850-72. 

1846-51.  Dr.  S.  S.  Gruber.  1850-60. 

1847-8.     E.  F.  Barstow.  1850-56. 

1847-8.     Wm.  R.  Robinson.  1851-8. 

1847-82.  A.  B.  Sheriff.  1851-2. 

1847-59.  Levi  Buttertield.  1852-3. 

1847-51.  Dr.  David  Camj-blell.  1852-4. 

1847-60.  Dr.  A.  B.  Campbell.  1852-6. 

1847-68.  K.  B.  Partridge.  1852-82. 


Francis  Stebinger. 
B.  D.  Ellett. 
L.  W.  Thompson. 
John  S.  Thomi)Son.  , 
B.  C.  Taliaferro. 
Richard  Rice. 
Mrs.  E.  Smith. 
William  D.  Smith. 
Wilford  J.  Ungles. 
R.  C.  Cabeen. 
Thomas  Freeman. 
John  C.  Pepper. 
James  C.  Stevens. 
Jolm  W.  Xoble. 
James  W.  Doui^hty. 
Jolm  H.  ^larshall. 
J()sei)h  Ilarvey. 
Dr.  E.  L.  Marshall. 
Dr.  A.  P.  Willits. 
John  T.  Calhoun. 
Truman  Lord. 
Thomas  Morehead. 
W.  L.  Matthews. 
R.  H.  Sjjicer. 
William  Hawkins. 
John  W.  Ditto. 
J.  C.  Cabeen, 
J.  A.  Swezv. 


136 


HISTORY    OF   MERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 


1S52-62.  David  Harvey.  1857-68. 

lbo2-68.  J.  S.  Pinkerton.  1857-82. 

1852-60.  Argilleous  Swindler.  1858. 

1852-82.  B.  F.  Gruwell.  1858-82. 

1853-73.  C.  C.  Matlock.  1858-82. 

l.s:..3-72.  Philip  Coonrod.  1858-66. 

1853-71.   S.  H.  Kedmon.  1858-63. 

1853-82.  Chas.  J.  Simpson.  1858-67. 

1853-68.  Joseplms  Wade.  1858-65. 

1853-78.  R  M.  Eddington.  1858-82. 

1853-82.  Joim  Thomson.  1858-82. 

1853-82.  R  C.  Hnmbert.  1859-64. 

1854-72.  Philip  Gore.  1859-72. 

1854-64.  M.  J.  O'Brien.  1859-82. 

1854-78.  Dr.  Joseph  Ogden.  1859-82. 

1S54-7.     J.  W.  Elrick.  1859-82. 

1854-82.  G.  W.  Whiting.  1859-82. 

1854-82.  Thomas  Sonster.  1860-65. 

1854-80.  Walter  J.  Pepper.  1860-56. 

1854-67.  E.  D.  W.  Coville.  1860-82. 

1854-82.  Branson  Brewer.  1860-82. 

1855-63.  P.  T.  Hughes.  1860-82. 

1855-82.  B.  P.  Frick.  1861-82. 

1855-82.  C.  S.  Frick.  1861-75. 

1855-7.     I.  N.  Bassett.  1862-6. 

1855-9.     Pdchard  Keese.  1862-82. 

1855-72.  Joseph  Thompson.  1862-4. 

1855-71.  C.  Lellyenberg.  1863-82. 

1856-80.  Andrew  Frazier.  1863-70. 

1856-69.  S.  M.  Evans.  1864-79. 

1856-82.  J.  C.  Humphreys.  1864-82. 

1856-82.  C.  A.  Frick.  1864-82. 

1856-82.  Pvobert  McKnight.  1864-73. 

1856-62.  Luther  T.BalL  1864-82. 
1857-78.  Dr.  C.  S.  Hollingsworth.   1864-82. 

1857-62.  Thomas  Hardin.  1865-82. 

1857-70.  L.  A.  Ender.  1865-82. 

1857-60.  Charles  Eckly.  1865-82. 

1857-82.  Benijah  Lloyd.  1865-82. 

1857-60.  Robert  Gray.  1866-82. 

1857-82.  William  L.  Millman.  1866-82. 

1857-82.  William  Deterline.  ls«;7-76. 


John  Beavens. 
Jacob  Wolf. 
M.  B.  Cox. 
Dennis  Murto. 
C.  S.  Orth. 
John  P.  Reed. 
C.  P.  Elder. 
T.  L.  Greenhow. 
Margaret  Hughes. 
C.  d'Leary. 
Jacob  Wolf. 
Alexander  Holland. 
O.  Holland. 
Dr.  Samuel  Kelly. 
John  Kaufman. 
E.  Pritz. 
Jacob  Abraham. 
Washington  Wolf. 
John  F.  Gurley. 
W.  L.  Range. 
George  F.  Parsons. 
Hugh  Campbell. 
William  Kolkenbeck. 
J.  H.  T.  Madden. 
C.  W.  Cilley. 
Mrs.  Isaac  Manus. 
Edwin  S.  Stockton. 
Joseph  Venable. 
William  Home. 
Gilbert  Brewer. 
P.  Buford. 
W.  Mellinger. 
C.  W.  Talhiferro. 
Henry  Mellinger. 
David  H.  AVolfe. 
AVilliam  Dempster. 
Dr.  E.  Rathburn. 
C.  A.  Mertz. 
L.  L.  Mertz. 
W.  H.  Phares. 
A.  H.  Ebv. 
Merrick  A.  Weaver.. 


KEITHSBL'RG   TOWNSHIP.  137 

1867-82.  F.  p.  Burgott.  1875-82.  C.  G.  Slocumb. 

1868-82.  James  D.  Clark.  1875-82.  John  Ilehvig. 

1869-82.  S.  L.  Long.  1879-82.  G.  B.  Sap]). 

1869-82.  H.  L.  Long.  1880-82.  John  Dunn. 

1870-82.  Milton  Anderson.  82.  Tom  Marshall. 

The  third  addition  to  tlie  town,  called  Mechanics  addition  was  laid 
off  June  10,  1854,  by  J.  B.  Stockton.  A.  B.  Sheriff  laid  out  another 
iN'ovember  5,  1855;  Keith's  third  addition  was  i»latted  May  21,  1861, 
and  his  fourth  October  17,  1863 ;  Ender  and  Stockton's  October  26, 
1863 ;  and  Ender's  May  9,  1857.  Upper  Keithsburg,  which  is  a  mere 
hamlet,  was  surveyed  on  section  13  by  C.  S.  Ricliey  in  the  summer 
of  1857  for  Johalon  Tyler  and  T.  B.  Cabeen. 

A  man  named  Larue  was  the  first  blacksmith.  James  Heaton,  who 
came  in  1848,  was  the  second.  He  burned  his  charcoal  in  ]Main  street 
opposite  Dennis  Murto's  present  residence.  Thomas  Hendricks,  O.  C. 
Allen,  and  another  by  the  name  of  Pierce  were  early  smiths. 

Wm.  Brewer  started  the  first  cooper  shop,  and  his  place  was  taken 
by  Phili])  Forward.  Jacob  Cooper  had  the  next,  and  Kelson  Green  also 
worked  some  tim'e  at  the  trade. 

The  first  barber  was  a  man  named  Folder,  who  set  up  the  strijied 
pole  in  1854. 

^'EWSPAPERS. 

Owing  to  the  reason  that,  with  a  single  exception,  files  of  Keiths- 
"burg  newspapers  have  not  been  presen^ed,  we  are  obliged  to  confess 
our  inability  to  give  a  full  account  of  the  publishing  business.  As 
stated  on  a  former  page.  Col.  Patterson  of  the  '"Oquawka  Spectator" 
introduced  into  his  paper  a  Keithsburg  department  under  the  title  of 
"Observer."  Tliis  was  begun  October  16,  1850,  and  continued  till  the 
spring  of  1856,  when  he  was  persuaded  by  the  very  liberal  and  confident 
promises  of  Mr.  Keith  and  others  to  found  the  ''Keithsburg  Observer." 
He  went  to  Kew  York  and  purchased  a  press  and  office  material  at  an 
outlay  of  $1,300,  and  on  April  23  issued  the  first  number  of  his 
paper.  Some  five  hundred  patrons  were  enrolled  on  the  subscription 
list  —  not  more  than  half  the  number  anticipated  by  the  too  sanguine 
Ijromoters 'of  the  enterprise.  Business  men  were  liberal  in  advertising 
jjatronage,  and  after  a  useful  existence  of  over  a  year  under  Col.  Pat- 
terson, the  pa})er,  cleverly  avoiding  during  that  time  partisan  j)()litics 
and  religious  dogmatisms,  was  sold  by  him  to  William  li.  Calhoon, 
the  last  issue  under  the  original  proprietorship  being  August  15,  1857. 
In  the  summer  of  1S5S  Calhoon  changed  the  title  of  the  paper  to 
^'Mercer  County  Democrat,"  and  at  the  same  time  changed  it  from  an 


138  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

independent  to  a  democratic  sheet.  He  was  a  good  printer  but  bad 
financier,  and  tins  transition  was  one  ratlier  of  necessity  than  of  in- 
clination, for  he  was  from  this  time  simply  the  publisher  while  the 
editorial  columns  were  exclusively  under  the  control  of  a  committee. 
The  paper  now  ceased  measurably  (and  during  the  political  canvass  of 
that  year,  when  the  intellectual  gladiators,  "Honest  Abe"  and  the 
"Little  Giant,"  went  up  and  down  the  state  discussing  momentous 
issues,  absolutely),  to  be  a  medium  for  communicating  local  news  and 
discussing  home  topics,  and  was  an  organ  only  for  disseminating  the 
doctrines  of  a  party. 

Sometime  in  1859  the  paper  suspended,  and  on  December  28  Mr. 
Calhoon  began  the  publication  of  the  ' '  Northern  Illinois  Commer- 
cial "  apparently,  if  not  really,  for  a  company  which  had  furnished 
the  funds  for  the  establishment.     This  was  short  lived. 

In  June,  1860,  "The  Democratic  Press"  was  started  by  Y.  B.  Shouf, 
who  continued  the  publication  till  he  went  to  the  army  about  the  begin- 
ning pf  August  1861.  The  office  was  the  property  of  the  Hon.  Thomas 
B.  Cabeen. 

Xear  the  close  of  the  year  J.  A,  J.  Birdsall  and  George  D.  B. 
Birdsall  came  to  Keithsburg,  and  in  the  tirst  week  in  January,  1862, 
revived  the  ' '  Observer "  without  resurrecting  the  partisan  features 
with  which  it  went  down.  The  former  was  the  chief  person,  for  we 
hear  no  more  of  his  brother.  Bating  a  constitutional  want  of  steadi- 
ness and  tenacity,  Birdsall  was  above  mediocrity  in  journalism,  and 
he  gave  the  new  publication  not  only  life  and  zest  by  infusing  the 
spirit  of  his  own  energy  and  talent  into  it,  but  by  his  neutral  course- 
commanded  the  support  of  all  classes,  and  his  subscription  list  is  said 
to  have  reached  1,200,  the  largest  ever  obtained  by  any  Keithsburg 
paper.  Unfortunately  for  his  interests  he  was  seized  with  the  delu- 
sive ambition  for  office  and  engaged  with  his  paper  on  the  side  of  the 
democrats.  For  this  service  it  is  understood  that  he  received  his 
subsequent  but  fruitless  nomination  for  the  legislature.  This  swap- 
ping of  a  bird  in  the  hand  for  two  in  the  bush  i-uined  his  business,  and 
he  departed  from  the  place  poor.  A.  G.  Lucas,  a  man  of  clerical 
antecedents,  now  took  the  vacant  place  at  the  beginning  of  Septem- 
ber, 1865,  and  the  paper  was  under  his  management  iintir  the  same 
month  next  year,  and  during  that  time  was  run  as  a  republican  organ. 
Col.  Isaac  McMjinus  succeeded  Lucas,  and  Ijiroughout  the  exciting 
congressional  campaign  of  that  year  it  was  edited  with  refreshing 
spirit  and  logical  power.  McManus'  energy  no  less  than  his  industry 
was  unbounded,  and  whatever  he  did  was  done  with  fervent  might. 
From  the  knowledge  this  wi'iter  had  of  his  composition  and  character 


KEITHSBURG   TOWNSHIP.  130 

he  is  not  surprised  to  learn  that  liis  cohnnns  were  stamped  with  tlie 
rougli  strength  and  active  ability  of  his  tireless  brain.  He  was  in 
control  only  six  months  when  he  sold  his  paper  to  Tlieodore  Glancey, 
in  whom  there  was  a  curious  combination  of  youth  and  manhood,  and 
who  published  what  was  regarded  as  a  \'eiy  s}»rightly  ])aper.  In 
March,  1870,  he  disposed  of  his  office  to  an  Iowa  purchaser  who 
moved  it  away  ;  but  early  in  September,  1871,  he  resumed  the  busi- 
ness and  issued  the  first  number  of  the  "West  End  Kerana,"  which 
was  afterward  called  simply  ''Kerana."  He  soon  associated  Henry 
Hurst  wnth  himself  as  })ai1:ner,  but  this  not  turning  out  to  be  a  felici- 
tous arrangement.  Hurst  parted  with  his  interest  to  Edward  Thomas. 
In  the  spring  of  1873  they  sold  the  office  and  it  was  moved  to  other 
parts. 

Some  allusion  to  Mr.  Glancey's  life  and  sad  end  cannot  be  omitted 
in  this  place.  He  was  a  native  of  Mercer  county  and  reared  in  Abing- 
ton  township,  where  the  survivors  of  his  father's  family  yet  reside. 
On  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  company 
I,  17th  111.  Vol.,  and  served  till  the  expiration  of  his  three  years' 
term,  and  was  mustered  out  as  first  lieutenant.  Soon  afterward,  as 
already  observed,  he  engaged  in  the  newspaper  business ;  and  after  its 
final  relinquishment  in  Keithsburg,  went  to  California  where,  in  March, 
1874,  he  became  managing  editor  of  the  "Placer  Argus."  In  1880,  he 
became  editor-in-chief  of  the  "Los  Angeles  Press,"  a  republican  organ, 
and  in  September  of  that  year  Clarence  Gray,  alias  Maginiss,  a  man 
of  dissolute  reputation,  republican  candidate  for  district  attorney,  feel- 
ing himself  aggrieved  at  Glancey's  strictures  upon  his  character,  foully 
assassinated  him  when  he  was  unarmed,  without  giving  opportunity 
for  defense.  He  lived  nineteen  hours,  at  times  in  great  sufll'ring,  but 
conscious  to  the  last  and  full  of  courage.  His  last  words  just  before 
he  expired  were:  "Tell  my  friends  that  I  die  like  a  man — die  for 
principle;  and  that  I  would  not  go  back  on  it  now  if  I  could."  He 
was  high-tempered,  self-willed,  pugnacious ;  but  earnest,  courteous  and 
generous.  Strong  but  honest  in  bias,  he  uttered  his  convictions  with 
great  boldness.  Whatever  opinions  were  ever  formed  of  his  methods, 
his  sincerity  was  always  unquestioned.  He  was  a  good  speaker, 
and  as  a  wi-iter  is  said  to  have  been  one  of  the  best  on  the  country 
press. 

About  the  first  of  Aj^i-il,  1874,  W.  C.  Brown  started  the  "Keithsburg 
Xews,"  but  before  the  first  year  was  up  he  sold  to  Taylor  &  Blackmail. 
The  latter  died  in  Sei)tember,  1876,  and  the  folLnving  spring  William 
H.  Heaton  bought  the  office  from  the  Hon.  T.  B.  Cabeen  and  C.  A. 
Frick,  and  issued  his  first  number  May  17.     This  is  a  live  paper. 


140  HISTORY   OF    MERCER    A^D    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

abounding  in  reliable  news,  crisp  and  pungent  paragraphs  and  edito- 
rials, temperate  and  wholesome  in  their  tone,  and  it  receives  from  the 
public  solid  support.  It  has  been  a  greenback  pa])er  since  Mr.  Heatoii 
became  proprietor;  and  it  is  worthy  of  remark  that  he  has  been  longer 
in  the  publishing  business  in  Keithsburg  than  any  other  man  who  has 
attempted  to  conduct  a  paper  in  the  place.  Mr.  Ileaton  is  an  easy, 
rapid,  oif-hand  writer  who  culls  from  the  mass  of  daily  hap})enings 
with  true  journalistic  care  and  judgment,  and  who  brings  to  his  aid  in 
the  profession  a  thoroughly  practical  knowledge  of  men  and  aftairs.  To 
be  racy  and  entertaining  he  does  not  believe  it  necessary  to  be  a  scav- 
enger, nor  to  be  always  squinting  at  the  immoral  side  of  things  which 
he  has  the  sagacity  to  see  is  relished  only  by  a  loose  and  depraved 
sentiment.  His  taste  is  not  in  this  direction,  nor  does  it  run  toward 
public  criticism  of  private  character.  But  to  uphold  the  welfare  of  the 
community  according  to  his  judgment,  and  to  encourage  and  defend 
all  that  is  worthy,  engages  on  his  part  the  closest  interest.  To  do  this 
work  he  does  not  want  for  spuit  or  independence.  In  May  of  this 
year  (1882)  his  paper  was  enlarged  from  a  seven  to  an  eight-column 
sheet,  which  may  be  taken  as  evidence  of  its  growing  prosperity.  He 
is  efficiently  assisted  by  his  wife,  who  is  a  fine  specimen  of  healthful 
womanhood  and  a  lady  of  education  and  great  good  sense.  Recently 
he  has  associated  her  name  with  his  own  as  co-editor. 

Mr.  Ileaton  was  born  November  13,  1828,  on  a  farm  in  Clark 
county,  Ohio,  about  ten  miles  east  of  Springfield.  He  was  the  second 
son  of  a  family  of  twelve  children,  six  boys  and  six  gu'ls.  Of  the  boys 
John  Ileaton,  of  Red  Bluft',  California,  and  the  subject  of  this  notice  are 
the  only  ones  now  living.  The  daughters  are  all  married  and  mothers 
of  children.  AVilliam  came  with  his  father,  James  Heaton,  to  Illinois 
in  1836.  He  was  given  a  good  English  education  ;  he  attended  a  high 
school  in  Paris,  Illinois,  two  years,  and  though  he  was  the  youngest 
pupil  enrolled  he  was  too  far  advanced  for  the  district  school  of  that 
day.  He  learned  with  facility  but  always  preferred  hard  work  to  hard 
study,  which  agreed  better  with  his  rather  delicate  constitution.  He 
labored  on  a  farm,  taught  school  in  the  winter,  clerked  in  dry  goods  and 
grocery  stores ;  but  these  were  not  congenial  to  his  love  of  out-door 
work,  sport  and  exercise.  In  1852,  he  and  his  father  and  brother 
George  engaged  in  farming  and  buying  raw  prairie  land  in  Henderson 
county.  He  broke  prairie  four  years  for  himsel/  and  his  neighbors ;  the 
two  last  years  he  worked  twenty-eight  head,  or  fourteen  yoke  of  oxen, 
and  used  plows  which  cut  a  furrow  thirty  inches  wide.  In  this  way  he 
paid  for  and  im})r()ved  a  half  section  of  land.  He  was  married  February 
17,  1803,  to  Miss  Millecent  E.  Davis,  of  Abingdon,  Knox  county,  and 


daNie^l    MOv/f(y. 


KEITHSBURG   TOWNSHIP.  143 


lived  on  the  tarin  witli  liis  ycjuiig-  wife  five  years.  In  1868  he  rented 
his  farm  and  moved  to  Abingd(jn,  and  for  two  years  was  engaged  in 
traveling  for  the  Wier  Plow  Company,  of  Monmoutli.  Getting  tired 
of  being  away  from  his  family,  he  was  persuaded  to  buy  a  newspaper 
office,  which  he  did  in  1870,  and  started  a  democratic  jtaper  which  he 
called  the  "Ivnox  County  Democrat."  With  this  enteri)rise  he  was  very 
successful,  but  at  the  end  of  six  years  sold  the  office  at  a  large  advance 
on  the  cost  of  the  same  when  new.  He  made  arrangements  to  go  to 
his  brother,  who  was  then  in  Texas  engaged  on  a  large  scale  in  tlie 
stock  business,  and  by  wliom  he  was  advised  that  it  was  not  safe  to 
bring  his  chihh'en  to  that  climate  before  the  autumn  season.  He 
heeded  this  advice,  and  while  waiting  in  the  north  was  allui-ed  into  ])ur- 
chasing  a  half  interest  in  the  Hannibal,  Missouri,  " Clipper,''"'  for  which 
he  paid  $3,000  down.  In  this  office  he  spent  most  of  his  money  in 
trying  to  kee|)  the  business  and  his  partner  out  of  debt.  In  April, 
1877,  he  and  his  wife  visited  his  aged  father  and  mother,  at  Keithsburg, 
and  while  here  was  induced  to  purchase  the  "Keithsburg  Xews,"  which 
had  been  taken  on  a  debt.  He  went  fortlnvith  to  Hannibal  and  sold  his 
interest  in  the  ".Clipper"  office  to  his  partner,  taking  ])romissorv  notes 
which  he  still  holds.  Under  his  management  the  "Xews"  has  been  a 
successful  venture;  not  a  dollar  is  owing  on  the  office,  and  the  papcjr 
lias  just  been  enlarged.  Through  the  indefatigable  energy  of  Mrs. 
Heaton,  they  have  purchased  a  small  farm  a  mile  northeast  of  the  town, 
on  the  Aledo  road,  and  christened  it  "The  Wilderness."  Here  they 
live  in  domestic  enjoyment  with  then*  six  happy,  sprightly  and  intelli- 
gent children,  who  read  and  work,  and  bless  and  enliven  the  lu^me 
of  their  parents.  It  gives  us  pleasure  to  say  that  no  ha])])ier  house- 
hold exists  in  all  the  land.  Mrs.  Heaton  keeps  her  husband's  books 
and  wi'ites  most  of  his  correspondence,  and  he  holds  that  her  help  is 
invaluable.  In  his  judgment  every  newspaper  man  ought  to  maiTv  an 
intelligent  wife  and  give  her  his  entire  confidence — a  sentiment  which 
does  honor  to  both  head  and  heart  of  its  author. 

The  "Keithsburg  Times,"  an  independent  weekly,  was  established 
by  Eichard  Wolfe  and  H.  C.  Cook,  the  first  number  being  issued  June 
8,  1881.  December  23d  Mr.  Cook  withdrew,  and  the  publication  of 
the  paper  was  continued  by  Mr.  Wolfe  until  its  suspension,  April  12, 
1882.  The  latter,  son  of  Washington  and  Rebecca  (Marlott)  Wolfe,  is 
a  native  of  this  county,  was  born  in  1852,  and  reared  a  tiller  of  the  soil. 
His  parents  emigrated  from  Wayne  county,  Indiana,  to  Mercer  county 
subsequently  to  1840.  From  1801  to  1866  he  lived  in  Keithsburg ;  in 
1872  he  matriculated  at  Hedding  College,  where  he  was  in  attendance 


144  HISTOKY   OF   MERCER   AXD   HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

one  year,  and  since  that  time  he  has  taught  school  irregularly.  In 
1875  he  began  reading  law  in  the  office  of  B.  C.  Taliaferro  and  studied 
tlie  requu'ed  time,  but  has  never  been  admitted. 

R.  S.  Scudder  brought  the  "Keithsburg  Independent"  here  in 
March,  1880,  and  kept  it  alive  about  six  months.  It  was  printed  by 
the  •  •  Burlington  Hawkeye. " 

SCHOOLS. 

It  was  many  years  fi-om  the  fii'st  settlement  before  any  educational 
progress  had  been  made.  Settlers  were  few,  everything  was  in  a  rough 
state,  all  improvements  had  to  be  supplied  by  slow  and  hard  toil ; 
ground  broken  up,  timber  felled,  cabins  built,  fences  made ;  so  that 
rigid  muscle  was  the  fii'st  demand,  while  little  use  was  found  for  books, 
and  pictures,  and  teachers. 

But  the  schoolmaster  came  at  last,  and  his  dominion  has  grown 
more  powei-ftil  than  church  and  more  extensive  than  state.  The  begin- 
nings were  of  the  feeblest  character.  One  term  in  a  year  was  thought 
to  be  a  good  achievement,  and  indeed  it  was  for  the  frontier ;  but  who 
would  think  of  calling  this  the  frontier  as  late  as  1847  or  1848? 
Fifteen  years  had  elapsed  since  the  Black  Hawk  war.  Children  had 
passed  the  school  age  in  that  time.  Does  it  not  seem  to  our  young 
Iriends  that  it  must  have  been  a  gloomy  era  ?  We  dare  say  that  it  was 
not  less  joyous  than  the  present.  Wants  were  fewer  then  than  now, 
and  the  greater  number  of  to-day  are  not  more  easily  satisfied.  Then 
they  were  supplied  without  vexation,  because  they  were  mostly  natural ; 
but  now  they  are  gratified  with  sensible,  if  not  painful,  effort,  for  the 
reason  that  they  are  largely  artificial.  Intellectual  attainments  cost 
something ;  physical  power  is  the  gift  of  natm*e.  In  the  former  time 
hewers  of  wood  and  drawers  of  water  were  of  the  first  station,  eco- 
nomically, for  tliey  accomplished  that  which  was  the  chief  necessity — 
material  development.  Education  was  less  valued  when  bone  and 
sinew  held  sway,  but  mind  has  taken  the  throne  of  power,  and  skilled 
labor  and  intelligent  machinery,  to  use  a  figure,  have  driven  blind 
force  into  the  rayless  gloom  beneath  the  feet  of  the  majority.  Acquire- 
ments which  mean  cost  to  the  possessor,  the  world  demands  of  him 
with  all  ease.  Hence  the  multiplication  of  wants  and  the  shai'per 
struggle. 

At  fii'st  there  was  little  public  money,  and  schools  were  maintained 
by  subscription.  In  this  township  the  school  section,  number  16,  was 
surveyed  and  classified  with  the  swamp  lands.  It  was  but  a  fi'actional 
tract,  and  the  trustees  made  a  selection  on  section  9,  but  did  not  get  the 


KEITlISBrRG   TOWNSHIP.  145 

* 

quota  to  which  the  township  was  entitled.     It  was  all  timber  land  and 
was  sold  in  small  lots  vaiying  in  price  from  $2.60  to  $10  per  acre. 

"  Deli<:htful  task  !  to  rear  the  tender  thought, 
To  teach  the  youn<r  idea  how  to  shoot." 

The  first  school  in  Keithsburg  was  taught  in  a  log  cabin  on  the  lot 
now  occupied  by  C.  S.  Orth's  house.  Tliis  was  in  the  summer  of  1846, 
and  Tliomas  Libby  was  the  teacher.  Isaac  Bliss  taught  next  in  1847 
in  a  vacant  cabin  in  Robert  Keith's  dooryard.  The  third  pedagogue 
was  John  Heaton,  who  had  a  school  in  1848  in  a  small  frame  house  on 
the  site  of  Dennis  Murto's  residence.  He  taught  also  in  1849.  Mrs. 
Lucretia  Freeman  opened  a  small  school  in  the  summer  of  that  year  in 
the  brick  building  belonging  to  Mrs.  Isaac  McManus. 

Tlie  fii-st  school-house  was  a  brick  structure  built  in  1849  on  lot  3, 
block  13,  the  site  of  the  present  Methodist  parsonage.  John  C.  Pepper, 
who  had  just  arrived,  and  was  preparing  for  the  bar,  was  employed  to 
teach.  He  filled  three  terms  and  yielded  the  post  to  Isaac  N.  Smith, 
who  was  at  the  head  of  the  school  througli  the  following  winter,  and 
was  assisted  by  Mrs,  Freeman.  Harvey  Senter  was  the  principal  from 
the  fall  of  1851  to  1855.  He  was  an  instructor  of  excellent  capabilities, 
ingenious  in  resom-ce,  practical  in  method,  untiring  in  efi'ort.  sharp  in 
discipline,  and  a  splendid  arithmetician.  He  died  in  Aledo  a  few  years 
ago.  N.  P.  Brown  took  his  place  and  taught  the  last  term  in  the  old. 
school-house.  This  building  had  been  erected  by  private  subscription 
on  a  lot  donated  to  the  public  by  Robert  Keith  so  long  as  it  should  be 
used  for  school  purposes.  Tlie  donor  deferred  the  conveyance  till  suit 
was  brought  to  compel  such  performance,  but  on  his  promise  to  execute 
a  deed  the  action  was  withdrawn ;  still  he  failed  to  carry  out  the  agree- 
ment, and  afterward  sold  the  property  to  the  Methodists. 

The  main  part  of  the  present  building  was  erected,  as  near  as  we 
can  learn,  in  1856,  and  was  dedicated  by  Warren  Shedd,  who  was. 
i:)rincipal  about  two  years.  He  served  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion  as- 
colonel  of  the  30th  reg.  111.  Vol.  Inf  His  death  in  Montana  occurred 
in  1881.  'No  records  of  this  distant  period  can  be  found,  and  the 
recollections  of  men  fail  at  this  point. 

T.  C.  Swafibrd,  of  New  Boston,  a  printer  by  trade,  was  principal  in 
the  year  1862-3.  He  died  in  the  profession  at  Oneida,  Kjiox  couiity^ 
in  1878.  Isaac  McManus  taught  about  1867.  The  princi})alship  has. 
been  held  by  the  following  persons:  William  A.  Wray,  1869-70; 
John  P.  Chowning,  1870-71;  C.  W.  Searies,  1871-2;  w!  H.  Farris, 
1872-3;  E.  H.  Jamison,  1873-6;  William  A.  Griflin,  1876-80;  B.  V. 
Leonard,  1880-81 ;  William  A  Willits,  1881-2.     I.  Cook  Brisbin  and 


146  HISTOKY    OF    MERCER    ^VXD    IIEXDERSOX    COUNTIES. 

Pliili})  "Weaver  were  teachers  of  good  re])utation  in  the  lower  (lei)art- 
ments  in  the  long  ago,  prior  to  the  war.  Rebecca  Weaver  and  Josie  L. 
Calhoun  taught  several  years  in  succession  at  a  later  perirxl.  Of  the 
present  teachers  Miss  J.  Hannah  Willits  presides  over  the  grannnar 
department,  and  has  been  connected  with  the  school  as  teacher  nearly 
twenty  3'ears.  Miss  Julia  Willett  is  employed  in  the  first  intermediate, 
Miss  Marv  Thomson  in  the  second,  Miss  Alice  Sheriff  in  the  tliird.  and 
H.  W.  Kile  in  the  primary.  Mr.  Kile  commenced,  in  the  school  in 
1865,  and  since  1870  has  been  continuously  employed.  He  first  began 
teaching  in  Ohio  in  1816.  In  the  spring  of  1850  he  emigrated  to  this 
town,  and  lias  taught  until  the  present  time  without  intermission, 
excepting  three  years  when  he  was  fighting  the  battles  of  his  country. 

The  school-house  is  a  strong,  two-story  brick  edifice,  with  low 
ceilings,  but  apartments  that  are  models  of  neatness  and  taste.  They 
are  all  seated  with  patent  furniture  and  heated  with  Snead's  school 
room  heater  and  ventilator,  and  supplied  with  necessary  charts  and 
apparatus  of  approved  kinds.  The  main  part  is  30x56  feet  on  the 
foundation,  and  the  wing  in  the  rear,  built  in  1875,  is  26x36  feet  in 
dimension.  The  location  is  on  block  7,  second  addition.  This  is  the 
best  school  building  in  Mercer  county.  Under  its  efficient  manage- 
ment for  several  years  past  the  school  has  taken  a  rank  inferior  to  no 
other  of  similar  grade  an^-where. 

In  Keithsburg  select  schools  .have  flourished  vrith  no  common 
success,  and  their  number  has  not  been  small.  As  far  back  as  the 
autumn  of  1855  a  Miss  Mulky  opened  a  female  seminary  in  Apollo 
Hall.  Slie  retired  fi'om  the  work  at  the  close  of  the  spring  term 
of  1857.  The  Misses  Todd  immediately  organized  the  Keithsljurg 
Seminary,  but  it  is  not  known  how  long  it  was  continued.  The  sessions 
were  held  in  tlie  Methodist  church.  The  Rev.  C.  M.  AVriglit  started 
the  Mercer  Female  College  in  1863,  in  the  Orth  liouse,  subsequently 
occupying  the  Masonic  building.  Late  in  1861  the  reverend  educator 
was  commissioned  chaplain  of  the  102d  111.  reg.,  on  the  request  of  the 
rank  and  file,  and  at  once  departed  for  his  new  field  of  labor.  He  was 
very  ably  assisted  by  the  Misses  Mary  AV.  Evans  and  Emily  J.  AVliit- 
lock,  fi'om  Pennsylvania,  and  probably  by  Miss  Louisa  B.  Gass.  The 
first  two  ladies  remained  .in  charge  of  tlie  school  after  AVright's  with- 
drawal, and  the  institution  was  kept  up  about  three  years.  J.  S. 
McMillan,  another  tutor  of  rare  qualification,  gave  instruction  tliere 
immediately  after,  and  Miss  Gass  kept  select  scliools  in  the  same  ])lace. 
Mrs.  Lou  Kessel  also  taught  several  schools  of  the  same  class.  Five  or 
six  years  ago  W.  P.  Allen  luid  a  business  school  in  A])ollo  Hall. 
These  do  not  comprise  all,  but  are  the  principal  ones.     The  veteran 


kp:itiisburg  township.  147 

jKHlag'tiii'iie,  Reziii  W.  Kilo,  lias  oi-^-tinizcd  and  tauijht  iiunKTuus  ''pay 
sc'liools."     These  private  schools  have  usually  been  well  patronized. 

Until  recently  this  townshi])  was  divided  into  but  two  districts.  It 
now  contains  three,  and  will  likely  remain  without  important  chan<i;c 
for  a  long  time.  District  Xo.  2  extends  from  east  to  west  across  the 
north  part  of  the  township  and  is  two  miles  wide  north  and  south. 
No.  3  embraces  sections  1-I-,  24,  part  of  23,  including  U})per  Keiths- 
burg,  and  all  of  13,  except  the  E.  -J  N.  E.  •^,  which,  with  sections  25 
and  3(3,  is  attached  to  Abington  for  school  purposes.  The  rest  of  the 
township  constitutes  No.  1,  having  Keithsburg  in  the  center.  District 
No.  3  was  formed  from  No.  1,  after  a  long  and  determined  contest. 
The  lirst  effort  for  a  division  was  nuide  about  eight  years  ago.  A  vote 
had  been  taken  on  the  question  of  authoiizing  a  bonded  debt  to  enlarge 
the  school-house  in  Keithsburg,  and  w^as  adversely  decided.  As  soon, 
as  the  movement  for  a  division  was  begun  the  opportunity  was  seized 
by  those  favoring  the  extension  (which  was  seriously  needed)  to  obtain 
the  necessary  authority  by  election.  As  the  law  then  stood  a  district 
with  a  bonded  debt  could  not  be  dismembered.  Before  the  inhabitants 
in  the  proposed  district  began  the  agitation,  the  want  of  more  room  in 
the  school  building  was  not  apparent  to  the  majority.  As  soon  as  a 
se})aration  was  seriously  attem])ted  it  was  instantly  recognized  wdtli 
swee])ing  unanimit}'.  The  debt  was  made  and  the  addition  built.  The 
matter  slumbered  some  two  years,  then  the  petitioners  revived  it,  on 
the  technical  failure  of  the  board  of  trustees  to  follow  the  exact  re(]uire- 
ments  of  the  law  concerning  the  registration  of  the  bonds.  The  trustees 
denied  their  prayer,  and  the  subject  was  allowed  to  rest.  In  the  mean- 
time the  law  was  changed  so  as  to  permit  a  division  of  bonded  districts 
and  an  apportionment  of  their  liabilities.  In  ISSO  the  struggle  was 
renewed.  Some  additions  to  the  number  of  pujjdls  had  been  made  in 
the  dissatisfied  territory,  and  the  bounds  were  now  extended  by  the 
petitioners,  enlarging  the  proposed  district.  They  went  to  work  this 
time  with  every  advantage  in  their  favor.  The  trustees  again  rejected 
their  claims.  Tlie  case  went  to  the  county  superintendent  on  appeal. 
The  application  was  successful.  But  before  proceedings  could  be  taken 
upon  the  order  of  the  superintendent,  an  injunction  was  served  upon  the 
trustees  and  treasurer,  restraining  them  from  any  action  in  the  premises 
until  the  question  should  come  before  the  circuit  court  of  Mercer  county 
for  review.  Here  the  decision  of  the  superintendent  was  sustained. 
An  appeal  was  next  carried  to  the  a])pellate  C(jurt.  sitting  in  Ottawa, 
and  on  February  2S,  ISSl,  the  judgment  of  the  lower  court  was 
attirmed.  This  victory  w'as  followed  by  the  election  of  directors  for  the 
new  district  on  March  1!».     These  were  II.  S.  Scott,  David  Pardee  and 


1-iS  HISTORY    OF   MERCER    AXD    HEXDERSOX   COUNTIES. 

O.  A.  Wilson.     The  enumeration  of  scholars  at  this  time  was  fifty- 
seven.     A  school-house  was  straightway  built  at  an  exj^ense  of  $700. 

RELIGION. 

Preaching  in  Keithsburg  was  of  irregular  occurrence  until  near 
1850.  Several  persons  are  mentioned  as  having  held  meetings  before 
that  time,  but  it  was  individual  rather  than  organized  work  that  was 
done.  The  Rev.  Tail  was  probably  the  earliest  Presbyterian,  and  the 
Rev.  Crittenden  was  another  who  visited  this  locality  at  a  somewhat 
later  date.  He  was  here  in  1849,  and  very  likely  before  and  after. 
Tlie  Rev.  Gregg,  Universalist,  held  early  meetings.  Yarious  Metho- 
dist ministers  came  to  lead  the  hearts  of  men,  but  the  names  of  most  of 
them,  no  doubt,  are  lost.  The  Rev.  Kirkpatrick  is  remembered,  and 
the  local  preachers,  Thomas  L.  Doughty,  of  Xew  Boston,  and  James 
Ross,  a  United  Brethren,  of  this  township.  Tlie  last  two  are  best 
known,  for  they  were  a  part  of  the  people  and  their  ministry  covered 
longer  periods.  Services  took  place  wherever  a  room  could  be  found 
that  would  accommodate  the  small  audiences.  After  1845  AVillett's 
warehouse  was  used ;  in  1849  the  old  brick  school-house  was  built,  and 
then  resort  was  had  to  that ;  and  in  1851  the  court-house  was  finished, 
when  that  also  was  occupied  for  the  same  purpose. 

The  first  Sunday  school  in  Keithsburg,  except  one  as  early  as  1844, 
in  the  cooper  shop  on  block  13,  corner  of  Main  and  Seventh  streets, 
was  started  in  August,  1849,  and  was  founded  and  taught  by  John 
Heaton  and  Mrs.  Lucretia  Freeman.  About  two  dozen  little  boys  and 
girls  were  regular  attendants.  After  thirty  years'  improvement  in 
Everything  else,  the  editor  of  the  "News"  says  "this  was  the  best 
behaved  school  we  were  ever  in,  and  was  a  complete  success."  They 
met  from  Sabbath  to  Sabbath  on  the  lot  where  Dennis  Murto's  house 
is  situated.  In  the  spring  of  1850  another  school  was  organized  in 
the  brick  school-house.  Uncle  John  Kile  was  the  superintendent,  and 
W.  II.  Heaton  secretary.  At  that  day  Mrs.  Thomas  Iliatt  was  the 
only  Methodist  living  in  the  town,  })ut  a  few  months  later  the  number 
was  advanced  to  two  by  the  arrival  of  Col.  George  S.  Pierce.  Within 
two  miles  of  town  were  John  Wilson,  James  Gibson,  B.  L.  Hardin, 
John  Kile  and  John  Eckley,  all  Methodists.  These  could  not  always 
attend,  so  it  became  necessary  to  reorganize  the  school,  and  W.  L. 
Mathews  was  chosen  superintendent,  and  B.  C.  Cabeen  taught  the 
bible  class.  Of  the  ladies,  Mrs.  Mathews,  Mrs.  Freeman,  and  Mrs. 
Hiatt  were  active  workers.  The  young  ladies  were:  Maggie  and 
Emma  Ungles,  Mary  Jane  Mount,  Maria  Heaton,  INIarv  Pie,  and 
three    by   the   name   of    Williamson.      The   singing,    which   J.    W. 


KEITIISBURG   TOWNSHIP.  149 

Doughty  led  in  splendid  style,  was  excellent,  and,  according  to  testi- 
mony, has  not  since  been  excelled  in  Keitlisburg.  The  present  editor 
of  the  ''News,"  writing  of  this  school,  says:  "•Uncle  John  Kile  did 
the  praying  for  the  school  when  he  was  there.  In  his  absence,  the 
superintendent  or  secretary  read  from  the  scriptures,  and  a  hymn  was 
sung.  "We  had  a  committee  on  attendance,  and  if  a  scholar  or  teacher 
was  not  in  his  or  her  place,  next  Sunday  he  or  she  was  called  on,  and 
a  reason  had  to  be  given  and  reported  for  absence.  .  .  .  We  will 
remark  that  this  school,  for  two  years,  was  not  under  the  auspices 
■of  any  church,  yet  it  embraced  about  all  the  children  in  the  town." 

The  first  circuit  preaching  was  begun  in  the  autumn  of  1S4J)  by 
the  Rev.  Pierce  T.  Rhodes,  who  was  on  the  New  Boston  circuit  and 
lield  meetings  every  two  weeks.  He  was  a  man  of  too  much  business 
energy  and  capacity  .to  fail  to  work  up  an  interest  favorable  to  the 
building  of  a  meeting-house,  and  therefore  we  find  that  in  the  fall  of 
1851  a  brick  church  was  erected  on  the  northwest  corner  of  block  13, 
original  i)lat,  at  a  cost  of  some  $1,600.  It  was  not  entirely  finished 
and  plastered  till  1853.  The  Rev.  Chandler,  of  Peoria,  conducted  the 
dedicatorial  services.  The  Rev.  C.  M.  AYright  came  shortly  after,  and 
superseded  Rhodes.  From  this  time  to  1860  the  history  of  the 
church  is  a  blank.  In  that  year  Keithsburg,  which  had  heretofore 
belonged  to  the  New  Boston  circuit,  was  erected  into  a  separate  one. 
Mr.  B.  L.  Ilardin  furnishes  a  list  of  pastors  from  1860,  and  we  use  it 
as  it  comes  to  our  hands,  although  it  does  not  complete  the  period  by 

one  year:   Job  Mills,  two  years;   Steward,  two  years;   0.  M. 

Wright,  one  year;  J.  L.  Phares,  one  year;  Stafford,  one  year; 

O.  W.  Brown,  one  year ;  J.  Winser,  one  year ;  S.  Brink,  three  years ; 
A.  R.  Morgan,  two  years ;  L.  B.  Dennis,  one  year ;  J.  Smith,  two 
years ;  Richard  Haney,  one  year ;  G.  W.  Martin,  one  year ;  C.  B. 
Couch,  one  year ;  and  the  present  minister,  II.  S.  Humes,  who  came 
"upon  this  charge  in  the  conference  year  1881-2. 

About  1856  the  society  i)urchased  from  Robert  Keith  the  old  brick 
school-house;  the  walls  they  partly  tore  d(^wn  and  ivbuilt  for  a 
parsonage  on  the  original  foundation. 

The  Rev.  Stephen  Brink  conducted  a  great  re%'ival  in  1S71  and 
added  over  one  hundred  to  the  membership.  He  was  a  very  popular 
preacher  and  successful  revivalist,  and  taking  the  movement  in  the 
<;hurcli  at  its  highest  tide  led  the  society  at  once  into  building  their 
present  imposing  edifice.  Tliis  was  done  in  the  year  1872.  The  site 
was  purchased  from  Bennett  Hurst  for  $1,30<»  and  the  old  chui-ch  was 
taken  by  him  in  i)ayment  of  ^100.  John  McH.  Wilson,  B.  L.  Hardin, 
Dr.  C.  S.  Ilollingswortli,  ZMerrick  A.  Weaver  and  William  (4ayle  were 


150  HISTORY   OF   jVIEKCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

the  building  committee.  The  entire  cost' was  $10,000.  Chaplain 
McCabe  dedicated  it  on  the  29th  of  October,  and  on  this  occasion 
$3,715  were  subscribed.  Over  $550  were  never  collected;  a  loan  of 
$300  had  been  obtained  fi'om  the  chnrch  extension  fimd ;  these 
amounts  with  interest  brouglit  the  society  in  time  into  debt  for  $1,300. 
A  new  subscription  was  raised  in  1880  and  this  was  paid  off.  The 
church  is  a  two-stoiy  ft-ame  38  X  60  feet  on  the  ground.  Tliere  are  140 
members  em'olled,  and  the  condition  of  the  society  is  good.  The 
Sabbath  school,  with  H.  L.  Long  as  superintendent  almost  consecu- 
tively for  twelve  years,  has  an  average  of  over  100  scholars.  Some  of 
the  oldest  and  most  active  members  have  been  John  McH.  Wilson, 
John  j^evius  and  B.  L.  Hardin.  The  tw^o  first  have  gone  to  try  the 
reality  of  the  faith  they  professed. 

The  fu'st  Presbvterian  minister  who  settled  and  lived  in  Keiths- 
burg  was  the  Rev.  Smith.  This  was  before  the  church  was  linished. 
A  number  of  persons  of  this  faith  having  their  membership  in  the 
Pope  Ci'eek  church  in  Ohio  Grove  township,  in  1854  enclosed  the  house 
they  now  own,  but  were  not  able  to  hnish  it  for  use  until  three  years 
afterward.  May  2,  1857,  the  present  societ)'  was  organized  with 
tvventy-eiiiiit  members,  and  was  named  the  ''First  Presbyterian  Church 
of  Keithsburg."  Joseph  P.  Wycoif  and  Paul  Sheriif  were  elected 
ruling  elders,  and  Dr.  I.  N.  Anderson  deacon.  Two  days  after,  Paul 
Sheriif,  A.  B.  Sheriif  and  Harvey  Senter  were  chosen  trustees.  The 
Rev.  E.  K.  Lynn  was  the  first  to  supply  the  church  after  the  organiza- 
tion ;  he  preached  half  the  time  for  one  year.  The  Rev.  Samuel  Hart 
commenced  his  labors  in  the  spring  of  1858  and  ministered  to  the 
church  till  September  2,  1862.  During  this  period  twenty-six  members 
were  added.  The  Rev.  H.  Hanson  came  as  stated  supply  November 
2d,  and  ended  his  pastorate  ten  years  aftei-ward,  ISTovember  1,"1872. 
The  church  was  increased  during  this  time  by  the  reception  of  eighty- 
four  members.  From  the  last  date  until  October  15,  1873,  only  occa- 
sional supplies  filled  the  pulpit,  but  at  this  time  the  Rev.  John  L. 
Martyn  commenced  his  ministrations  as  regular  pastor.  He  was 
superseded  October  15,  1876,  by  the  Rev.* J.  E.  Williamson.  The 
latter  gave  place,  October  16,  1879,  to  the  Rev.  Thomas  Hicklin,  who 
remained  one  year.  There  was  no  stated  supply  again  until  the  pres- 
ent occupant  of  the  pulj^it,  the  Rev.  R.  IL  Fulton,  connnenced  his 
labors  in  September,  1881.  In  December,  1859,  Philip  Gore  was 
elected  deacon.  November  30,  1862,  Dr.  I.  N.  Anderson  was  elected, 
ordained  and  installed  a  ruling  elder.  He  was  removed  by  death 
January  22,  1863.  Dr.  Samuel  Kelly  was  elected  ruling  elder  March 
13,  1869,  and  ordained  next  dav.     Calvin  S.  Orth  and  W.  S.  Home 


KEITHSBURG   TOAVNSHIP.  151 

were  elected  and  ordained  deacons  on  tlie  same  days.  George  S.  Wolf 
was  elected  a  ruling  elder  December  16,  1876,  and  was  installed  next 
day,  the  usual  form  of  ordination  being  dispensed  with  as  unnecessary 
for  the  reason  that  he  had  been  an  elder  in  the  Reformed  church.  In 
1866  an  American  church  organ  was  placed  in  the  church  ;  in  the 
winter  of  1S67-S  a  new  bell  was  hung  in  the  steeple ;  October  25, 
1871,  the  society  paid  $100  for  five  Gothic  chairs  and  a  marble-top 
communion  table;  March  15,  1872,  a  new  communion  service  was 
purchased  at  an  e::^pense  of  $65 ;  and  in  1875  the  church  was  reno- 
vated at  an  outlay  of  $1,000.  The  building  is  36x51  feet,  built  of 
brick,  graceful  without  and  tasteful  within,  where  it  is  cheery  and 
agreeable,  without  any  of  that  air  of  the  dungeon  so  common  in 
houses  of  this  description.  The  number  of  members  is  foity-five. 
An  organized  Sunday  school  is  maintained. 

St.  Mary's  Catholic  church  comprises  in  its  membership  not  fewer 
than  fifty  families.  Mass  was  celebrated  in  this  place  over  thirty  years 
ago,  but  the  people  had  no  regular  pastor  until  Father  Lorimer,  of 
Monmouth,  established  stated  ser\^ces  in  1865.  He  continued  in 
charge  of  the  parisli  until  the  Rev.  R.  P.  O^Xeill  came  in  1867.  Under 
the  pastorate  of  the  latter  funds  were  raised,  and  in  1869  a  house  of 
worship  was  enclosed  and  subsequently  finished.  The  Rev.  Bowles 
came  next  after  Father  O'Xeill  and  remained  until  1872,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Father  Ilalpin,  who  was  followed  in  1875  by  Father 
O'Farrell.  The  first  priest  to  settle  in  the  parish  was  the  Rev.  Weldon, 
who  arrived  in  1877,  and  in  October  began  the  erection  of  the  parson- 
age. This  stands  on  Thirteenth  street,  adjoining  the  church,  and  was 
finished  the  following  spring  and  fornished  at  a  total  cost  of  $2,000. 
The  Rev.  C.  F.  O'Neill  took  charge  of  this  society  in  1879  and  was 
replaced  the  same  year  by  the  Rev.  William  McKenna,  who  ministered 
until  early  in  1882,  when  the  Rev.  B.  H.  Corley  took  his  place.  The 
church  is  situated  in  the  southeast  part  of  the  town,  in  Sherifi^s  addi- 
tion, on  land  one-half  of  which  was  donated  by  T.  B.  Cabeen.  It  is 
cruciform,  24x72  feet  in  the  main  part,  with  a  transept  24X56,  and 
was  built  at  a  cost  of  about  $6,000.  This  property  is  vested  in  the 
bishop  of  the  diocese,  according  to  the  custom  and  laws  of  this  church. 
In  the  early  history  of  the  society  services  were  held  in  the  old  court- 
house and  at  the  residence  of  Dennis  Murto. 

The  Rev.  Bernard  II.  Corley,  present  pastor,  was  born  in  Provi- 
dence, Rhode  Island,  March  11,  1.S55,  and  is  the  son  of  Michael  and 
Elizabeth  (McCaron)  Corley.     llis  father  is  a  mixer  of  colors  used  in 
printing  calicoes,   and   resides   in   Providence,   where  the  mother  of 
Father  Corley  died  March  4,  1882.     He  was  educated  at  the  Jesuit 


152  HISTORY    OF   MERCER    AJS'D    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

college  of  St.  Mary  at  Montreal,  and  at  the  Ottawa  University,  of 
•Canada,  and  finished  his  studies  at  the  latter  institution.  His  ordina- 
tion took  place  at  Peoria,  Illinois,  in  June,  1879,  and  he  at  once 
became  assistant  pastor  at  Bloomington,  where  he  remained  one  year. 
He  was  next  called  to  the  pastorate  of  Lewiston,  from  whence  he  went 
to  Monmouth  as  assistant,  and  in  the  present  year  was  settled  over  this 
parish. 

The  United  Brethren  society  in  Keithsburg,  now  dissolved,  was 
formed  in  the  winter  of  1849-50.  and  was  the  first  oi"  this  denomination 
in  the  county.  The  original  members  were  St.  Clair  Ross  and  wife, 
James  Goldsberry  and  wife,  a  Mr.  Mapes  and  wife,  and  a  few  others. 
The  pastors  were :  J.  L.  Condon,  1819-51 ;  O.  F.  Smith,  1851-3  ;  B. 
Wagner,  1853-4;  P.  ^Y.  Knowles,  1851-6;  G.  W.  Keller,  1856-7; 
Pvev^  Weaver,  1857-8 ;  D.  F.  Bear,  1858-9 ;  J.  W.  C.  Toll  and  P. 
Watts,  1859-60  ;  D.  Stanley,  1860-62 ;  J.  B.  Speaks,  1862-3  ;  St.  Clair 
Eoss,  1863-5;  Pvev.  Bugby,  1865-6;  E.  Godfrey,  1866-7;  B.  Wag- 
ner, 1867-9 ;  O.  F.  Smith,  from  1869  to  the  spring  of  1872,  A.  Shes- 
ler  finishing  the  conference  year;  B.  Wagner.  1872—1;  A.  G.  Smith, 
1871-5;  S.  P.  Davis  and  A.  A.  Wolf,  1875-6;  Z.  Pease,  1876-8; 
Percival  Spurlock,  1878-9 ;  O.  O.  Smith,  1879-81 ;  and  A.  Worman, 
the  present  pastor  on  the  charge,  who  occasionally  preaches  to  the  few 
unorganized  members  of  the  old  society.  About  1857  the  erection  of 
a  church  was  begun,  but  the  house  was  not  completed  until  four  years 
.afl;erward.  It  is  a  low  brick.  36x50  feet,  now  beginning  to  show 
signs  of  decay. 

A  Christian  society  was  organized  here  about  1856,  but  traveling 
preachers  of  this  denomination  stopped  here  and  held  services,  begin- 
ning some  years  earlier.  The  Rev.  Davidson,  of  Monmouth,  was  the 
main  dependence  of  these  people  at  first.  Others  well  remembered 
"were  the  Shortridges,  Revs.  Wallace,  Moses  B.  Warren  and  W.  B. 
Fisk.  The  latter  was  here  three  or  four  years,  and  it  was  in  his  pas- 
torate that  the  unused  church  standing  in  the  east  part  of  the  town  was 
built.  This  was  done  in  1866.  The  Rev.  J.  B.  Royal  occujiied  the 
pulpit  about  ten  years  ago. 

FARMERS'  BANK. 

This  institution  began  business  in  Keithsburg  in  April.  1871,  as  the 
Farmers' National  Bank,  with  a  capital  of  §50,000,  and  was  the  second 
"bank  ever  organized  in  fiercer  county,  and  the  only  one  under  the 
national  banking  act.  Tlie  stockholders  are  William  Drury,  F.  P. 
Burgett,  T.  B.  Cabeen,  R.  J.  Cabeen,  John  Seaton,  Hiram  Burgett, 
3.  P.  Frick,  Thomas  S.  Flack,  C.  S.   Orth,  Mrs.  Julia  H.  Frick,  and 


KEmiSIJUEG   TOWNSHIP.  153 

Mrs.  Yashti  Driiry-  William  Driirv,  one  of  the  wealthiest  and  most 
valued  citizens  of  Mercer  county,  has  been  president  from  the  begin- 
ning, and  Hon.  Thomas  B.  Cabeen,  of  Keithsburg,  vice-]>resident. 
C.  S.  Orth  was  the  first  cashier.  In  1874  the  capital  was  doubled,  -and 
the  same  year  Mr.  Orth  resigned  and  was  succeeded  by  F.  P.  Burgett, 
who  had  been  connected  with  the  bank  from  the  first  opening,  as 
assistant  cashier.  On  January  1.  IS'^O,  the  charter  was  surrendered, 
and  the  bank  became  a  private  corporation.  It  passed  through  the 
crisis  of  1873  without  shock,  and  its  integrity  and  reputation  rest  upon 
a  firm  basis. 

Mr.  Cabeen  is  of  Irish  lineage.  His  grandfather,  Thomas  Cabeen, 
had  seven  sons  and  two  daughters  bom  and  reared  in  Ireland,  and  who 
emigrated  to  this  country  at  different  times,  and  settled  in  various 
localities.  His  father,  Samuel  Cabeen,  crossed  the  Atlantic  in  1808 
and  had  his  home  first  in  Pennsylvania,  where  he  married  Miss  Eliza- 
beth P.  "Wright.  In  1815  he  removed  to  Muskingum  countv,  Ohio. 
In  1836  these  parents  with  their  five  sons,  Thomas,  Joshua,  Samuel, 
Pobert,  and  Pichard,  removed  to  Mercer  county  and  improved  a  home 
in  Oliio  Grove  township.  The  father  died  at  his  residence,  May  1, 
1856,  when  sixty-eight  years  of  age.  He  was  a  man  of  good  talents 
and  natural  Irish  wit  and  versatility ;  his  conversation  was  intelligent 
and  sparkling  and  always  enlivened  with  appropriate  quotations  fi-om 
his  favorite  poet  Bums.  Mr.  Thomas  B.  Cabeen  was  bora  December 
15,  1815 ;  he  learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  and  for  the  fii'st  dozen  years 
that  he  lived  in  Mercer  county  was  employed  at  that  useful  occupation. 
In  conjunction  with  Abram  B.  Sherift'  he  built  the  first  fi-ame  house 
south  of  Pope  creek;  in  1845  he  did  some  of  the  first  cai-penter  w^rk 
in  Keithsburg,  and  the  next  year  the  joiner  work  on  the  first  brick 
house  in  the  place,  which  was  owned  by  Robert  Keith.  He  and  Mr. 
Sherift"  built  under  contract  the  first  court-house  in  Mercer  county, 
for  wliich  they  received  about  Sl.-lOO.  It  was  begun  March  6, 
1839,  and  was  •finished  the  same  vear.  This  was  situated  at  Millers- 
burg:  a  two-story  frame,  still  standing.  During  the  time  that  Mr. 
Cabeen  was  chifiy  engaged  at  his  trade  he  also  improved  a  farm  of  160 
acres  in  Ohio  Grove  to\^Tiship.  He  settled  in  Keithsburg  in  1845,  and 
from  1847  to  1848  he  was  a  clerk  for  the  firm  of  X-oble  &  Gavle ;  in 
the  latter  year  he  gave  up  his  position  with  that  firm  to  accept  the  oftice 
of  clerk  of  the  circuit  court,  wliich  he  filled  ^vith  satisfaction  until  1856. 
In  1862  he  was  elected  by  the  democrats  to  the  lower  house  of  the 
general  assembly  to  represent  the  counties  of  Mercer  and  Henderson. 
For  over  thirty  years  Mr.  Cabeen  has  been  a  ]>rominent  business  man 
of  his  countv,  and  has  been  most  of  that  time  largelv  interested  in  real 


154  HISTORY    OF    MEKCER    A^S'D    HEXDEESON    COUNTIES. 

estate  transactions.  He  owns  2,000  acres  of  valuable  land  besides  a. 
large  amount  of  town  property.  He  celebrated  liis  nuptials  with  Miss- 
Lucy,  daughter  of  William  and  Sarah  (McHerron)  Wilson,  on  June 
26,  1849.  She  was  a  native  of  Danville,  Pennsylvania;  and  her 
father's  family  removed  to  Mercer  county  about  1837.  Mr.  Cabeen's 
children  have  been:  AVilliam  S.,  Sarah  E.,  and  Boyd  "W.  The  last 
died  in  infancy.  AVilliam  was  married  in  1881  to  Miss  Lou  Dempster, 
and  Sarah  is  now  the  wife  of  Thomas  A.  Marshall.  Mr.  Cabeen's 
mother  died  December  6,  1874,  ripe  in  years. 

Mr.  Frederick  P.  Burgett,  cashier,  was  born  in  Hartland,  Windsor 
county,  Vermont,  April  24,  1839,  and  is  the  oldest  child  of  Hiram  and 
Charlotte  (Willard)  Burgett.  In  1851  he  emigrated  with  his  parents 
to  Ellisville,  Fulton  county,  Illinois,  and  lived  there  till  1859;  in  that 
year  he  went  to  JSTashville,  Tennessee,  and  remained  there  till  1864, 
clerking  in  the  principal  hotels.  In  1867  he  came  to  Keithsburg  and 
at  once  engaged  in  selling  dry  goods ;  after  two  years  he  changed  to 
lumber  and  was  in  that  business  the  same  length  of  time  ;  then  in  1871 
he  assisted  in  organizing  the  Farmers'  National  Bank  and  became 
assistant  cashier.  Since  1875  Mr.  Burgett  has  owned  a  well  improved 
farm  of  800  acres  ten  miles  southeast  of  Keithsburg,  mostly  in  pasture 
^  and  meadow,  and  devoted  to  stock-raising.  He  regards  ample  and 
comfortable  shelter  as  indispensable  to  the  profitable  rearing  of 
domestic  animals,  and  purposes  to  improve  his  place  with  barns  and 
sheds  to  furnish  sufficient  housing  for  all  the  stock  that  his  large  farm 
can  support.  He  is  introducing  improved  sti*ains  of  blood  into  his 
cattle ;  and  as  a  favorite  scheme  of  breeding  he  is  giving  special  atten- 
tion to  rearing  a  distinctive  type  of  horses  which  shall  combine  the 
qualities  of  roadster  and  draft  horse  and  produce  a  class  useful,  and 
even  superior,  for  all  purposes.  Mr.  Burgett  is  a  Mason  and  a  repub- 
lican. In  1880  he  was  a  delegate  to  the  republican  state  convention 
at  Springheld,  and  was  elected  a  delegate  under  the  unit  rule  to  the 
republican  national  convention  at  Chicago ;  but  he  and  his  associate 
appointees  were  not  seated  by  the  latter  body.  December  20,  1867, 
he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  J.,  daughter  of  the  late  B.  D.  Ellett,  Esq. 
Her  father  was  an  early  settler  in  Mercer  county,  having  begun  a  home 
in  New  Boston  township  in  1839.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Burgett  have  four 
children  :  Grace,  Bessie,  Louis  ().,  and  Kate. 

Mr.  Cornelius  O'Leary,  book-keeper  and  assistant  cashier,  was  born 
in  the  city  of  Cork,  Ireland,  March  25,  1826.  In  1848  he  emigrated 
to  this  country,  arriving  in  New  York  on  the  19th  of  June.  He  came 
directly  to  Wisconsin  and  became  employed  in  the  pineries,  transacting; 
business  principally  for  Francis  I>iron  of  Grand   Rapids,  Wisconsin^. 


KEITHSBURG    TO^V^'SHIP.  155 

until  1S5S,  in  which  year  hu  arrived  at  Keithsburg  with  a  rati:  of 
lumber.  Having  disposed  of  that  he  associated  himself  '^'ith  B.  D. 
Ellett  in  the  lumber  trade ;  and  excepting  the  time  that  he  was  absent 
in  the  army,  he  was  in  company  with  Mr.  Ellett  until  1869.  Imme- 
diately on  the  first  call  of  President  Lincoln  for  troops,  in  April,  1861, 
he  enlisted  in  company  I.  17th  reg.  111.  Yol.,  and  was  appointed  first 
sergeant.  He  fought'  at  Fredericktown,  Missouri,  at  Fort  Donelson, 
and  at  Shiloh,  and  in  the  last  engagement  commanded  his  company  ; 
he  was  in  the  siege  of  Corinth,  and  after  that  returned  with  his  regi- 
ment to  Bolivar,  Tennessee,  where  he  was  discharged  October  29, 
1862.  In  1869  he  built  a  store  and  a  residence  in  Keithsburg,  and 
was  in  the  grocery  trade  a  year;  ft-om  1871  to  1876  he  made  several 
changes  in  business :  was  first  manufacturing  plows  with  W.  C. 
Taliaferro,  then  wagons  with  H.  Campbell ;  a  part  of  the  time  was  in 
Wisconsin,  and  the  last  year  and  a  half  was  running  a  steamer  on  the 
Missouri  river.  In  May,  1876,  he  came  into  the  Farmers'  Bank  as 
hook-keeper  and  assistant  cashier,  and  has  been  steadily  engaged  in 
this  position  since  November,  1880.  He  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Roxanna  De  Haven  April  29,  1869,  and  by  this  union  three 
children  have  been  born :  Margaret,  Arthur,  and  Eichard.  !Mr. 
O'Leary  has  been  town  trustee  three  terms,  and  is  now  treasurer. 

ORGANIZATIONS. 

Robert  Burns  Lodge,  Xo.  113,  A.F.AM.,  was  organized  mider  dis- 
pensation in  1850,  and  the  first  meeting  was  held  on  the  19th  of  No- 
vember. Tliomas  Freeman,  was  master ;  A.  C.  Adams,  senior  warden  ; 
W.  J.  Ungles,  junior  warden :  James  Gibson,  senior  deacon ;  Wyman 
Parker,  Daniel  Winslow  and  Hiram  Mills,  from  Kew  Boston,  completed 
the  organization.  Petitions  were  received  from  I.  X.  Anderson.  H.  (i. 
Calhoun,  R.  C,  Cabeen,  and  Truman  Lord.  The  charter  was  issued 
October  7,  1851,  to  Thomas  Freeman,  Alexander  C.  Adams.  AVilford 
J.  Ungles,  and  James  Gibson.  The  lodge  was  constituted  under  the 
charter  Xovember  21-,  bv  Gov.  William  McMurtrv,  of  Henderson, 
deputy  grand  master.  In  1855  a  two-story  brick  building,  20x50  feet, 
was  erected  by  the  lodge  on  Washington  street  at  a  cost  of  $1,9()0. 
The  contractors  and  builders  were  John  Dunn  and  Jahalon  Tvler. 
The  hall,  which  is-neatlv  fimiished  and  decorated  with  emblematic 
charts,  is  one  of  the  best  in  Mercer  county.  Communications  are  on 
Friday  nights  on  or  before  the  full  moon  of  each  month.  The  officers 
for  the  current  vear  (1882)  are  R.  C.  Humbert,  W.M.;  Ira  Jay,  S.W.; 
H.  Pratt.  J.AV.-  W.  H.  Phares,  T.-.  A.  F.  Glover,  S. ;  Samuel  Kelly, 
>C.;  E.  J.  Glancv,  S.D.;  ^\.  B.  Phillips,  J.D.;  J.  J.  Hawkins,  S.S.; 


156  HISTORY    OF    IVrERCEB   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

W.  H.  Heaton,  J.S.;  Wm.  P.  Strong,  M.;  Ben.  Lloyd,  T.  Tlie  lodge- 
has  enjoyed  a  liealtliy  growth  and  useful  and  prosperous  existence. 
The  number  of  members  at  present  is  44. 

Illinois  Chapter  ]S"o.  17,  A.F.A.M.,  was  chartered  in  18.54,  Robert. 
Keith,  Thomas  D.  Cabeen,  and  R.  Cyrus  Cabeen  being  granted  powers 
to  organize.      The  first  meeting  took  place  August  9,  1853,  and  the 
chapter  was  instituted  by  Harmon  G.  Re\Tiolds,  acting  as  grand  high 
priest.     A  steady  career  of  ]jrosperity  marks  the  whole  history  of  this 
organization.     Meetings  are  held  on  Wednesday  night  before  the  full 
moon  of  each  month  in  the  Masonic  building.     This  chapter  owns  a 
one-third  interest  in  that  property.       Present  officers :  C.  A.  Mertz, 
H.P.;  T.  II.  Freeman,    K.;    J.  J.  Hawkins,  S.;    A.  F.  Glover,  S. 
W.    H.   Phares,  T.;    R.  C.  Humbert,    C.H.;    H.  G.  Calhonn,  P.S. 
T.  B.  Cabeen,  R.A.C.;  L.  L.  Mertz,  M.T.Y.;  C.  A.  Frick,  M.S.V. 
W.   Hadley,    M.F.V. ;    Benjamin  Lloyd,  T.      An    efficient   working 
membership  of  37. 

Mercer  Lodge,  No.  210,  LO.O.F.,  was  instituted  July  29,  1856,  by 
W.  B.  Linel  under  dispensation  issued  by  P.  A.  Armstrong,  grand 
master.  The  first  elective  officers  were  M.  J.  CBrien,  N.G. ; 
L.  W.  Thompson,  Y.G.;  J.  Scott  Pinkerton,  R.S.;  J.  N.  Shoe- 
maker, P.  S. ;  Thomas  Stephenson,  T.  When  the  organization  took 
place  applications  for  membership:)  were  received  from  William  M. 
Glover,  John  Weidner,  Erastus  Thompson,  and  O.  C.  Richardson ;  aU 
these  were  favorably  rej^orted  upon  and  elected,  and  the  first  two 
were  initiated  at  this  meeting.  .  October  17,  1856,  a  charter  was. 
granted  to  M.  J.  O'Brien,  Thomas  Stephenson,  M.  P.  Rippy, 
L.  W.  Thompson,  J.  S.  Pinkerton,  J.  N.  Shoemaker,  and  Ferdinand 
Davis.  The  number  of  initiates  is  201,  and  44  have  been  admitted 
by  card,  making  a  total  of  245,  including  a  present  membership  of 
6S.  The  amount  paid  out  for  charity  is  $1,136.  Meetings  of  the 
lodge  are  on  Tuesday  evenings  at  their  pleasant  and  well-furnished 
hall  on  Main  street.  This  building  was  purchased  about  1871  for 
$1,000,  and  rebuilt  in  1873  at  a  cost  of  $700.  The  present  officers 
are  W.  A.  Willard,  KG.;  Lemon  Dewitt,  V.G.;  P.  Q.  Nestle,  Sec; 
Thomas  Souster,  Treas.  H.  H.  Pratt  is  the  representative  to  the 
grand  lodge. 

Mercer  Encampment  No.  89,  composed  at  present  of  22  contributing 
members,  was  instituted  by  J.  Ward  Ellis,  past  grand  master,  of 
Chicago,  April  26,  1875.  The  first  officers  were  T.  S.  Cummins,  C.P. ; 
W.  II.  Phares,  H.P.;  G.  W.  Whiting,  S.W.;  Paul  Q.  Nestle,  J.W.^ 
J.  H.  T.  Madden,  Scribe;  Edward  Rathburn,  Treas.  A  charter  was 
issued  to  this  encampment  October  10,  1876,  and  the  following  brethren 


KEITHSBURG   TOWNSHIP.  157 

are  named  in  it:  T.  S.  Cummins,  W.  II.  Pliares,  G.  W.  "Wliiting, 
J.  H.  T.  Madden,  Paul  Q.  Nestle,  E.  Ratliburn,  G.  W.  Ditto, 
D.  M.  Halsted,  M.  G.  Rice,  C.  S.  Frick,  H.  Stancer,  G.  K.  Beard, 
Jacob  Abrahams,  Joseph  Venable,  Fred.  Nagle,  T.  J.  JVIoffatt.  The 
last  nine  of  these  were  the  earliest  initiates,  and  were  admitted  at  the 
first  meeting.  Present  officers:  T.  S.  Cummins,  C.P. ;  John  Ilel- 
wig;  H.P.;  J.  S.  Allen,  S.W.;  T.  A.  Marshall,  J.W.;  II.  H.  Pratt, 
Scribe  :  AY.  II.  Pliares,  Treas.  Both  lodge  and  encampment  are  in  a. 
highly  satisfactory  condition. 

Mary  Burns  Chapter,  No.  24,  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star,  was  organ- 
ized by  D.  AV.  Thompson,  and  chartered  July  31,  1872,  with  30  mem- 
bers. Mrs.  Pose  A.  Cumby  was  Worthy  Matron ;  W.  P.  Strong, 
Worthy  Patron ;  and  F.  B.  Stout,  Secretary.  C.  A.  Mertz  represented 
the  chapter  in  the  convention  held  in  Chicago  November  6,  1875,  tcv 
institute  a  grand  chapter  of  the  order  for  Illinois,  and  he  was  elected 
deputy  grand  patron  of  the  organization.  The  grand  chapter  having 
been  formed,  Mary  Burns  Chapter  surrendered  its  original  charter, 
number  118,  and  accepted  the  one  under  which  it  is  now  working. 
The  organization  has  a  healthy  membership  of  nearly  60  persons,  and 
holds  its  regular  meetings  in  Masonic  hall  on  every  Thursday  evening 
before  the  full  moon.  The  present  elective  officers  are  C.  A.  Mertz, 
W.P.;  Mrs.  A.  B.  Mertz,  W.M.;  Mrs.  Lillie  Glancy,  A.M.;  Miss  Sue 
Calhoun,  C. ;  Miss  Hattie  Jay,  A.C. ;  Mrs.  Millecent  Heaton,  S., 
Miss  Agnes  Jay,  T. 

The  Keithsburg  Thespian  Club,  a  dramatic  association,  was  organ- 
ized January  10,  1863,  and  has  been  in  existence  until  the  present 
time,  though  of  late  years  it  has  not  been  before  the  public  with 
regular  performances.  It  has  always  been  composed  of  some  of  the 
most  respectable  ladies  and  gentlemen  of  Keithsburg,  and  has  given 
numerous  entertainments  abroad,  consisting  of  both  comedy  and 
tragedy.  The  first  president,  or  manager,  was  G.  F.  Gurley ;  Will- 
iam H.  Ungles  was  secretary  at  the  same  time,  and  C.  S.  Orth, 
treasurer.  Besides  these  officers,  the  earlier  members  were :  G.  W. 
Whiting,  M.  J.  O'Brien,  C.  O'Leary,  J.  O.  Butler,  C.  C.  Matlock, 
W.  D.  Smith  and  G.  F.  Parsons.  The  first  ladies  connected  with  the 
club  were:  Mrs.  R.  C.  Cabeen,  Mrs.  Matlock,  and  the  Misses  Famiy 
M.  Sheriff,  Mary  J.  Holland,  Rebecca  Frick  and  Ivittie  Ellett. 

Among  those  who  came  into  the  organization  afterward  were: 
J.  B.  Holland,  Joshua  Willits,  R.  C.  Humbert,  Henry  Mellinger, 
G.  K.  Beard,  T.  S.  Cummins,  F.  P.  Burgett,  Dr.  A.  P.  Willits,  Mrs. 
J.  O.  Butler,  Misses  Emma  AVillits  and  Emma  Swezey,  C.  A.  Frick, 


158  HISTORY   OF   IVIEKCER   AJSTD   HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

S.  H.  Meyer,  Theodore  Glancy,  N.  H.  Manner,   E.  J.   Goodlander, 
J.  H.  T.  Madden,  J.  W.  McCrary,  W.  W.  Souster. 

After  becoming  thoroiiglilv  organized,  this  troupe  secured  the  assist- 
ance of  four  of  the  most  popuhxr  professionals  on  the  boards.  Melissa 
Breslau,  Old  Breslau,  and  Montgomery  and  Johnson  made  their  resi- 
dence here  two  years  and  took  the  tragic  parts  in  the  plays.  The  tovra 
trustees  granted  the  use  of  the  old  court-house  to  this  company  with 
permission  to  fit  it  up  to  suit  their  purpose,  and  the  building  has  ever 
since  been  used  for  an  opera  house,  and  now  goes  by  that  name.  It  is 
proper  to  add  that  this  house  was  purchased  of  the  county  several  years 
ago  for  the  sum  of  $500. 

The  Keithsburg  Reading  and  Conversational  Club,  having  a  mem- 
bership of  forty,  young  and  old,  was  formed  Dec.  4,  1S80,  with  a 
general  view  to  social  improvement,  but  for  the  particular  object  of 
studying  the  lives  and  characters  of  noted  authors,  and  of  becoming 
familiar  with  their  writings.  This  end  is  sought  to  be  accomplished  by 
assigning  a  selected  author  to  one  or  two  persons  who  come  to  the  next 
meeting  with  papers  embodjdng  their  study  of  the  subject,  while  others, 
also  appointed,  read  selections  from  the  same  author's  works.  Weekly 
meetings  take  place  at  the  private  residences  of  members,  and  the  club 
is  under  the  government  of  a  set  of  officers  elected  in  pursuance  of  its 
constitution  and  by-laws.  Mrs.  Yisa  Griffin  and  Miss  Marie  Hebbard 
were  respectivel}^  the  first  president  and  secretary.  The  officers  are 
chosen  bi-monthly.     The  club  has  a  free  library  of  120  volumes. 

The  Keithsburg  Silver  Band  and  Musical  Association  was  chartered 
under  the  law  of  the  state  June  3,  1880,  by  Karl  A.  Range,  G.  C. 
Humbert,  T.  A.  Marshall,  II.  P.  Humbert,  W.  F.  Kolkenbeck,  Edward 
Ott  and  B.  L.  McKnight.  W.  B.  Ellet,  E.  E.  Humbert,  W.  S.  Cabeen, 
Elmer  Deterline,  Fred  Ellet,  Louis  Range,  Charles  Helwig,  Robert 
Jackson  and  H.  C.  Cook  complete  the  present  membership.  The  first 
officers  were  George  Beard,  president ;  W.  S.  Cabeen,  vice-president ; 
G.  C.  Humbert,  secretary;  Dennis  Merto,  treasurer;  and  T.  A.  Mar- 
shall, contracting  agent.  Present  officers  :  Edward  Ott,  ])resident ; 
W.  S.  Cabeen,  vice-president ;  K.  A.  Range,  secretary ;  II.  P.  Humbert, 
treasurer ;  and  T.  A.  Marshall,  agent.  This  is  one  of  the  best  instructed 
and  most  popular  bands  in  this  part  of  the  west,  and  was  engaged  to 
accompany  the  Jim  City  on  her  first  trip  between  St.  Louis  and  St.  Paul. 
It  embraces  a  full  orchestra. 

The  Woman's  Christian  Temperance  Union,  auxilliary  to  the  organ- 
ization of  this  name  for  the  State  of  Illinois,  was  organized  by  the  ladies 
of  Keithsburg,  January  31,  1880,  under  a  call  issued  by  Mrs.  Kirkpat- 
rick,  president  of  the  imion  for  the  tenth  congressional  district.     Mrs. 


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QP(^-7^n^<^<JLyi  ^(2yiLuh^ 


KKITIISBURG   TOWNSHIP.  161 

M.  E.  Slocnmb  was  the  first  president.  The  union  is  in  a  flourisliing 
condition,  and  is  composed  of  sixty  of  the  most  earnest,  active,  zealous 
women  of  Keithsburg  and  vicinity.  Temperance  organizations  of 
various  kinds  have  been  establislied  here  from  the  time  the  town  has 
had  a  business  history,  and  eacli  lias  lived  the  life  of  the  awakened  im- 
pulse  which  brought  it  forth.  We  cannot  undertake  an  account  of 
them,  for  the  data  are  not  accessible;  nor  would  it  be  desirable,  as  this 
class  of  organizations  go  and  come  like  the  seasons,  and  are  but  the 
effects  of  a  principle  or  power  as  fixed  and  sure  as  that  which  called  the 
light  day  and  the  darkness  night.  It  is  enough  to  know  that  there  has 
always  existed  in  Keithsburg  a  strong,  unwavering  public  sentiment  in 
favor  of  improved  social  customs,  and  that  every  effort  in  this  direction 
has  been  ennobled  with  the  labors  of  good  men  and  the  chastening  exer- 
tions of  not  less  devoted  and  noble  women.  In  the  month  of  jNIarch, 
this  year  (1882),  the  professional  temperance  lecturers  Ward  and 
Hughes  held  a  revival  of  one  week  and  formed  a  red  ribbon  and  a 
I)lue  ribbon  club,  the  two  embracing  several  hundred  members. 

An  event,  the  result  of  a  movement  started  by  the  W.  C.  T.  Union 
occurred  in  the  spring  of  1880,  which  is  noted  less  for  its  local  signifi- 
cance than  the  wide  attention  it  attracted  at  the  time.  On  the  petition 
of  over  300  men  and  women,  the  town  board,  in  February,  passed  an 
ordinance  permitting  men  twenty-one  years  of  age  and  women  eighteen 
years  of  age,  having  qualifications  of  residence,  to  vote  for  or  against 
licensing  the  sale  of  intoxicating  liquors,  at  the  election  for  municipal 
■officers  on  the  fifth  of  April  following,  and  annually  thereafter.  A 
separate  ballot-box  and  election  board  had  necessarily  to  be  provided, 
and  the  ordinance  made  it  mandatory  on  the  board  of  trustees  to 
appoint  three  persons  to  receive  and  canvass  the  votes,  two  of  whom 
should  act  as  judges  and  one  as  clerk.  When  the  day  came  a  number 
of  female  celebrities  in  the  suffrage  and  temperance  reform  had  gath- 
ered from  distant  parts  of  the  country  to  assist  the  fair  contestants  to 
touch  off'  what  Miss  Frances  E.  Willard  had  christened  "the  Sumter 
Gun."  The  work  of  preparation  began  on  Saturday  afternoon,  when  the 
first  meeting  was  held  in  the  Presbyterian  church.  A  mass  meeting 
followed  in  the  evening.  On  the  Sabbath  very  solemn  services  took 
place  at  the  churches,  and  the  strangers  from  abroad  were  conspicuous 
in  all  the  public  exercises.  Early  on  the  morning  of  election  day  the 
women  assembled  for  religious  worship,  after  which  a  procession  of 
forty-seven,  headed  by  Mrs.  E.  G.  Ilibben,  of  Peoria,  president  of  the 
W.  C.  T.  Union  of  Illinois,  marched  to  the  polls.  Committees  of 
women  were  on  the  street  throughout  the  day  laboring  with  active  and 
effective  zeal  in  the  christian  cause,  under  tlie  incitement  of  a  grave 
10 


162  HISTORY    OF    ifERCER    XSD    HKXDERSON    COUNTIES. 

preparation  and  the  first  ilush  of  gratitude  for  their  enlarged  privileges. 
Twice  in  the  day  the  band,  with  brazen  horns,  paraded  Main  street, 
discoursing  awakening  strains.  Boys  trooped  in  advance  carrWng- 
banners  with  the  legends,  "Bad  luck  to  whisky,"  "Down  with  license," 
etc.  Xo  opposition  was  made,  and  the  poll  stood  159  women  and  98 
men  against  license.  A  solitary  man  voted  by  mistake  for  license. 
The  same  thing  was  repeated  the  next  year,  but  with  less  demonstra- 
tion, and  this  time  a  license  board  was  elected,  when  on  the  eighth  of 
April  the  famous  home  protection  ordinance,  which  had  excited  the  live- 
liest interest  and  comment,  and  had  brought  letters  of  inquiry  and 
gratulation  from  all"  parts  of  the  United  States  and  from  Europe, 
was  rescinded. 

The  Keithsburg  Building  and  Loan  Association  was  organized  early 
in.  the  present  year  (1882),  by  some  of  the  leading  citizens  of  the  town, 
who  were  licensed  on  the  sixth  of  February,  by  the  secretary  of  state, 
to  open  books  for  subscriptions  to  the  capital  stock.  The  object 
aimed  at  is  to  assist  members  to  procure  and  improve  real  estate. 
T.  B.  Cabeen  is  the  president,  and  T.  S.  Cummins,  secretary. 

Green  Mound  Cemetery  lies  one  mile  east  of  Keithsburg,  on 
ground  donated  by  Paul  Sheriff,  in  1852,  and  laid  out  the  same  year. 
Some  handsome  monuments  have  been  erected,  but  the  enclosure  has 
fallen  into  a  state  of  sad  neglect. 

TRAGEDIES. 

Reuben  Williams,  being  assailed  by  James  Fierman,  in  his  defense 
killed  him  by  accidentally  breaking  his  neck.  The  men  were  shelling 
corn  for  William  Gayle  when  the  difficulty  occurred.  This  was  in  the 
summer  of  1851.  Williams  was  forthwith  arraigned  at  the  September 
term  of  the  circuit  court,  pleaded  guilty  to  the  indictment  charging 
him  with  manslaughter,  and  was  sentenced  to  the  penitentiary  for 
nine  months,  one  day's  solitary  confinement  and  the  remainder  of  the 
time  at  hard  labor. 

Mrs.  Ungles,  the  aged  mother  of  W.  J.  Tingles,  was  suffocated  in 
her  bed  by  the  clothing  taking  fire  from  the  stove.  This  occurred 
about  1855. 

In  1858  William,  son  of  James  C.  Stevens,  was  di'owned  at  the 
foot  of  Mapes'  island.     lie  was  eleven  years  old. 

A  little  daughter  of  G.  L.  Dunn  fell  into  a  tub  of  hot  water  and 
was  so  badly  scalded  that  she  died  after  six  days,  April  22,  1859. 
Her  age  was  four  years. 

Francis  Marion  Gruwell  was  killed  November  9,  1859,  by  the 
bursting  of  a  cannon  while  firing  a  salute  over  election  news,  the 


KEITHSBURG   TOWNSHIP.  163 

particular  tlieme  of  rejoicing  being  the  success  of  AVarren   Sliedd, 
republican  candidate  for  county  clerk. 

Catharine,  wife  of  James  Geiger,  and  her  infant  child  perished 
from  a  foolish  attempt  to  fill  a  fluid  lamp  while  burning.  This  was 
on  September  1,  1860.  Mrs.  Geiger  lived  six  hours  in  terrible 
suffering. 

In  the  summer  of  1860  Columbus  Caufield  shot  and  killed  Jake 
Price  in  self-defense.  Caufield  was  fully  exonerated  by  the  coroner's 
jury.  At  another  time  he  killed  a  man  in  New  Boston  township  and 
departed  the  country  and  has  not  since  been  seen. 

Two  years  later  Nathan  Shockley,  a  Missouri  secessionist  and  des- 
perado, stabbed  and  killed  North  Fleming.  Political  malignity  was 
the  moving  cause,  though  a  trumped-up  subterfuge  was  assigned  and 
so  efi'ectively  used  as  to  secure  the  murderer's  acquittal.  He  was 
afterward  fatally  cut  to  pieces  in  Missouri  by  a  butcher  whom  he  was 
on  the  point  of  shooting  down  in  cold  blood. 

On  the  third  of  November,  1864,  Alexander  Holland  was  thrown 
from  his  buggy  by  a  runaway  horse  at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Second 
streets,  and  died  in  a  few  hours  from  his  injuries. 

A  little  nine-year  old  daughter  of  Joseph  Wadsworth's  caught  her 
clothes  on  fire  from  the  stove  while  the  rest  of  the  family  w^ere  out, 
and  was  so  burned  that  she  died  in  a  few  hours.  This  was  in  the 
autumn  of  1864. 

Hannah  Jane  Frazier,  the  handsone  and  intelligent  daughter  ot 
Andrew  Frazier,  lost  her  life  in  1868  by  the  imprudent  use  of  kero- 
sene in  kindling  a  fire.  Her  body  was  horribly  burned  and  she  lived 
only  a  few  hours,  but  in  excruciating  agony  and  conscious  to  the  last. 
She  was  about  sixteen  years  of  age  and  had  a  disposition  of  great 
sweetness. 

Francis  Johnson,  son  of  John  Johnson,  was  drowned  in  the  river 
about  1869. 

The  most  considerable  fire  which  ever  took  place  in  this  town  was 
on  the  night  of  July  4,  1870,  and  broke  out  in  the  livery  stable 
belonging  to  H.  N.  Ives  and  situated  on  the  west  side  of  Fourth 
street,  between  Main  and  Jackson.  The  Nelson  House  adjoining  was 
burned,  as  were  also  Mrs.  Emily  Wade's  and  Joseph  Thompson's 
dwellings,  and  O.  Holland's  corn  house.  The  total  loss,  after  deduct- 
ing $5,500  of  insurance,  was  $13,000.  The  distressing  feature  of  this 
sad  misfortune  was  the  loss  of  the  two  young  boys,  Frank  Ives  and 
Willie  Dempster,  who  perished  in  the  flames  while  sleeping  in  the 
livery   stable.      These   lads   were   about   fourteen   years   old.      They 


164:  HISTORY    OF    MERCER    AND    HEXDERSOX    COUXTIES. 

suffocated,  it  is  thought,  before  the  fire  reached  their  couch.  Their 
cliarred  bodies  were  removed  and  the  burial  took  place  from  the 
Methodist  church  where  most  solemn  and  impressive  funeral  services 
were  performed.     The  fire  is  believed  to  have  been  incendiarv. 

John  T.  Calhoun  was  drowned  in  the  river  at  the  foot  of  Main 
street,  on  Sunday  morning.  May  12,  1872.  He  and  his  wife  were  in 
a  skiff  which  was  capsized  by  the  current.  She  was  insensible  when 
rescued  but  recovered. 

George  H.  Frick  was  killed  by  a  bursting  cannon  when  celebrating 
election  news  on  Wednesday,  Xovember  6,  1872. 

AVillie  Pliares,  son  of  W,  H.  Phares,  a  very  beautiful  and  prom- 
ising child  of  little  less  than  four  years,  was  left  slee})ing  in  bed  in  the 
morning.  The  family  being  startled  by  his  screams  rushed  to  the 
room  and  found  his  night-clothes  in  flames.  It  is  supposed  that  he 
set  himself  on  fire  with  matches.  This  was  on  July  22,  1875.  He 
survived  until  the  next  day. 

M.  Kelly,  of  this  place,  while  on  a  trip  to  Canada  for  his  health, 
committed  suicide  by  drowning  at  Michigan  City,  Indiana,  Septem- 
ber 19,  1876. 

On  June  23,  1877,  John  Moore  lost  his  little  son  John,  eight  years 
old,  by  drowning  in  Pope  creek. 

Mrs.  Julia  Strong,  a  useful  and  respected  woman  fifty-six  years 
of  age,  living  in  the  country,  was  thrown  from  her  buggy  by  an 
unmanageable  team,  and  after  being  dragged  some  distance  violently 
struck  a  tree  on  Main  street,  which  fractured  her  skull  and  caused 
instant  death.  This  melancholy  accident  happened  iS^ovember  20, 
1880. 

Frederick  Fry,  a  saloon-keeper  on  Black  Hawk  or  AVillett's  island, 
was  shot  and  mortally  wounded  by  AVilliam  A.  Gritfin,  on  the  even- 
ing of  February  28,  1881,  when  avoiding  arrest  \ipon  a  ca})ias  in  the 
hands  of  Thomas  L.  Pippey.  These  men  were  in  pursuit  of  him 
upon  the  ice  near  the  main  land,  and  when  within  twenty  yards  of 
him  he  began  shooting  at  Gritfin,  who  returned  his  fire  with  fatal 
efiect.  He-  lived  twelve  hours.  Upon  the  inquest  Gritfin  was 
acquitted  of  blame. 

About  ten  years  ago  some.bo^'s  were  pushiug  a  car  on  the  track 
near  the  Rockford,  Rock  Island  tfe  St.  Louis  depot,  when  Frank  Got- 
clialk,  aged  ten  or  twelve  years,  was  crushed  under  the  wheels. 

An  infant  child  of  Samuel  Woods  was  burned  to  death  at  the  stove, 
while  left  alone,  some  seven  years  ao;o. 


KEITHSBURG   TOWXSHIP. 


165 


TOWNf^HIP  ORGAMZATIUN. 

In  the  earlier  history  of  this  township  the  people  went  out  to 
Glancy's  mill  to  vote.  Keithsbnrg  was  made  a  polling  ])lace  in  1S40, 
and  on  the  third  of  August  the  first  election  was  held.  In  the  fall  of 
1853  Mercer  coimty  adopted  townshij)  organization,  and  the  next 
spring  the  lirst  officers  were  elected  in  Keithsbnrg.  Below  is  a  list  of 
the  principal  ones  from  that  time  to  the  present  date : 


Year. 

SVPERVISOR. 

Town  Clerk. 

Assessor. 

Collector. 

18.54 

0  ('  Allen 

18.3.'i 

0.  C.  Allen 

W.  J.  Fugles 

J.  S.  Pinkerton 

K.  C.  Cabeen* 

John  Xevius 

John  Xevius 

John  X'evius 

H.  G.  Calhotni 

William  Willett 

James  Fleming* 

G.  L.  Dunn 

E.  L.  Wolf 

18:.() 
l.S.')7 

N.  B.  Partridge 

11  S   .'^cott 

J.  B.  Matlock. 
J  T  Calhoini 

18.iS 
18.i9 

Washington  Wolf 

Joseph  Harvey 

B  D  EUett 

J.  J.  \\'ordin. 
J.  J.  Wordin. 

18fiO 

A.  F.  Glover 

A.  F.  Glover 

C.  J.  Simpson 

C.  J.  Simjjson 

C.  J.  .'^impson 

J  J  Wordin 

1861 

J.  C.  Pepper  ., 

John  E.  Willits 

John  E.  Willits 

John  E.  Willits 

John  E.  Willits 

T.  B.  Cabeen 

C.C.  Matlock 

C.C.Matlock 

C.C.Matlock 

C.C.Matlock 

Benijah  Lloyd 

Benijah  Lloyd 

Benijah  Lloyd 

Benijah  Lloyd 

Beni.  ah  Lloyd 

Benijah  Lloyd 

Benijah  Lloyd 

Benijah  Lloyd 

Benijah  Lloyd 

Benijah  Lloyd 

Benijah  Lloyd 

Seth  E.  Gate's 

John  Xevius 

180)2 
1863 

John  Xevius 

John  X'evius 

Joseph  Thompson. 
Josepli  Thompson. 
B.  P.  Frick 

1864 

John  Xevius 

186'> 
1866 
186" 
1868 
1869 
1870 

William  P.  Litten 

J.  H.  T.  Madden 

J.H.  T.  Madden 

J.H.  T.  Madden 

J.  H.  T.  Madden 

J.  II.  T.  Madden 

A.  H.  Frazier 

A.  H.  Frazier 

(ieorge  Gore 

C.  J.  Simpson 

C.  M.  Wright 

J.  A.  Swezy 

J.  A.  Swezy 

J.  A.  Swezy 

Joseph  Tlmmpson. 
Josej)!)  Thompson. 
K.  C.  Humbert. 
K.  r.  Humbert. 
John  Thomson, 
(ieorge  F.  Parsons. 
Thomas  H.  Freeman. 

1871 
1872 

J.  A.  Swezy 

John  Beavens 

A.  F.  (ilover 

1873 

T.  S.  Cummins 

T.  S.  Cummins  

T.  S.  Cummins 

T.  S.  Cummins 

J.X.McGee 

T.  S.  Cummins 

T.  S.  Cummins 

T.  S.  Cummins 

T.  S.  Cummins 

T.  S.  Cummins 

Thomas  II  Freeman. 

1874 
187.5 
1876 
1S77 
1878 
1879 
1880 
1881 

Isaiah  Willits 

Isaiali  Willits 

Isaiah  Willits 

Isaiah  Willits 

Isaiah  Willits 

Isaiah  Willits 

Isaiah  Willits 

.Joshua  \\'illits 

Thomas  H.  Freeman. 
Thomas  II.  Freeman. 
Thomas  H.  Freeman. 
Thomas  H.  Freeman. 
Thomas  II.  Freeman. 
Thomas  H.  Freeman. 
Thomas  H.  Freeman. 
Thomas  II  Freeman. 

1882 

Joshua  Willits 

Thomas  H.  Freeman. 

*  These  persons  refused  to  qualify  and  serve,  and  the  town  board  on  the  second  of  Jlay  filled 
the  vacancies  with  the  following  appointments :  John  Xevius  for  town  clerk  and  Jacob  Spangler 
for  assessor. 

The  following  citizens  of  the  township  have  been  elected  to  the 
office  of  justice  of  the  peace:  1840,  J.  McH.  Wilson,  resigned  in  1841; 
1843,  B.  D.  Ellett,  Nicholas  Edwards,  John  W.  Nevius;  1847,  James 
Ganier,  Xathaniel  B.  Partridge,  B.  D.  Ellett,  John  AV.  Xevius ;  1849, 
O.  C.  Allen,  James  Garner ;  1852,  Peter  Eckly,  X.  B.  Partridge ;  1854, 
H.  G.  Calhoun,  P.  W.  Kile;  1855,  John  Dunn,  vice  Kile,  resigned; 
1858,  John  Xevius,  Mark  J.  O'Brien;  1860,  H.  G.  Calhoun,  ^^ce 
O'Brien,  resigned ;  1862,  John  Xevius,  resigned  in  1865 ;  M.  J. 
O'Brien,  resigned  in  1864;  1864,  J.  A.  J.  Birdsall ;  1865,  O.  C.  Pich- 
ardson;  1866,  Matthias  "Wickiser,  O.  C.  Pichardson;  1868,  Jacob  B. 
Spangler;  1870,  Matthias  Wickiser,  resigned  same  year  and  J.  B. 
Sj>angler  elected  to  vacancy;  A.  F.  Glover,  resigned  in  1873;  1873, 
T.  S.  Cummins,  II.  S.  Scott\  1877,  T.  S.  Cummins,  II.  S.  Scott;  1881, 
T.  S.  Cummins,  Pichard  Wolf;  1882,  II.  S.  Scott,  Wee  Wolf,  resigned. 


166  HISTORY    OF    MERCER    ^\^'D    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

PUBLIC  IMPROVEMENTS. 

The  first  roads  in  this  townsliip  were  opened  by  order  of  the  county 
commissioners  June  3,  1839.  one  havina;  been  surveyed  from  the  bridsre 
on  the  Edwards  river,  on  the  New  Boston  and  Knoxville  state  road, 
through  Keithsburg  to  Gavitt's  cabin  (alias  Cohimbia  City)  on  to  the 
county  line,  and  the  other  from  Keithsburg  to  Isaiah  Willits',  and  from 
thence  intersecting  with  the  county  road  leading  to  the  Ohio  settlement 
on  Pope'  River.  This  is  substantially  the  description  given  in  the 
petitions  which  Robert  Keith  presented  at  the  regular  term,  March  9, 
1839.  June  7,  three  dollars  were  deposited  with  each  petition  to  pay 
the  viewers,  Lewis  Xoble,  Rezin  Pratt  and  Joseph  Leonard.  For 
laying  out  these  roads  the  follovtdng  disbursements  were  made  from  the 
road  fund:  Lewis  Noble,  for  three  and  a  half  days'  viewing,  $3.50; 
John  Noble  and  Isaac  Bates,  for  two  days'  chaining,  $2  each ;  and 
Paul  Sheriff,  for  hauling  stakes  one  and  a  half  days,  $3. 

A  railroad  fi'om  "Warsaw  to  Rockford  having  been  projected  to  run 
through  Keithsburg,  November  -1,  1855,  the  town  unanimously  voted 
to  subscribe  $20,000  to  the  capital  stock  of  the  company.  The  work  of 
grading  was  commenced  in  1856,  B.  P.  Frick  and  J.  C.  Cabeen  having 
the  contract  from  Warsaw  to  Keithsburg,  the  former  taking  charge  of 
the  construction  at  this  end  of  the  route  and  the  latter  at  the  other.  To 
settle  all  doubt  as  to  the  legality  of  the  subscription  and  to  make  it 
available,  an  act  of  the  legislature  chartering  the  town  was  procured, 
with  a  special  provision  legalizing  the  subscription  and  authorizing  the 
issue  of  bonds.  This  was  approved  February  16,  1857,  and  on  the 
4th  of  May  following  an  ordinance  was  passed  directing  the  presi" 
dent  of  the  board  of  trustees  to  subscribe  to  the  stock  of  the  Warsaw 
&  Rockford  Railroad  Company  in  the  above-mentioned  sum,  and  em- 
powering that  officer  and  the  clerk  to  execute  the  bonds  of  the  town, 
due  in  twenty  years,  with  interest  at  the  rate  of  ten  per  cent,  payable 
semi-annually.  They  were  to  be  delivered  as  work  upon  the  road 
progressed,  to  pay  the  assessments  upon  the  stock  taken  by  the  town, 
and  on  the  1st  day  of  June  eight  bonds  for  $1,000  each  were  issued. 
On  the  16tli  four  of  them  were  passed  over  to  B.  P.  Frick,  and 
on  the  loth  of  July  the  remaining  four  were  surrendered  to  the  same 
person.  In  this  last  month  the  company  failed,  and  work  on  the  road 
was  permanently  suspended.  No  part  of  the  route  was  finished.  Below 
Sagetown  some  bridging  was  done,  but  as  the  contractors  were  never 
paid  for  the  bridges  these  were  afterward  taken  down. 

The  corporation  paid  the  interest  on  the  indebtedness  made  in  aid  of 
this  railroad  uritil  the  hardship  prompted  the  town  to  resist  further 
collection,  and  in  1863  suit  was  brous^ht  in  the  circuit  court  of  Mercer 


KEITHSBIRG    TOWNSHIP.  167 

county  and  carried  to  the  supreme  court  of  tlie  state,  from  which  a  writ 
of  mandamus  was  procured,  compelling  the  town  to  levy  a  tax  to  meet 
this  obligation.  In  1874  one  of  these  bonds  was  paid  and  canceled, 
the  second  in  1876;  and  August  3,  1877,  a  corporation  election  was 
held  to  vote  on  the  question  of  a  new  issue  to  retire  the  six  then  out- 
standing. A  unanimous  vote  of  forty-seven  decided  this  in  the  affirma- 
tive, and  on  the  lirst  day  of  December  the  bonds  were  issued  in 
denominations  of  $100.  Next  year  ten  of  these  were  redeemed, 
leaving  the  presented  bonded  debt  of  the  town  So^OOO. 

Hiram  W.  Thornton,  last  i)resident  of  the  Warsaw  &  Rockford 
railroad,  brought  suit  against  the  company  for  services  and  obtained 
judgment ;  and  when  the  road  was  sold  under  execution  he  bought  the 
grading  and  has  since  disposed  of  it  piecemeal  at  private  sale.  The 
Kockford,  Rock  Island  tfe  St.  Louis  railroad  having  been  projected  with 
the  intention  of  running  the  line  through  Keithsburg,  a  part  of  the 
road-bed  of  the  Warsaw  ife  Rockford  was  purchased  by  this  company. 

To  preserve  the  continuitv  of  events  it  is  necessarv  to  sav  that  in 
1869,  through  the  exertions  of  Col.  Isaac  McManus,  state  senator  from 
the  fourteenth  district,  a  charter  for  the  Dixon  ife  Quincy  railroad  was 
obtained,  with  the  ulterior  design,  no  doubt,  of  transferring  it  to  the 
Chicago,  Burlington  6z  Quincy  corporation.  The  Dixon  &  Quincy 
company  was  forthwith  organized  with  Col.  McManus  as  president, 
and  on  the  18th  of  May  a  special  election  was  held  in  Keithsburg 
to  decide  whether  the  township  should  take  $35,000  of  stock  in  the 
road,  the  bonds  covering  the  subscription  not  to  be  issued  until  thei'e 
should  be  a  running  connection  by  rail  from  Keithsburg  to  lines  con- 
necting with  Chicago.  This  was  favorably  determined  by  a  vote  of 
229  against  11.  Abington  township  also  voted  to  subscribe  $10,000 
to  the  ca])ital  stock  of  the  company. 

Subsequent  to  these  elections  a  meeting  of  the  directors  was  held 
in  Chicago,  at  which  a  very  warm  discussion  took  place  regarding  the 
transfer  of  the  charter.  A  representative  was  present  from  each  of 
the  Chicago,  Burlington  <fe  Quincy  and  the  Rockford,  Rock  Island  & 
St.  Louis  companies.  McManus  was  still  interested  in  behalf  of  the 
former,  but  w^ien  the  vote  was  taken  his  object  was  defeated,  the  rest 
of  the  board  voting  solidly  to  turn  over  the  subscriptions  to  the  other 
coi-jjoration  on  conditi(jn  that  it  give  to  Keithsburg  railway  connection 
with  Chicago  by  the  way  of  Rockford. 

To  be  certain  that  this  proceeding  was  satisfactory  to  the  people, 
the  directors  caused  a  special  election  to  be  called  for  the  4th  of  Octo- 
ber, and  submitted  the  proposition  to  recall  the  aid  formerly  voted  to 
the  Dixon  6z  Quincy,  and  to  grant  the  same  amount  to  the  Rockford, 


168  HISTORY    OF   MERCER    AND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

Eock  Island  cV:  St.  Louis  railroad.  Tliis  was  understood  bv  the 
directors  themselves  to  be  simply  informal  and  without  legal  conse- 
quence, as  the  charter  invested  the  board  with  fidl  power  in  the 
premises.     Their  action  was  endorsed  by  197  against  5. 

From  the  moment  the  assignment  of  the  subscriptions  was  made, 
work  on  the  Rockford,  Rock  Island  tk  St.  Louis  road  was  pushed  north, 
from  Sagetown  (now  Gladstone)  with  great  vigor ;  and  December  14, 
1869,  the   first  locomotive  ran  into   this  town  amidst  the  ringing  of 
bells,  the  firing  of  an^'ils,  and  the  blowing  of  steam  whistles.     Very 
little,  if  any,  aid.  except  that  guaranteed  by  these  two  townships,  had 
been  secured  upon  this  route ;  but  about  tliis  time  "Warren  county  ten- 
dered a  liberal  donation  upon  condition  that  the  road  should  be  built 
through  Monmouth,  and  this  had  the  effect  to  divert  the  line  at  Bush- 
nell  from  the  contenq^lated  com'se,  and  to  break  off"  consti'uction  sud- 
denly at  this  point.     The  grading  had  been  done  betw^een  here  and  the 
American  Central  railway,  but  the  iron  was  not  down,  and  the  bridge 
which  had  been  erected  over  Pope  creek  was  partly  washed  out,  when 
the  remainder  was  removed.     The  tenninal  depot  was  built  on  the 
eastern  verge  of  the  town,  and  up  to  1877  this  was  the  river  branch  of 
the  main  line. 

This  action  of  the  Rockford,  Rock  Island  cVr  St.  Louis  Company  in 
changing  their  road  left  the  Dixon  &  Quincy  Company  in  a  position  to- 
make  a  new  arrangement,  and  the  matter  slumbered  until  the  summer 
of  1870,  when  it  was  revived  by  Theodore  Glancy.  The  result  of  this 
fresh  agitation  was  that  the  directors  held  a  meeting  and  passed  a  reso- 
lution to  open  the  books  for  new  subscriptions.  Gen.  A.  C.  Harding, 
of  Monmouth,  appeared  at  this  meeting  and  subscribed  an  amount 
sufficient  to  give  him  control  of  the  affairs  of  the  company  ;  and 
immediately  a  new  board  of  directors  was  elected,  of  which  Harding, 
by  virtue  of  his  power,  became  president,  when  he  filled  the  other 
positions  according  to  his  own  caprice.  But  the  general  refused  to 
proceed  with  the  consti'uction  of  the  road  until  the  bonds  should  be 
issued,  and  toward  the  close  of  the  year  1 870  a  citizens*'  meeting  was 
held  at  which  H.  S.  Scott,  AVilliam  Willett  and  C.  C.  Matlock  were 
appointed  custodians  to  hold  them  in  trust  and  to  deliver  them  to- 
Harding  when  the  road  should  be  completed  from  Keithsburg  to  the 
American  Central  railroad.  C.  S.  Orth,  heading  the  opposition,  sued 
out  an  injunction  to  restrain  the  issuance  and  delivery  of  the  bonds, 
and  before  service  could  be  had  on  Matlock,  the  supervisor,  the  latter, 
not^vith standing  he  had  promised  not  to  evade  service  of  the  wi'it, 
hastened  off  to  Monmouth  and  turned  them  over  to  Harding,  taking- 
the  generaPs  bond  for  $70,000,  binding  him  to  surrender  them  to  the 


KETTMSHLKci    TOWNSHIP.  10^ 

townshi})  in  the  event  that  the  road  sliouhl  not  be  built  between  the 
points  above-named  by  the  first  of  Januarv,  IS  Ti- 
lt is  said  tliat  it  was  never  eonteniphited  to  build  this  road;  that 
while  the  ostensible  purjjose  w^as  to  lav  a  track  between  the  two  cities 
named  in  the  charter,  the  real  object  was  to  construct  only  the  six-mile 
section  from  Keithsburg-  to  the  Ameiican  Central  railway.  AMiatever 
may  have  been  the  covert  design,  this  was  all  that  was  done.  The  work 
was  performed  late  in  187<>  with  the  capital  and  by  the  construction 
comjjany  of  the  Chicago  Burlington  6z  Quincy  Railroad  Company,  the 
deception  being  kept  u})  meantime  until  the  Dixon  &  Quincy  corpo- 
ration could  secure  the  township  bonds,  which  were  the  great  prize 
that  at  last  fell  into  Harding's  hands  for  disiJosal.  It  is  alleged  that 
all  that  was  asked  of  the  general  by  the  Chicago  Burlington  ik:  Quincy 
Railroad  Company,  was  to  obtain  for  that  corporation  the  right  of 
way,  which  he  did  for  something  less  than  $3,000. 

Trains  ran  into  Keithsburg  over  this  short  line  on  January  1,  1871. 
At  the  annual  towmship  election,  in  April  of  this  year,  Benijah  Lloyd 
was  elected  to  succeed  C.  C.Matlock  as  supervisor;  on  the  11th  he 
qualified,  and  the  following  day  demanded  the  books  and  ])apers 
belonging  to  the  office.  A  few  hours  previous  to  this  demand  Matlock 
certified  to  the  auditor  of  state  that  the  towniship  bonds  issued  to  the 
Dixon  iS:  Quincy  Railroad  Company  w^ere  entitled  to  registration.  These 
bonds,  seventy  in  number,  were  for  $500  each,  bearing  ten  per  cent 
interest,  dated  November  1,  1870,  and  payable  January  1,  1891.  The 
township  regularly  paid,  by  taxation,  the  aimual  interest  on  these 
bonds  up  to  and  including  the  year  ISSO,  when  a  suit  in  equity  was 
brought  by  the  township  in  the  circuit  court  of  Mercer  county,  to 
declare  them  void.  Tliey  were  supposed  to  be  payable  at  the  will  of 
the  people  after  five  years,  as  this  was  one  of  the  conditions  on  which 
the  subscription  was  voted ;  but  no  knowledge  of  their  pro\asions  could 
be  obtained,  and  to  pay  so  high  a  rate  of  interest  had  become  unneces- 
sary and  impolitic.  The  people  were  willing  to  refimd  at  lower  interest, 
but  when  no  trace  of  the  bonds  could  be  discovered  and  the  matter 
began  to  have  the  appearance  of  a  design  on  the  part  of  the  liolders  to 
thwart  any  endeavor  to  retire  them,  inquiry  w^as  excited  and  in^•esti- 
gation  followed,  when  the  numerous  irregularities  surrounding  their 
issue  and  registration  came  to  light,  and  it  was  decided  to  contest  their 
validity.  As  a  further  defense  of  the  people  against  the  presumptions 
raised  against  them  by  the  fact  that  for  ten  years  they  ])aid  the  interest 
without  ])r()test,  it  is  true  that  a  lai-ge  majority  were  not  aware  that  a 
tax  for  this  puri)ose  was  being  levied  and  collected. 

Morgan  G.   Bulkley,  of  Connecticut,   holder  of    $23,500   of   this 


170  HISTORY   OF   :SCERCER   A^^)    HEXDERSON   COT:rN"nES. 

municipal  indebtedness  filed  an  answer  to  the  complainant's  bill ;  and 
on  his  motion  the  case  was  removed  to  the  district  court  of  the  United 
States  for  the  northern  disti-ict  of  Illinois,  where  it  was  heard  bA'  Judge 
Blodgett,  who,  on  January  9,  1882,  dismissed  the  suit.  The  case  is 
now  pending  in  the  United  States  supreme  court,  where  it  has  been 
taken  on  appeal. 

When  Gen.  Harding  obtained  possession  of  these  bonds  it  only 
remained  for  him  to  transfer  the  road  to  the  Chicago  Burlington  & 
Quincy  Company,  which  he  did ;  and  during  several  succeeding  years 
Keithsburg  was  the  terminus  of  the  Galva  branch,  the  depot  being 
situated  where  it  now  is,  close  to  the  river.  Finally,  the  main  line  and 
branches  of  the  Rockford,  Eock  Island  &  St.  Louis  railroad  were 
absorbed  by  this  company,  and  in  the  latter  part  of  July.  1S7T,  the 
right  of  way  through  the  town  between  the  two  depots  was  procured, 
and  in  August  the  extremities  of  the  two  lines  were  brought  into  con- 
nection by  a  half  mile  of  new  track. 

The  Keithsburg,  Lacon  &  Eastern  Railroad  Company  was  organized 
here,  and  a  survey  made  for  a  standard  gauge  road  from  this  point 
to  Lacon  in  1873,  and  a  considerable  amount  of  subscriptions  was 
taken  along  the  line,  but  the  financial  revulsion  of  that  year  caused  the 
enterprise  to  be  abandoned. 

The  Keithsburg  6z  Eastern  Railroad  Company  was  organized  under 
the  law  of  the  state  providing  for  a  general  system  of  railroad  incorpo- 
rations, September  22,  1873,  by  the  following  incorporators :  "W.  D. 
Smith,  T.  B.  Cabeen,  C.  A.  Frick,  E.  L.  Marshall,  G.  W.  Whiting, 
B.  C.  Taliaferro,  Harry  Weaver,  AVilliam  Gayle,  Theodore  Glancy, 
J.  P.  Wycoft;  A.  B.  Sheriff,  R.  J.  Cabeen  and'WiUiam  Willett.  The 
project  was  to  construct  a  narrow  gauge  railroad  from  Keithsburg  to 
the  east  line  of  the  state  in  Kankakee  or  Iroquois  county,  with  a  branch 
to  Chicago ;  but  it  was  never  surveyed  east  beyond  the  Illinois  river. 
Grading  was  begun  at  Keithsburg  in  the  spring  of  1874,  and  when  the 
line  had  been  extended  eight  miles  it  was  decided  to  change  the  route 
either  to  Galesburg  or  Monmouth.  Denny,  in  Warren  county,  distant 
twenty  miles,  being  readied,  work  came  to  a  standstill  in  1875.  Sub- 
'sequently  the  road  was  sold  in  sections  under  execution,  and  finally 
the  whole  property  was  sold  under  mechanic's  lien,  but  in  each  case  it 
was  purchased  for  D.  M.  Halstead  and  T.  B.  Cabeen.  Halstead 
assigned  his  interest  to  George  Seaton,  R.  J.  Cabeen  and  T.  B.  Cabeen, 
who  received  a  sherifi''s  deed.  Recently  these  owners  have  contracted 
with  William  Hanna  and  B.  P.  Phelps,  of  Monmouth,  who  represent 
the  Peoria  >k  Farmington  railroad,  to  convey  to  them  for  a  consider- 
ation all  their  interest  in  the  Keithsburg  S:  Eastern,  if  the  former  shall 
be  completed  to  this  point  by  February  22,  1884. 


KKITilSBrRir    TfiWXSHIP.  171 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


The  subject  of  this  sketch,  Isaiah  Willits,  was  born  in  York 
county,  Pennsylvania,  November  2,  IS  12,  where  his  boyhood,  days 
were  spent  in  rambling  over  the  rocky  bluffs  and'  helping  his  father  on 
a  small  farm.  In  1826  the  family  removed  to  Wa\Tie  county,  Indiana, 
where  he  was  engaged  in  farming  near  Centerville,  ten  miles  west  of 
Kiehmond.  In  1835  he  came  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  where  he  took 
a  claim  near  Pope  Mills,  now  known  as  the  old  Frick  farm.  lie  went 
back  to  Indiana  several  times  for  cattle,  driving  them  through  on 
horseback,  until  1838,  when  he  permanently  settled  at  Bald  Bluff", 
Henderson  county,  erected  a  rude  log  cabin  and  endured  all  the  hard- 
ships and  privations  known  to  the  earlier  settlers.  It  was  in  this  year 
that  the  famous  Black  Hawk  chieftain  visited  the  Bluff",  together  with 
four  hundred  of  his  warriors.  Mr.  AVillits  says  tliat  his  courage  was 
never  questioned,  but  when  he  saw  them  all  approaching  under  full 
gallop,  he  is  willing  to  acknowledge  that  he  felt  somewhat  "shaky." 
Thev  were  tribes  of  Sacs  and  Foxes,  who  were  on  their  wav  to  their 
reservations  on  the  Des  Moines  river,  Iowa.  April  4,  1839,  Mr. 
"Willits  was  united  in  marriage  to  Elizabeth  Peynolds,  daughter  of 
Caleb  Reynolds,  of  Ohio,  she  too  being  one  of  the  pioneers,  having 
come  to  Mercer  county  among  the  first  who  settled  here.  They  lived 
on  their  Henderson  county  farm  till  the  year  1857,  when  they  removed 
to  Keithsburg,  where  he  went  into  the  mercantile  business,  continued 
in  this  pursuit  for  four  years,  sold  out  and  purchased  a  farm  south  of 
town  half  a  mile,  where  he  resided  till  the  spring  of  1873,  when  he 
became  so  afflicted  as  to  unfit  him  for  active  duties,  and  he  moved 
again  to  Keithsburg,  where  he  still  resides.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Willits  are 
parents  of  ten  children,  nine  of  whom  are  living.  Joshua,  the  eldest, 
was  born  in  Henderson  county  March  13,  1840,  was  raised  on  a  farm 
with  limited  educational  ad^■antages  such  as  existed  at  the  early  settling 
of  the  country,  yet  by  close  ap]>lication  and  study  at  home  he  acquired 
a  good  practical  education.  He  was  married  November  31,  1873,  to 
Miss  Clara  Willits.  They  have  two  children :  Norman,  born  Decem- 
ber 6,  1875  ;  and  Harry,  born  July  5,  1879.  His  vocation  is  farming. 
His  farm  joins  the  old  homestead  place.  Emily,  the  eldest  daughter, 
bom  in  Henderson  county,  November  11,  184],  obtained  the  rudi- 
ments of  learning  in  a  little  log  school  house,  subsequently  attended 
graded  school  in  Oquawka  and  Keithsburg,  was  married  to  Mr.  A.  B. 
Childs  November  10,  1880.  They  have  one  son,  Benny,  born  Novem- 
ber 14,  1881.  Leander,  second  son,  born  November  21,  1843,  and 
Minerva,  second  daughter,  born  September  6,  1845,  both  unmarried, 
are  living  at  home  with  their  parents.     Byron,  born  April  5,  1847,  died 


172  HISTORY    OF   FIERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

November  21,  1847,  aged  seven  months.  Jo.  H.  Wird,  daughter,  born 
August  26,  1848,  received  her  education  principally  in  the  graded 
schools  at  Keithsburg,  where  she  began  teaching  at  the  age  of  seven- 
teen years,  and  has  been  constantly  engaged  in  the  work  in  this  place 
for  sixteen  years,  attending  normal  schools  during  the  vacations.  Last 
year  (1881)  she  was  at  State  Normal,  at  Bloomington,  Illinois. 
AzYO  p.,  born  July  19,  1850,  was  educated  in  Keithsburg;  read  medi- 
cine with  Dr.  E.  L.  Marshall  and  attended  two  courses  of  lectures  in 
Rush  Medical  college,  Chicago;  was  a  member  of  the  graduating -class 
of  1877  ;  received  his  diploma  on  examination  before  the  Illinois  State 
Board  of  Health,  and  is  now  (1S82)  a  practicing  physician ;  January 
19,  1880,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Lizzie  F.  Wliiting,  of  Keiths- 
burg. "William  A.,  born  November  10,  1852;  passed  creditably 
through  the  high  school  at  Keithsburg ;  began  his  career  as  teacher  in 
the  State  of  Missouri,  after  which  he  came  to  his  native  county 
(Mercer)  and  taught  three  years  in  the  district  schools ;  then  took  the 
principalship  of  the  Keithsburg  graded  school,  and  is  now  (1882) 
occupying  that  position.  Leone,  fourth  daughter,  born  August  11, 
1855,  is  unmarried  and  living  with  her  parents.  Lydia  A.,  youngest 
daughter,  born  January  12,  1859,  was  married  to  Heman  N.  Childs, 
November  16,  1881.  They  are  living  on  their  farm  in  Henderson 
county,  live  miles  southeast  of  Keithsburg. 

Benjamin  D.  Ellett  (deceased)  was  born  near  Richmond,  Virginia, 
February  2,  1813.  He  was  reared  partly  on  a  farm,  but  early  in  life 
turned  his  attention  to  merchandizing  in  the  dry  goods  line.  In  the 
spring  of  1836  he  emigrated  to  Illinois  and  settled  in  Henderson 
county,  where  he  however  remained  but  a  short  time,  and  removed  to 
Mercer  county,  April  19,  1838.  He  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Grace  E.,  a  daughter  of  Mr.  Charles  Jack,  an  early  settler  of  Mercer 
county.  She  died  in  October,  1850,  leaving  three  children,  but  one  of 
whom  is  now  (1882)  living:  Mrs.  Mary  J.,  wife  of  F.  P.  Burgett, 
banker,  of  Keithsburg.  Mr.  Ellett's  second  marriage  was  on  Septem- 
ber 8,  1851,  with  Miss  Oq^ha  B.,  daughter  of  Andrew  and  Mary 
(Lloyd)  Myers.  She  was  born  in  Pickaway  county,  Ohio,  September 
1,  1827,  and  came  with  her  parents  to  Mercer  county  in  1836.  Here 
she  received  such  an  education  as  was  obtainable  in  the  pioneer  schools 
of  this  county's  early  history.  At  the  time  of  his  second  marriage 
Mr.  Ellett  was  filling  the  position  of  sherifl*  of  Mercer  county.  After 
the  termination  of  his  official  term,  he  permanently  located  in  Keiths- 
burg and  engaged  in  the  lumber  business,  which  he  followed  till  the 
time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  October  29,  1880.  By  his  last 
marriage  he  had  borne  to  him  nine  children,  as  follows :  Frank  A. ; 


KEITHSBURG   TO^^'NSHIP.  173 

Minnie,  wife  of  Martin  Rice;  Nellie,  wife  of  C.  S.  Frick ;  AVilliam  B., 
Harry  B.,  Bettie,  Ethvin  M.,  Frederick  D.  and  Thomas  A.  Mrs. 
Ellett  and  family  are  living  in  her  comfortable  home  in  Keithsburg. 

Benijah  Lloyd  was  born  in  Erie  county,  Pennsylvania  March  IT, 
1825,  and  is  the  second  son  of  Benijah  and  Elizabeth  (Dunn)  Lloyd, 
who  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  Mercer  county,  coming  here  in 
September  1835.  Mr.  Lloyd  settled  in  Millersburg  township  where  he 
lived  till  the  time  of  his  death  (1864).  He  was  the  father  of  six  children, 
one  of  whom  was  killed  by  falling  out  of  the  wagon  near  Keithsburg 
while  on  their  way  to  their  pioneer  home.  Benijah,  the  subject  of  this 
notice,  thus  early  became  identified  with  the  count}"  and  enjoyed  only 
the  means  of  pioneer  school  education.  December  9,  1847  he  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Arrelda  J.,  daughter  of  Dr.  Mark  Willits, 
an  early  settler  of  Mercer  county.  Tliey  have  reared  a  family  ol'  nine 
children,  A-iz:  Omer  H.,  Ella  J.,  ISTettie,  Charles  M.,  William  W., 
George  W.,  Maurice  E,  and  Maude.  After  his  marriage  Mr.  Lloyd 
engaged  in  farming  which  he  successfully  followed  till  the  fall  of  1856, 
when  he  was  elected  Sherift'  of  Mercer.  He  then  located  at  Keiths- 
burg, then  county  seat,  where  he  remained  till  its  removal  to  Aledo. 
At  the  expiration  of  his  official  term,  in  1859,  he  returned  to  his  farm 
but  in  1860  came  to  Keithsburg  where  he  has  since  resided  enjoying 
the  respect  and  esteem  of  his  many  friends  who  have  almost  continually 
kept  him  in  some  position  of  trust,  as  shown  b}'  the  records  of  the 
township. 

As  early  as  1836  there  came  one  to  Mercer  county  with  limited  means 
but  hearty  and  industrious,  and  with  a  strong  resolution  to  pro^^de  for 
the  present  and  procure  plenty  for  the  future.  Such  a  character  was  Paul 
Sheriff,  who  was  born  in  Columbia  county  Pennsylvania,  February  16, 
1810.  He  was  married  December  23,  1832,  to  Miss  Mary  daughter  of 
John  and  Margaret  Doak.  Four  years  after  their  marriage  they  left 
their  native  state  and  came  to  Mercer  county  where  they  have  resided 
ever  since.  Mr.  Sheriff  has  always  taken  a  lively  interest  in  public  en- 
terprises and  given  largely  to  their  benelit.  He  has  been  very  suc- 
cessful in  accumulating  quite  a  large  property.  He  has  a  large  farm 
that  comes  to  the  corporation  limits  of  Keithsburg,  Politicaly  Mr. 
Sheriff  has  always  been  a  republican.  Religiously  he  has  been  a 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  for  thirty  years.  In  temperance 
movements  he  has  always  taken  an  active  part  and  has  tried  to 
show  men  that  liquor  will  ruin  those  who  become  its  slaves.  Mr. 
Sheriff'  has  always  been  engaged  in  farming.  His  father  was  born  in 
Ireland,  and  emigrated  to  this  country  in  the  year  17!><>  and  settled  in 
Pennsvlvania. 


17-i  HISTORY    OF   MEECER    ^V^'D    HENDERSO>r    CO^^"rIES. 

Thomas  and  Marv  (Woodhain)  Bridger  emigrated  fi'om  Sussex,  Eng- 
land to  America  in  1826,  landing  at  New  York.  They  then  went  direct 
to  Troy  where  they  lived  until  1836,  when  they  came  west  to  Mercer 
county,  Illinois,  and  settled  in  what  is  now  Suez  township,  where  he  and 
his  wife  lived  but  one  year  when  they  both  took  sick  and  died  about  ten 
days  apart.  Mrs.  Emma  Doak,  daughter  of  the  above,  was  born  Feb- 
raary  4,  1819,  in  Sussex  England,  and  crossed  the  Atlantic  when  seven 
years  of  age.  She  remembers  the  trip  well  and  many  facts  connected 
therewith.  In  May,  18'42,  she  was  married  to  Dajstel  F.  Doak,  second 
child  of  John  and  Margaret  Doak.  He  was  born  August  5,  1810. 
After  their  marriage  they  first  lived  in  Green  township  two  miles  north 
of  Viola  until  1850,  when  they  sold  out  and  removed  to  Perryton  town- 
ship where  they  li^'ed  one  year.  They  then  removed  to  Keithsburg 
township  where  they  have  lived  ever  since.  In  1864  they  bought  the 
S.  W.  J  of  Sec.  2,  in  Keithsburg  township,  whicli  makes  a  very  com- 
fortable home  for  them.  They  have  about  one  hundred  acres  in 
cultivation,  the  balance  in  pasture.  Tliere  have  been  ten  children  from 
this  luiion,  eight  living,  two  dead.  James  T.,  Martha  J.,  Mary  A., 
Sarah  E.,  Nancy  M.  (married  to  T.  J.  Hayes),  Anna,  Daniel  W., 
Ida  M.,  John,  Fannie  A.  Mary  A.  and  Ida  M.  are  dead.  Daniel 
(their  father)  died  in  September,  1869.  Mrs.  Doak  is  still  li\ang  but  in 
poor  health. 

Benjamin  F.  Geuwell,  was  born  in  Greene  count}',  Ohio,  Novem- 
ber 22,  1808.  In  1825  he  removed  with  his  parents,  Jacob  and 
Prudence  (Dill)  Gruwell,  to  "Wayne  county,  Indiana,  where  he  lived  at 
farming  until  1837.  He  was  mamed  in  Miami  county,  Ohio,  to  Miss 
Lucy  Hurst,  December  18,  1829.  In  the  autunm  of  1837  Mr.  Gruwell, 
taking  his  wife,  their  two  children,  and  his  wife's  sister,  emigrated  to 
this  township,  he  driving  a  six-ox  team  and  hauling  the  family  effects, 
while  Mrs* .  Gruwell  and  the  others  kept  company  in  a  one-horse  car- 
riage. They  arrived  at  the  blufl:'  on  the  18th  of  October,  and  Mr. 
Gruwell  bought  out  the  claim  of  Jack  Harris,  a  single  man,  to  80  acres 
on  the  N.  AV.  ^  of  Sec.  1.  Tlie  time  was  short  for  making  improve- 
ments before  the  biting  blasts  of  winter,  so  a  10  X 12  foot  cabin  was 
hastily  constructed  from  small  ti-ees  eight  inches  in  diameter  rived  and 
stood  upright,  with  one  end  in  the  ground.  Sod  fi-om  the  prairie 
formed  a  tight  roof,  and  sticks  and  mud  composed  the  chimney.  The 
crevices  were  daubed  in  the  usual  way,  and  a  quilt  was  hung  up  at  the 
door  to  keep  out  snow  and  wind.  The  parents  and  two  little  children 
lived  in  this  four  months  in  great  enjoyment.  During  the  time  many 
visitors  came  to  their  cabin.  It  was  here  that  their  .fourth  child, 
Martha,  was  bom.     Boxes  in  which  they  had  brought  their  household 


KEITHSBURG    TCAVNSIIIP.  175 

goods  were  their  bedstead  that  winter,  and  their  "fall-leaf  table  was 
the  only  one  that  anybody  had  knowledij^e  of  in  the  country.  There 
was  just  room  enough  for  two  to  sit  dowii  to  the  table  at  once.  They 
had  hired  help  that  winter,  and  when  the  hands  had  got  their  supper 
they  went  to  their  own  homes  to  lodge.  Tlie  people  then  thought 
nothing  of  going  ten  miles  to  yisit ;  all  within  a  radius  of  that  distance 
were  neighbors ;  and  at  that  time  most  people  knew  everybody  in  the 
count}\  The  family  lived  on  this  farm  until  they  owned  300  acres  of 
land.  In  1850  Mr.  Gruwell  went  across  the  plains  to  California,  and 
returned  by  steamship  the  next  year.  In  1852  he  disposed  of  his  fai-m 
and  moved  to  Keithsburg,  where  he  bought  the  Calhoun  House  and 
kept  hotel  seven  years.  They  have  been  the  parents  of  seven  children, 
as  follows :  Joseph,  who  died  in  infancy ;  Melissa ;  Francis  Marion, 
who  was  killed  in  Keithsburg  Xovember  24,  1859,  by  the  bursting  of 
a  cannon  while  celebrating  a  victory  at  the  polls  ;  Martha ;  Erastus, 
who  was  killed  at  Fort  Donelson  February  13,  1862  ;  Alice ;  and  Edna 
(dead).  Martha  was  married  February  21,  1856,  to  John  Tliomson,  a 
native  of  Carlisle,  Pennsylvania,  a  carpenter  by  trade,  who  came  to 
Keithsburg  in  1853  and  worked  here  till  the  summer  of  1862.  At 
that  time  he  enlisted  in  company  11,  84th  reg.  111.  Vol.,  and  served 
upward  of  a  year  in  the  field.  The  hardships  of  the  service  com- 
pletely shattered  his  health,  and  he  has  since  been  a  confimied  and 
helpless  invalid.  Of  his  eleven  children  eight  are  now  living.  One 
daughter,  Miss  Mary  L.,  has  lived  with  her  grandmother  Gruwell  since 
the  age  of  five.  These  two  are  commimicants  in  the  Presbyterian 
church. 

Oliver  P.  E^ierson,  retired  farmer,  is  a  son  of  Edward  and  Sarah 
(Swaford)  Emerson,  and  was  bom  in  Wayne  county,  Indiana,  June  17, 
1817.  He  was  reared  on  the  farm,  where  he  helped  to  clear  up  and 
make  a  home  among  the  tall  Indiana  timber.  In  1839.  he  came  to 
Mercer  county,  Illinois,  but  soon  returned  to  his  father's  home  in  In- 
diana. In  1840  he  again  came  to  this  county,  where  he  worked  till 
1842,  when  he  went  back  to  Indiana,  and  on  Febniar}-  15th  of  the 
same  year  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  Kelly,  a  native  of  that  place.  In 
about  1847,  with  his  family,  he  came  to  this  county  and  permanently 
located  and  engaged  in  fenning  and  stock  raising,  following  the  busi- 
ness for  many  years.  Mr.  Emerson  begun  for  himself,  with  but  very 
Httle  except  a  pair  of  willing  hands  and  an  industrious  disposition,  but 
by  dint  of  hard  work  and  good  management,  has  accumulated  a  large 
farm,  comprising  over  600  acres,  the  most  of  which  he  has  recently 
divided  among  his  children.  Plimself  and  wife  have  been  life-long 
members  of  the  Christian  church.     She  died  August  29,  1881,  and  is 


176  HISTORY   OF    MERCER    AND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

buried  at  the  Xew  Boston  cemetery.  His  five  li\-ing  children  are : 
Hester,  wife  of  IMi-.  Charles  Dryden ;  Monroe  ;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Mr. 
Alexander  Calhoun  ;  George  L. ;  and  Grind  Y. ,  wife  of  Mr.  William 
Prvne. 

David  Pardee,  farmer,  was  born  in  Xew  Haven  countv,  Connec- 
ticut,  June  26,  1809.  Early  in  life  he  served  an  apprenticeship  at 
carj^entering.  In  1831  he  went  to  Xew  Grleans,  where  he  worked  at 
his  trade  till  1840,  when  he  came  to  Illinois  and  bought  land  near 
Tiola,  in  Mercer  county,  where  he  lived  three  years.  At  the  time  he 
bought  his  land  he  paid  down  a  large  part  of  the  purchase  money, 
agreeing  to  pay  the  balance  out  of  money  then  due  him,  but  which  he 
failed  to  get,  and  consequently  lost  his  land.  He  then  came  to  Keiths- 
burg  and  built  a  flat-boat  in  which  to  carry  himself  out  of  the  country. 
After  floating  down  the  Father  of  Waters  into  Louisiana,  he  landed 
near  Port  Hudson,  where  he  remained  on  his  boat  till  by  chance  he 
met  a  friend  of  whom  he  borrowed  a  few  dollars,  went  ashore  and 
bought  a  suit  of  clothes,  and  then  soon  found  work.  In  1861:  he  again 
came  to  Mercer,  purchased  his  present  home  in  Sec.  14,  T.  13,  P.  5, 
Keithsburg  townsliip,  where  he  is  now  pleasantly  located  engaged  in 
farming.  Mr.  Pardee  has  been  twice  married ;  first,  in  Louisiana,  to 
Miss  Ellen  Crenan,  by  whom  he  has  three  sons  living  in  Kansas  : 
Jf)hn,  Thomas,  and  Josiah.  His  second  marriage  was  with  Miss 
Sophia  Green,  a  native  of  Iowa,  by  whom  he  has  three  children  living  : 
Elbert  F. ,  Stephen,  and  Ora  May. 

M.VRTIN  Wirt  was  born  in  Ohio  in  18*20.  He  was  educated  in  the 
<?ommon  schools  of  his  native  state.  In  1840  he  came  to  Illinois  and 
settled  on  a  farm  near  the  ^'illage  of  Keithsburg,  Mercer  county,  Illinois, 
and  engaged  in  farming.  June  11,  1850,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Esther 
Groves,  a  native  of  London,  England,  who  was  born  January  24,  1831, 
and  came  to  America  in  1849.  They  became  the  parents  of  eight 
children,  seven  of  whom  are  living :  Jane,  wife  of  Fred  Freter ;  Ada 
C. ,  wife  of  J.  Lester  ;  George  G. ;  Emma  Y. ,  wife  of  A.  L.  Emerson  ; 
Willie  M.,  Maggie  M.,  Fred.  N.  and  Samuel,  deceased.  In  1868 
Mrs.  AVirt  fidfilled  a  long  cherished  desire  of  her  heart  in  returning  to 
see  her  parents  in  the  old  home  in  England,  where  she  remained  on  a 
visit  six  months.  On  August  5,  1879,  Mr.  Wirt  died,  leaving  his 
aftectionate  family  a  comfortable  home. 

JosEPHUS  Wade  (deceased),  was  born  in  Highland  county,  Ohio, 
Xovember  19,  1826,  and  spent  his  early  youth  on  the  farm.  His  edu- 
cation was  such  as  could  be  obtained  in  the  common  schools.  In  1840 
lie  emigrated  with  his  parents  to  Llinois,  landing  at  Keithsburg  on 
December  4.       October  16,    1851,   he  was  united  in  marriage  with 


'^, 


luW^-     'rrv>^ 


JAMES       HEATON. 


KEITHSIU'K<i    TOWNSHIP.  170 

Miss  Emily  1).,  (Uiuglitor  of  .Tolni  M.  Nicholson,  who  was  born  in 
"Washington  oonntv,  Indiana,  February  IS,  1S33.  In  iSoH  he  perma- 
nently located  in  Keitli.sbiirg  and  engaged  in  the  livery  business, 
following  the  same  thrfaigh  life.  He  died  at  St.  Anthony's  Falls, 
Minnesota,  August  1,  iSfls,  where  he  had  gone  with  a  view  of  improv- 
ing his  health.  While  there  he  was  accompanied  by  his  wife  who 
brought  ))ack  his  remains  to  Keithsburg  for  interment.  Besides  an 
affectionate  and  sorrowing  wife,  he  left  two  living  children.  Two  are 
deceased.  The  two  living  are  John  M.  and  Mary  J.  The  former, 
born  October  20,  1855,  was  married  November  24,  1880,  to  Miss  Mol- 
lie  E.  Cummins,  a  daughter  of  T.  S.  Cunnnins,  Esq.  lie  died  Janu- 
ary 18,  1880,  of  consumption.  Mr.  Wade's  only  surviving  child, 
Mary  J.,  was  bom  in  Keithsburg,  January  13,  ISfJl,  and  is  living  with 
her  mother,  and  by  the  pleasant  sunshine  of  her  presence  renders 
home  very  happy  and  agreeable.  Mv.  Wade's  mother  died  in  Keiths- 
burg, January  20,  1882,  and  was  at  the  time  of  her  death  the  oldest 
person  living  in  the  town. 

Among  the 'few  early  settlers  of  Keithsburg  townshi])  still  remain- 
ing we  find  Mr.  Benjamin  L.  Hardin.  He  was  born  in  Wayne  county, 
Indiana,  April  29,  1818,  and  is  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Polly  Wilson 
Hardin.  He  was  raised  on  a  farm  with  only  the  advantages  of  a 
pioneer  log  cabin  school,  but  where  he  enjoyed  the  means  of  fully 
developing  his  muscular  powers  in  the-  tall  timber  of  Indiana. 
December  24,  1840,  he  married  Miss  Minerva,  daughter  of  James 
(-ribson,  Esq.,  of  Indianapolis,  Indiana,  and  the  next  year  emigrated 
to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  and  settled  near  where  he  now  (1882)  lives 
in  the  township  of  Keithsburg.  After  his  first  settlement  in  the  new 
country  he  realized  the  lack  of  religious  worship  and  soon  engaged 
the  services  of  a  Methodist  preacher  to  liold  meetings  at  his  cabin, 
which  was  continued  till  a  more  suital)le  place  could  be  provided. 
Suffice  it  say  that  to  his  energy  and  untiring  zeal  is  largely  due  the 
prosperity  of  the  chui'ch  in  this  townshi]).  Mr.  Hardin  has  reared  a 
family  of  nine  children,  all  living:  William,  now  farming  in  Iowa; 
Joseph  W..  now  farming  in  Iowa  ;  James  A.,  also  fai-ming  in  Iowa  ; 
John  P.,  at  home;  Alvis,  on  a  farm  in  Keithsburg;  Thomas,  Lava, 
Perry  and  Frank,  at  home.  Mr,  Hardin's  farm  of  3f)(>  acres  is  located 
in  Sees.  11  and  12,  T.  13,  R  5. 

Among  the  early  settlers  who  came  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  may 
be  mentioned  the  name  of  William  S.  Emerson,  who  was  1)oi'n  in 
AVayne  county,  Indiana,  Jamuiry  15,  1822.  He  is  the  fourth  child  of 
Edward  and  Sarah  (Swaford)  Emerson,  living  with  his  parents  until 
twenty-two  years  of  age,  when  he  commenced  fai'iniug  for  himself  on 
II 


180  HISTORY    OF   MERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

a  small  scale,  in  wliicli  business  he  lias  been  engaged  ever  since, 
having  accunuilated  considerable  property,  lOo  acres  in  section  11, 
ninetj-  acres  in  section  10,  and  fortv-eight  acres  in  section  10  of  the 
neM^  survey.  He  came  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  during  the  year  of 
ISlrl,  leaving  his  parents  and  his  native  state  for  the  purpose  of 
securing  him  a  home  in  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi,  where  so  many 
have  accumulated  wealth  from  its  fertile  soil.  November  13,  1845, 
he  was  married  to  Delila  Hurst,  who  was  born  in  Wayne  county, 
Indiana,  February  15,  1828.  They  have  had  seven  children,  five  of 
whom  are  living  and  two  dead  :  Edward  L.  was  born  August  18,  1846  ; 
William  E.,  February  10,  1850  ;  Francis  M.,  May  8,  1852  ;  Lynden, 
August  ly,  1857  ;  Thomas  H.,  April  16,  1861  ;  Xettie  F.,  October  22, 
1865  ;  Ida  May,  June  25,  1870.  Edward  L.  is  married  to  Miss  Ella 
Gailey,  and  is  at  present  practicing  medicine  in  New  AVindsor,  Mercer 
county.  Lynden  is  married  to  Miss  Emma  Wirt,  and  is  engaged  in 
farming.  Francis  M.  and  Nettie  are  dead.  Thomas  and  Ida  remain 
at  home  with  their  parents.  In  politics  Mr.  Emerson  has  always  been 
a  republican.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Christian  church  since 
twenty-two  years  of  age. 

Henry  G.  Calhoun,  fourth  in  a  family  of  ten  children,  by  Thomas 
and  Jane  (Gray)  Calhoun,  was  born  in  Muskingum  county,  Ohio, 
October  31,  1820.  He  was  reared  on  his  father's  tarm,  obtained  a 
common  school  education,  learned  the  cooper's  trade,  and  after  working 
at  that  three  or  four  winters  took  up  with  carpentering.  In  1844  he 
left  the  home  of  his  childhood  and  embarking  at  Wheeling  came  by 
river  to  Keithsburg,  landing  here  on  the  fifth  of  April.  He  worked 
three  years  at  carpentry,  and  meantime,  June  10,  1846,  was  married  to 
Miss  Sarah  J.  Brown,  who  died  ten  months  afterward,  leaving  twin 
daughters,  one  of  which  lived  a  year,  while  the  other,  Sarah  Jane,  is 
yet  living  and  is  the  wife  of  AVilliam  S.  McCormick,  of  Ohio  Grove 
townshi}).  From  1847  to  1849  Mr.  Calhoun  was  clerking  for  Messrs. 
Noble  tic  Gayle.  After  that  he  was  in  the  employ  of  Abrani  liife  for 
some  time,  and  while  engaged  wath  him  was  married  again  to  Mrs. 
Julia  A.  Hubbell,  November  29,  1849.  In  October  of  the  same  year  he 
opened  the  Calhoun  house  and  conducted  it  over  two  years,  and  in  the 
same  time  he  im})roved  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  near  the  town.  In  1853 
he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace  and  was  api)ointed 
deputy  recorder,  and  also  held  tlie  a])pointment  of  notary  i)ublic.  He 
was  thus  engaged  in  ]iublic  l)usiuess  foi-  eight  years.  Septeml)er  30, 
1861,  he  enHsted  in  coinpany  (t,  30th  111.  Vn].,  and  was  elected  and 
connnissioned  first  lieutenant  of  lii>  (•()mi)any.  lie  was  taken  prisoner 
September  1,  ls62,  at  Brittain's  Lane,  Tennessee,   and  having  been 


kr:ithsbl'rg  township.  ISl 

paroled  on  the  IHth  he  resigiK'<l  and  came  home  broken  down  in  health. 
Since  that  time  he  has  been  variously  engage<l  in  building,  clerking, 
book-keei)ing  and  canvassing.  Mr.  Calhoun  is  prominent  in  the 
Masonic  order.  In  December,  1850,  he  was  made  a  Mason  in  Kobert 
Burns  Lodge,  No.  113,  A.F.A.M.,  and  in  October,  18.51,  he  took  the 
chapter  degrees  in  Horeb  Chapter,  No.  4,  R.A.M.,  at  Knoxville,  and 
in  June,  1880,  the  degrees  in  Galesburg  Gommandery,  No.  8.  He  has 
filled  all  the  offices  in  the  lodge  and  the  cha|)ter,  and  has  been  a  repre- 
sentative to  the  grand  lodge  at  two  different  periods,  first  in  1850  and 
at  a  subsequent  time  four  consecutive  years,  in  each  of  which  last  he 
held  the  appointment  of  district  deputy  grand  master.  lie  was  also  a 
member  of  one  of  the  standing  committees  seven  or  eight  years  from 
the  expiration  of  his  service  as  representative.  Mr.  Calhoun  was 
originally  a  whig.  On  the  dissolution  of  that  party  he,  with  the  Hon. 
John  S.  Tliom})Son,  was  the  first  to  take  active  measures  looking  toward 
the  organization  of  the  republican  paitj  in  Keiths))urg  townshi]),  and 
he  is  still  as  ardent  as  ever  for  the  success  of  the  same  party.  By  his 
second  marriage  he  has  two  daughters :  Josephine  Louisa  and  Augusta 
Belle.     The  latter  is  the  wife  of  C.  A.  Mertz. 

Jacob  Wolfe  was  born  in  the  State  of  Maryland,  near  Harper's 
Ferry,  October  10,  1792.  His  parents  moved  to  the  State  of  Ohio  in 
17J>8  and  settled  twelve  miles  south  of  Dayton,  near  Germantown. 
May  Yount,  his  wife,  was  born  in  the  State  of  North  Carolina  May  9, 
1797,  near  the  Shallow  Ford  on  the  Yadkin  river.  Her  parents 
removed  to  ( )hio  and  settled  in  the  same  neighborhood.  They  were 
married  in  the  State  of  Ohio  in  1814,  moved  to  Indiana  in  1822,  and 
raised  a  family  of  nine  children.  The  mother  died  ( )ctober  19,  1838, 
and  the  father  August  23,  1861.  W.  AVolfe,  son  of  the  above,  was 
born  in  the  State  of  Ohio,  July  22,  1816,  and  his  'sdfe,  Rebecca  Marlatt, 
in  the  State  of  Yii-ginia,  November  14,  1816.  They  were  married  in 
Wayne  county  October  19,  1839.  In  1844  they  moved  t(»  Mercer 
county,  Illinois,  landing  here  on  the  23d  of  October.  At  that  time 
there  was  but  one  house  on  what  was  called  the  Prairie  road  from 
Henderson  Grove  to  the  bluff",  and  that  was  a  small  frame.  There  was 
then  only  a  track  where  the  horses  walked,  and  prairie  grass  was  as  high 
as  the  horses'  backs.  There  were  then  only  a  few  families  in  the 
bottom,  and  not  a  house  could  be  seen  from  the  bluft"  to  Keithsburg. 
At  that  time  there  was  not  what  couhl  be  ])roperly  called  a  house 
where  Keiths])urg  now  is.  He  says  the  first  time  he  was  in  town  he 
«aw  Bill  Brewer  shooting  ducks  where  now  stands  the  Birch  building^ 
owned  by  T.  B.  Cabeen  and  occupied  as  a  drug  store.  There  was  then 
only  one  small  frame  house   ])artly  tinished   and   sided    half  wav  up. 


182  HICTORY    OF   MERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

Tlie  town  iin}»roved,  and  built  up  smartly  in  a  short  time.  He 
recollects  being  ]>resent  at  the  tirst  trial  of  any  importance  that  was 
liad  in  the  }»laee.  The  newly-elected  justice,  by  the  name  of  Garner, 
was  the  court.  The  parties  to  the  suit  were  G.  Mossman,  plaintitt",  and 
I.  Lakey  and  I.  Raynolds,  defendants.  Tlie  attorneys  were  B.  C. 
Taliaferro,  for  the  plaintiff,  and  C.  M.  Harris,  of  Oquawka,  for  the 
defendants.  In  the  course  of  the  trial  there  was  some  trouble  as  to 
the  admissibility  of  some  evidence.  The  attorneys  argued  their  points 
before  the  court.  When  one  of  them  would  get  through,  the  court 
would  admit  the  e\'idence.  Then  the  other  attorney  would  make  a 
speech  showing  the  case  in  a  different  light,  when  the  court  would 
exclude  the  evidence.  It  went  on  so  for  some  time,  when  the  attorneys 
as  well  as  the  court  became  much  excited  and  one  of  the  attorneys  used 

some  pretty  short  talk.     The  court  then  said  ''he'd  be  d d,  if  be 

did  not  shut  up,  he'd  tine  him  for  contempt."'     The  legal  man  told  the 

court  to   "•tine  and  be  d d,   for  the   court  wouldn't   have   sense 

enough  to  collect  the  tine.''  He  says  New  Boston  was  a  town  when 
he  came  here.  He  went  over  to  see  the  town  and  the  Mississippi. 
There  was  quite  a  crowd  there,  and  every  man  carried  a  gun  and  was 
followed  by  one  or  more  dogs.  Most  of  the  men  wore  the  coon-skin, 
cap  with  the  tail  hanging  down  the  back.  After  Mr.  Wolfe  had  been 
here  some  time  he  thouglit  he  would  look  around  some  and  see  the 
country.  He  was  anxious  to  see  some  timber.  These  bluffs  were  com- 
paratively bare  of  timber  at  that  time.  The  first  growtli  had  been  cut 
off,  and  he  was  told  of  Sugar  Grove,  north  of  Aledo,  which  was  repre- 
sented as  nice  timber  as  heart  could  wish,  so  he  struck  out  for  the 
gi'ove.  On  the  road  to  this  settlement  were  then  the  cabins  of 
H.  Biggs,  Eb.  CVesswell  and  N.  Edwards.  The  last  named  is  north 
of  the  road  and  is  still  standing.  Another  was  unoccupied.  At  the 
grove  he  found  the  Millers,  and  they  were  anxious  to  sell  out.  They 
had  the  Oregon  fever  badly,  but  he  did  not  like  the  location.  Mr. 
Wolfe  finally  bought  in  the  bottom  where  he  now  lives. 

l*rominent  am<^)ng  the  young  business  men  of  this  town,  who  have 
by  industry  and  good  management  succeeded  in  making  a  pleasant  home 
and  building  up  a  j)ros})erous  business,  may  be  mentioned  Mr.  Joseph 
Venabi.e.  He  was  born  in  the  county  of  Tyrone,  Ireland,  April  2, 
1848.  Ill  ls.")<').  in  com])any  with  his  mother  and  her  family,  he  em- 
barked on  the  sailing  vessel  New  Australia  for  America.  Soon  after 
their  arrival  they  settled  in  Mercer  county,  Illinois.  At  the  age  of 
twenty  he  commenced  work  as  an  apprentice  with  Mr.  Charles  Clark, 
in  the  shop  he  now  owns,  and  in  wliich  he  keeps  six  steady  workmen 
and  is  turning  out  a  su|)erior  class  of  wagons,  carriages  and  other  farm 


KEITIISBrRrr   TOWNiSlIIl'.  183 

machinery.  November  !<!,  1S05,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah 
Ivrenier,  a  native  of  PeJinsylvania.  They  have  a  family  of  three  chil- 
dren, Frederick  L.,  Harry  C.  and  Joseph  C  He  is  a  member  of  Mercer 
Lodge,  Xo.  210,  I.O.O.F.,  and  also  of  the  encampment. 

The  Xoble  Family. — ]\Irs.  Harriet  W.  Xoble,  who  is  the  widow 
of  James  A.  Xoble,  was  born  in  Danville,  Columljia  county,  Pennsyl- 
\'ania,  September  22.  1830.  She  is  the  daughter  of  Frederick  and 
Nancy  A.  Frick.  She  was  married  to  Mr.  Xoble  June  20,  1849.  They 
liad  born  to  them  seven  children  (Alice  F.  and  Harry  F.  dead).  The 
living  are  Kate  A.,  Ida  J..  Hattie  X.,  James  L.  and  M.  Adella.  Kate, 
the  eldest  child,  is  postmistress  at  Keithsburg,  and  has  served  in  that 
capacity  for  about  twelve  years,  and  it  may  not  be  out  of  place  to  say, 
in  this  connection,  tliat  in  everv  i)articular  she  has  been  a  model  officer. 
Tlie  ability  with  which  Miss  Xoble  has  lilled  her  im^iortant  ])lace  t)f 
tiiist  proves,  beyond  the  possibility  of  a  doubt,  that  woman  is  (pialitied 
as  well  as  man  to  liohl  positions  of  responsibility.  Hattie  has  been 
deputy  postmistress  for  a  good  many  years,  and  she,  also,  in  connection 
■with  another  hidy,  can-ies  on  a  millinery  establisliment.  Tlie  home  of 
Mrs.  Xoble  and  tamily  is  a  pleasant  and  desiral)le  one.  Mr.  Xoble 
died  March  3,  1862,  which  place<l  the  responsibility  of  rearing  their 
family  of  small  children  upon  the  mother,  and  the  result  })roves  that 
ehe  was  equal  to  the  emergency.  Mrs.  Xoble  is  a  member  of  the  Pres- 
byterian church. 

Among  the  business  men  of  Mercer  county  none  occu[)ies  a  more 
tiidy  honorable  position  than  WiiLLL\it  Gayle.  The  thoughtless 
masses  bestow  hasty  credit  u})on  men  who  have  only  climbed  the  hill  of 
fortune;  but  it  may  be  necessary  to  pass  down  the  sharp  declivity 
on  the  other  side,  in  the  face  of  all  who  know  them,  to  discover  the  pro- 
portion of  i)ure  gold  in  their  characters.  Mr.  Gayle  is  a  conspicuous 
example  of  that  class  who  have  trod  the  wine-i)ress  of  business  pros- 
perity an<l  adversity,  and  whose  rugged  qualities  of  integrity  and 
fortitude  luive  been  proven  by  .severe  trial.  He  is  a  native  of  Fi-ank- 
fort,  Kentucky,  where  he  was  born  August  IH,  1819,  of  })arents 
descended  from  purely  English  ancestry,  that  settled  in  this  country 
prior  to  the  Revolution.  In  the  autumn  of  1845  he  formed  a  partner- 
ship with  James  A.  Xoble,  with  whom  he  had  been  co-clerk  in 
Louisville,  and  this  firm  of  Xoble  &  Gayle  brought  a  stock  goods  at 
once  to  Oquawka  and  (opened  out  in  trade.  The  following  si)ring  they 
divided  their  business,  and  Mr.  Gayle  came  to  Keithsburg  with  half 
their  stock  and  began  selling  goods  on  the  first  day  of  May.  This 
shortly  proved  to  be  a  superior  location,  and  the  next  fall  the  senior 
partner  came  here  from  Oquawka  and  the  business  was  consolidated 


184  HISTORY    OF    MEKCER    AJsD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

in  this  place.  Early  in  1850  Mr.  Noble  witlidre-sv.  and  his  place  was- 
taken  %  Mr.  Gayle's  brother-in-law,  R.  H.  Alvis,  of  Henderson^ 
Kentucky,  who  was  a  partner  two  years.  Before  his  retirementv 
B.  F.  AYilson,  who  had  been  clerking  in  the  house  a  number  of  years^ 
was  ffiven  a  small  interest  and  continued  with  Mr.  Gavle  until  the 
crash  of  1857,  when  the  latter  failed  with  assets  five-fold  greater  than 
his  liabilities.  The  exceeding  stringency  of  affairs  caused  his  com- 
plete financial  ruin.  Declining  all  offers  of  assistance,  he  at  once 
engaged  in  clerking,  first  in  St.  Louis  and  afterward  in  Keithsburg, 
and  was  so  employed  until  1871  when  he  again  started  in  trade  on  his 
own  account,  and  is  now  firmly  established  and  doing  a  large  business 
in  grain,  flour,  coal,  lime  and  cement.  Mr.  Gayle  was  liberally 
educated,  chiefly  under  the  priyate  tuition  of  his  father,  George  Gayle, 
who  was  a  scholar  of  'scientific  and  classical  attainments.  He  is  a 
man  who  enjoys  an  unconscious  exaltation  in  being  always  kind  and 
accommodating  to  all  men.  September  7,  1851,  he  was  maiTied  to 
Miss  Margaret  A.  Ungles,  who  has  been  the  mother  of  ten  children 
by  this  marriage,  four  of  whom  are  liying. 

Allen  F.  Glo\t;r,  tailor,  oldest  child  of  Silas  and  Mary  (Rob- 
ertson) Gloyer,  is  a  native  of  Abbeville,  South  Carolina,  where  he 
was  born  June  17,  1823.  At  the  age  of  ten  he  emigrated  with  his 
fathers  family  to  ( )hio.  At  Fairhaven  he  learned  the  tailor's  trade,, 
and  in  184-2  he  left  the  state  and  the  following  year  settled  at  Oquawka. 
In  the  spring  of  1848  he  removed  to  Keithsburg.  and  next  year  was 
married  to  Miss  Sarah  L.,  youngest  daughtQi-  of  Jesse  and  Christinia 
Brewer.  Her  birtlqjlace  was  Wayne  county,  Indiana,  where  she  was 
born  in  1^27.  Her  parents  were  originally  from  North  Carolina,  and 
came  to  this  county  in  1835  and  settled  on  the  farm  now  owned  by 
Solomon  Wolf,  northeast  of  Keithsburg.  This  wife  died  without 
issue  in  1850,  and  three  years  afterward  he  was  married  a  second  time 
to  Miss  Minerva  Catlin,  who  bore  him  six  children  and  died  in  1873. 
In  1854  Mr.  Glover  removed  to  Wisconsin,  staying  there  two  years. 
During  some  eighteen  years  after  his  return  he  was  tending  grocery 
store  as  clerk  ;  since  that  time  he  has  worked  at  his  trade.  About 
eii^ht  vears  aijo  lie  united  with  the  Methodist  church  and  is  now  one  of 
the  stewards.  He  has  been  a  member  of  Mercer  Lodge.  Xo.  210, 
I.O.O.F.  ;  he  has  jjassed  all  the  chairs  and  been  representative  to  the 
grand  lodge.  In  1864  he  was  ''raised"*  in  Robert  Burns  Lodge, 
No.  113,  A.F.A.M..  and  has  been  Secretaiy  of  that  lodge  since.  He 
has  been  elected  to  the  offices  of  assessor  and  justice  of  the  peace  ; 
the  latter  proving  distasteful  lie  resigned  it.  lie  affiliates  politically 
with  the  republicans.     His  children  have  been  Irene,  who  died  at  the 


KEITHSBURG   TOWNSHIP.  185 

age  of    uiiic-eteu  ;    Eunim  ;    kla,   now  Mrs.   ISctli  C'luuidler  ;    (.'luirlie, 
George,  and  Bell  (dead). 

John  Heaton  was  born  at  Xenia.  Oliio,  November  2,  18(»4.  His 
father  was  John,  son  of  Jonah  Ilcatoii  of  Bryant's  Station,  Kentucky, 
who  was  from  Connecticut,  and  who.  history  says,  made  the  first  gun 
ever  manufactured  in  the  former  state.  Jouali's  son  John  was  edu- 
cated by  his  uncle  Daniel,  and  was  a  prominent  man  in  his  county, 
holding  the  office  of  county  commissioner  anfl  justice  of  the  peace  for 
twenty-two  consecutive  years.  James  Ileaton  worked  at  and  thor- 
ouglily  learned  the  trade  of  his  father,  that  of  a  bhicksmitli  and  gun- 
smith. In  the  spring  of  1820  (May  25),  he  was  married  to  Miss  Nancy 
Henry,  daughter  c^f  William  Henry,  who  was  a  lirst  cousin  to  Patrick 
Henry,  of  Virginia.  It  may  be  proper  here  to  state  that  while  Patrick 
was  a  democrat  of  the  Jefferson  school,  William  was  a  federalist  and 
did  not  sym])athize  with  him  as  his  descendants  have  done.  Mrs. 
Heaton  is  a  woman  of  great  practical  ability  and  native  good  sense, 
who  believes  that  the  patent  of  real  royalty  belongs  to  those  who  do 
right  and  live  by  industry.  They  have  lived  a  long  and  useful  life. 
Fifty-six  years  have  tliey  passed  together,  and  in  this  time  reared  a 
large  family  of  children  :  John,  of  Red  Bluff,  California,  the  eldest, 
and  William  Henry,  the  second  child,  now  of  Keithsburg,  being  the 
only  sons  of  six  born  to  them  now  living.  George  died  in  Texas  at 
the  age  of  forty-three  ;  James  at  the  age  of  eleven  ;  Chauncy,  when 
eight  months  old ;  and  his  twin  Ijrother  Oliver  at  the  same  age.  Their 
six  daughters  are  all  living.  These  ai'e  :  Sarah  Salisbury,  at  Red 
Oak,  Iowa ;  ^Maria  Adair,  in  Hutcliinson  county,  Dakota ;  Marienne 
Phares,  at  Keithsburg  (with  whom  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ileaton  make  their 
home);  Margaret  Ilanna,  at  Fort  Scott,  Kansas;  ]^[attie  Hanna,  at 
Ocpiawka  ;  and  Sippie  Wolff,  at  Clarinda,  Iowa.  Mr.  Ileaton  was  a 
great  lover  of  stock,  and  when  first  married  fenced  a  tract  of  3,000 
acres  on  the  head  of  the  Little  Miami  river  in  Clark  county,  Ohio, 
where  he  kept  in  pasture  several  thousand  head  of  cattle.  In  1836 
he  came  to  Edgar  county,  Illinois,  and  engaged  in  lousiness.  In  1842 
he  moved  to  the  New  Purchase  in  Iowa.  In  the  fall  of  1843  he  came 
to  Henderson  county,  Illinois,  opposite  the  tlien  small  town  of  Bur- 
lingtctn.  In  the  spring  of  that  year  he  settled  on  a  farm  on  the  Elli- 
son, in  Warren  county,  and  the  same  season  Ixnight  the  farm  where 
the  to\vn  of  Ellison  now  stands.  In  the  fall  of  1848,  wanting  better 
facilities  for  schooling  his  children,  he  came  to  Keitlisburg,  where  he 
lived  till  the  s})ring  of  1852,  when  he  moved  to  Bald  Bluff.  There  he 
and  his  boys  made  a  large  farm  and  gratified  that  old  love  of  stock  by 
raising  cattle,  hogs  and  horses.     In  18<>;s  William  went  to  Abingdon, 


186  HISTORY    OF    MERCER    AJCD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

Knox  county,  and  the  next  year  (leorge  went  to  Texas.  It  was  then 
that  he  gave  u\)  the  farm  and  nio\ed  to  Keithsburg,  where  he  now  has 
a  pleasant  home  and  varies  his  exercise  e\ery  day  with  a  walk  down 
town.  He  is  perhaps  the  best  known  man  in  the  count}'.  He  has 
always  lived  a  quiet,  unassuming  life,  has  worked  hard  and  aimed  to 
deal  fairlv  with  all  who  huve  had  intercourse  with  him.  He  is  in 
religion  a  predestinarian  Ba})tist,  in  politics  a  democrat,  having  cast  his 
tirst  vote  for  Andrew  Jackson  in  1828,  and  adhered  to  that  school  ever 
since.  Like  most  of  the  early  settlers,  Mr.  Heaton's  home  was  tlie 
abode  of  hos|)itality,  and  friend  or  stranger  who  came  his  way  was 
alike  M-elcome  to  share  its  refreshments.  In  his  old  age  he  still  retains 
his  love  of  society,  and  enjoys  recounting  the  incidents  and  adventures 
of  the  past.  This  worthy  couple  are  never  happier  than  when  their 
house  is  full  of  their  children  and  grandchildren,  of  whom  they  have 
a  great  number. 

From  youth  to  age  this  wedded  pair 

Have  journeyed  on  together  — 
Not  alway.s  gentle  was  the  wind, 

Xor  always  bland  the  weather  ; 
Yet  few  and  light  have  Iteen  their  cares, 

And  light  and  few  their  crosses, 
And  God  has  shown  his  ])itying  face 

Amid  their  griefs  and  losses. 
Oh,  sore  the  travel  and  the  toil 

To  reach  the  roseate  i)resent. 
Had  no  affection  cheered  the  way 

And  made  the  journey  pleasant. 

What  if  the  cheek  has  lost  its  bloom. 

The  eye  its  olden  lustre  — 
What  if  the  locks  are  thinned  and  blanched 

Which  on  the  temples  cluster  — 
Still  hope  is  fresh  and  hearts  are  young, 

And  love  is  unabated, 
Aud  men  and  angels  hail  to-duy 

The  married  and  the  mated. 

The  loveliest  thing  on  earth  is  love. 

The  loveliest  and  the  purest ; 
The  dearest  thing  on  earth  is  love, 

The  dearest  and  the  surest ; 
And  not  alone  is  heavenly  sweet 

The  honey  nf  its  kisses  : 
The  very  tears  of  love  are  sweet, 

Its  very  jnings  are  blisses ; 
And  they  who  love  witii  lnvc  tin-  best. 

The  fondest  and  the  strongest  — 
Love  with  the  loveliest  love  of  all  — 

Are  they  wlio  love  the  longest. 


KEITHSBriU.    ToWNSHIl'.  IS" 

Ah  I  I.Kve's  dear  veterans  well  deserve 

Our  <_'reetiii;_'.s  and  our  i)rai!<es. 
Since  >vhere  we  l<K)ke<l  for  Winter's  snuws 

They  point  to  Siirinti'rf  sweet  daisies  : 
Since,  when  the  sea  is  sniooth  and  fair, 

Or  black  the  tide  is  tlowinjr, 
ThrouLdi  all  the  voyage  uf  the  years 

They  keep  their  fond  hearts  glowing  ; 
Since,  though  the  frame  may  show  the  trace 

Of  many  a  blight  and  fever, 
The  teeming  vineyards  of  the  soul 

Are  fresh  and  green  as  ever; 
Since,  through  the  long  sweet  married  days 

Their  faith  and  fervor  i)roving,  • 

They  make  a  noble  thing  of  life. 

A  godlike  thing  of  loving. 

Oh,  ha])py,  true  and  honored  pair  I 

Oh.  ever  leal  and  loyal  I 
We  pay  you  willing  court  to-day, 

For  love  has  made  you  royal ! 
All  gentle  thoughts  and  hopes  are  yours, 

All  wishes  sweet  and  tender  — 
What  richer  tributes  can  we  bring, 

What  worthier  homage  render? 
God's  cherubs  still  your  steps  attend. 

His  peace  your  fond  hearts  strengthen, 
As  o'er  the  sky  above  your  heads 

The  evening  shadows  lengthen  ; 
And  when  the  night  comes  on,  at  last, 

And  Ijrings  its  welcome  slumber, 
Sweet  angels  from  the  wondrous  host 

Which  none  may  name  or  number. 
Shall  lead  your  still  united  souls 

Through  shining  arch  and  jKjrtal, 
To  gardens  fair  and  pastures  green, 

Where  love  shall  be  immortal  I 

Jerome  A.  Swezy,  deceased,  was  born  in  Go.slien.  ( )range  county, 
'New  York,  August  15,  1815.  He  removed  to  Quincy,  Illinois,  in  an 
earl}^  day,  and  was  there  niamed  to  Miss  Mary  J.  Atkinson  October 
12,  1843.  He  removed  to  0(|uawka  in  184<!,  where  he  engaged  in 
merchandising  till  1850,  when  he  started  on  an  overland  tri}>  to  Cali- 
fornia taking  with  him  two  four-horse  teams  and  twelve  men.  He 
remained  in  California  till  the  following  December,  when  he  started 
home  via  the  Isthmus,  on  a  passenger  steamer.  At  Grenada.  Centi-al 
America,  he  was  taken  down  with  a  severe  fever  and  remained  there 
till  the  following  June.  When  he  reached  his  home  he  wa.s  still  in 
feeble  health,  and  with  a   view  to  impro\ing  it,   went  with  his  wife 


188  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AJSTD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

to  his  boyhood  liome  in  jS^ew  York.  In  1852.  hining  regained 
his  health,  he  returned  and  settled  in  Keithsburg.  During  his  thirty 
years  residence  here,  he  was  in  business  as  book-keeper,  shipper, 
lumber  and  real  estate  dealer.  He  died  March  26,  1882.  His  wife 
and  six  children  survive  him.  The  latter  are :  Emma,  \vife  of 
C.  T.  Combs;  Jessie  C. ;  Somerville  E.,  wife  of  H.  C.  Cook,  whose 
biography  follows ;  HattieE. ;  Georgia  A.;  and  Hub er. 

Henry  Chalmers  Cook  was  born  in  McConnellsburg,  Pennsyh'ania, 
February  7,  1856,  where  he  grew  to  manhood.  He  served  an  appren- 
ticeshi])  of  three  years  in  the  office  of  the  "Fulton  Kepublican""  at 
McConnellsburg.  In  1876  he  came  to  Illinois  and  for  three  years 
worked  dt  his  trade  of  printer  at  Princeton.  In  the  spring  of  1879  he 
came  to  Keithsburg,  where  he  engaged  as  foreman  in  the  ''News" 
office  for  W.  H.  Heaton.  In  June,  1881,  he  formed  a  partnership  with 
R.  Wolfe  and  started  the  ' '  Keithsburg  Times. "  In  December  follow- 
ing he  sold  his  interest  to  his  partner  and  returned  to  his  former  place 
in  the  "News'"'  office.  August  19,  1880,  he  was  united  in  marriage 
w^th  Miss  Swezy.  They  have  one  child,  Michael  Jerome,  born 
September  14,  1881. 

WiLLi.ui  D.  Reynolds,  stock  dealer,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania, 
September  14,  1841.  His  parents,  William  C.  and  Catharine  A. 
(Tiger)  Reynolds,  removed  to  Mercer  county  in  1846.  and  settled  in 
Ohio  Grove  township,  where  they  early  became  identified  with  the 
affairs  of  the  county.  Mr.  Reynolds,  Sr.,  remained  here  till  the  spring 
of  1882,  when  he  sold  out  and  went  to  reside  with  his  daughter  in 
Iowa.  Young  William  received  his  education  at  the  pioneer  schools 
of  this  county's  early  history,  as  well  as  a  thorough  knowledge  of  farm 
labor.  In  1861  he  responded  to  the  President's  call  for  men  to  pre- 
serve the  honor  of  their  country's  flag  and  became  a  member  of  com- 
pany A,  30th  reg.  111.  Yol.  Inf  During  the  service  he  was  twice 
wounded,  first  at  Belmont,  Missouri,  and  afterward  at  Fort  Donelson, 
-and  was  soon  after  discharged  on  account  of  disability.  He  was 
married  February  11,  1869,  to  Miss  Sarah  E.,  daughter  of  Lewis  and 
Maria  Sponsler,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  who  came  to  Mercer  county 
in  1860.  They  are  the  ])arents  of  six  children  living:  Maud  E., 
Clara  A.,  Lora  E.  (died  March  22,  1882),  Lewis  G.,  Guss,  Glenn,  and 
Lucv.  Mr.  Revnolds  is  now  a  resident  of  the  town  of  Keithsburg, 
but  expects  to  I'emove  to  his  farm  of  160  acres  in  Edwards  county, 
Kansas. 

John  J.  Hawkins,  retired  farmer,  was  born  in  Bath  county,  Ken- 
tucky, September  7,  1 829,  and  is  the  sou  of  Thomas  and  Malinda 
Hawkins.     In  1847  they  came  to  Illinois  and  settled  in  Abington  town- 


KKrrirsiui;(i  tmwnshii'.  18f> 

islii]",  Mercer  county,  wliere  lie  engaged  in  funning.  December  1,  iSoO. 
he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Maria  E.,  daughter  of  Russell 
Wordin.  Esq.,  an  early  settler  of  Mercer  county.  She  was  born 
in  the  State  of  New  York,  June  7,  1831.  They  are  the  parents  of 
tliree  children,  as  follows :  Lucy,  wife  of  Mr.  A.  F.  Winslow,  who  is  a 
conductor  on  the  Central  Pacilic  i-ailroad  and  resides  at  Ogden,  Utah ; 
Alvis  T.,  and  Albert  D.,  on  the  farm  neai-  Keithsburg.  They  are  both 
members  of  the  ]\Iasonic  fraternity.  Mr.  Hawkins  is  a  member  of 
liobei-t  Burns  Lodge,  JS'o.  113,  Illinois  Chapter,  No.  IT,  and  Gales- 
burg  (V)mman(lerv,  No.  s.  A  few  years  after  his  marriage  Mr. 
Hawkins  removed  to  the  north  ])art  of  Henderson  county,  where  he 
lived  till  1878,  when  he  took  up  his  residence  in  Keithsburg.  By  hard 
work  and  honest  industry  he  has  accumulated,  besides  his  town 
property,  466  acres  of  farming  land. 

Edward  Ott,  blacksmith,  was  born  in  Henderson  county,  Hlinois,. 
March  23,  1848,  and  was  left  an  orjthan  when  about  eleven  years  old. 
Li  December,  1862,  when  but  a  little  over  fourteen  years  of  age,  he^ 
enlisted  in  the  war  for  the  Union  as  a  member  of  the  12tli  Illinois 
cavalry  and  followed  the  fortunes  oi'  war  till  May,  1866.  On  returning 
home  he  engaged  in  the  butcher  business,  but  soon  after  turned  his- 
attention  to  learning  the  trade  of  blacksmith  and  permanently  located 
in  Keithsburg.  February  26,  1875,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  E. 
Hall,  of  Henderson  county,  Illinois.  They  have  two  children : 
Mary  C.  and  William  C. 

Thomas  Marlatt,  retired  farmer,  was  born  in  Wayne  county, 
Indiana,  September  12,  1824.  His  father  was  a  farmer  and  reared 
his  children  to  that  hardy  and  honorable  occupation.  Mr.  ]\Iarlatt 
obtained  such  an  education  as  the  common  schools  of  his  boyhood 
days  afforded.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one  he  began  for  himself  at 
farming.  In  1849  he  caiiie  to  Mercer  county,  wliere  he  permanently 
located  and  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising.  February  2,  1854, 
he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Caroline,  daughter  of  James  M. 
and  Elizabeth  (Ellis)  Dryden.  She  was  born  in  Highland  county, 
Ohio,  September  4,  1834,  and  came  to  Mercer  county  in  1853.  Thej 
are  the  parents  of  xVlta  I.,  Adella  V.,  Jessie  F..  and  two  children 
deceased.  On  August  17,  1870,  Mr.  Marlatt  met  with  a  painful  mis- 
fortune, this  being  no  less  than  the  instant  loss  of  his  eyesight,  caused 
by  a  kick  in  his  face  from  a  nnile.  The  following  year  he  gave  u]> 
farming  and  took  up  his  residence  in  Keithsburg,  where  he  is  now 
(1882)  enjoying  the  comforts  of  a  very  ])leasant  home.  Early  in  life 
he  became  a  member  of  the  United  Brethren  church ;  in  1853  was. 
licensed  to  preach,  and  is  now  a  member  of  Illinois  annual  conference,. 


190  HISTORY    OF    MERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

His  parents  are  of  English  and  German  ancestry,  and  were  born  in 
Burkley  county,  Virginia.  The  father,  Thomas  Mariatt,  was  born  in 
April,  1792,  and  the  mother,  Miss  Elizabeth  Bellar,  in  1799.  They 
reared  a  family  of  twelye  children  :  seyen  sons  and  fiye  daughters.  In 
1823  they  remoyed  to  AVayne  county,  Indiana,  where  they  resided  till 
the  time  of  their  death  after  a  life  of  industry  and  usefulness.  He  died 
in  March.  1877,  and  she  in  March,  1875.  They  were  consistent  mem- 
bers of  the  United  Brethren  church. 

Thomas  S.  Cl'mmins,  justice  of  the  peace,  notary,  and  insurance 
agent.  Keithsburg.  was  born  February  23,  1836,  in  Xew  Concord, 
Muskingum  county,  Ohio,  and  was  the  son  of  Dayid'R.  and  Sarah 
(Speer)  Cummins.  In  1851  the  family  sold  their  home  and  embarked 
at  AVlieeling,  Virginia,  and  came  by  riyer  transportation  to  Keiths- 
burg. arriving  in  April.  They  liyed  that  summer  in  Ohio  Groye 
township,  where  Mr.  Cummins  had  an  uncle,  Richard  Cummins,  who 
had  emigi'ated  as  early  as  1836  and  was  one  of  the  first  settlers. 
Most  of  the  family  fell  sick  of  the  ague,  and  getting  dissatisfied  with 
the  country,  returned  in  the  fall  to  Ohio.  They  remained  there  but 
two  weeks,  when  they  turned  their  faces  again  to  the  west  and  came  to 
Granyille.  Putnam  county,  Illinois.  Xext  summer  their  experience 
with  ague  was  repeated,  and  when  autumn  came  they  were  so  much 
disheartened  by  the  gloomy  situation  and  prospect  that  they  went  back 
again  to  their  old  home  in  Ohio,  where  they  I'emained  till  1851.  That 
year  they  came  to  Keithsburg,  this  time  by  team,  and  Mr.  Cummins 
has  liyed  in  Mercer  county  since.  He  was  engaged  from  that  time  till 
1866  as  warehouseman  and  shipping  clerk.  From  that  year  till  1873 
he  was  constable  ;  he  was  then  elected  justice  of  the  peace  and  has 
held  the  office  continuously  until  this  time.  He  has  been  notary  public 
since  1871 ;  township  clerk  since  1873,  excepting  in  the  year  1877,  and 
yillage  clerk  the  last  two  years.  In  1871  he  began  doing  an  insurance 
business,  and  now  represents  the  Home  company  of  New  York.  His 
marriage  with  Miss  Martha  Knight  was  celebrated  Sej^tember  3.  1857. 
Their  two  daughters  are  Mary  Etta  and  Maggie  Belle.  The  former  is 
the  wddow  of  John  M.  Wade,  recently  deceased ;  she  and  her  mother 
are  communicants  in  the  Methodist  church.  Mr.  Cummins  has 
always  taken  much  interest  in  local  politics  and  is  a  liberal-minded 
-democrat. 

Ai.yis  Hardin  was  born  in  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  September  20, 
1852.  He  is  the  son  of  B.  F.  and  Minerya  Hardin.  He  was  married 
to  Miss  Xettie  Doak  January  1,  1882.  Mrs.  Hardin  is  the  daughter  of 
Matthew  and  Sarah  A.  Doak.     Mr.  Hardin  is  a  farmer. 


KKITHSIURG    TOWNSHII'.  191 

In  tlie  fall  of  1853  Ciiarle-s  J.  Simpson  came  from  Ohio  and  perma- 
nently located  in  the  village  of  Keithsburg,  where  he  now  enjoys  the 
comforts  of  a  jDleasant  home,  lie  was  born  in  Preble  county,  Ohio,  Feb. 
ruary  22,  1823.  He  is  a  son  of  Aaron  and  Hannah  (Smith)  Simpson, 
who  were  natives  of  Xew  Jersey,  and  are  of  Scotch  and  English  ances- 
try. He  was  bred  a  farmer.  May  2,  1814,  he  married  Barbara, 
daughter  of  John  and  Dorothea  (Mowen)  Beaver.  She  was  born  in 
Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania,  April  19,  1827.  In  180O  Mr.  Sim]>- 
son  began  the  practice  of  veterinary  surgery  in  which  he  has  had  good 
success.  They  have  four  children,  Laura,  Daniel  A.,  who  has  a  brilliant 
war  record,  William  B.,  and  Pauline  G.  wife  of  E.  Loosley.  Mr.  Simp- 
son is  a  member  of  the  I.O.O.F.,  lodge  Xo.  210. 

John  Dunn,  butcher,  was  born  in  Pennsvlvania  Februarv  1,  1814. 
and  is  a  son  of  Amos  and  Catherine  (Cameron)  Dunn.  In  1853  he 
with  his  parents  embarked  on  the  steamer  New  York  at  Pittsburgh, 
Pennsylvania,  for  Keithsburg,  Illinois,  and  made  the  entire  trip  without 
change.  They  at  once  went  to  Ohio  Grove  township  where  they  pur- 
chased a  farm  and  began  to  make  a  home  for  themselves.  They  lirst 
camped  out  till  they  could  build  a  cabin.  Here  John  grew  up  to  man- 
hood with  but  little  means  of  obtaining  an  education.  In  August,  18f)2, 
he  enlisted  in  company  G,  102d  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  for  the  next  three  years 
devoted  his  time  in  the  defense  of  his  country's  flag.  At  the  battle  of 
Resacca,  Georgia,  he  was  wounded  in  the  hips  and  was  placed  in  the 
hospital  for  treatment,  from  which  he  was  discharged  June  22,  1865, 
and  returned  to  Keithsburg.  March  21,  1867,  he  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Miss  Maria  McPherren,  who  was  born  in  Suez  township,  Mercer 
county,  March  1,  181-3.  They  are  the  parents  of  Catharine  P.,  Amos  D., 
and  Thomas,  and  three  deceased.  After  his  marriage  Mr.  Dunn  en- 
gaged in  farming,  but  on  account  of  his  wound  disabling  him  for  farm 
labor  he  abandoned  farming  and  bought  an  interest  in  a  coal  mine  and 
.five  years  later  sold  out  and  came  to  Keithsburg,  where  he  still  resides 
engaged  in  the  butcher  business.  He  is  a  member  of  the  I.O.O.F., 
lodge  No.  210. 

PoBERT  C.  Humbert,  merchant,  is  a  son  ol'  Emanuel  and  Frances 
(McPeynolds)  Humbert ;  was  born  in  Montgomery  county,  Ohio,  Jan- 
uary 26,  1831 ;  removed  with  his  parents  to  Fountain  county,  Indiana, 
when  about  three  years  of  age,  where  at  the  age  of  sixteen  he  became 
an  apprentice  as  bricklayer  and  plasterer.  In  1853  he  came  to  Mercer 
county,  Illinois,  and  engaged  in  working  at  his  trade  in  Keithsburg  till 
1857,  when  he  became  a  merchant  in  the  dry  goods  line,  following  the 
business  till  1864.  At  that  time  l\Ir.  Humbert  arranged  to  go  west  as 
far  as  Montana.     His  object  was  partly  speculative  but  more  particularly 


1i)'2  HISTORY    OF    MEKCEK   AXD    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

for  tlie  benefit  of  an  invalid  brotlier-in-law.  George  Gore,  who  was  suf- 
fering with  that  dreaded  disease  consumption,  who  while  there  regained 
his  health.  On  their  way  out  they  purchased  a  stock  of  goods  which 
they  afterward  lost,  being  attacked  by  Indians  and  robbed.  The  next 
year  Mr.  Humbert  returned  to  his  home  in  Keithsburg  where  he  has 
since  had  a  continuous  residence,  except  three  years  spent  on  his  farm 
in  Henderson  county.  November  26,  1857.  Mr.  Humbert  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Miss  Sarah,  daughter  of  Pliilip  Gore,  Esq.,  an  early 
settler  of  this  county.  She  was  born  in  Maryland,  January  31,  1839. 
They  are  the  parents  of  seven  children:  Harry  P.,  George  C,  Edward  E., 
James  F.,  Fannie  D.,  Bart  G.,  and  Robert  R.  Mr.  Humbert  is  a  mem- 
ber of  Robert  Burns  Lodge,  Xo.  113,  Illinois  Chapter,  Xo.  IT,  imd 
Galesburg  Commandary,  Xo.  8. 

John  C.  Humphrey,  harness  maker,  is  a  native  of  Columbiana 
.■county,  Ohio,  and  was  born  February  12,  1827.  He  was  reared  on 
the  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  state.  In 
1854  he  made  a  trip  to  California,  where  he  remained  nearly  three 
years.  Soon  after  his  return  home  he  came  to  Iveithsbura;,  and  in 
company  with  Mr.  Samuel  Evans,  engaged  in  the  business  he  now 
follows.  September  2,  1858,  he  married  Miss  iVmanda,  daughter  of 
Jacob  Wolf,  a  native  of  Cumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  who  with 
her  ])arents  came  to  Illinois  in  1856.  They  are  the  parents  of  eight 
children:  Mary,  Harry  W.,  Willis  M.,  Ida,  Ernest  L.,  Mark  J., 
Edward  F.,  and  Eva  B. 

Clarence  S.  Frick,  grain  dealer,  is  a  son  of  Benjamin  P.  and 
Annie  E.  (Stewart)  Frick,  who  are  well  known  and  prominently  con- 
nected in  this  county.  He  was  born  in  Columbia  county,  Pennsylvania, 
•January  2,  1848,  and  came  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  in  1855,  with 
his  parents.  His  education  was  principally  obtained  m  Keithsburg, 
though  he  attended  several  terms  of  high  school  in  M(jnmouth,  Illinois. 
In  1872  he  engaged  in  merchandising  and  grain  buying  in  Keithsburg. 
under  the  firm  name  of  C.  A.  Frick  A:  Bros.  He  was  also  for  a  time 
connected  with  the  Farmers"  Xational  Bank,  of  this  ]:>lace,  as  book- 
keeper. In  1881  he  began  his  present  business  of  buying  and  shipping 
o;rain.  February  2,  1876,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Xellie 
EUett,  a  daughter  of  Benjamin  D.  and  (JrjJia  (Myers)  Ellett,  early 
settlers  of  Keithsburg.  They  have  one  child,  George  Henry,  bom 
February  17,  1870.  Mr.  Frick  is  a  member  of  Mercer  Lodge,  Xo.  210, 
I.O.O.F. 

Captain  Wycofl^'s  father  was  born  in  Allegheny  county,  Penns}'!- 
vania,  in  1703,  and  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  His  wife 
was  a  Miss  Susan   Peairs.     Soon  after  his  marriage  he  removed  to 


KEITHSBURO   TOWNSHIP.  193 

Muskingum  county,  Ohio,  where  he  reared  a  family  of  nine  children, 
two  sons  and  seven  daughters.  lie  died  in  1857,  and  his  old  and  hon- 
ored wife  is  still  (1882)  living  at  her  old  home  in  Ohio.  Our  subject, 
Captain  J.  P.  Wyooff,  is  eldest  son  and  second  child.  He  was  born  in 
Muskingum  county,  Ohio,  September  18,  1819,  and  was  reared  on  the 
farm  with  but  limited  educational  advantages.  December  23.  1840,  he 
was- united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Matilda  Davis,  of  the  same  county. 
Her  parents  were  Samuel  and  Mai-y  (Geyer)  Davis,  who  were  also 
natives  of  Allegheny  county,  Pennsylvania.  The  year  after  his  mar- 
riage Mr.  Wycoif  removed  to  Allen  county,  near  Fort  Wayne,  Indiana, 
and  settled  in  the  tall  timber,  and  there  hewed  out  for  himself  a  home 
on  land  previously  entered  by  his  father.  In  1855  he  bought  a  farm 
in  Sec.  11,  T.  13,  R.  5,  Keithsburg  township,  and  in  1856  sold  his 
home  in  Indiana  and  moved  to  his  new  home,  which  he  has  since  built 
up  to  be  one  of  the  most  pleasant  in  the  county,  and  contains  2  HO  acres. 
In  August,  1862,  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  company  G,  102d  reg.  111. 
Vol.  Inf.,  to  which  he  was  at  once  elected  captain,  but  in  December 
of  the  same  year  was  forced  to  resign  on  account  of  sickness.  Mr. 
Wycoif  has  been  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  since  the  age 
of  seventeen  and  an  elder  for  the  past  tliirt}'  years.  He  has  one  son 
(an  only  child),  Albeit  P.,  born  January  1,  1842.  His  means  for  ob- 
taining an  education  were  quite  limited,  but  by  extensive  reading,  and 
being  a  close  observer,  he  has  gained  a  good  business  education. 
October  17,  1861,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Myra,  daughter  of  George 
•and  Xancy  (Maxfield)  Jay.  She  was  born  in  Mercer  county,  Illinois, 
November  29,  1843,  and  is  one  of  this  county's  literary  ladies.  They 
have  a  family  of  three  interesting  children:  Earl  J.,  Lura  D..  and 
Ethlin  Fern.  They  are  membei's  of  the  MethocUst  Episcopal  church 
and  take  an  active  part  in  its  affairs. 

To  the  soldier  who  dared  death  that  a  great  nation  with  all  its 
legitimate  institutions  might  live,  not  only  belongs  i)raise,  but  the 
gratitude  of  a  whole  people.  The  })ages  of  future  history  will  not 
shine  with  examples  of  generalshij)  alone,  but  the  captain,  his 
subordinates  and  privates,  who  fought  in  the  thickest  cai'nage,  will 
lend  their  light  to  future  heroes.  Captain  DA^■ID  M.  Holsted,  son  of 
David  and  Nancy  (Allshaver)  Hoisted,  was  born  in  Oneida  county, 
New^  York,  Julv  10,  1832.  He  resided  on  a  farm  till  fifteen  vears 
of  age,  receiving  a  common  school  education.  He  early  engaged  in 
the  manufacture  of  brick.  In  185U  he  became  foreman  of  the  Cleve- 
land cV:  Ohio  Pailroad  Construction  Comi)any,  and  soon  after  became 
a  contractor.  In  1856  he  canu'  to  Illinois.  In  ISCI,  when  war's 
cruel  tongue  called   for    soldiery,   he,   in   company   with   Col.    R.   G. 


l!»4  HISTORY    *»F    MERCEK    .V^T)    HEXDERSON    COUNTIES. 

Ingersoll.  recruited  the  lltli  reg.  111.  cavalry.  Col.  Ingersoll  receiving 
the  command.  In  1882  Mr.  Hoisted  aided  in  raising  the  85th  reg.  111. 
Vol.  Inf..  whose  commander  was  Col.  Moore.  Mr.  Hoisted  volun- 
teered as  1st  lieutenant.  For  heroic  conduct  at  the  battle  of  Stone 
river.  Gov.  Yates  commissioned  him  captain.  At  the  battle  of  Chick- 
amauga  he  was  wounded,  necessitating  his  resignation.  For  four 
months  he  w'as  unable  to  feed  himself;  for  one  year  he  was  unable 
to  step  up  six  inches  high,  and  disabled  for  work  a  year  longer. 
After  regaining  his  health  he  resumed  contracting,  this  time  on  the 
Toledo,  Peoria  6z  AVarsaw  railroad.  In  ll^TS  he  came  to  Keith sburg, 
and,  in  company  with  J.  K.  Hornish,  contracted  to  build  the  Keiths- 
burg  t^  Eastern  narrow-gauge  railroad,  which,  on  account  of  the 
financial  crash  of  1873,  is  yet  unbuilt.  In  1857  he  became  a  member 
of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd-Fellows,  and  now  holds  liis  mem- 
bership in  Mason  Lodge,  143.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  encamp- 
ment at  Keithsburg,  and  a  member  of  the  Order  of  the  Red  Cross 
organization  of  Faii'field.  Iowa.  Mr.  Hoisted  was  married  March  28, 
1849,  to  Miss  Eveline  L.,  daughter  of  Ori-in  Fenton,  Esq.,  of  Cleve- 
land, Ohio.     They  have  one  child  living.  Miss  Lottie. 

Hugh  Smith  Scott,  farmer,  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Vir- 
ginia, July  20,  1807,  and  is  the  son  of  Samuel  and  Jane  (Hntton)  Scott. 
He  was  reared  a  farmer.  His  education  was  received  in  the  pioneer 
schools  of  Virginia.  September  18,  1828,  a  few  months  after  obtaining 
majority  he  was  nnited  in  marriage  with  Sarah,  daughter  of  James 
and  Jane  (Clark)  Lion,  also  a  native  of  the  same  county.  Soon  after 
marriage  they  emigrated  to  Indiana,  and  settled  in  Fountain  county, 
remaining  there  until  1856.  In  that  year  they  again  removed,  this 
time  to  find  a  linal  resting  place  in  Mercer  connty,  where  he  settled 
on  a  farm  ])reviously  purchased  of  Mr.  Gayle.  AVhile  a  resident  of 
Indiana,  in  1845,  Mr.  Scotfs  friends  put  him  forward  as  a  candidate 
on  the  democratic  ticket  for  representative  in  the  state  legislatnre,  to 
which  office  he  was  elected  by  a  large  ma.iority.  As  an  evidence  of 
his  popularity,  the  towniship  in  which  he  resided,  that  usually  gave 
a  democratic  majority  of  about  80,  gave  him  the  compliment  of  144 
majority.  He  was  also  twice  elected  county  assessor  and  once  county 
collector  of  Fountain  county.  He  has  also  held  numerous  other 
offices  of  honor  and  trust,  among  which  have  been  that  of  supervisor 
of  Keithsburg  township,  and  also  of*  justice  of  the  peace  for  eight 
years.  He  has  been  prominently  identified  with  the  Methodist  church 
of  Keithsburg  since  his  residence  here.  Of  his  large  family,  Sanniel, 
.lane,  wife  of  Ro])ert  Campbell,  of  Fountain  county,  Indiana,  Lilburn 


^ii^^T^^ycyC^ 


/^; 


KEITHSBURG   TOWNSHIP.  197 

S.,  Angeline  T.,  Julia  C,  wife  of  C.  Dryden,  Howard  and  Florilla, 
wife  of  William  Stewart,  are  living.     Susan  is  deceased. 

Samuel  Scott,  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  is  a  son  of  Hugh  S.  and 
Sarah  (Lion)  Scott.  He  was  born  in  Fountain  county,  Indiana, 
Koyember  21,  1829,  and  was  reared  principally  at  farming.  He 
received  the  best  education  obtainable  in  the  early  schools  of  his  native 
state.  Early  in  life  he  made  clerking  his  business  for  five  years,  and 
spent  two  years  in  the  state  auditor's  office  at  Indianapolis.  In  1855 
he  came  to  Mercer  county  and  engaged  in  farming,  making  that  his 
pennanent  business.  October  1,  1857,  he  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Miss  Sarah  E.,  daughter  of  John  McH.  and  Margaret  (Cramer) 
Wilson,  a  native  of  Michigan,  who  came  to  Mercer  county  wdien  about 
■six  months  old.  She  was  born  August  26,  1836.  They  are  the 
parents  of  live  children,  viz :  Guy  C. ,  Edgar  S. ,  Carrie  W. ,  John 
McH. ,  and  Hugh  M.  Mr.  Scott  is  a  member  of  the  masonic  fraternit}', 
and  holds  his  membership  in  Robert  Burns  Lodge,  Ko.  113.  He  is  a 
live,  energetic  business  man,  and  one  whom  it  would  be  well  for  om* 
young  men  to  pattern  after. 

Mr.  C.  S.  Orth.  who  was  born  in  Lebanon  county,  Pennsylvania, 
in  1835,  educated  at  Franklin  and  Marshall  colleges,  at  Mercersburg, 
in  the.  same  state,  emigrated  to  Iowa  City  in  1857;  came  the  next 
year  to  Keithsburg  where  he  located  in  general  merchandising  in  com- 
pany with  N.  B.  Cox.  In  1862  the  latter  was  rei»laced  by  J.  P.  Reed, 
^ho  died  in  1866 ;  afterward  Mr,  Oith  continued  in  the  same  line 
of  trade  with  M.  A.  Weaver  as  partner,  and  in  1877  he  closed  up  his 
business  in  the  place.  He  is  now  in  trade  at  Bedford  and  Clarinda, 
Iowa,  but  his  family  reside  in  Keithsburg.  He  has  been  closely  iden- 
tified with  the  history  and  devotedly  attached  to  the  interests  of  this 
place  since  he  settled  here,  and  a  public-spirited  supporter  of  every 
worthy  undertaking.  He  was  president  of  the  town  board  one  year, 
and  for  seven  years  fi'om  1874  was  a  director  of  the  public  school,  a 
position  in  which  he  won  credit  and  popularity  for  very  efticient  and 
acknowledged  valuable  services.  In  the  railroad  questions  which  have 
agitated  the  people  of  this  section,  he  has  taken  a  full  share  of  interest 
and  exhibited  his  well-known  vigilance  and  activity.  He  has  some- 
times directed  his  infiuence  and  energies  against  these  as  well  as  other 
enterprises,  and  time  has  generally  confirmed  his  judgment  and  fore- 
sight. His  marriage  with  Miss  Fanny  M.,  daughter  of  Abram  B. 
Sheriff,  a  pioneer  settler  of  Mercer  county,  took  place  in  1863.  They 
are  the  parents  of  eight  living  children. 

George  W.  WnrriNG,  boot  and  shoe  dealer,  was  born  in  Cam- 
bridgeshire, England,  September  27,  1834,  and  was  the  eldest  son  of 
12 


198  HISTORY    OF    MERCER    AXD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

William  and  Sarah  (Gothard)  Whiting.  His  father  was  a  native  of 
Iladnam.  England,  where  he  was  born  June  12,  l^il4,  and  his  mother 
w-as  born  in  the  same  place  June  17,  1815.  This  couple  was  joined 
in  marriage  May  11,  1833.  In  1837  the  family  emigrated  to  the 
United  States,  in  the  sailing  vessel  Neptune,  and  having  settled  at 
Lockport,  uS^ew  York,  Mr.  Whiting's  father  began  manufacturing  boots 
and  shoes  in  a  small  way.  By  close  attention  to  his  trade  his  business 
grew  into  a  large  manufacturing  house  in  which,  after  a  few  years, 
he  employed  from  thirty  to  forty  men.  In  1854  he  lost  his  property 
by  fire,  and  in  October  of  the  same  year  he  brought  his  family  to 
Mercer  county,  where  he  arrived  on  the  23d  of  the  month.  He  settled 
in  Keithsburg  and  died  in  this  place  September  26,  1879.  His  wife 
preceded  him  to  her  final  rest  January  18,  1877.  The  subject  of 
this  notice  remtiined  at  home  with  his  father  and  learned  the  shoe- 
maker's trade.  In  March,  1855,  he  also  came  to  Keithsburg  w4th  his 
newly-married  wife,  and  at  once  engaged  in  the  boot  and  shoe  trade, 
which  he  has  built  up  to  its  present  prosperous  condition.  His 
marriage  with  Miss  Sarah  A.  Wilson  occurred  in  Lockport,  Xew  York, . 
September  7,  1854.  She  was  born  at  Saratoga  May  1,  1835.  Mr. 
Whiting  ranks  with  the  foremost  and  most  public  spirited  men  of  his 
township,  and  his  family  is  justly  esteemed  for  their  social  qualities 
and  literary  tastes. 

William  L.  Range  is  a  son  of  Christian  and  Louisa  (Block) 
Range,  and  was  born  and  reared  a  Hessian,  in  -what  is  now  a  province 
of  Prussia.  His  father  was  a  baker  by  trade,  and  he  was  reared  to 
that  business.  His  education  was  principally  obtained  in  the  common 
schools.  September  24,  1858,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Caroline  Xagle, 
a  native  of  the  same  place.  On  the  4th  of  October  following  they 
left  their  native  home  to  seek  one  in  America,  and  after  a  perilous 
voyage  of  three  months  on  the  sailing  vessel  Aristiezer,  landed  in 
New  York  January  4,  1859.  During  their  last  four  weeks  on  the  sea 
they  were  reduced  almost  to  a  point  of  starvation,  the  ship  having 
gone  out  of  her  course  during  the  terrible  storms  that  prevailed  in 
the  early  part  of  the  voyage.  After  landing  in  Xew  York  they  at 
once  came  on  to  Rock  Island,  Illinois,  where  they  remained  about  one 
year,  when  they  came  to  Mercer  county,  and  soon  after  permanently 
located  in  Keithsburg  and  established  a  bakery  and  restaurant,  making 
the  same  their  business  through  life.  They  are  the  parents  of  five 
children  :  Karl  A.  W.  C,  Lewis  W.,  Emnui  A.,  Eda  L.,  and  William  F. 
They  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  Church  of  Rock  Island,  where  the 
older  ones  of  the  children  ha\e  been  sent  to  be  educated  and  confirmed. 


KEITIISRURr,   TOWNSHIP.  199 

Mr.  Range  was  born  N<^>venibcr  24,  1834,  and  Mrs  Kange  December 
19,  1832.     He  is  a  member  of  Mercer  Lodge,  No.  210,  I.O.O.F. 

Dr.  Samuel  Kkllkv,  physician  and  surgeon,  is  a  native  of  New 
Jersey,  tlioiigh  he  was  reared  in  Ohio,  his  parents  moving  to  Cincinnati 
wlien  he  was  quite  young,  lie  was  born  February  17,  1812,  and  at 
the  age  of  about  twenty  began  the  study  of  law  at  Lexington,  Ken- 
tucky, and  was  admitted  to  tlie  bar  at  Lafayette,  Indiana,  where  he  had 
read  law  for  nine  months  with  Hon.  John  Petit  and  Hon.  Godlove 
Orth,  in  1841.  After  practicing  law  a  short  time  he  turned  his  atten- 
tion to  the  study  of  medicine,  which  he  successfully  practiced  in  Oliio 
and  Indiana,  the  last  twelve  years  prior  to  1859  being  spent  in  tlie 
latter  stiite.  In  Fountain  county  he  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Frances  E.,  daughter  of  Mr.  David  Parrott,  September  6,  1849. 
In  1859  Dr.  Kelley  came  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  where  he  has  con- 
tinued in  the  practice  of  his  profession,  and  has  been  a  citizen  of 
Keithsburg,  where  he  is  enjoying  the  society  of  his  many  warm  friends. 
He  has  one  son,  Wilber,  born  in  Fountain  county,  Indiana,  October 
27,  1858.  He  is  a  graduate  of  the  Physicians  and  Surgeons  Medical 
College  of  Keokuk,  Iowa,  where  he  received  his  diploma  February  28, 
1882. 

According  to  well  authenticated  tradition  the  Campbells  w^ere  Scotch 
Highlanders  connected  with  the  House  of  Argyle.  During  the  ]K'riod 
of  religious  persecution  they  fled  to  the  north  of  Ireland  where  John 
Campbell  was  born,  reared  and  married,  and  where  to  him  his  children 
were  born.  In  the  spring  of  1849  he  with  his  wife  Catherine  (McKee) 
emigrated  to  the  L^nited  States,  sailing  in  the  Gertrude.  After  landing 
on  the  American  shores  thev  at  once  came  on  to  Illinois,  settlino;  in 
Kock  Island,  where  Mr.  Campbell  died  from  sun  stroke  in  1851.  Mrs. 
Campbell  died  in  1857,  lea\'ing  a  family  of  eight  children.  Hugli 
Campbell,  the  eldest  son,  was  born  in  county  Down,  Ireland,  April  7. 
1831.  Soon  after  settling  in  Rock  Island  he  became  an  apprentice  to 
a  wagon  and  carriage  •maker.  After  completing  the  trade  in  isOO  he 
came  to  Keithsburg  with  a  view  of  following  his  trade  in  this  place, 
which,  however,  was  abandoned  at  the  outbreak  of  the  rebellion  in  1861, 
when  he  enlisted  in  company  I,  17th  111.  Vol.  Inf.  After  following  the 
fortunes  of  war  three  years  and  going  safely  through  a  number  of  hard 
fought  battles  he  was  honorably  discharged  and  returned  to  Keithsburg, 
where  he  permanently  settled  and  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  wagons 
and  carriages.  October  3,  1807,  he  was  united  in  nuirriage  with 
Mrs.  Mary  C.  Ball,  \\ndow  of  Lieut.  L.  T.  Ball,  of  corn j. any  II,  84th 
111.  Vol.  Inf.,  killed  in  the  late  war  December  31,  18<;2.  Mr.  Campbell 
has  been  for  a  number  of  years  a  member  of  the  city  council,  and  his 


200  HISTORY   OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

good  judement  and  thorough  business  principles  have  won  for  him 
numj  warm  friends.  Two  other  sons  of  John  Campbell,  John  and  Will- 
iam, are  extensive  farmers  of  Otoe  county,  Nebraska,  the  latter  of 
whom  was  elected  in  1881  state  senator  on  the  republican  ticket. 
Samuel  was  killed  at  Atlanta,  Georgia.  Alexander's  sketch  appears 
elsewhere  in  this  work.  There  were  also  three  daughters  :  Mary,  widow 
of  "William  Collins  ;  Elizabeth,  widow  of  William  Walker,  who  is  now 
the  mother  of  eight  sons ;  and  Jane,  wife  of  Samuel  Wamock.  The 
first  two  are  now  residents  of  Nebraska,  the  last  of  Kansas,  Their 
father  was  born  August  14,  1799,  and  their  grandfather.  Hugh  Camp- 
bell, September  22,  1755. 

Charles  A.  Mertz,  lumber  dealer,  was  born  in  the  kingdom 
of  Bavaria,  January  30,  1844.  His  father  died  when  he  was 
four  years  old,  and  in  1854  the  widowed  mother,  taking  her  little 
family,  came  to  America  in  the  sailing  vessel  Magdalin.  and  settled  in 
Rochester,  New  York.  After  a  short  residence  there  they  went  to 
Wisconsin.  In  1861  our  subject  returned  to  New  York,  and  in  January. 
1853,  enlisted  in  company  G,  159th  N.  Y.  Yols.,  being  a  recruit  in 
that  regiment.  The  first  considerable  battle  in  which  he  was  a  partici- 
pant was  that  of  the  Wilderness ;  then  followed  in  rapid  succession 
Spottsylvania,  the  North  Anna,  Paumunky  River,  Cold  Harbor,  and 
the  battle  in  front  of  Petersburg,  up  to  August  25th,  in  all  of  which  he 
was  engaged.  On  the  last  date  he  was  captured  at  Reams'  station  on 
the  Weldon  railroad  vntii  2,600  others.  He  was  confined  first  at 
Petersburg,  then  removed  to  Libby  prison,  and  from  there  to  Belle 
Isle.  Li  the  last  two  places  he  spent  three  months.  He  was  taken 
next  to  Salisbury,  where  he  remained  till  February,  1865,  when  there 
began  a  general  perambulation  of  prisoners  in  that  region  of  the  Con- 
federacy on  account  of  the  movements  of  Gen.  Sherman's  army.  From 
Salisbury  he  went  to  Columbia  and  stayed  there  two  weeks ;  then  about 
as  much  time  was  passed  in  Charleston ;  a  stop  of  a  few  days  was  made 
in  Raleigh ;  and  then  the  detatchment  went  on  to  Jamestown,  North 
Carolina,  where  Mr.  Mertz  and  eight  others  made  their  successful  escape 
from  a  camp  of  8,000  by  wading  neck  deep  in  water  past  the  rebel 
sentinel  and  swdmming  the  rest  of  the  way  for  a  mile.  From  thence 
his  progress  to  the  Union  lines  was  a  repetition  of  the  experience  of 
every  escaped  prisoner :  he  was  fed  and  ])iloted  by  negroes,  and  he  hid 
and  wandered  about  in  racking  fear  and  anxiety  for  three  long  weeks, 
and  traveled  240  miles  when  the  squad  struck  the  16th  N.  Y.  cavalry 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Burkesville  Junction,  Yirginia.  When  Mr. 
Mertz  was  captured  he  weighed  165  pounds  ;  when  he  got  back  into  the 
Union  camp  his  weight  was  98  pounds.     His  prison  life  forms  a  chapter 


KEITIISBURG   TfAVNSHIP.  201 

of  thrilling  experiences  and  terrible  suffering^*,  while  he  was  the  helpless 
witness  of  the  most  atrocious  diabolism  in  the  treatment  of  Union 
prisoners  that  ever  blackened  the  page  of  human  history.  AVlien  the 
159th  was  mustered  out  in  May,  1865,  Mr.  Mertz  was  transferred  to 
company  H,  lOth  N.  Y.  Inf.,  in  which  he  completed  his  tenn  of  service 
and  was  discharged  at  New  York  city  in  August  following.  ITe  came 
directly  to  Mercer  county,  but  shortly  after  went  to  the  oil  regions  of 
Pennsylvania  and  stayed  a  little  while,  after  which  he  went  west  in  the 
employ  of  the  Union  Faciiic  Railway  Company.  In  1871  he  returned 
to  this  county  and  settled  in  Keithsburg,  engaging  in  the  furniture 
trade  ^vith  C.  C.  Wordin,  the  present  gentlemanly  clerk  of  the  county 
court.  In  May,  1880,  he  embarked  in  the  lumber  business  with  his 
brother,  their  place  of  trade  being  on  the  corner  Washington  and 
Third  streets.  Besides  a  saw-mill  here  they  have  another  on  the  Iowa 
side  above  New  Boston.  October  27,  1873,  he  celebrated  his  nuj)- 
tials  with  Augusta  Belle,  daughter  of  11.  G.  Calhoun.  She  was  born 
in  Keithsburg,  November  29,  1862.  They  have  one  child,  Ora  B., 
born  September  13,  1874.  Mr.  Mertz  is  a  member  of  Robert  Burns 
Lodge,  No.  113,  Illinois  Chapter,  No.  17,  and  Galesburg  Commandery, 
No,  8.  Lewis  L.  Mertz,  brother  of  the  above,  was  born  also  in 
Bavaria,  February  11,  1847,  and  emigrated  to  this  country  with  the 
rest  of  the  family.  On  February  1,  1864,  he  enlisted  at  Rochester, 
New  York,  in  Battery  L,  1st  N.  Y.  Light  Artillery,  and  served  until 
mustered  out  at  Elmira,  June  19,  1865.  Beginning  with  the  battle 
of  the  Wilderness,  he  fought  throughout  the  campaign  following 
ui>  to  the  surrender  of  Lee.  At  the  age  of  twelve  he  entered 
the  AVoodbury  Engine  Works,  where  he  learned  the  trade  of  an 
engineer,  which  he  has  followed  in  different  ])laces,  but  }>articularly 
in  the  oil  regions  of  Pennsylvania.  In  December,  1865,  he  came 
to  Keithsburg  and  sold  furniture  with  his  brother  a  short  while ; 
in  1867  he  engaged  with  a  surveying  party  on  the  I'nion  Pacitic 
railway  ;  in  1868  he  went  into  the  gold  mines  of  Montana,  where 
he  remained  nearly  four  years.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Janet, 
daughter  of  Daniel  Keith,  July  6,  1871.  She  was  born  in  this  place  in 
September,  1849.  They  settled  on  a  farm  of  320  acres  in  Boone  county, 
Iowa,  and  lived  there  six  years.  In  May,  1880,  Mr.  Mertz  removed 
with  his  family  to  Keithsburg,  where  he  has  since  been  engaged  in  the 
furniture  and  lumber  business.  He  is  a  Roval  Arch  ^Mason.  His  four 
children  are:  Sibvl  J.,  Jacob  R.,  William  B.,  Elizabeth  M.  The 
father  of  these  brothers  was  named  John  J.  Mertz,  and  was  a  native  of 
Ijavaria,  where  he  was  born  in  the  year  1800.  In  early  life  he  learned 
the  trade  of  a  cooper,  but  later  he  became  quite  wealthy,  and  engaged 


202  HISTORY    OF    MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

in  farming.  In  the  Ke volution  of  1848,  he  lost  his  property  by  sign- 
ing with  other  men,  and  in  the  same  year  died.  The  mother,  IMather 
Mina  (Watchter),  born  in  1805,  has  her  home  with  her  children  in  this 
place. 

Dennis  Murto,  merchant,  was  born  in  Sligo  county,  Ireland,  Jan- 
uary 1,  1882,  and  is  the  third  son  of  a  family  of  six  children  wliosa 
father  died  early  in  life,  leaving  them  to  tlie  care  of  their  widowed 
mother,  who  soon  after  sold  out  her  interest  there  and  went  to 
England,  where  she  remained  till  August  1860.  She  then  came  to 
America,  bringing  her  three  daughters.  Dennis,  the  subject  of  this 
notice,  left  England  in  a  full  clipper  American  sailing  vessel,  the 
Martha  Greenleaf,  and  after  a  voyage  of  nineteen  weeks  arrived 
in  jSTew  Orleans  April  4-,  1858.  He  at  onpe  pushed  on  up  the  Missis- 
sippi river  to  Davenport,  Iowa,  but  soon  returned  to  Oquawka, 
Illinois,  and  hired  out  to  work  for  Mr,  C.  W.  Harris,  beginning  at 
$10  per  month,  and  remained  for  three  years.  He  was  also  for  a 
short  time  engaged  in  driving  stage  and  carrying  the  mail  from  Sage- 
town  to  Keithsburg.  On  August  14,  1862,  being  refused  a  place 
in  the  ranks  of  the  army  in  the  war  for  the  Union,  he  started  for 
California,  from  where  he  returned  to  Keithsburg  in  October,  1865, 
and  at  once  engaged  as  a  day  laborer.  In  1874,  in  company  with  his 
brother,  he  began  the  mercantile  business  in  the  grocery  line,  and  in 
1880  he  become  sole  owner  of  his  present  prosperous  business. 
Besides  his  town  property  he  owns  two  good  farms  in  Mercer  county. 
December  6,  1865,  he  married  Miss  Bridget  Gilrain,  a  native  of  Ire- 
land, by  whom  he  has  one  child,  Mary  Rose. 

Alexander  Campbell  was  born  June  22,  1846,  in  county  Down, 
Ireland,  from  whence  three  years  later  he  came  with  his  parents  to 
America  and  settled  in  Rock  Island,  Illinois.  In  the  early  part  of  the 
late  wai',  though  only  sixteen  years  of  age,  he  enlisted  in  company  D, 
11th  Iowa  Inf.^  and  carried  a  gun  three  years.  At  the  end  of  this 
time  he  re-enlisted  and  was  chosen  color-bearer,  and  carried  the  old 
flag  to  the  end  of  the  war,  when  he  was  honorably  discharged,  having 
served  his  country  as  a  soldier  four  years  before  he  was  twenty-one. 
On  the  23d  of  Jul}^  1864,  in  front  of  Atlanta,  his  brother  Samuel  was 
killed  while  fighting  by  his  side..  After  his  return  from  the  war 
Mr.  Campbell  came  to  Keitlisburg  and  learned  the  trade  of  wagon  and 
carriage  making,  which  business  he  followed  until  1878,  when  he  was 
appointed  mail  agent  on  the  Clalva  and  Keithsburg  route  of  the 
Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  railroad,  which  position  he  has  since 
held.  December  16,  1870,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Sarah  A., 
daughter    of  John    and     Hannah    (Wilson)    Nevius,    early    settlers 


KEITHSBL'RG    TOWNSHIP.  203 

of  Mercer  county.  She  was  born  in  ( )liio,  Febrmirv  19,  lS-48,  but 
was  reared  in  Keitlisburg.  Tliev  have  a  family  of  live  chihh'en  : 
Daisy  L.,  Walter  C,  Maud  G.,  Mabel  N.  and  Harry  L. 

Dr.  George  B.  Sapp,  dentist,  was  ])oi'ii  in  Clermont  county,  Ohio, 
July  '23,  1832.  He  received  the  greater  |)art  of  his  education  in  a  log 
school-house  in  his  native  county.  In  1854  he  came  to  Illinois.  In 
I860  he  began  studying  in  Decatur,  where  he  comj)leted  a  course  of 
study  lie  had  previously  begun.  In  18(55  he  came  to  Mercer  county 
and  began  the  practice  <^f  his  profession.  The  doctor  has  been  twice 
married.  His  lirst  marriage  was  in  1860,  but  death  soon  deprived 
him  of  his  partner.  His  second  marriage  was  on  June  22,  1871,  to 
Miss  Norah  Plesants.  They  have  three  chihh'en,  whose  names  in  the 
order  of  their  ages  are  :  Ula,  Rosa  G.,  and  George  B. 

John  Helwig,  butcher,  is  a  son  of  Christopher  Helwig,  and  was 
born  in  Germany  December  26,  1839.  In  1856  he  emigrated  with  his 
parents  to  America,  and  with  them  settled  in  Dunkirk,  in  the  State  of 
New-  York,  where  the  most  of  the  family  and  his  parents  still  reside. 
In  1868  he  came  to  Illinois  and  settled  in  Hancock  county,  where  he 
remained  till  1875,  when  he  came  to  Keitlisburg  and  engaged  in  his 
present  business.  Since  his  residence  in  Keitlisburg  he  has  been  three 
times  elected  as  one  of  the  town  board,  and  is  one  of  the  school 
directors.  He  is  a  member  of  Mercer  Lodge,  ]^o.  210,  I.O.O.F.,  and 
of  Encampment  No.  89.  May  5,  1861,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Katharine  Hacker,  a  native  of  Bavaria.  They  have  four  children  : 
John  L.,  Frank  W.,  Lewis  A.,  and  Charles. 

Charles  G.  Slocumb,  lumber  dealer,  was  born  at  Albany,  Wliite- 
side  county,  Illinois,  January  1,  1843,  and  is  a  son  of  Mr.  Alfred 
Slocumb,  an  old  and  well  known  settler  of  that  county,  who  helped  to 
lay  out  the  town  of  Albany.  He  died  there  September  9,  1860,  after 
a  life  of  usefulness  and  industry.  Charles,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
was  reared  as  most  boys  in  a  new  country,  at  hard  work,  with  but  lim- 
ited means  of  obtaining  an  education,  yet  by  industry  and  close  ai)pli- 
cation  to  study  he  has  acquired  a  good  business  education.  In  1865 
he  went  into  the  anny,  and  after  his  return  home  engaged  in  mer- 
chandising at  Havana,  Mason  county,  Illinois.  This  he  followed  but  a 
short  time  wdien  he  sold  out  and  went  to  Cliii)pewa  Falls.  Wisconsin, 
where  he  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  l)rick.  wliich  he  followed 
about  three  years.  After  this  he  engaged  in  boating  on  the  Mississii)i)i 
river.  In  1876  he  came  to  Keitlisburg,  where  he  permanently  located, 
and  engaged  in  the  lum})er  Ijusiness.  He  also  o^\nis  a  mill  here  for  the 
manutacture  of  lumber.     March  20,  1875,  he  was  united  in  marriage 


204  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

with  Miss  Maria  E.  Stephens,  of  Mount  Yernon,  Iowa.  They  have 
two  children  :  Clyde  E.  and  Maud  S.  Mr.  Slocumb  is  a  member  ot*^ 
Eobert  Burns  Lodge,  ITo.  113,  A.F.A.M. 

In  all  professions  and  occupations  there  are  those  who  are  ' '  fussy, " 
nervous  and  bombastic,  making  great  noise  over  small  achievements, 
while  others  are  quiet,  unobtrusive,  meritorious  workers  in  whatever 
sphere  they  occupy  in  the  world's  great  drama.  Such  an  one  is  the 
subject  of  this  sketch.  Dr.  John  S.  Ai.len.  He  is  not  old  enough  to  be 
a  pioneer  of  the  country  or  in  his  profession,  but  is  performing  well  the 
part  which  he  has  chosen  in  life's  duties.  Dr.  Allen  is  comparatively 
a  young  man,  having  been  born  in  Galesburg,  Illinois,  Xovember  23,, 
1851.  He  is  the  seventh  son  of  Sheldon  W.  and  Fidelia  (Leach)  Allen. 
The  doctor  attended  the  common  schools  of  the  city  f»f  Galesburg,  and 
also  Knox  College  and  Lombard  University.  He  also  took  a  coui'se  in 
the  Western  Business  College  of  the  same  city.  At  the  age  of  twenty- 
two  years  he  commenced  the  study  of  medicine  in  the  office  of  Dr.  J.  B. 
Yi^don,  of  Galesburg,  and  after  a  due  course  of  study  he  attended  three 
terms  at  Hahnemann  Medical  College  of  Chicago,  and  graduated  in  1877. 
He  settled  in  Ivewanee,  where  he  remained  but  a  short  time,  and  then 
removed  to  Keithsburg,  where  he  has  since  remained,  doing  a  line 
business  in  his  profession.  Dr.  Allen  was  married  June  20,  1877,  to 
Miss  Florence,  daughter  of  H.  M.  and  Jane  Condie,  of  Chicago.  They 
have  two  children :  Harry  S.  and  John  L.  Dr.  Allen  is  a  member  of 
the  Order  of  Odd-Fellows,  and  is  quite  an  active  worker  in  the  interests, 
of  the  order.  Politically  he  is  a  republican,  but  p^ys  more  attention 
to  medicine  than  to  politics,  and  it  has  been  the  good  fortune  of  few 
young  professional  men  to  more  quickly  win  the  confidence  of  the 
majority  of  the  people  than  Dr.  Allen  has. 

L^vnsing  K.  Jenne,  veterinary  surgeon,  is  a  son  of  John  and  Sarah 
(Freeman)  Jeime.  He  was  born  in  Genesee  county,  jSTew  York,  June 
15,  1820.  Xovember  4,  18-10,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Submit  Ashley, 
a  native  of  Ontario  county,  New  York.  In  about  1850  he  removed  to. 
Michigan,  and  settled  near  Grand  Rapids,  where  he  bought  land  and 
made  a  larni  by  chopping  it  out  of  the  green  woods.  This  tiirm  he 
sold,  and  in  1872  removed  to  Muscatine,  Iowa,  where  he  remained  till 
1880,  when  he  came  to  Keithsburg.  Early  in  life  he  paid  some  atten- 
tion to  the  study  of  veterinary  surgery,  and  by  careful  study  and  good 
luck  has  become  master  of  his  profession.  He  is  the  father  of  six  chil- 
dren, living:  jSTewton  E.,  Edward  S.,  Frank  F.,  JolinW.,  Sarah  S.,  and 
Lua  M. 


MII-LERSBlKi;    TO\VNSim>.  205- 


MILLERS13URG  TUAV^XSHIP. 


As  we  begin  the  task  of  writing  the  first  history  of  this  township, 
knowing  tliat  ahnost  a  half  centurv  lias  passed  since  the  first  settlement 
was  made  within  its  boundaries  bv  civilized  men,  without  so  much  as 
a  diary  of  incidents  and  dates  being  kept  of  what  has  transpired,  we 
can  but  feel  that  the  task  is  a  ditticult  one.  The  resources  for  data 
concerning  the  early  settlement  has  been  rapidly  decreasing  during 
the  later  years,  till  at  present  only  a  very  small  number  of  the 
pioneers  remain  to  tell  the  story.  AVere  the  memory  so  absolutely 
perfect  that  nothing  once  known  could  slip  away,  we  could  yet  exj)ect 
to  pen  for  the  present  all  things  of  interest  that  have  transpired  in 
Millersburg  township  during  the  past  fifty  years. 

But  notwithstanding  all  the  imperfections  of  memory,  enough  of 
the  history  of  Millersburg  township  remains  to  impress  upon  the 
minds  of  the  rising  generation  the  noble  and  resolute  character  of 
the  pioneers  who  first  planted  civilization  and  civilized  institutions 
within  its  boundaries.  Those  old  pioneers,  'tis  true,  did  not  lead  great 
armies  like  Genghis  Khan,  or  a  Napoleon,  or  Cajsar,  devastating 
whole  empires  and  kingdoms,  but  they  did  a  noble  work — a  work 
that  should  cro^v^l  their  memories  with  the  hon(5r  of  pushing  out 
upon  the  frontier  and  lapng  the  foundations  of  happy  and  pleasant 
homes  for  those  who  should  come  after  them,  in  a  wilderness  beset 
with  the  privations  and  toils  inherent  to  early  settlement  of  almost 
every  country.  Let  us  seat  ourselves  by  the  grassy  mound  that  marks 
the  resting  place  of  their  aged  dust  and  study  their  characters  and  the 
part  they  played  in  the  world's  drama,  and  then  ask  ourselves  these 
questions  :  Are  they  not  deserving  of  all  the  honors  we  can  heap  upon 
them  i  Can  the  gay,  festive  boy  aff<>rd  to  pass  lightly  by  the  character 
of  his  now  sleeping  ancestor,  to  study  the  character  and  lives  of  those 
wlio  have  become  eminent  in  the  world's  history  because  of  the  cir- 
cumstances which  made  them?  Is  there  not  a  lesson  for  the  blithe 
and  lively  girl  of  to-day  in  the  patience  of  that  old  grandmother  now 
sweetly  sleeping  beneath  the  sod,  after  so  many  years  of  earnest  toil, 
that  her  granddaughter  might  live  the  life  of  a  queen  instead  of  the 
life  of  a  slave  in  a  desert  ■ 

There  is  a  lesson  for  all  in  the  character  of  these  sturdy  ])ioneers. 
whose  toiling  hands  only  rested  when  the  angel  said:  "Kest;  your 
work  is  done."  That  lesson  can  only  be  learned  from  the  institution* 
they  planted  and  nurtured  till  they  were  called  away. 

Let  us  look  o\er  and   locate  the  territory  of  the  section  whose 


206  HISTORY    OF    MERCER    A>'D    HEXDERSON   COUNTIES. 

history  we  are  to  write.  It  consists  of  thirty-six  S(|uare  miles,  bounded 
■on  the  noitli  by  Duncan  township,  on  the  east  by  Mercer,  on  the  south 
by  Abington,  and  on  the  west  by  Xew  Boston. 

Let  us  iniayine  ourselves  near  the  center  of  this  tract  of  country, 
looking  around  us  from  some  high  eminence,  a  half  century  ago. 
Almost  at  our  feet  is  the  Edwards  riyer,  quietly  mo^-ing  along  to  join 
the  father  of  waters,  flowing  almost  directly  west  across  the  to^ynship. 
On  either  side  it  is  almost  inyariably  fringed  with  narrow,  fiat 
bottoms  overgrown  with  forest  trees,  and  hedged  in  by  abrupt  bluffs 
reachingf  to  the  height  of  sixty,  and  sometimes  eie^htv.  feet.  Casting 
our  eye  to  the  northwest  we  can  see  the  forest  undulations,  like  the 
billows  of  an  angry  sea,  where  breaks  of  Camp  creek  and  those  of  the 
Edwards  river  meet.  This  last-named  stream  flows  southwest  across 
sections  5  and  7.  The  Edwards  makes  a  sharp  curve  on  sections  8  and 
9,  approaching  almost  to  within  one  mile  of  the  north  line  of  the 
township.  Looking  to  the  northeast  of  the  township  we  see  the  undu- 
lations growing  smaller  and  smaller,  until  they  present  almost  a 
straight  line  on  the  horizon  ;  this  is  partly  timber  and  the  rest  prairie. 
Turning  to  the  south,  a  beautiful  landscape  meets  the  eye.  The  tall, 
waving  grass  marks  the  gentle  undulations  of  the  land  on  the  south 
and  southeast ;  on  the  southwest  the  breaks  of  Pope  creek  extend 
north  of  the  south'  line  about  one  mile.  What  were  at  first  low  sags, 
extending  back  from  the  streams,  receiving  quietly  the  water  exuding 
from  the  upland  and  bearing  it  on  without  a  ripple,  have  now  grown  in 
many  places  into  deep  gulches,  growing  deeper  with  each  freshet.  At 
the  time  of  the  first  white  settlement  the  Indians  of  this  part  of  the 
state  had  been  conquered  and  most  of  tliem  were  gone.  Could  we 
have  stood  here  fifty  years  ago,  looking  down  into  the  Edwards  river  as 
it  rolled  gently  along,  we  would  have  realized  that  the  red  men  who 
once  in  awhile  come  to  "sdew  the  hunting-grounds  of  their  fathers  and 
visit  the  graves  of  their  kindred  are  almost  the  only  visitors  to  this 
locality.  The  deer,  the  wolf,  the  wild  duck,  the  jn-airie  chicken  and 
the  sand-hill  ci-ane  sport  upon  the  banks,  watching  the  fish  as  they  play 
in  its  jdacid  waters,  without  fear  of  being  molested  even  by  the  skulk- 
ing red  man  whom  they  had  been  accustomed  to  see  creeping  down  the 
ravine,  through  the  tall  grass,  to  surprise  them  in  their  haunts.  These 
were  balmy  days  for  these  inhabitants,  of  so  many  different  species. 
The  red  man  of  the  forest  had  taken  up  his  march  in  the  direction  of 
the  setting  sun,  to  make  room  for  the  industrious  settler  who  was  soon 
to  follow,  taking  nothing  with  him  but  his  wigwam  and  weapons. 

As  the  red  nuxn  moved  out  to  make  room  for  the  civilized  settler. 


Mii.i.KKsnrKc;  TiiwxsHii'.  207 

so  must  these  motley,  but  interesting-  ami  lia])py  groups  .of  binls  and 
■quadrupeds  move  out  and  give  place  to  the  domesticated  of  their  kind. 
.  Of  the  man  (»f  the  forest  but  few  traces  of  his  haunts  or  works 
remain,  save  a  few  mounds  on  section  4.  The  section  is  well  timbered 
with  oak,  hickory,  walnut  and  other  kinds  of  forest  trees.  (.)f  so  great 
anti(|uity  are  these  mounds  that  the  forest  trees  nsing  from  their 
summits  compare  in  size  and  age  with  those  of  the  surrounding  forest. 
These  mounds  are  from  three  to  six  feet  high.  Froin  some  of  them 
have  been  taken  tomahawks  of  stone,  arrow  heads,  human  bones, 
which  nature's  forces  had  not  yet  reduced  to  common  clay,  and  other 
trinkets.  To  us  here  is  the  history  of  a  race  unwritten  so  far  as  we 
can  tell,  save  by  the  implements  they  buried  with  their  dead.  Of  the 
lower  orders  of  the  early  inhabitants  few  remain,  and  tliev  ]ir)ke 
through  hedge  and  wood  to  escape  the  hunter  and  his  dog. 

The  whole  scene  is  now  changed.  The  northwest  quarter,  which 
was  originally  all  timber,  is  now  partly  cut  oif,  and  herds  of  cattle  and 
sheep  dot  its  hills  and  sloi)es.  Looking  to  the  northeast  quarter, 
beautiful  farms  of  waving  tields  of  wheat  and  growing  corn,  with  here 
and  there  a  forest  grove,  meet  the  eye.  Turning  to  that  part  of  the 
township  south  of  the  Edwards,  the  fields  of  tall  and  waving  wild 
grass  have  disappeared,  in  lieu  of  which  we  now  behold  beautiful 
farms,  with  cozy  dwellings,  inhabited  by  a  prosperous  people.  This 
section  of  the  township  for  all  agricultural  purposes  cannot  be  excelled 
in  the  county;  nor  can  the  part  north  of  tlie  Edwards  be  excelled  for 
line  stock  farms. 

pioxep:r  settlers  and  settlements. 

It  will  not  be  out  of  phlce  to  drop  a  few  remarks  as  to  the  charac- 
ter of  the  pioneers,  for  the  character  of  history  <lepends  upon  that  of 
the  men  who  made  it.  The  greater  part  of  the  pioneers  and  early 
settlers  who  located  in  Millersburg  township  were  from  Pennsylvania 
and  Ohio,  a  few  coming  from  Virginia,  some  from  Ireland,  some  from 
NeV  York  and  Kentucky,  with  now  and  then  a  settler  from  some 
other  quarter  of  civilization.  But,  remarkable  as  it  may  seem,  they 
belonged  for  the  most  part  to  the  same  class  of  scx'iety.  They 
were  people  of  small  means,  whose  object  in  coming  to  the  western 
wilds  was  to  procure  for  themselves  and  their  families  homes  which 
their  means  would  not  ])rocure  where  tliev  were  reared.  Tiiey  were 
of  that  industrious  and  economical  class  who  had  not  oidy  been 
reared  under  the  influence  of  Christianity,  but  had  been  taught  to 
obey  its  jirecepts  from  a  high  sense  of  moral  honor  and  dignity. 
Like  the  Puritan  fathers,  they  were  scarcely  housed  in   their  cabins 


208  HISTORY    OF   >rERCEK   AND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

before  they .  began  to  erect  school-houses  and  churches,  the  same 
building  being  used  for  both  purposes.  Owing  to  their  proximity  to 
their  neighbors  on  the  Mississippi,  they  endured  less  privations  and 
hardships  than  did  the  colonists  who  came  over  in  the  Mayflower  ;  but 
they  were  men  and  women  who  possessed  no  less  courage  and  earnest- 
ness for  the  principles  wliich  had  been  taught  them  under  the  paternal 
roof.  Had  it  been  theirs  to  exercise  that  stubborness  to  the  edicts  of 
kings  and  priests  in  defense  of  human  rights,  as  it  was  that  of  the 
pilgrim  fathers,  they  would  haye  proved  equally  indomitable  and 
immoyable.  It  has  been  remarked  that  men  die,  are  buried,  and 
even  their  graves  are  lost ;  but  their  influence,  like  the  stains  of 
human  gore,  cannot  be  removed  from  the  coummunity  where  they 
resided.  This,  we  must  admit,  is  true  of  Millersburg  township ;  ita 
society  is  pushing  along  in  the  direction  laid  out  by  its  lirst  settlers. 
The  township  is  divided  into  two  geographical  divisions  by  the 
Edwards  river.  Between  the  early  settlers  of  each  there  was  but  little- 
communication,  because  of  there  being  no  bridges  across  this  stream. 
Settlements  were  made  in  the  township  both  north  and  south  of  the 
river  about  the  same  time  in  the  fall  of  1834.  The  flrst  families  ta 
locate  south  of  the  river  were  Harrison  Itiggs,  Ebenezer  Creswell 
and  Edward  Willitts.  The  flrst  located  on  section  30,  and  erected  the 
fii'st  cabin  in  the  township  ;  his  wife,  Mrs.  Julette  Riggs,  still  resides 
upon  the  same  fann  where  she  and  her  husband  flrst  located,  and 
where  she  is  patiently  waiting  the  summons  that  shall  call  her  to  a 
world  with  less  privations  and  cares.  The  second,  Ebenezer  Creswell, 
located  on  section  21,  where  he  built  a  saw-mill  in  1834  or  1835.  This 
was  on  Camp  creek  and  was  the  flrst  mill  in  the  township.  The 
Willitts  family  located  on  the  same  section  as  did  Creswell.  Among 
others  who  came  sliortly  after  were  :  Thomas  Riggs  in  1836,  on  sec- 
tion 25  ;  Rice  Peckingbaugh,  on  section  21,  in  1840  ;  Charles  Griflith, 
on  section  16,  in  1839,  where  he  yet  resides  ;  Isaac  Burson,  on  section 
20,  in  1837  ;  W.  Hubbard,  on  section  32,  in  1836  ;  Edward  Brady,  Sr., 
in  1842  ;  John  T.  McGinnis,  in  1846  ;  Richard  and  John  S.  Kidoo- 
came  in  1845  ;  AVilliam  Kidoo  and  his  father  came  in  1847  ;  John  and 
Edward  Brady  came  in  1842  ;  Peter  Spangler,  Thomas  Jackson  and 
others  came  about  1840,  and  located  south  of  the  Edwards.  Thus  was 
civilized  society  planted  in  Millersburg  on  the  south  of  the  river. 
North  of  the  Edwards  the  flrst  settler  located  was  Benijah  Lloyd,  on 
section  5,  in  1834.  Two  years  later  the  town  of  Millersburg  was  laid 
out  by  the  Miller  brothers,  who  had  previously  settled  in  another 
township,  about  1834.  Among  those  who  located  in  and  around  the 
new  town  were  :    H.   "W.  Thornton,   in  1836  ;   James  Thompson,   in 


MILLERSBURG    TOWNSHII'.  209 

1838  ;  Esq.  Routzong,  in  1838  ;  Erastus,  AVilliam  :in<l  Joseph  Deni- 
son  came  prior  to  18-1:0 ;  Judge  Gilmore  came  about  1838,  and  after- 
ward moved  south  of  the  river  opposite  where  tlie  Peniel  church 
now  stands.  All  of  these  located  either  in  the  village  of  Millersburg 
or  near  by.  I.  M.  Gilmore  located  east  of  the  village  about  1840  ; 
L.  B.  Howe,  Thomas  Brighton,  Elbridge  Howe,  W.  A.  Bridgford  and 
his  son,  O.  A.  Bridgford,  came  about  1840.  These  and  a  few  others 
were  the  pioneers  who  located  in  the  north  part  of  the  townshijt 
during  the  period  of  its  early  settlement.  William  Cline  was  an 
€arly  settler  and  great  hunter ;  his  brother.  Christian  Cline,  located  in 
Millersburg. 

From  1840  to  1855  the  township  settled  ra])idly,  and  but  little  land 
was  left  unoccupied.  .  For  the  names  and  history  of  many  of  those 
families,  reference  may  be  had  to  the  biographical  department  of  this 
township.  Millersburg  township  was  one  of  the  first  to  be  settled 
away  from  the  Mississipj^i  river.  It  now  seems  a  short  journey  to 
the  river,  but  it  must  be  remembered  that  half  a  century  ago  there 
were  no  laid  out  roads  across  the  country  and  the  streams  were 
without  bridges.  Then  the  only  products  that  would  bring  money  or 
could  be  exchanged  for  the  necessities  of  life,  were  wheat  and  pork, 
and  these  must  be  transported  to  the  river  towns  ;  nor  was  this  all : 
there  were  but  few  wagons  in  the  country.  Sleds  were  used  in  summer 
as  well  as  in  winter.  Previous  to  the  settlements  in  Millersburg,  only 
three  or  four  years,  the  Indians  had  control  of  all  the  country  away 
from  the  river  to  Rock  Island.  Till  about  1840  the  settlers  saw  hard 
times.  Their  products,  wheat  and  pork,  were  exchanged  at  low 
figures  for  goods  at  enormous  prices.  Many  were  dependent  on 
credit.  But  economy  and  industry,  such  as  the  settlers  of  Millersburg 
possessed,  in  such  a  country  of  rich  land,  was  soon  to  overcome  the 
various  impediments  which  then  beset  her  people.  The  country  was 
wild  and  the  health  of  the  people  was  not  good.  Chills  and  fevers 
were  sure  visitors,  and  not  unfrequently  permanent  inmates  of  the 
pioneer  homes.  With  the  imj^rovement  of  health  and  circumstances, 
many  who  had  found  it  difficult  to  get  the  benefit  of  the  merchant's 
credit,  established  for  themselves  a  better  credit  than  those  whose 
credit  they  had  sought  ever  had.  At  the  present  time  some  of  the 
most  wealthy  citizens  of  the  township  are  those  who  had  hard  work  to 
keep  the  wolf  from  their  door. 

The  manners  and  customs  of  the  early  settlers  and  ])ioneers  were 
those  of  a  plain  but  honest  people.  They  were  social  among  them- 
selves and  hospitable  to  strangers.  Their  houses  were  small  and  their 
food  coarse,  but  welcome  to  all.     Each  settler's  neighborhood  might  be 


210  HISTOEY    OF   iMERCER   A^"D    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

bounded  bv  a  circle  whose  diameter  was  twenty  miles.     "Were  a  family 
in  distress  willino;  hands  were  ready  to  administer  to  its  wants. 

The  entertainments,  such  as  the  people  now  enjoy,  were  few  and  far 
between,  and  they  amused  themselyes  in  hunting  the  wolf,  which  then 
could  be  lieard  upon  eyery  eleyation  and  hollow.  The  last  great  hunt 
of  this  kind  came  off  in  1840.  A  large  tract  of  country  was  suiTOunded. 
The  point  for  meeting  was  southeast  of  Millersburg,  north  of  the 
Edwards.  Two  hundred  deer  were  corralled  in  the  ring,  but  the 
wol yes  made  good  their  escape.  The  deer,  which  at  this  time  were 
plenty,  disappeared  almost  entirely  between  1844  and  1850.  Early 
settlers  were  annoyed  greatly  by  the  wolyes.  When  they  killed  fresh 
meat  the  wolyes  would  come  around  the  house,  set  up  a  dismal,  heart- 
rending howl,  and  eyen  skip  about  oyer  the  roof,  but  they  were  so  sly 
that  one  was  seldom  killed. 

Among  the  early  settlers  came  a  few  who  delighted  to  spend  their 
time  in  hunting  and  fishing,  and  others  who  looked  upon  horse-racing 
and  other  kindred  amusements  as  the  highest  calling  of  humanity. 
These,  like  the  red  man,  could  not  endure  the  telling  blows  and  pros- 
perity of  the  more  ciyilized  habits  and  customs  which  predominated, 
and  haye  long  since  disappeared  from  among  the  citizens  of  Millers- 
burg township. 

Mrs.  Julette  Riggs,  the  pioneer  settler,  now  Hying  on  section  30, 
had  great  anxiety  to  see  an  Indian  baby.  She  called  at  a  hut  near  by 
and  implored  the  inmates  to  bring  the  little  red  skin  out  that  she 
might  examine  it,  but  the  mother  was  not  so  desirous  of  exhibiting  her 
offspring  as  her  palefaced  sisters  seem  to  be,  and  coldly  imformed  Mrs. 
Ricrcrs  if  she  desired  to  satisfy  her  curiosity  she  must  come  in,  and  in 
she  went.  William  Drury,  when  he  first  came  to  the  settlement  south 
of  the  Edwards,  says  Mrs.  liiggs  was  exceedingly  hungry  for  meat, 
Mrs.  liiggs  being  out  of  that  article  at  the  time.  Drury  went  coon 
hunting  and  caught  seyeral  coons,  which  he  had  cooked,  and  they 
were  eaten  by  him  with  the  remark,  ''They  are  superior  to  mutton  in 
flayor  and  taste." 

Almost  with  the  early  settlers  of  Mercer  county  there  was  formed  a 
company  of  bandits,  sui)posed  to  haye  their  rendezyous  in  the  north- 
east of-  Mercer  and  the  south  part  of  Rock  Island  counties,  which 
greatly  alarmed  the  settlers  of  Millersburg  township,  especially  at  such 
times  as  they  had  receiyed  any  money.  The  story  is  told  us  of  Joseph 
King,  liying  near  Millersburg  at  that  time,  haying  received  $700.  He 
could  not  secrete  it  in  his  i)Ockets,  as  it  was  in  gold  and  silver,  and 
there  were  no  banks  in  the  country.  lie  was  so  scared  that  he  would 
not  even  carry  it  home,  but  u'ave  it  to  a  friend,  who  took  it  home  for 


MILLEKSBIKG    TuWNSHII*.  211 

him.  His  uneasiness  did  Jiot  cease  here.  lie  cleaned  up  his  fowling- 
piece  and  stood  guard  till  he  could  invest  his  money,  which  having 
been  done  he  remarked,  "Money  is  a  good  thin'g  to  have,  but  a  source 
of  pleasure  to  be  rid  of  when  one  feels  unsafe." 

The  tirst  death  that  occurred  in  the  township  was  in  1835.  While 
Bcnijah  Lloyd  was  on  his  way  to  his  claim  on  section  4,  his  son,  nearly 
seven  years  old,  fell  out  C)f  the  wagon  and  was  run  over  by  the  wheels, 
killing  him  instantly.  There  were  no  neighbors  to  assist  in  the  funeral 
except  Ebenezer  Ci'eswell  and  his  hired  man.  The  remains  were 
interred  at  the  new  home  on  section  -i.  We  have  been  told  by  good 
authority  that  Benijah  Lloyd  was  the  first  to  settle  in  Millersburg  town- 
ship, and  equally  good  authority  informs  us  that  Hiram  Hardy,  Albert 
P.  Taylor  (at  one  time  sheriff  of  the  county,  at  another  county  clerk) 
and  Ebenezer  Creswell  were  here  before  him. 

Alfred  Gray,  a  wagonmaker  by  trade,  and  John  Jackson,  a  black- 
smith, who  had  a  shoj)  near  where  Joy  is  now  located,  were,  we  have 
reason  to  believe,  the  first  tradesmen  of  this  kind  in  the  townshii). 

The  early  settlers  used  to  go  to  Bald  Blufl"  (now  Henderson  county) 
for  medical  aid.  Benijah  Lloyd  thinks  the  first  physician  to  locate  in 
the  township  was  Dr.  Martin  Willitts,  at  Millersburg.  Another  early 
physician  was  Dr.  Daniel  Pickley,  an  early  sheriff  of  the  county.  The 
first  preaching  Mr.  Lloyd  remembers  of  in  the  township  was  at  the 
house  of  Abraham  Miller,  by  a  preacher  from  (John)  Farlow's  Grove, 
named  James,  a  predestinarian  Baptist. 

VILLAGES. 

Millersburg  township  has  two  villages,  Millersburg  and  Joy.  The 
former  is  the  oldest  laid-out  town  in  the  county  back  from  the  river, 
and  has  a  history  connected  with  the  county  second  to  none  in 
importance.  It  was  laid  out  in  1836  by  John  Miller,  after  whom  the 
town  and  township  was  named.  Of  the  Miller  family  there  were 
John,  George,  Abraham,  Isaac,  and  Philip,  who  were  brothers,  and 
Abraham,  Jr.,  son  of  George.  Abraham,  Jr.,  is  now  living  in 
Oregon.  The  Millers  came  to  Mercer  county  from  Indiana  (they 
were  formerly  from  Tennessee),  and  located  in  Peri'vton  at  Sugar 
Grove  in  1834.  Abraham,  Jr.,  was  one  of  the  first  county  clerks  of 
Mercer  countv.  There  is  not  one  of  the  familv  living  in  the  countv  at 
this  time.  The  family  was  remarkable  for  their  love  of  pioneer  life, 
and  the  remaining  members,  when  the  country  here  became  settled, 
moved  west. 

When  Millersburg  was  first  laid  out  it  seemed  a  fit  location  for 
almost  anything  else  rather  than  a  town.     The  country  around  could 


212  mSTORY    OF   MERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

scarcely  be  said  to  be  even  sparsely  settled.  Abraliam  Miller,  Jr.,  is 
said  to  have  built  the  first  dwelling-h(?use  inside  the  corporation. 
James  Thompson  and  William  Drurv  soon  after  erected  the  first  store- 
room and  sold  the  first  goods.  In  1S38  Erastus  Denison  erected  the 
first  hotel.  The  buildmg  is  still  standing.  It  is  a  two-storv  frame. 
The  lower  storv  is  now  used  for  a  store-room.  The  upper  is  occupied 
by  the  LO.O.F.  lodge.  William  Pinckney  established  a  pottery  here 
in  1837  or  1838.  The  first  doctor  to  locate  in  the  town  was  Martin 
Willitts.  Among  the  first  attorneys  to  locate  in  the  town  was  H.  W. 
Thornton,  who  has  retired  from  the  law  practice  and  now  lives  on  his 
farm  adjoining  the  village.  The  first  blacksmith  shop  located  here  was 
erected  by  Thomas  Biglow  about  1836  or  1837.  The  fii-st  postoflice 
was  established  at  Millersburg  in  1837  or  1838,  and  mail  was  received 
twice  a  week.  William  Drurv  was  the  first  commissioned  postmaster. 
As  early  as  1839  Millersburg  had  grown  to  quite  a  ^-illage. 

The  county  seat  was  located  here  as  early  as  1836.  Courts  were 
held  in  the  hotel  till  the  court-house  was  completed,  which  was  in  1839. 
The  building  is  a  two-story  frame,  still  standing,  and  is  now  occupied 
by  Harrison  Bethuram  as  a  wagon  and  blacksmith  shop.  The  building 
was  when  built  not  only  a  spacious  edifice,  but  fine,  for  the  time  ;  now 
it  is  a  dilapidated  structure,  presenting  every  appearance  of  the  ravag- 
ing hand  of  time.  It  was  used  till  1847  as  the  oflice  of  justice.  For 
several  years  it  was  the  school-house  and  church  of  the  town.  It 
stood  formerly  on  the  south  side  of  Main  street,  toward  the  west  end 
of  the  town.  AVhen  the  countv  seat  was  moved  from  Millersburs:  in 
1847,  H.  W.  Thornton  bought  the  court-house  and  moved  it  to  its 
present  location  on  the  south  side  of  the  ^dllage.  He  converted  it  into 
a  store-room.  A  jail  was  erected  about  the  same  time.  It  was  a  stone 
structure  lined  upon  the  inside  with  heavy  timbers.  The  first  prisoner 
who  became  its  inmate,  had  borrowed  a  horse  and  failed  to  return  as 
«oon  as  was  expected,  hence  a  warrant  was  procured  and  A.  P.  Taylor, 
who  was  then  sherifl:',  set  out  towards  New  Boston  in  search  of  his 
game.  The  sherift'  met  the  man  on  his  way  back  to  Millersburg  with 
the  horse.  Pie,  true  to  his  olfice  oath,  arrested  the  man,  brought  him 
to  Millersburg  and  lodged  him  in  the  jail.  But  the  inhabitants  of  the 
town  were  scarcely  wrapped  in  slumber  profound  before  the  prisoner 
made  his  escape.  All  were  confident  he  had  no  intention  of  stealing 
the  animal,  and  no  attempt  was  made  for  his  re-arrest.  The  second 
and  last  person  lodged  in  the  building  was  held  prisoner  for  debt.  He 
enjoyed  his  meals  at  the  hotel,  aiul  ^\•as  liL-ard  to  remark  that  he  pre- 
ferred the  lodging  and  board  of  the  county  to  that  of  his  own  home. 
He  has  since  become  quite  well  ofli"  and  now  resides  in  the  county. 


MILLERSBURG    TOWNSHIP.  215 

Tlie  jail  was  used  most  of  the  time  bv  the  slieriff  tor  a  granary  and 
fodder-house.  Sheritf  Taylor  remarked  it  ouglit  to  be  ])ut  to  some 
use.  It  was  located  on  the  north  side  of  Main  street,  a  Itttle  west  of 
where  the  court-house  stood. 

The  tirst  wagon  shop  erected  in  the  town  of  Millersburg  was  that 
of  A.  P.  and  Asa  G.  Shafer  in  1856.  The  former  still  carries  on  the 
business  in  the  same  old  shop.  Tlien  there  was  no  shop  of  this  kind 
nearer  than  New  Boston.  The  second  was  built  by  Cri}ipin  and 
Powers  in  1857,  the  next  bv  McGlathlin  and  Jones  in  1859,  the  fourth 
bv  James  Gilmore  in  1861,  the  tifth  bv  J.  H.  Lonjjjshore  about  1)S62. 
The  last  is  running  a  shop  doing  all  kinds  of  repairing  in  his  line. 

The  first  death  in  the  town  was  by  sijicide.  The  person  was  a 
married  lady.  She  deliberately  took  a  handkerchief,  put  it  around 
her  neck  and  choked  herself  to  death  bv  takino;  hold  of  two  of  the 
corners  with  her  bands  and  pulling  till  she  closed  the  air  passage  to 
the  lungs. 

From  the  laying  out  of  Millersburg  till  after  the  county  seat  was 
removed,  it  was  the  best  business  point,  outside  of  Keithsburg  and 
New  Boston,  in  the  countv.  The  countrv  trade  came  here  fi'om  the 
east  for  a  distance  of  fifteen  miles.  But  as  other  towns  sprang  up  in 
different  parts  of  the  countrv  the  trade  was  divided,  and  when  the 
county  seat  was  taken  away  the  trade  that  came  here  because  of  the 
county  seat  went  elsewhere.  The  unnatural  attraction  which  had 
brought  the  business  to  this  point  was  gone,  and  Millersburg  was  cut 
short  in  the  zenith  of  her  prosperity,  and  many  of  her  business  men 
went  elsewhere.  The  improvements  that  have  been  made  here  since 
1857  are  few  beyond  a  few  cozy  dwellings.  But  notwithstanding  the 
antiquated  appearance  of  the  village,  it  has  a  good  local  trade.  It  has 
two  stores  of  general  merchandise,  one  kept  by  AV.  W.  Egbert,  the 
other  by  John  Farran,  two  blacksmith  shops,  one  grocery  store  kept 
by  David  T.  Howe,  one  barber  shop,  one  shoe  shop,  one  harness 
shop,  one  hotel,  kept  by  "William  Dunn.  The  creamery  erected  here 
in  1881,  by  Strattan,  is  the  leading  business  of  the  village.  It  is  run 
by  a  foin-  horse-power  engine,  and  uses  the  Elgin  cream  \ats.  Its  full 
working  capacity  is  15,000  pounds  of  butter  per  day,  and  gives  em- 
j)loyment  to  twenty  men  and  fifteen  teams. 

Tlie  first  and  only  mill  ever  erected  in  the  town  was  built  by  Steven 
Strattan  about  1850,  and  run  till  1875,  when  it  was  torn  down  and 
moved  south  of  Millersburg,  on  the  Edwards,  and  water  power  is  used 
instead  of  steam.  Since  the  establishing  of  the  postoffice  here,  with 
William  Drnry  as  first  postmaster,  the  foll<»wing  ])ersons  have  had 
the  otfice :  James  Thom]»son,  Dr.  Allen,  11.  AV.  Thornton,  J.  M. 
1:3 


216  HISTORY    OF    ISIERCER    x\.ND    HENDERSON    C'd'NTIES, 

Nevans,  William  H.  Green  and  his  wife  (]\Irs.  Green  held  the  office 
for  fifteen  years,  and  was  postmistress  durinti:  tlie  war),  -J.  D.  Strattan 
and  John  Farran,  who  is  present  postmaster.  Mail  is  received  twice 
each  day. 

While  Millersburg  lost  to  a  great  degree  her  former  \-ivacity  in 
business,  she  retained  her  good  morals,  out  of  which  has  grown 
one  of  the  finest  temperance  societies  in  the  county,  if  not  in  the 
state,  considering  her  population.  Previous  t(»  1868  a  temperance 
society  was  organized  which  was  of  short  duration.  It  seemed 
to  be  an  aid  to  the  dram-shop,  as  they  located  here  almost  simultane- 
ously. The  more  moral  and  lovers  of  good  society,  becoming  tired 
of  the  increasing  vices,  products  of  the  dram-shop,  met  in  deliberate 
assembly  for  the  purpose  of  driving  out  from  their  midst  the  licensed 
traffic  of  intoxicating  liquors.  The  result  is,  the  voice  of  the  people 
has,  since  1868,  ruled  supreme,  and  not  a  saloon  has  been  kept  here 
since  that  time.  The  fire  that  drove  the  demon  from  the  village  has 
been  kept  burning  brightly  since  its  embers  were  first  fanned  into  a 
flame,  and  out  of  this,  in  1879,  grew  the  Millersburg  Christian  Tem- 
pemnce  Union,  organized  by  T.  J.  Adams,  who,  prior  to  effecting  the 
organization,  delivered  a  series  of  lectures  on  the  subject  of  temperance. 
The  society  was  organized  with  160  members,  and  now  numbers  400. 
It  uses  the  blue  ribbon  badge  and  the  Murphy  pledge,  and  is  auxiliary 
t(»  the  state  and  National  Temperance  Union.  Unlike  most  societies 
of  its  kind,  it  has  no  assessments,  the  funds  necessary  to  defray  its 
ex})enses  being  su})plied  by  public  collection.  Its  meetings  are  held 
alternately  at  the  Presbyterian  and  Methodist  Episcopal  churches  on 
Sunday  evening  of  each  week.  It  is  now  a  pros])erous  society.  Its 
meetings  are  C(»nducted  in  the  form  of  entertainments,  and  the  society 
])ei'forms  the  double  office  of  cultivating  the  morals  of  the  rising 
generati(m  and  at  the  same  time  gives  its  members  an  opportunity  to 
cultivate,  exj^and  and  air  their  literary  powers.  Its  first  officers  were : 
President,  J.  W.  Madox,  who  still  occupies  the  chair,  with  Thomas 
Herman,  Mrs.  J.  M.  Gilmore  and  Mrs.  Eddy  as  vice-presidents ; 
Recording  Secretary,  J.  M.  Grady  ;  Corresponding  Secretary,  J.  D. 
Strattan  ;  Board  of  Managers,  Nelson  Taylor,  Miss  A.  Shafer,  William 
Dunn,  Rev.  G.  M.  Morey  and  William  Long;  Treasurer,  Geneva 
Farran.  Present  officers  are :  president,  same  as  the  first,  with  James 
Pepin,  Alexander  Greene,  and  James  W.  Terry,  vice-}>residcnts ; 
Recording  Secretary,  James  Grady  ;  Corresjionding  Secretary,  ,Jane 
(Tihnore ;  Treasurer,  Miss  Mattie  Bay;  Board  of  INIanagers,  ]\lrs. 
Maggie  Egbert,  Ephraim  (Gilmore  and  Annie  Williams.  The  charter 
was  given  the  society  by  John  P.  St.  John,  president,  and  J.  E.  Letton, 
8ecretar\',  of  the  national  societv. 


Miij.i:i:suuK(i  TDWNsiiip.  217 

There  is  yet  another  society  now  in  (i]»eration  at  Milk'rsl)urg,  for 
the  moral  cultivation  of  its  chihhvn.  This  is  the  Woman's  Christian 
Temperance  Union.  It  was  organized  in  1S80,  at  the  Methodist 
church.  The  first  mcndjers  of  the  society  deserve  to  be  remembered 
by  those  who  come  after,  as  they  embrace  the  ladies  of  most  of  the 
leading  families  in  and  about  Millersljurg.  They  are  as  follows  :  Mrs. 
Eddy,  Mrs.  M.  Bay,  Miss  S.  E.  Thornton,  Miss  A.  Shafer,  Mrs.  Bur- 
gess*, Mrs.  B.  C.  Greene,  Mrs.  M.  Boyd.  Mrs.  M.  E.  Boyd,  Mrs. 
T.  Comell,  Mrs.  Boyles,  Mrs.  Vernon,  Mrs.  L.  Thornton,  Mrs. 
L.  Landreth,  Mrs.  M.  A.  Lee,  ]\Irs.  M.  E.  Sivens,  Mrs.  Norbury,  Mrs. 
T.  Gilmore,  Mrs.  J.  M.  Gilmore,  Mrs.  Dr.  Chowning,  Mrs.  Ellen 
Everett,  Mrs.  J.  Morey,  Miss  J.  Farran.  The  funds  accumulating 
from  initiation  fees  and  term  dues  are  used  to  procure  reading  matter 
that  will  interest  the  children,  and  direct  them  in  a  right  direction  as 
to 'other  literature.  The  present  number  of  members  is  eighteen. 
The  tirst  otiicers  of  the  societv  were:  President,  Mrs.  E.  Eddv :  Vice- 
presidents,  Mrs.  E.  Bay,  Mrs.  Burges  and  Mrs.  E.  Dunn  ;  Corresi)ond- 
ing  Secretary,  Mrs.  R.  Green;  Recording  Secretary,  Miss  S.  E. 
Thornton ;  Treasurer,  Miss  A.  Shafer.  The  present  officers  are : 
Mrs.  M.  Merriman,  president,  with  Mrs.  Burges  and  M.  Egbert,  vice- 
presidents  ;  corresponding  and  recording  secretaries  same  as  the  first. 

The  Children's  Temperance  Society  was  organized  in  1882,  with 
twenty-two  members.  Its  officers  are :  President,  Mrs.  Dr.  Chown- 
ing; Vice-Presidents,  Miss  A.  Shafer  and  Mrs.  W.  Egbert.  This 
society  is  kept  in  the  interest  of  the  Woman's  Christian  Tem})erance 
Union.  Credit  must  be  given  the  ladies  of  Millersburg  and  the  sur- 
rounding countrv  for  the  active  and  energetic  ijart  thev  have  ever 
taken  to  build  u}>  a  good  class  of  society  around  them,  and  banish 
from  their  midst  those  evils  and  temptations  which  tend  to  destroy 
the  harmonious  progression  of  well  regulated  society. 

CHURCH  HISTORY. 

This  part  of  the  history  of  Millersburg  is  no  less  interesting  than 
her  tem}»erance  history.  As  we  have  before  stated,  in  the  cabin  of  the 
first  settler  in  the  town  in  1836  begins  this  department  of  Millersburg's 
history.  Until  the  court-lunise  was  c<>mpleted  in  1839  the  several 
denominations  represented  here  held  their  meetings  at  the  houses  of 
their  members  and  in  the  groves,  when,  in  18rl4,  the  first  school- 
house  was  built,  and  meetings  were  held  in  it  and  at  the  court-house 
till  churches  were  erected.  The  first  orijanization  of  the  Presbvterian 
faith  in  Mercer  county  was  at  what  is  now  known  as  Pope's  Civek,  in 
1837,   with  John  Montgomery  as  pastor.     TIk-  adxocates  o    Presby- 


218  HISTORY    <:>F    MERCER    AND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

terianism  living  at  Millersbnrg  and  tlie  sniTonnding  conntrv  attended 
cliurcli  at  that  place  and  made  up  a  }»art  of  the  society.  In  1839  they 
began  to  have  regular  services  at  ]\Iillersburg,  which  were  held  in  the 
court-house  till  1814.  but  had  no  organization  of  their  o^vn  till  about 
the  close  of  1813  or  the  beginning  of  1841.  John  Montgomerv  was 
their  first  regular  preacher  in  the  court-house.  In  1844,  the  time  of 
tlie  buililing  of  the  tirst  school-house  in  Millersburg,  the  house  was 
made  larger  than  was  needed  for  school  that  it  might  serve  for  both 
school-house  and  church.  At  this  time  the  following-named  persons 
were  dismissed  fi-om  the  Pope  Ci*eek  church  to  organize  a  society  at 
Millersburg :  Messrs.  E.  Gilmore,  J.  M.  Gilmore,  Henry  Lee,  Edward 
and  John  Brady,  J.  T.  McGinnis,  J.  G.  Gilmore,  A.  A.  Sherer,  Samuel 
Guffy,  John  Kiddoo,  Graham  Lee,  David  Morrow  and  H.  W.  Thornton. 
The  ladies  were:  Betsy  King.  Margaret  S.  Gilmore.  Ann  J.  Taylor, 
Martha  Lee,  Mary  Marsh,  Mary  E.  Murphy,  Sarah  E.  Lloyd,  Sarah 
Clark.  Elizabeth  A.  Edgar.  Elizabeth  Davis,  Mary  M.  Steele.  Mary 
Sherer,  Eliza  Brady,  Catherine  Gilmore,  Tabitha  W.  Bay,  Mary  A. 
McGinnis,  Mary  Gutty,  Eliza  Kiddoo,  Elizabeth  Morrow,  E.  F. 
Thornton,  Bachel  T.  AVillitts  and  Hannah  Reed,  making  in  all  forty- 
four  members  to  organize  and  establish  the  first  church  in  ]\Iillersburg. 
The  society  held  services  in  the  above-mentioned  school-house  till  1854, 
when  was  erected  the  present  church  edifice,  a  frame  building,  at  a  cost 
of  $1,600.  Its  size  is  40x50,  with  a  seating  capacity  for  300  persons. 
It  has  several  times  been  refitted,  and  even  now,  as  to  outward  appear- 
ances, is  comparatively  a  new  building.  The  ministers  who  have 
served  this  congregation  since  it  began  to  have  preaching  are :  Rev. 
John  Montgomery,  from  1839  to  1843  ;  Thomas  Tail,  till  1848  or  1849  ; 
L.  Y.  CVittenden,  1854;  A.  Loomis,  till  1858 ;  J.  N".  Jamison,  till  1861 ; 
William  Dool,  from  1865  to  1869  ;  J.  McBride,  till  1872  ;  Joel  Kennedy, 
three  years,  and  till  1879.  The  present  pastor  is  W.  B.  Phelps.  The 
first  officers  of  the  church  were :  Elders,  Ephraim  Gilmore,  J.  W. 
Ne\aus.  Shortly  after  the  organization  J.  T.  McGinnis.  J.  M.  Gilmore 
and  Henry  Lee  were  added  to  the  eldership. 

The  largest  membership  the  society  ever  numbered  at  any  one 
time  was  140  members.  It  now  numbers  little  more  than  one-fourth 
that  number.  This  reduction  has  been  owing  to  circumstances.  The 
greatest  drain  upon  the  society  has  been  the  number  that  have  been  dis- 
missed to  organize  other  societies.  At  one  time  there  were  dismissed 
forty-five  members  to  organize  a  society  s<^uth  of  the  Edwards,  at  Avhat 
is  now  Peniel  ch\u-ch  ;  at  another,  eighteen  were  dismissed  to  organize  a 
society  at  Hamlet  in  Perryton  townshi}) ;  and  several  were  dismissed  to 
unite  with  the  Perryton  society  in   Pcn-yton  township.     This  church 


MILI.ERSBURG   TOWNSHIP.  210 

society  has  ahvavs  had  SuiKhiy-school  at  its  church-hoiist.',  but  nut  ct>n- 
nectc'd  with  the  churcli.  Tlie  SuiKUiv-school  whieli  it  has  always 
supported  was  (tri;anized  at  Millersburg,  in  the  c<»urt-h()use  in  1842,  by 
the  American  Sundav-school  Union.  Anionii::  the  members  of  this 
society  since  its  organization  are  the  names  of  many  promirtent 
families,  both  of  the  past  and  present. 

The  next  church  organization  in  age  and  extent  is  the  Methodist 
Episco})al  church.  The  people  of  this  faith  who  located  here  at  an 
early  day,  like  the  Presbyterians,  held  their  meetings  at  }»rivate  houses 
and  in  groves  till  the  coui1:-h<  »use  was  erected,  when  they  used  that  till 
the  school-house  was  built  in  184-I-,  when  they  held  services  there  till 
they  erected  their  first  church  building. 

The  early  pioneers  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  worshiped 
at  Camden  Mills  (now  Milan,  Rcjck  Island  county),  and  for  several 
years  only  had  preaching  at  Millersburg  now  and  then.  It  remained 
a  part  of  the  Camden  Mills  circuit  till  1865,  when  it  became  the  Mil- 
lersburg circuit,  then  including  Aledo,  which  was  afterward  detached 
fi'om  the  circuit.  They  began  to  have  regular  preaching  about  1850, 
but  no  organization  distinct  from  the  Camden  MiDs  church  till  1857, 
when  the  organization  was  eftected  and  included  in  the  Peoria  con- 
ference. P.  X.  More  was  the  elder  who  presided  here  at  the  (organi- 
zation. J.  ^y.  Long  was  secretary  of  the  meeting.  D.  M.  Falkinbury 
was  first  pastor  in  charge.  James  Sheritf.  Jacob  A\1iarton  and  John 
Ashbaugh  were  the  first  class-leaders.  The  first  stewards  were: 
J.  W.  Lane,  Ambrose  Eddy,  Jacob  Colier,  Peter  Blue,  E.  C.  Paitlet, 
William  T.  Shafer,  and  Joseph  Richmond.  Samuel  Wliarton  was 
appointed  Sunday-school  superintendent,  and  Samuel  Ai*tz  assistant 
superintendent.  The  Methodist  Episco}tal  society  erected  their  first 
and  |)resent  church  building,  40  X  60,  seating  room  40  X  50  feet,  in  1857, 
at  a  cost  of  $4,(»00.  Previous  to  erecting  this  present  church  a  build- 
ing was  begun  on  the  same  foundation,  and  when  partly  com})leted, 
w^as  blown  down  by  a  storm.  This  was  a  sad  thing  for  the  churcli;  it 
needed  a  place  for  worship,  and  tlie  generosity  of  many  had  received 
considerable  tension,  and  it  seemed  like  raising  mountains  of  granite 
from  their  foundations  to  arouse  the  people  again  to  a  necessity  of 
beginning  a  second  building,  and  to  renew  their  subscriptions  for  that 
l>urpose.  Citizens  with  money  to  loan  were  less  common  than  now. 
But  in  the  face  of  all  this  o})])Osition  the  Methodist  Episcopal  people 
Went  to  work  with  a  will  which  meant  to  carry  the  point,  and  did  so. 
The  building  is  well  furnished,  and  the  best  in  the  town.  The  chin-ch 
has  enjoyed  a  good  degree  of  prosperity  since  its  organization.  Like 
the   Presbyterian  church,  it  has  come  up  from  the  jnoneer  days,  and 


220  HISTORY    OF    MEKCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

among  its  members  since  the  clmrcli  was  established  here,  and  before,, 
are  many  of  the  prominent  families,  not  only  of  Millersburg  township,, 
but  of  the  county. 

The  ministers  who  haye  labored  here  since  1857,  are :  F.  A. 
Falkinbury,  from  1857  to  1858,  during  which  time  Josepli  Richmond 
was  exhorter  in  the  church ;  L.  D.  Crouch,  till  18«i(  i ;  Z.  E.  Kaufman,, 
till  1861;  J.  D.  Taylor,  till  1863;  L.  S.  Ashbaugh,  till  1864;  J.  D. 
Taylor  again,  till  1865 ;  James  Cowden,  till  1866  ;  M.  P.  Armstrong,, 
till  1868,  who  came  here  from  Indiana,  and  as  the  conference  year  of 
the  two  conferences  did  not  end  at  the  same  time,  his  place  was  tilled, 
till  his  time  expired  in  Indiana,  by  J.  H.  Pay  ton  ;  A.  ^lorey,  till 
1870;  A.  Peeler,  till  1871;  Thomas  Head,  tilf  1874;  J.  J.  Walter, 
till  1875;  G.  M.  .Morey,  till  1878.  Present  pastor  in  charge  is 
G.  W.  Frizell.  The  present  officers  are :  Ambrose  Eddy,  J.  D.  Strat- 
tan,  J.  H.  Purdum  and  Dr.  J.  P.  Chowning,  church  stewards;  Jac<:>b 
Wliarton,  William  Dunn,  Ambrose  Eddy,  J.  D.  Strattan  and  S.  H. 
Eiddell,  trustees ;  Charles  York,  J.  H.  Purdum  and  William  Robinson,, 
parsonage  trustees. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  church  has  had  connected  with  its  organi- 
zation, since  1857,  a  liye  and  profitable  Sunday-school.  Previous  to 
1857  they  labored  in  the  capacity  of  a  Sunday-school  in  the  interest 
and  under  the  auspices  of  the  American  Sunday  School  I'nion.  The 
school  is  now  kept  in  operation  throughout  the  year,  and  is  in  a 
prosperous  condition. 

LATTER-DAY  SAINTS'  CHURCH. 

Tlie  third  and  last  of  the  cliurches  n<3w  represented  in  Millersburg 
is  the  Latter-Day  Saints'  church,  not  unfrequently  called  Mormons, 
but  the  people  of  this  faith  here  detest  the  yery  idea  of  polygamy. 
This  doctrine  of  the  church  was  first  preached  in  the  county  about 
1840,  by  Elder  G.  M.  Ilinkle.  The  first  society  in  the  county  was. 
organized  in  1861  in  Duncan  township.  The  members  of  this  faith 
then  at  Millersburg  worshiped  with  the  congregation  in  Duncan  town- 
ship till  1872,  when  they  ^yere  organized  into  a  distinct  societ}-,  which 
met  at  priyate  residences  for  worship  for  a  short  time  after  its  organ- 
ization, and  other  buildings  suitable,  till  1876,  when  they  built  their 
present  church-house  .at  a  cost  of  860<.>.  The  first  members  were  as. 
follows :  W.  S.  Morrison,  Joseph  Harris,  James  Vernon,  Eliza  Vernon, 
Viola  Vernon,  J.  M.  Terry,  Mary  Terry,  Elizabeth,  Emma,  Stephen* 
Theresa,  James  and  ]S^ancy  Miller,  Jasper,  Mary,  Mary  E.,  Clara, 
Juliet,  Adelaide  and  Edward  Duncan.  Hannah  Terry,  Margaret  Brown, 
William  Cardman,  Sarah  Cardinaii,  Elizabeth  Webb.  The  present 
members  number  forty-six. 


MILLERSBITRG   TOWJS'SHIP.  221 

A  partial  list  (^f  the  ministers,  as  furnished  us,  is  as  follows: 
J.  ]\r.  Terry,  J.  AV.  Terry,  E.  Bryant,  J.  L.  Terry  and  J.  B.  Harris, 
present  pastoi-  in  cluirge.  The  iirst  officers  were  J.  B.  Harris  and 
J.  M.  Terry.  The  i)resent  officers  are  J.  L.  Terry,  E.  Bryant  and 
J.  W.  Terry.  The  tirst  death  that  occurred  in  the  society  was  that  of 
W.  S.  Morrison  in  1873.  The  society  is  in  a  prosperous  condition. 
It  receives  much  uncalled-for  censure  because  of  the  infamous  docti-ine 
preached  by  the  Utah  church. 

While  these  three  church  societies  compose  those  who  have  erected 
church  buildings  in  Millersburg,  they  do  not  embrace  all  the  creeds 
re})resented  by  her  people.  The  earliest  preaching  at  ^lillersburg  was 
of  the  predestinarian  Baptist  faith,  which  at  that  time  was  rapidly 
losing  its  favor  with  the  ])eople  from  whence  came  the  greater  part 
of  the  early  settlers  of  Millersburg.  In  addition  to  these  Ba;)tists 
were  the  Missionary  Ba})tist,  who  have  had  at  no  time  in  the  history 
of  the  settlement  of  the  township  a  church  building  and  a  ivgular 
organized  society,  but  have  had,  at  irregular  intervals,  })reaching 
almost  from  the  beginning  of  the  settlement.  The  people  a  part  of 
the  time  held  their  meetings  in  the  Presbyterian  church  building,  and 
the  remainder  in  the  school-house  and  at  other  places.  In  1870 
G.  M.  Zook  preached  here  regularly  for  one  year ;  he  was  followed 
by  A.  F.  Sharpner.  Among  others  who  have  from  time  to  time 
labored  here  in  the  ministerial  capacity  are  M.  I).  Murdock  and 
J.  W.  Washdale.  Owing  to  the  fact  that  no  record  of  the  early 
settlers  who  held  to  the  Missionary  Ba])tist  faith  has  been  kept  of 
those  who  resided  at  and  around  Millersburg,  we  are  not  able  to  give 
a  list  of  their  names,  and  give  only  the  names  of  this  faith  at  tliis 
time  residing  here :  A.  P.  Sharpner  and  fa)nily,  Thomas  Landreth 
and  family,  James  Burges  and  wife,  Herschel  Felton  and  wife,  and 
James  Cash.  These  hold  tlieir  membership  at  Antioch.  in  Duncan 
township,  or  at  Aledo.  Such  is  the  history  of  the  religious  sects  of 
the  town  of  Millersburg  from  its  Iirst  settlement. 

INDEPENDENT  ORDER  OF  ODD-FELLOW>S. 

This  society  ranks  high  in  this  vicinity  in  morals,  business  ability 
and  intelligence.  The  history  of  its  organization  and  progress, 
as  follows,  has  been  pre]>ared  by  a  committee  a]>pointed  for  the 
purpose. 

Iris  Lodge,  No.  267,  I.O.O.F.,  was  organized  December  13, 
1858,  by  AVilliam  L.  Green,  James  McJenkins,  -I.  \V.  Close,  John  S. 
Moore  and  ().  C.  Allen,  over  the  old  store  of  ().  A.  Ih-idgford. 
J.  W.   Close  is  the  onlv  livinsj;  charter  member,  as  known  bv  the 


» 


222  HISTORY   OF    MERCER    A>T)    HE>rDERSON    COUN'nE!^. 

lodge  at  the  present  time.  The  first  oftieers  of  the  lodge  were  as 
follows:  X.G.,  AV.  L.  Green;  V.G.,  J.  W.  Close;  Sec,  James 
Mclenkins;  Treas.,  J.  S.  Moore.  The  first  niemhers  of  Iris  Lodge 
had  a  pretty  hard  struggle  to  keep  life  in  the  organization ;  for,  when 
the  lodge  was  yet  young,  a  number  of  the  members  were  called  away 
to  the  army,  which  left  only  about  a  quorum,  and  it  was  a  hard  matter 
to  get  all  out  at  once.  But  by  hard  work  they  pulled  through.  The 
brethren  never  forgot  those  who  were  called  awa}-  to  help  in  the  su}> 
pression  of  rebellion,  and  showed  their  interest  in  the  absent  ones  by 
paying  all  back  dnes,  and  in  gaining  help.  The  first  death  in  the  lodge 
was  that  of  Lewds  Trimble,  and  the  whole  number  of  deaths  since  the 
lodge  was  organized  is  five.  The  progress  of  the  lodge,  since  the  close 
of  the  war,  has  been  very  rapid,  increasing  from  the  five  charter 
members  to  an  average  of  forty  members  in  good  standing,  and  from  a 
state  of  bankruptcy  to  a  suq^lus  of  $1,500.  The  society  now  owns 
their  own  hall,  which  is  very  neat  and  attractive,  and  claims  as  a  mem- 
bership the  best  men  that  society  aftbrds.  The  present  ofiicers  of  the 
lodge  are  as  follows :  N.G.,  C.  C.  Brown;  V.G.,  W.  W.  Wakeland  ; 
Sec,  J.  U.  Eoberts;  Treas.,  J.  jS^.  Close.  The  number  of  members  at 
present  is  forty-five.  The  society  has  occupied  one  building  almost  all 
the  time,  and  it  cost  $500.  The  lodge  is  now  in  a  prosperous  condition, 
and  is  one  of  the  ablest  lodges  in  the  county. 

Millersburg  public  schools  is  one  of  the  institutions  in  which  her 
people  take  great  pride,  and  it  is  well  that  they  should  feel  proud  of  an 
institution  that  can  prepare  her  sons  and  daughters  to  become  men  and 
women  among  men  and  women.  About  the  first,  if  not  the  very  first, 
school  taught  in  Millersburg,  was  kept  in  H.  W.  Thornton's  law  oflice 
by  a  man  named  Bell,  in  1838.  Aftei-  this,  school  was  held  in  the 
court-house  till  1844,  when  the  first  house  for  school  purposes  was 
erected.  Harry  Scenter,  David  Felton,  Hiram  Hardie,  Mrs.  H.  W. 
Thornton,  Da^id  Lloyd,  Charles AVinchip  and  Joseph  McChesney  were 
pioneer  teachers  of  Millersburg,  some  of  whom  taught  both  in  the 
rural  districts  and  in  town.  The  first  school  building  was  used  for 
school  purposes  till  1862,  when  the  present  spacious  brick  school-house 
was  erected,  with  four  de])artments.  The  present  jn-incipal  is  Prof 
Daniel  Farmer,  of  Normal,  Illinois.  A  word  complimenting  the  sys- 
tematic course  of  instruction  is  not  out  of  place.  Students  are  fitted 
here  for  teachers  without  further  drill. 

The  other  xdllage  in  the  township  is  Joy,  located  on  the  Keithsburg 
division  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  railnvad.  It  was  laid 
out  in  1860  by  L.  W.  Thompson  and  William  Lngles,  on  section  19. 
The  first  business  house  in  the  j)lace  was  a  store  of  general   mer- 


^tll.I.KlJSlURG    TOWNSHIP.  223 

tliandise,  kej^t  bv  ('.  S.  Kiclioy.  and  the  first  drug  store  by  John  Moss. 
The  tirst  bhicksmith  to  locate  here  was  Joseph  Hughes.  The  first 
religious  ineetiugs  in  tlie  town  were  held  by  the  Presbyterians,  Metho- 
dists, and  Later  Day  !>aints,  in  the  school-house.  The  population  of 
the  town  is  about  150.  It  has  two  stores :  one  kept  by  J.  H.  Crane ; 
the  other  by  J.  T.  C-ralloway ;  both  have  a  good  trade.  One  wagon 
shop  is  run  by  Jose])h  Hughes,  and  one  bhiokstnith  shop  by  G.  W. 
Cook.  The  hotel  is  kept  by  J.  W.  Wood.  The  first  hotel  ever  k5i)t 
in  the  village  was  by  ().  F.  Green. 

The  village  is  quite  a  shi})ping  point.  The  railroad  established  a 
station  here  the  same  year  the  village  was  laid  out.  For  some  time 
the  business  of"  the  station  was  almost  nothing;  the  people  had 
become  so  accustomed  to  take  their  produce  to  the  river  that  it  seemed 
hard  to  get  out  of  the  old  ruts.  The  first  station  agent  was  H.  N. 
McNeil.  The  }>resent  agent  is  Hiram  Standish ;  he  came  here  in 
1870,  and  took  hold  of  the  business  for  both  the  company  and  the 
farm^-s ;  hi^  object  was  to  bring  to  this  point  the  ship])ing  both  of 
;grain  and  live  stock  that  properly  belonged  here.  In  1881  there 
were  loaded  at  this  ])lace  196  cars  of  stock  and  74  of  grain ;  the 
number  of  cattle  ship])ed  was  1,338;  of  hogs,  7,678.  To  bring  the 
business  of  the  surrounding  country  here  the  agent  received  the 
produce  from  the  producer  and  shipped  it.  .Vt  that  time  there  were 
no  buyers  here.     J.  H.  Crane  is  the  present  grain  merchant. 

The  post-office  now  at  Joy  was  first  established  in  1847,  and  named 
High  Point.  George  Scott  was  the  first  postmaster,  and  kept  the 
*  office  at  his  home,  where  Edward  Griffith  now  resides.  Tlie  next 
appointed  postmaster  was  Samuel  Eayle,  who  kej^t  the  office  one  year, 
when  it  was  given  again  to  George  Scott.  In  1865  Peter  Si)angler 
was  appointed  jjostmaster  and  held  the  office  till  1870,  when  it  was 
moved  to  Joy,  and  the  name  changed  from  High  Point  to  that  of  Joy, 
and  the  office  given  to  O.  F.  Green.  In  1871  J.  T.  McGinnis  was 
made  postmaster.  The  present  postmaster  is  J.  II.  Crane,  apjjointed 
in  1878,  but  has  kept  the  office  since  1873. 

Joy  has  one  church,  the  Methodist  Episcopal.  It  was  organized 
in  1874  by  liev.  Head.  Previous  tc*  this  time  they  had  irregular 
preaching  at  the  scIkjoI-Iiousc  at  Joy  and  at  the  brick  church  two  miles 
southeast  of  the  village.  The  s'ociety  was  organized  with  the  folhjw- 
ing  named  members  :  J.  W.  Wood  and  wife,  W.  P.  Zentmire  and 
wife,  AVilliam  Kiddoo  and  wife,  Richard  Edgar  and  wife,  Eli/a  Kiddoo, 
K.  H.  Day  and  wife,  Frank  ]\Iore  and  wife,  and  Augusta  Mays.  The 
society  now  numbers  foity  members.  In  ls77  it  built  its  first  and 
present  church  edifice,  a  frame,  at  an  outlay  of  §1,8(>0,     The  trustees 


224  .•    HISTOEY    OF    MERCER   A^D    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

at  present  are  :  William  Kiddoo,  P.  P.  Zentniire  and  J.  M.  Shingle- 
decker.  The  stewards  are  :  J.  M.  Shingledecker  and  Mrs.  Mays, 
The  class-leader  is  W.  P.  Zentmire.  The  ministers  who  have- 
labored  here'  are  :  J.  J.  Walters,  instrumental  in  bringing  about  the 
bnilding  of  the  church  ;  M.  Morej,  and  W.  B.  Frizell,  present  pastor 
in  charge.  The  society  has  lost  by  removals  several  of- its  valuable 
members. 

*  A  Sunday-school  was  organized  shortly  after  the  church  organiza- 
tion was  effected,  whicli  has  since  been  in  operation,  and  now  numbers 
forty  scholars.  W.  P.  Zentmire  is  the  present  superintendent.  Both 
the  church  and  Sunday-school  are  in  a  prosperous  condition. 

In  addition  to  those  church  societies  in  the  town  of  Millersburg- 
and  'the  village  of  Joy,,  there  are  the  Seventh  Day  Adventists  church 
at  the  Marsh  school-house  in  the  southeast  part  of  the  township  ;  the 
Peniel  church,  four  miles  south  of  Millersburg,  and  the  free  Presby- 
terian church,  familiarly  known  as  the  old  brick  church  a  half  mile 
south  of  the  Peniel  church.  • 

The  Seventh  Day  Adventists  are  of  recent  date  in  Millersburg 
township,  being  as  late  as  1871  ;  though  there  was  a  society  of  this 
belief  much  earlier  in  Aledo,  with  Elder  Andrews  as  pastor,  who  came 
to  the  Marsh  school-house  previous  to  1871,  and  preached  for  the 
benefit  of  the  members  of  the  church  living  in  that  community,  at 
irregular  intervals.  The  society^  was  organized  with  about  thirty  com- 
municants, and  at  this  time  numbers  twenty  members.  The  society 
has  been  very  much  affected  by  the  unsettled  condition  of  the  popu- 
lation. The  first  officers  were  :  J.  R.  Witham,  elder ;  C.  Dreyden, 
deacon ;  J.  C.  Middaugh,  clerk.  The  present  officers  are :  elder, 
same  as  the  first  ;  clerk,  Mary  Miller.  The  society  is  flourishing,  and 
proposes  to  erect  a  church-house  for  worship  at  the  earliest  possible 
period. 

The  Presbyterian  congregation,  known  as  the  Peniel  class,  was 
organized  into  a  distinct  society  in  1871.  From  the  early  settlement 
of  the  township  there  were  several  of  this  faith  in  this  comnninity, 
but  not  sufficient  for  sometime  to  support  an  independent  society  ;. 
hence  they  held  their  membership  at  Millersburg.  For  several  years 
they  had  preaching  at  the  Pleasant  Hill  school-house,  two  miles  east 
of  Joy,  and  occasionally  held  meetings  in  the  brick  church  one  mile 
south.  In  1871  the  organization  was  effected  by  forty-five  members, 
who  were  dismissed  from  the  Millersburg  society  for  that  purpose. 
They  met  at  the  brick  church  and  proceeded  to  form  themselves  into 
a  society,  and  forthwith  adopted  measures  for  the  erection  of  a  church 
edifice,  which  was  completed  in  1872,  at  an  outlay  of  $4,500.     This  is 


millersburct  township.  '^r        2:25- 

by  far  tlie  finest  clmroh  in  the  tcjwnship.  It  is  a  frame,  "structure 
40  X  60,  witli  a  seating  capac-ity  for  3()()  persons.  J.  Downing  donated 
the  ground  for  the  cluirch  and  cemetery.  Tn  addition  to  tliis  a  par- 
sonage was  built  at  an  outlay  of  $1,600,  Edwin  Gilmore  donating  the 
ground  on  which  it  stands,  one-fourth  mile  north  of  the  church.  This 
society  and  the  one  at  Millersburg  employ  the  same  pastor ;  hence  it 
is  not  necessary  to  repeat  the  names  of  the  ministers  who  have  lab<^)red 
here  since  the  organization  was  effected  ;  nor  before,  as  they  will  be 
found  in  the  list  of  ministers  in  connection  with  the  society  at  Millers- 
burg. The  first  elders  of  the  society  were  :  J.  Downing,  William 
Miller,  J.  T.  McGinnis  and  John  Love.  A  few  years  after  there  were 
two  more  added  to  this  number :  Eichard  Kiddoo  (deceased)  and 
Henry  Dool.  The  present  eldership  is  the  same.  Tlie  largest  mem- 
bership the  society  has  had  at  any  one  time  was  125  membei's,  which 
has  been  reduced  to  S4  by  removals.  The  society  dedicated  its 
building  out  of  debt  Many  of  the  friends  of  the  church  came  on 
dedication  day  with  their  pocketbooks,  and  went  away  surprised  to 
think  that  no  collection  was  taken.  The  Presbyterian  element  is 
largely  predominant  in  the  section  surrounding  this  church.  The 
society  has  kept,  in  connection  with  the  church  work,  an  interesting 
Sabbath-school.  Until  quite  recently  it  was  discontinued  during  the 
winter 'months,  but  now  continues  throughout  the  year.  The  i^resent 
superintendent  is  William  Jewel.     The  average  attendance  is  100. 

Tlie  brick  church  one  and  a  half  miles  north  of  the  south  line  of 
the  township,  and  directly  south  of  Millersburg,  was  the  first  church 
building  erected  in  the  towniship.  It  was  built  in  1847.  It  is  in  size 
40  X  60,  and  is  still  standing.  It  was  built  not  so  much  by  subscription 
as  by  contributions  in  work.  The  society  was  that  of  the  Free  Presby- 
terian faith.  The  leading  members,  and  those  who  were  instrumental 
in  building  the  church,  were  the  Kiddoo  brothers,  James,  Eichard, 
William  and  John,  and  others  of  the  neighbors  whose  names  we 
failed  to  get,  as  the  records  are  either  lost  or  have  been  carried  away. 
The  brick  were  bui'ned  by  Richard  Kiddoo.  The  men  who  did  the 
work  were  kept  by  the  people  who  were  interested  in  its  erection. 
Pev.  James  Pogue  was  the  first  minister  in  charge.  The  first  elder 
was  James  Kiddoo,  who  moved  west  a  tW  years  since.  This  society 
was  an  advocate  of  freedom,  not  at  that  time  inherent  with  the 
(jther  branches  of  Presbyterianism.  The  organizati<^n  was  ke]jt  up 
till  sometime  during  the  war,  when  the  principles  of  the  denomina- 
tion, whose  mission  it  was  to  demonstrate,  became  impressed  upon 
the  connnunity  ;  and  the  society  having  become  reduced  in  its  mem- 
bership by  frequent  removals  of  its   members,   it   united    with    the 


226  HISTORY    OF    MERCER   AND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES, 

Methodist  Episcopal  church  society  now  located  at  Joy.  as  the  prin- 
ciples of  freedom  advocated  by  the  two  societies  were  one  and  the 
same.  The  society  was  reincorjtorated  under  the  name  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episco})al  church,  which  held  its  meeting  here  regularly  till  the 
present  church  building  wjis  erected  in  Joy. 

Connected  with  the  church  is  the  first  established  cemetery  in  the 
township,  south  of  the  Edwards.  Here  reposes  the  dust  of  several  of 
the  early  settlers  of  the  surrounding  country. 

The  first  Sunday-school  in  this  part  of  the  township  was  organized 
at  this  church,  about  the  time  of  its  dedication,  under  the  auspices  of 
the  American  Sunday  School  Union,  which  was  kept  u})  till  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  society  ceased  to  hold  meetings  here.  The  only 
use  now  made  of  the  church  building,  is  for  funeral  services  at  the 
cemetery.  The  erection  of  this  church,  at  the  time  it  was  effected,  if 
we  consider  the  financial  circumstances  of  the  community,  and  the 
durability  of  the  building  itself,  clearly  illustrates  the  character  of  the 
people  of  the  surrounding  community. 

Among  the  societies  of  the  township,  held  at  Millersburg,  which 
clearly  illustrates  the  progress  of  agriculture  and  stock  raising  is  the 
county  fair.  It  was  the  first  association  of  the  kind  in  the  county. 
The  fair  grounds  were  located  southwest  of  Millersburg,  adjoining  the 
town,  and  originally  consisted  of  three  acres,  and  enlarged  to  nine, 
at  the  time  of  its  removal  to  Aledo.  The  expenses  were  kept  within 
the  annual  income.  The  labor  necessary  to  make  the  needed 
improvements  was  donated  by  the  members  of  the  association.  Any 
one  could  become  a  member  of  the  society  by  })aying  the  fee  of  one 
dollar  at  eacli  annual  meeting.  The  sole  interest  of  the  society  was 
manifested  in  behalf  of  the  products  of  the  county,  and  was  con- 
ducted on  strictly  moral  principles.  Yery  little  racing  was  permitted, 
and  no  gambling  witliin  the  enclosure.  Those  who  attended  its 
amiual  show  of  stock,  agricultural  j^roducts  and  woman's  wares,  say 
that  a  marked  ]H-ogress  in  each  department  was  perceptible,  and  it 
is  not  unfre(piently  the  remark  is  made  of  the  good  social  times 
eni(jyed  at  the  Millersburg  fair.  The  ladies  of  the  county  are  equally 
entitled  to  their  share  of  the  praise  for  the  success  of  the  institution 
while  at  Millersburg.  The  officers  of  the  association  gave  free  of 
charge  their  services,  without  even  charging  up  their  expenses  while 
conducting  the  business  of  the  association.  When  the  place  of  its 
annual  meeting  was  moved  to  Aledo,  the  society  was  out  of  debt 
and  had  a  surplus  of  twelve  or  fifteen  hundred  dollars  in  the  bank. 
We  now  leave  the  history  of  the  society  to  be  continued  in  the  history 
of  Mercer  township. 


MILLKKSIiL'K*;    TOWNSIIII'. 


227 


TOWNSHIP  ORGANIZATION. 

In  1854  the  peo[)le  of  Millersburg  township  mot  at  tlie  school-liouse 
near  Edward  Brady's  corner,  with  Ephraini  Gilmore,  chairman,  ap- 
pointed by  L.  B.  Howe,  and  L.  B.  Howe,  secretary.  These  temporary 
ofRcei-s  became  the  permanent  officers  for  the  year.  The  townshijj  was 
divided  into  three  road  districts :  No.  1,  north  of  the  Edwards ;  No.  2, 
embraced  the  east  lialf  of  the  township,  south  of  the  Edwards;  No. 
3,  the  west  half  of  township,  south  of  the  Edwards. 

The  following  list  of  township  officers,  taken  from  the  records,  will 
prove  of  great  interest  as  being  a  list  of  gentlemen,  who  at  various 
times,  were  considered  worthy  of  the  votes  of  their  constituents  and 
well  litted  for  the  offices  to  which  they  elected  them : 


1=3 


18o4 
1855 
18.'iG 
1»7 
18.58 
1859 
1860 
1861 
1862 
1863 
1864 
1865 
1866 
1867 
1868 

1869 

1870 
1871 
1872 
1873 
1874 
1875 
1876 
1877 
1878 
1879 
1880 
1881 
1882 


Supervisors. 


I 


David  Llovd , 

M.  L.  Marsh 

James  Haverlield 
James  Haverfield 
J.  T.  McGinnis..., 
J.  T.  McGinnis..., 
J.  T.  McGinnis. . . , 
Ephriiim  (iilmore 

A.  P.  Tavlor 

A.  P.  Tavlor 

J.  T.  McGinnis..., 

J.  T.  McGinnis 

J.  T.  McGinnis..., 

J.  T.  McGinnis 

Thos.  Merriman. , 

J.  T.  McGinnis... 

J.  T.  McGinnis..., 

R.  H.  Day 

R.  H.  Dav 

R.  H.  Dav 

J.  T.  McGinnis..., 

J.  E.  Bay 

J.  E.  Bav 

J.  T.  McGinnis.... 
J.  T.  McGinnis..., 

J.  W.  Close 

J.  W.  Close 

J.  W.  Close 

S.  H.  Riddell 


Clerks. 


J.  E.  Bav 

J.  O.  Allen 

J.O.Allen....... 

S.  J.  Strattun 

Wm.  A.  Crane  . . 

Wm.  Greene 

J.  M.  Xevius 

Wm.  L.  Greene,. 

J.  E.  Bav 

J.  E.  Bav 

J.  E.  Bav 

J.  E.  Bav 

J.  E.Bay 

J.  E.  Bav 

J.  E.  Bay 

J.  E.Bay 


J.  E.  Bav 

J.  E.  Bav 

J.  E.  Bav 

J.  E.  Bay 

John  Brady 

John  Brady 

John  Brady 

John  Brady 

John  Brady 

John  Brady 

John  Brady 

John  Brady 

J.  G.  Havertield. 


ASSE.SS()RS. 


Benijah  Llovd,  Jr. 
R.  W.  Bav 


J.  T.  McGinnis..., 
O.  A.  Bridgford  . . , 
W.  A.  Bridgford.., 
James  Kiddoo,  Jr, 
James  Haverfield , 

Wm.  M.  Brown 

Wm.  M.  Brown 

Wm.  M.  Brown..., 

L.  B.  Howe 

Johnson  E.  Beatv. 

J.  E.  Beaty ". . 

R.  H.  Day 

R.  H.  Dav 


O.  A.  Bridgford... 

E.  L.  Emerson 

E.  L.  Emerson 

Ed.  (irittith 

Ed.  (iriffilh 

J.  (i.  McCarnahan, 

J.  A.  Gilmore 

J.  E.  Bay 

J.  E.  Bav 

J.  E.  Bav 

J.  E.  Bav 

J.  E.  Bav 

J.  E.  Bav 


Collectors. 


J.  R.  Lemon 

W.  A.  Bridgford. 
W.  A.  Bridgford. 

W.  L.  Crane 

J.  R.  Lemon 

Wm.  L.  Greene.. 
Wm.  L.  Greene. 
Wm.  L.  Greene.. 
W.  A.  Bridgford. 
W.  A.  Bridgford. 
W.  A.  Bridgford . 

J.  E.  Bav 

M.  L.  Detuler  . . . 

J.  H.  Gradv 

J.  H.  Gradv 


C'O.M.MISSIOXKRS 
OK  HKiUWAYS. 


John  Brady 

I  A.  W.  McClain.. 
I  W.  A.  Bridgford. 
j  W.  A. Bridgford. 

I  John  Love 

!  L.  B.  Childs 

John  Bradv 


W.  O.  Dungau. 
/Ed.  Brady, 
\  J.  W.  Close. 
W.  A.  Marsh. 
J.  W.  Close. 
Ed.  Brady. 
Richard  kiddoo. 
J.  W.  Close. 
Edward  Brady. 


Jahn  Bradv R.  Kiddt)0. 


J.  R.  Wartwick.. 
J.  R.  Wartwick.. 

John  Harvey 

W.  R.  Lemon... . 
W.  R.  Lemon 


J.  W.  (lose. 
Ed.  Bra<ly. 
R.  Kiddoo. 
Tavlor  (iilraore. 
Ed".  Brady. 


W.  C.  Irw  in  S.  A.  Steele. 


Previous  to  1868  there  were  elected  each  year  three  commissioners 
of  highways,  w^hose  names  are  as  follows  :  1854,  J.  Falls,  S.  Carnahan 
and  Charles  Griffith;  1855,  J.  Falls,  C.  Griffith  and  O.  A.  Bridgford; 
1856,  C.  Griffith,  J.  P.  Boyd  and  H.  L.  Marsh;  1857,  C.  Griffith, 
J.  P.  Boyd  and  James  Kiddoo;  1858,  C.  Griffith,  A.  Eddy  and  J.  P. 
Marsh ;  185!>,  A.  Eddy,  Charles  Griffith  and  AVilliam  Brown  ;  i860, 
AVilliam  Brown,  Ed.  Brady  and  A.  Eddy ;  1861  and  1862,  same  as  in 
1860;  1863,  Ed.  Brady,  A.  Eddy  and  J).  Thatcher;  1864  and  1865, 
same  as  1863 ;  1867,  J.  M.  and  R.  II.  Gilmore. 


22>^  HISTORY   OF   itERCEK    AXD    HEXDERSOX   COUNTIES. 

In  1S55  the  vote  as  to  whether  or  not  the  to'vniship  organization 
should  be  ado])ted,  the  result  was  21  votes  for  and  19  against  the 
organization. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  justices  of  the  township  since  1S35  : 
Ebenezer  Creswell,  apjiointed  May  3,  1835  ;  Abraham  Miller,  Octo- 
ber 5,  1835  ;  Isaac  Beson.  April  30,  1838,  refused  to  accept;  Christian 
Routzong,  1838  ;  Frank  Miller,  probate  justice,  1838  ;  Abraham 
Thorp,  1839 ;  E.  Gilmore,  1839  ;  John  Carnahan,  1839  ;  Daniel  Pink- 
ley,  184U;  Joseph  W.  Lloyd,  1841;  AVilliam  J.  Phelps,  1842;  Isaac 
McDaniel,  1848  ;  Daniel  Pinkley,  1843  ;  Hiram  Hardy,  1843  ;  Charks 
Sullivan,  1845 ;  J.  W.  Wood,  1845 ;  W.  A.  Bridgford,  1847  ;  Charles 
Sullivan,  1847  ;  J.  W.  Wood,  1847  ;  W.  A.  Bridgford,  1847  ;  Lucian 
B.  Howe,  1849  ;  W.  A.  Bridgford,  1849  ;  Ephraim  Gilmore,  Jr.,  1849  ; 
W.  A.  Bridgfcrd,  1851;  W.  A.  Bridgford,  1858;  W.  L.  Green, 
1858  ;  W.  A."  Bridgford,  1862  ;  S.  AV.  Gailey,  1862  ;  S.  H.  Ptiddell, 
1866;  B.  F.  Brock^  l.s66  ;  Lucien  B.  How,  1869;  W.  A.  Bridgford, 
1870 ;  O.  F.  Green,  1870  ;  S.  H.  Ptiddell,  1870  ;  Joseph  Lyle,  1873  ; 
W.  A.  Bridgford,  1873  ;  J.  W.  Wood,  1877 ;  S.  II.  Riddell,  1877 ; 
W.  A.  Bridgford,  1881 ;  I.  W.  Huckins,  1881. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  free  schools  of  MiUersburg  have  kept  pace  with  the  progress 
'i>t'  the  township.  In  1841  the  money  paid  out  for  teaching  was 
^124.86.  that  being  the  available  school  fund.  At  that  time  there 
were  C)nly  three  distiicts,  one  north  of  the  Edwards  and  two  south. 

The  treasurers  report  in  1863  shows  seven  distiicts  ;  503  persons 
of  school  age  in  the  township,  with  an  attendance  of  320.  The 
amount  paid  out  for  teaching,  $1,134.42  ;  highest  wages  paid  per 
month  was  $30  ;  lowest,  $14.  School  fund,  $1,600.  The  report  of 
1881  shows  the  same  number  of  districts  ;  580  children  of  school  age, 
with  an  enrollment  of  360  pupils  ;  total  days'  attendance,  33, 340 ; 
the  school  fund,  $2,322.38  ;  teachers'  wages  for  the  year,  $2,259.80  ; 
incidental  exj^enses  of  the  schools,  $382.82.  Highest  wages  paid, 
$60  per  month. 

The  improvements  in  roads  have  been  no  less  rapid  since  1835. 
The  amount  of  road  in  the  township  is  sixty  miles,  with  an  average 
width  of  three  rods.  In  1854  the  road  tax  was  ten  cents  on  the  one 
hundred  dollars  of  taxable  property;  in  1856,  twenty  cents  ;  from  1856 
t(»  1865,  ten  cents ;  from  1865  to  1877,  the  levy  was  twenty  cents  on 
the  one  hundred  dollars,  when  the  roads  passed  under  the  commis 
sioners'  law.  In  ls81  the  levy  was  twentv  cents  on  the  one  hundred 
<lollars  ;  in  1882,  twenty  cents. 


MILLERSBUKG    TOWis'SHIP.  229 

The  towaisliip  electi<>ns  were  first  held  at  the  school-house  near  Ed- 
ward Brady's  corner,  but  continued  to  be  chanii:ed  from  here  to  Millers- 
burg,  and  then  from  Millersburg  back  to  Brady's  corner,  as  it  is  called, 
till  1879,  then  by  vote  the  place  of  holding  elections  was  settled  perma- 
nently at  Brady's  corner,  and  a  town-hall  built  over  the  school-house 
for  town  and  public  purposes,  excei)t  for  dances,  shows  and  such  things 
that  are  considered  to  be  detrimental  to  morality.  The  cost  of  the  hall 
•  was  $387,  a  part  of  which  was  made  up  by  private  subscription  to 
secure  the  use  of  the  building  from  entertainments  of  the  character 
mentioned. 

The  census  report  of  1880  gives  the  population  as  1,071.  The 
taxable  property  in  the  township  in  1881  was  valued  at  ^401,618.  The 
real  estate  was  valued  at  $328,410,  town  lots  at  $16,060,  personal 
property  at  $117,148.     The  equalized  value  was  $425,127. 

The  tax  money  collected  on  the  above  assessment,  for  general  state 
purposes  and  schools,  $2,255.45  ;  county  pm^poses,  $1,065.25  ;  road  tax 
$6«;i.35  ;  district  school  tax,  $2,391 ;  dog  tax,  $166. 

The  township  has  one  railroad,  the  Keithsburg  &  Galva  division 
of  the  Chicago  Burlington  &  Quincy.  For  voting  a  tax  of  $13,400 
to  the  American  Railroad  Company,  which  built  the  road,  a  meeting 
was  called  in  1868,  which  carried  by  114  votes  for,  to  27  against  such 
donations.  The  bonds  were  issued  in  1869,  on  ten  years  time.  They 
have  all  been  paid,  the  last  in  1881,  and  the  townshij)  feels  wise  enough 
not  to  vote  any  more  such  taxes,  as  the  following  call-meetings  show. 

In  1870  a  meeting  was  called  with  the  expectations  that  the  town- 
ship would  vote  an  appropriation  to  the  Rockford,  Rock  Island  & 
St.  Louis  Railroad  Company,  and  for  the  donation  there  were  107 
votes  against  126.  A  second  attempt  was  made  to  get  the  township  to 
vote  the  tax,  but  with  no  better  result  this  time;  the  votes  when  counted 
showed  106  for  taxation  and  117  against. 

In  conclusion  let  us  add,  the  present  population  of  the  township  are 
a  thrifty,  energetic,  well-to-do,  and  hosjiitable  people.  In  agriculture  and 
stock  raising  they  are  up  with  the  times,  and  few  laggards  exist  among 
them.  For  a  more  extensive  history  of  the  prominent  business  men, 
farmers  and  stock  raisers  of  the  township,  reference  may  be  had  to  the 
biographical  department  of  Millersburg  township,  where  the  i)ersonal 
and  tamily  history  of  almost  all  of  them  may  be  found. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Among  the  pioneer  settlers  yet  living  is  William  H.  RiuciS,  a 
farmer  and  stock  raiser,  a  native  of  Kentucky,  born  in  l'^28,  son  of 
Thonuis  M.  and  Rebecca  B.  (Jenkins)  Riggs,  both  of  Kentucky.     The 


230  HISTORY   OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

Riggs  family  came  from  Virginia  to  Kentuckv,  but  are  of  Scotcli 
descent,  as  also  is  the  Jenkins  family.  Both  families  emigrated  to 
America  at  an  early  period  in  the  history  of  the  colonies.  William 
II.  Riggs'  grandfather,  Richard  Jenkins,  came  to  Mercer  county  in 
lS3f!,  and  was  cr)nstable  before  the  township  organization.  He  died 
in  Aledo,  After  his  death  his  wife  returned  to  Kentucky.  William 
H.  located  in  Mercer  county,  where  he  now  resides,  in  1836,  where 
he  has  been  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  dealing.  His  early  educa- 
tion was  limited,  as  the  advantages  at  that  early  period  for  education 
were  few.  When  a  young  man  he  went  one  year  to  an  academy  at 
Galesburg.  In  1851,  he  was  married  to  Elizabeth  Dungan,  native  of 
Indiana,  born  1830,  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  DeLabor  Dungan,  by 
occupation  farmers.  The  former  was  a  carpenter  by  trade.  They 
were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  came  to  Mercer 
county  with  the  early  settlers.  By  this  marriage  AVilliam  H.  Riggs 
has  one  chihl,  Thomas  B.,  educated  at  Abingdon.  He  was  married 
in  1872  to  Loretta  D.  McClanahan,  native  of  Mercer  county,  born  in 
1851,  and  daughter  of  James  McClanahan,  who  came  in  1837  and 
located  in  Mercer  county,  and  now  resides  in  Henderson.  Thomas  R. 
Riggs  has,  by  this  marriage,  four  children  :  Guy  H.,  Robert  A.^ 
Lillian  (deceased),  and  James  H.  Thomas  B.  lives  on  the  farm  of  his 
father,  and  helps  to  carry  on  the  business.  Among  the  tine  stock  men 
of  Millersburg  township  William  H.  Riggs  has  been  known  for  many 
years.  He  imports  the  best  of  cattle  from  the  noted  fine  stock  locali- 
ties. While  he  makes  cattle  a  specialty,  both  as  to  fine  stock  and 
feed  cattle,  he  by  no  means  keeps  a  poor  grade  of  hogs  and  horses. 
His  farm  of  330  acres  of  plow  land  and  seventy  acres  of  timber  is 
second  to  none,  as  a  stock  farm,  in  the  township.  Mr.  Riggs  is  a 
genius,  doing  almost  all  his  own  work  whether  it  be  smithing,  car- 
penter work  or  otherwise.  While  he  has  raised  but  one  child  of  his 
own,  several  orphans  have  found  under  his  roof  a  pleasant  home, 
where  they  were  the  recipients  of  motherly  and  tatherly  kindness. 

Tlic  subject  of  this  sketch,  J.  F.  Harvey,  is  a  native  of  Indiana, 
born  in  1833,  son  of  Beauehamp  and  Margaret  Harvey,  both  of  Mary- 
land. They  emigi-ated  to  Indiana  and  settled  on  White  river  about 
1825.  They  were  both  members  of  the  Christian  church.  The  former 
died  in  1874^  aged  sixty-three  years,  the  latter  now  makes  her  home 
with  her  childi-en.  Mr.  Harvey  was  married  in  1866  to  E.  J. 
McClure,  of  Indiana,  daughter  of  John  and  Sarah  McClure.  They 
came  to  Mercer  county  about  18-17,  and  now  live  in  Abingdon  town- 
ship. J.  F,  Harvey  has,  by  this  marriage,  two  children :  Charley  B. 
and  George  F.     Mr.  Harvey  came  to  Illinois  in  1838  and  located  in 


\ 


ip^ 


RICHARD      KIDDOO 


MILLERSBURG   TOWNSHIP.  233 

Clianipaig'ii  county.  Jk-  thoii  cininTatcMl  to  Misi^ouri,  and  at'ter\vtir(.l 
came  to  Mercer  county  and  located  where  lie  now  resides.  He  and 
wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  has  a  farm  of  125 
acres,  fairly  im})roved  and  stocked  with  good  grades.  lie  served  in 
the  army,  during  the  late  war,  from  1861  to  1865,  a  period  of  three 
years  and  ten  months,  in  the  18th  111.  \'ol.  He  was  in  the  battles  of 
Fort  Donelson,  Pittsburg  Landing,  Pritton's  Lane;  went  down  the 
Mississippi  with  Grant  to  Watervalley  and  back  to  Memphis ;  was  iu 
the  siege  of  Yicksburg;  was  wnth  Sherman  on  his  march  to  the  sea, 
then  on  the  ocean,  through  the  Carolinas,  tlien  to  ItichnKjnd,  Wash- 
ington and  Louisville,  where  he  was  mustered  out.  During  his  term  oi' 
sei'vice  in  the  army  he  passed  through  ten  of  the  southern  states. 

Among  the  several  old  settlers  and  prominent  gentlemen  of  Mercer 
county  who  have  taken  an  active  part  in  its  development,  we  mention 
the  name  of  Edward  Griffith,  who  M-as  bom  November  13,  1834.  in 
Hancock  county,  Indiana,  and  is  the  oldest  child  of  Charles  and 
Martha  (Scott)  Grithth.  He  came  with  his  parents  to  Mercer  county  in 
1839.  As  he  was  the  oldest  child  he  was  so  much  needed  at  home 
that  his  education  was  limited  to  a  common  school.  He  remained  at 
home  until  twenty-four  years  of  age,  when  he  started  out  in  life  'for 
himself  as  a  tiller  of  the  soil.  He  purchased  the  S.  -J  of  the  X.  "W.  ^, 
Sec.  14,  in  Millersburg  township.  He  remained  on  this  place  for  seven 
years,  when  he  sold  out  and  bouglit  the  N.  E.  ^j  of  Sec.  12,  where  he 
remained  for  eight  years,  when  he  sold  out  and  bought  the  S.  AV.  ^  of 
Sec.  18,  Millersburg  township,  where  he  resides  at  present.  He  has 
been  very  successful  in  accumulating  considerable  property.  March  24, 
1859,  he  was  married-to  Miss  Elizabeth  Church,  daughter  of  Thomas 
and  Rachel  Church.  She  was  born  March  25,  1838.  Mr.  Griffith  has 
been  a  member  of  the  order  of  Masons  since  1869. 

William  Kiddoo,  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  is  a  native  of  Pennsylva- 
nia. His  parents  are  Richard  and  Eliza  Kiddoo.  Lie  came  to  Mercer 
county  with  his  parents  when  a  child,  and  was  reared  on  the  farm,  re- 
ceiving only  such  educational  training  as  the  pioneer  school  of  his 
neighborhood  could  furnish.  He  has  always  pursued  the  occupation  of 
his  father.  Lie  takes  great  pride  in  keei»ing  a  good  grade  of  stock  of 
all  kinds.  He  is  introducing  on  his  farm  shorthorn  cattle.  He  was 
mamed  in  1864  to  Mary  Edgar,  daughter  of  R.  S.  and  Elizabeth 
Edgar.  She  is  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  came  with  her  parents  to 
Mercer  countv  when  a  ccirl.  Pv  this  union  William  Kiddoo  has  eie:ht 
children  :  Henry  G.,  Harry  (de),  Francis  (de),  Maggie  M.,  Alvin  A., 
Nettie  P.,  Kora  P.,  Mary  V.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Metho- 
14 


234  HISTORY    OF   MERCER    .VXD    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

dist  Episcopal  church  at  Jov.     He  has  a  farm  of  330  acres  of  iine  land, 
located  in  the  south  part  of  the  townshijx 

Jefferson  Fuller,  farmer,  now  resident  of  Millersburg  township, 
near  Joy,  is  a  native  of  Maine,  born  in  1839,  and  came  with  his  parents 
in  1842  to  Mercer  county,  where  he  has  since  resided ;  here  he  was 
reared  on  the  farm.  He  enlisted  in  company  I,  17th  111.  Vol.,  in  1861, 
in  which  regiment  he  served  three  years,  and  then  veteranized  and 
was  transferred  to  the  8th  111.  Vol.,  and  continued  in  the  service  till 
June,  1866.  He  was  in  the  battles  of  Frederickton,  Sliiloh,  Fort  Donel- 
son ;  in  the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  Mobile,  and  numerous  skirmishes  in 
Texas.  At  Fort  Donelson  he  received  a  slio;lit  wound,  the  only  one 
received  during  his  term  of  service.  He  was  married  in  1866  to 
Josephine  Awbery,  native  of  Kentucky,  and  daughter  of  Gabriel  "W. 
Awbery,  of  Kentucky,  wdio  served  during  the  war  in  the  federal  arm}' 
as  a  volunteer  from  his  native  state.  In  1865  the  southern  sentiment 
becoming  too  warm  for  a  federal  soldier  in  his  own  state  he  came  north. 
Mr.  Fuller  has  by  this  marriage  two  children:  Mary  O.,  and  Dora  E. 
His  parents  Jeiferson  and  Tabitha  (Libby)  Fuller,  located  in  Xew  Bos- 
ton township,  where  the  former  still  lives,  his  wife  having  died  when 
their  son  Jefferson  was  a  child.  Jefferson  Fuller,  Jr.,  raised  four  sons, 
three  of  whom  were  in  the  army.  He  and  wife  were  members  of  the 
Baptist  church.  Jefferson  Fuller,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  began  life 
for  himself  with  such  capital  as  nature  supplied  him,  energy  and 
muscle.  He  now  owns  a  good  farm  of  100  acres,  which  he  has  well 
.stocked. 

Da^dd  and  Lucinda  (Baldwin)  Felton,  the  parents  of  our  subject, 
Herchel  Felton,  came  to  Scott  county,  Illinois,  in  the  latter  part  of 
1840,  where  they  remained  till  the  following  spring,  when  they  came 
to  Millersburg,  Mercer  county,  where  the  former  died  in  1849,  at  the 
age  of  thirtv-six  years.  They  were  both  natives  of  Vermont :  he  of 
Tunbi'idge,  Orange  county ;  she  of  Sharon,  Windsor  county.  The 
parents  of  David  Felton  were  Amos  and  Sarah  Felton,  both  of  Massa- 
chusetts. The  parents  of  Lucinda  BaldM-in  Felton  were  John  and 
Lucinda  (Clark)  Baldwin.  Tlie  former  was  born  in  1783,  the  latter 
1785.  David  Felton  was  by  profession  a  school  teacher,  which  busi- 
ness he  followed  till  his  death,  clerking  during  the  intervals  between 
his  schools.  He  was  a  member  of  tlie  Coni^reo-ational  church.  Mrs. 
Felton  after  the  death  of  her  husband  returned  to  Vermont  with  her 
family,  where  she  remained  ten  years.  She  now  lives  witli  her  son 
Herchel,  one  mile  east  of  Millersburg.  Flerchel  was  married  in  1864 
to  Elizabeth  Sliafer,  born  in  1842,  daughter  of  Aaron  P.  Shafer,  whose 
history  will  appear  on  another  page.      By  this  marriage  he  has  five 


MII.LERSBUEG    TOWNSHIP.  235 

■fhiMren  :  Milo  P..  deceased,  Anna  E.,  Benjamin  R.,  Lucinda  B.,  and 
Hiram  E.  He  and  wife  hold  to  the  Missionary  Baptist  fjiith..  He  was 
born  in  18-H.  in  Millersburg  township,  where  he  now  resides.  His 
early  education  was  that  of  the  common  school.  He  enlisted  August, 
1861,  in  company  H,  3Tth  111.  A'ol.  He  was  wounded  at  Prairie  Grove, 
Arkansas,  December  8,  1862,  and  M'as  discharo-ed  the  followinsi;  Feb- 
ruary.  Previous  to  his  being  wounded,  he  was  in  the  battle  of  Pea 
Ridge.  He  held  the  office  of  sergeant  in  his  comjjany.  His  brother, 
Aaron  D..  enlisted  in  company  C,  45th  PJ.  Vol.,  and  died  shortly 
after  he  was  mustered  into  the  service.  His  brother  Hiram  died  in 
1875,  at  the  age  of  thirty-five,  at  home  with  his  mother. 

One  of  the  old  settlers  of  Millersburg  township  that  remains  is  Asa 
Knox,  who  came  to  Mercer  county  in  1842,  and  located  where  he  now 
lives.  In  1841  he  took  a  claim  in  what  is  now  Xew  Boston  township. 
Mr.  Knox  is  a  native  of  Maine,  born  in  1814,  and  reared  in  the  town 
of  Jay,  New  Hampshire.  His  parents  were  Moses  and  Susana  Knox, 
natives  of  Dover,  Kew  Hampshire.  They  emigrated  to  Maine  shortly 
after  their  marriage.  He  was  by  trade  a  shoemaker.  About  1841  he 
and  wife  joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  In  1841  he  located 
in  Millersburg  township,  where  he  died  in  1858,  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
live  years ;  his  vnfe  died  in  1848,  aged  sixty-four  years.  Asa  received  no 
literarv  training  beyond  the  common  school.  Dislikino;  the  trade  of 
his  father  he  chose  farming  for  a  livelihood,  which  he  has  always  fol- 
lowed. He  was  married  in  1836  to  Elmira  Perkins,  native  of  Fairfield, 
Maine,  born  in  1815,  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Polly  Perkins,  both  of 
whom  resided  in  Maine  till  tlieir  death.  By  this  marriage  Mr.  Knox 
has  eight  children:  David  P.,  Sumner  B.,  James  T.,  Asa  D., 
Margarette,  Elzina,  Ellen  M.  (deceased).  Elmira  (deceased).  Sumner  B. 
and  James  T.  served  in  the  army  during  the  late  war.  The  former  en- 
'  listed  March  14,  1865,  in  the  83d  III.  Vol.,  and  was  transferred  to 
company  E,  61st  111.  Vol.,  and  served  eight  months.  The  latter 
enlisted  in  company  I,  17th  111.  Vol..  and  was  in  the  battles  of 
Fort  Blakely,  Spanish  Fort,  and  Jackson,  Mississij^pi,  and  served  three 
years.  They  both  now  live  in  Millersburg  township.  Asa  Knox  and 
wife  are  members  of  the  United  Brethren  church,  at  the  Palestine  con- 
gregation in  Abington  township.  He  has  a  farm  of  sixty  acres,  on 
which  he  keeps  a  good  grade  of  farm  stock. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  native  of  Bloomsburg,  Pennsylva- 
nia;  was  born  October  16,  1812,  and  is  the  son  of  Eli  and  Rachel 
Thornton,  both  of  whom  were  of  English  descent  and  natives  of  Penn- 
sylvania. H.  W.  Thornton's  early  e<lucation  was  limited  to  the  com- 
mon  schools  of  the  country  at  that  time.     In  his  eii»:hteenth  year. 


236  HISTORY    OF   MERCER    .\XD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

William  G.  Hiu'ley,  Esq.,  a  prominent  lawyer  in  the  county,  gave 
him  the  privilege  of  his  othce  for  study  (and  with  whom  he  read  law), 
and  in  1S37  was  admitted  to  practice  in  the  courts  of  Columbia  county. 
He  came  to  Illinois  and  located  in  Millersburg  in  1838,  where  for 
several  years  he  followed  his  profession.  In  1839  he  was  elected 
clerk  of  the  county  court,  which  office  he  resigned  the  following  spring, 
being  nominated  and,  in  1840,  elected,  with  Hon.  Thomas  Drummond, 
now  judge  of  the  United  States  court  in  Chicago,  to  represent  the  ten 
northwest  counties  in  the  state  legislature.  In  1842  he  was  elected 
recorder  of  tlie  county  to  fill  a  vacancy,  and  in  1844  re-elected  for  four 
years.  At  the  end  of  the  term  the  county  seat  was  located  at  Keiths- 
burg.  For  six  or  eight  years  he  engaged  in  selling  goods  and  in 
impro^'ing  his  farm  adjoining  the  town  of  ]Millersbm*g.  In  1858  he 
was  elected  president  of  the  Warsaw,  Rock  Island  &  Galena  Railroad 
Company,  which  position  he  held  for  ten  years,  and  during  his  term 
of  presidency  secured  the  building  of  the  line  from  Port  Byron  junction 
(six  miles  above  Rock  Island)  to  Savanna,  a  distance  of  forty-eight 
miles.  After  the  completion  of  the  road  from  Port  B}Ton  to  Savanna, 
thirty-eight  miles,  Richard  Irvin,  senior  member  of  the  firm  of  Irvin 
&  Brother,  bankers,  of  New  York,  and  financial  agents  of  the  Bank 
of  Glasgow,  Scotland,  who  furnished  funds  for  the  work,  gave  him  the 
following  letter  as  a  testimonial : 

"New  York,  April  25,  1866. 
"Dear  Sir, — I  have  jileasure  in  stating  it  as  my  opinion  that  to  your  exertions 
in  presenting  plans  and  surveys  for  extending  the  Northern  Illinois  railroad  from 
Savanna  to  Fort  Byron,  and  in  setting  forth  the  feasibility  and  probable  advan- 
tages of  such  extension,  has  it  been  owing  that  the  work  was  undertaken  and 
completed  at  a  period  of  very  high  prices  both  of  material  and  labor.  Whatever 
benefit  to  your  district  of  country  has  accrued,  or  may  in  future  accrue,  from  the 
work  referred  to,  you  are  fairly  entitled,  I  should  say,  to  great  credit  for  the 
active  and  intelligent  part  you  took  in  forwarding  it. 

'■  I  remain,  dear  sir,  vours  truly, 

"RICHARD  IRVIN. 
"H.  W.  Thornton,  Millersburg,  111." 

Mr.  Thornton  was  'married  February  25,  1839,  to  Elizabeth  F. 
Norbury,  of  Philadelphia,  born  December  19,  1816,  daughter  of  Joseph 
B.  and  Rebecca  M.  Xorbury,  both  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  By  this 
marriage  they  had  seven  children ;  two  died  in  infancy,  one  (Susan)  at 
the  age  of  twenty-one ;  four  are  now  living :  Martha  X. ,  Sarah  E. ,  oS'or- 
bury  AV.,  and  George  E.  Since  1868  he  has  lived  quietly  on  his  farm, 
and  in  the  same  house  he  built  forty-three  years  ago. 

Richard  Kiddoo,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Beaver  (now  Lawrence) 
county,  Pennsylvania ;  born  April  25,  1816.  His  parents,  James  and 
Mary  Kiddoo,  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  and  emigrated  to  Millers- 


MILLERSBURG   TOWNSHIP.  237 

burg-  township,  Illinois,  some  twc)  or  three  years  after  their  son 
Richai'd. .  They  located  where  Mrs.  Brvant,  formerly  ]\frs.  John 
Kiddw>,  now  resides.  Here  they  lived  out  theu'  days  in  the  faith  of 
the  Presbyterian  church.  Richard  Kiddoo  was  married  October  12, 
1S37,  to  Eliza  Yannatta,  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  in  1821,  and 
daughter  of  James  and  Betsv  Vannatta,  both  of  Pennsvlvania,  The 
former  died  in  1837,  aged  sixty-one  years;  the  latter  came  in  1844 
to  Mercer  county,  where  she  remained  four  years ;  went  to  Jasper 
county,  this  state,  and  there  died  at  the  ripe  old  age  of  seventy- 
two  years.  They  were  of  good  family,  well-to-do  farmers,  and  honored 
members  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  By  this  marriage  Richard 
Kiddoo  raised  a  family  of  thirteen  children  :  Mary  (deceased),  William, 
James.  John  (deceased),  Xancy,  Eliza,  Martha  (deceased),  Thomas, 
Hannah,  Amos  F.,  Cjtus  C,  Adda,  Caroline  S.  In  1845  with  his 
family  he  came  to  Mercer  county  and  located  in  Millersburg  township, 
where  he  resided  till  his  death,  which  occurred  February  3,  1882. 
He  came  here  with  small  means,  which,  combined  judiciously  with  his 
good  business  judgment  and  industry,  crowned  his  life  with  success. 
He  never  engaged  in  speculation  but  made  his  money  by  raising  grain 
and  feeding  stock.  He  left  his  family  a  property  valued  at  $.50,000. 
To  use  the  words  of  his  neighbors,  he  accumulated  wealth  rapidly  and 
practiced  strict  economy.  But  his  economy  was  not  of  a  close  and 
penurious  kind ;  his  family  lived  comfortably  and  he  gave  generously 
to  every  public  benefit.  He  was  a  man  of  warm  impulses  and  strong 
convictions,  and  never  inconsiderate  of  the  convictions  of  others,  a 
helper  of  the  needy  and  a  friend  to  all.  His  great  simplicity  of 
character  and  moral  integrity  won  the  esteem  of  many  and  coinmanded 
the  respect  of  all.  If  many  who  are  disposed  to  complain  of  their 
surroundings  would  adopt  his  rules  of  life  they  would  move  more 
smoothly  over  life's  impediments.  Xo  man  manifested  greater  interest 
in  the  upbuilding  of  Christianity  and  morality  in  the  community  than 
did  Richard  Kiddoo.  "It  will  not  be  regarded  a  disparagement  to 
others  whr»  were  helpful  in  the  same  direction,  to  say  the  high 
morality  and  marked  religious  character  of  this  comnnmity  are 
largely  due  to  the  influence  and  efi:V)rts  of  Richard  Kiddoo."  The 
expression  of  all  who  knew  him  is  that  a  good  man  has  gone  out 
from  among  us.  He  and  his  ancesters  so  far  back  as  we  are  able  to 
ascertain  have  been  strict  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  His 
widow,  who  was  a  coworker  in  all  his  undertakings  to  build  uj) 
society,  the  church,  and  to  make  home  happy  and  pleasant  for  all, 
still  resides  on  the  farm  where  they  have  lived  since  they  came  to 
Illinois. 


238  HISTORY    OF    MERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

Among  the  tirst  settlers  of  Millersburg  township  was  M.  IL  Riggs^ 
and  family.  Thev  located  on  section  30  as  early  as  1834.  The  sur- 
rounding  country  was  then  only  a  wilderness.  He  planted  his  first 
crop  and  fenced  it  afterward.  Mr.  Riggs  is  a  natiye  of  Kentucky. 
lie  married  in  1S37  Julette  Froman,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Dice, 
(Ilichison)  Froman,  both  of  Vii-ginia,  but  emigrated  to  Kentucky  as 
])ioneers,  where  their  daughter  Julette  was  born  and  reared.  They 
both  died  in  Kentucky,  members  of  the  Baptist  church.  The  olfspring 
of  tliis  marriage  is :  Thomas,  Isaac,  AVilliam,  James.  Filman,  Wash- 
ington, Marion,  Jasper,  Clay.  Mrs.  Riggs  liyes  on  the  old  farm  of  400 
acres  where  they  first  located,  and  is  the  oldest  settler  liying  in  the 
township  at  this  time.  Her  son  Marion  resides  with  her.  He  was 
born  and  reared  where  he  now  liyes.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  the  124th 
reg.  111.  A^ol.  Inf.,  company  G,  and  seiwed  three  years  and  a  few 
days.  He  was  in  the  siege  of  Yicksburg,  with  Smith  at  Mobile,  the 
taking  of  the  Sj^anish  fort.  He  returned  home  and  was  married  in 
1865  to  Sarah  A.  Hubbard,  natiye  of  Illinois  and  daugliter  of  "Willard 
and  Xancy  Hubbard,  the  former  of  Massachusetts,  the  latter,  Kentucky. 
By  this  union  Marion  Riggs  has  three  children:  Julette,  Xancy  and 
Adda.  He  is  a  farmer,  and  keeps  a  good  grade  of  farm  stock,  grade 
cattle  and  hogs  and  Cotswold  sheep.  In  politics  he  is  a  republican 
straight. 

AV,  A.  Bridgford,  farmer,  is  by  birth  a  Kentuckian,  born  in  1810, 
and  the  son  of  AY.  J.  and  Elizabeth  Bridgford,  both  of  whom  were 
natiyes  of  Virginia  and  emigrated  to  Scott  county,  Kentucky,  where 
our  subject  was  born.  In  1813  they  moyed  to  Ohio,  where  they  bcttli 
died,  the  former  aged  eighty-four,  the  latter  thirty-six  years.  Mr. 
Bridgford  was  reared  and  educated  in  Ohio,  where  he  resided  till  1832, 
when  he  emigrated  to  Indiana,  near  Indianapolis,  where  he  remained, 
eight  years,  and  then  came  to  Illinois  and  located  in  Richland  Groye 
township,  where  he  remained  till  1856,  when  he  moyed  to  Millers- 
burg,  where  he  has  since  liyed.  He  was  married  in  1839  to  Nancy 
AVorkland,  natiye  of  Kentucky  and  daughter  of  Charles  and  Permelia 
"Workland.  They  have  ten  children,  fiye  of  whom  are  liying :  ( )liyer  A., 
Malinda,  ^Mai-y  E.,  Martha  and  Laura,  two  of  whom  live  in  this  county 
and  three  in  Kansas.  He  has  held  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace 
for  about  forty  years  and  is  now  acting  in  that  capacity.  He  also  holds 
the  office  of  notary  |>ublic.  AVhen  his  ])resent  term  expires  he  will 
have  served  in  that  office  sixteen  years.  He  held  the  office  of  c<  >llector 
eleven  years.  He  belongs  to  both  the  secret  orders,  I.O.O.F  and 
Masons.  He  sold  goods  in  .Millersburg  from  1850  to  1860.  The  last 
few  years  he  has  been  engaged  in  farming.     Previous  to  leaving  Ohio- 


MILLERSBURG   TOWI^SHIP.  239 

he  studied  law  and  was  admitted  to  tlie  bar  at  Oxford  in  1832.  but 
never  en<j:a*;ed  in  active  practice.  "When  he  arrived  in  Mercer  conntv 
his  wealth  in  this  world's  goods  for  most  part  consisted  of  a  team,  and 
cow  and  six  sliee[).  lie  now  owns  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  in  Mercer 
countv,  eighty  acres  in  Kansas,  and  considerable  town  property. 

Among  the  early  settlers  of  Millersburg  is  Mr.  James  Vekxon.- 
He  made  his  advent  into  this  county  when  it  was  yet  almost  a  wilder- 
ness. His  parents,  Joseph  and  Sarah  Vernon,  settled  in  Warren 
county,  Ohio,  in  1812,  where  their  son  James  was  born  ;  then  moved  to 
Preble  countv,  Ohio,  then  to  Shelbv  countv,  Indiana,  where  thev  lived 
out  their  natural  lives.  Mr.  Jose|)h  Vernon  was  a  native  of  New  Jersey, 
his  wife  of  South  Carolina.  James  Vernon,  disliking  the  vocation  of 
his  father,  which  was  that  of  mechanic,  in  early  life  engaged  in  farm- 
ing, which  he  has  pursued  successfully  till  within  the  past  lew  years, 
when  he  sold  his  land,  resei'ving  seventy -three  acres  for  a  home,  and 
has  virtually  retired.  '  In  1836  he  married  Eliza  Duncan,  native  ot 
Virginia,  and  daughter  of  Buford  and  Fanny  Duncan,  both  of  Virginia 
and  among  the  first  settlers  of  Duncan  township.  This  marriage  was 
blessed  with  three  children:  Thomas  A.,  Sarah  F.,  and  Viola  I.  He 
and  tamily  are  members  of  the  Latter  Day  Saints  church,  but  very 
different  to  the  church  at  Utah.  They  disapprove  of  the  doctrine  ot 
plurality  of  wives. 

Edward  Brady,  native  of  the  "Buckeye""  State,  born  in  1825,  is 
the  son  of  John,  Sr.,  and  Eliza  Brady.  The  former  is  a  native  ot 
Ireland,  born  about  1792,  and  came  to  America  in  1813.  He  located 
in  Green  countv,  Ohio,  where  he  remained  about  twenty-five  vears, 
when  he  came,  about  1842,  to  Mercer  countv  and  settled  on  the  farai 
where  his  son  John  now  resides,  where  he  lived  during  the  rest  of  his 
life.  His  wife,  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  is  yet  living,  and  is  seventy- 
seven  years  old,  hale  and  heait}^  for  a  person  of  her  age.  They  raised 
a  family  of  twelve  children,  five  of  whom  now  live  in  Mercer  county. 
Edward's  early  literary  training  was  that  of  the  common  school.  In 
1848  he  was  married  to  Jane  Gingles,  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  in 
1827,  and  a  daughter  of  James  and  Elizabeth  Gingles,  both  of  Penn- 
sylvania. They  came  to  Mercer  county  in  ls39  and  settled  in  Perrj'- 
ton  township,  where  he  died  in  1S72.  His  wife,  Elizabeth,  is  yet 
living.  Edward  Brady  has  by  this  union  five  children:  James  N., 
Clara  E.,  Ella  M.,  Nellie  J.  (deceased),  and  Eddie  G.  He  and  wife 
are  Presbyterians  and  belong  to  the  society  at  Peniel  church.  He  has 
lield  the  olfice  of  school  treasurer  in  MillersVjui'g  township  for  the  past 
twenty  years,  and  has  been  severel  times  elected  commissioner  of 
highways.      In   politics  he  is  a  straight   out   re}>ublican.     He  has    a 


240  HISTORY    OF    MERCER    AXU    HEXDERSON   COUNTIES. 

well-improved  farm  of  sixty  acres,  where  he  has  resided  since  he  came 
to  the  county.     He  keei>s  a  good  grade  of  tarm  stock. 

LuciEX  B.  Howe  is  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  the  township  and 
county.  He  came  here  when  the  deer  were  yet  plenty  on  the  prairies 
of  Mercer  county.  He  was  born  in  Vermont,  shortly  after  which  his 
parents.  Ezekiel  and  Louisa,  moved  to  Troy,  Kew  York,  where  he 
was  reared  and  educated.  His  parents  were  natives  of  Massachusetts, 
and  descendants  of  the  pioneer  families.  The  Howe  family  at  first,  in 
America,  consisted  of  three  brothers  who  came  from  England  to 
Massachusetts.  Among  their  descendants  is  the  great  inventor  of  the 
Howe  sewing  machine.  Lucien's  father  was  a  carpenter  and  joiner. 
He  died  in  1837,  aged  sixty-two  vears.  His  2:randfather  Howe  fouo-ht 
at  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  graduated  at 
Union  colleo-e,  Schenectady,  Xew  York,  in  1840,  at  the  ao-e  of  twenty- 
six,  in  the  classical  course.  Then  read  law  'udtli  J.  P.  Abertson,  at 
his  home  in  New  York;  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1841,  and  practiced 
in  Troy  two  years,  then  he  came  to  Mercer  county  and  located  at 
Millersburg,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  has  held  the  office  of 
justice  of  the  peace  two  tenns.  He  is  a  charter  member  of  the 
masonic  lodge,  at  Aledo.  and  formerly  a  member  at  New  Boston.  He 
was  married  in  1846,  to  Martha  King,  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  and 
daughter  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  King.  They  have  six  children,  four 
.of  whom  are  now  living:  Charlotte  A.,  Otis  M.,  Cahin  K.,  and 
David  T.  He  has  a  farm  of  seventy  acres  and  pursues  his  ])rofession. 
In  politics  he  is  an  old  line  democrat. 

Charles  York  emigrated  with  his  lather  to  Illinois,  in  the  tail  of 
1843,  and  located  in  Keithsburg  township,  where  they  remained  a 
short  time  when  they  bought  a  farm  in  Abington  to^^mship,  which  they 
sold  and  then  went  to  Henderson  county,  where  his  mother  died.  His 
fiither  died  in  October,  1874,  aged  eighty-two  years.  Charles  York 
was  born  in  Kentucky,  in  1825,  and  is  the  eldest  of  a  family  of  six 
children.  His  early  educational  training  was  limited.  Fen-  eighteen 
years  after  he  came  to  Illinois  he  broke  prairie.  He  was  nuirried  in 
1855  to  Mary  J.  Landreth,  native  of  Mercer  county,  and  dauo-hter  of 
Zacharia  and  Elenor  Landreth,  both  natives  of  Virginia  and  among  the 
early  settlers  of  Mercer  county.  By  this  union  hv  has  seven  children 
living:  Nancy  E.,  Nettie,  Alice,  Olive,  Eva,  AVilliam  L.,  and  Linie 
Mr.  York  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
at  Millersburg.  He  has  given  his  entire  attention  to  farming  and 
stock  raising,  both  of  which  Ik-  has  made  successful.  He  now  owns 
three  farms  in  Mercer  county,  containing  432  acres.  He  brought  with 
him   and  still   ivtains  the  a}»]n'eciati()n  of  a  good    horse,    for  which 


MIM-KUsniMG    ToWXSIiri'.  241 

Kentucky  is  so  noted.      lie  was  assessor  of  Perrvton  to^nishi])  two 
years.     Few  men  luwe  Ix-en  more  snccessful  than  Mr.  York. 

Capt.  Oliver  A.  Bkidgford  is  a  native  of  Ohio,  born  in  1830,  and 
is  tlie  son  of  AV.  A.  and  Nancy  ("Wakland)  J>rido:f()rd.  whose  sketch 
will  appear  in  the  bioo:rai)hical  department  of  this  townshi]).  Capt. 
Bridgford  was  educated  in  the  ccanmon  school,  and  ciime  to  Mercer 
county  in  1843,  one  year  after  his  father.  Tlis  early  life,  till  he-was 
nineteen  years  old,  was  spent  on  the  farm.  At  that  age  he  went  to 
California  on  a  gold  hunt;  he  went  across  the  ]»lains  with  a  team, 
remained  in  California  two  vears,  when  he  returned  bv  wav  of  Cuba 
and  New  York,  satisiled  that  gold  was  chea})er  in  Illinois  than  in  the 
gold  regions.  In  1851  he  settled  in  ^Sfillersburg,  bought  a  half 
interest  in  his  father's  store,  in  which  business  he  remained  till  istil. 
when  he  raised  Company  I.  45th  111.  Vol.,  and  entered  the  army, 
haWng  been  commissioned  ca}>tain  by  Gov.  Yates.  He  was  in  the 
battles  of  Fort  Donelson,  Fort  Henry  and  Shiloh ;  was  wounded  in  the 
last  named  engagement.  Having  remained  some  time  in  the  hospital 
at  Savannah,  he  was  furloughed  home,  and  returned  after  forty  days. 
At  the  end  of  twelve  months  after  he  entered  the  service,  he  resigned 
his  commission  because  of  disabilitv  to  discharo-e  the  duties  of  his 
office,  caused  by  the  wound  received  at  Shiloh,  and  was  discharged 
from  the  service  and  returned  to  his  home  in  ^lillersburff.  In  the  fall 
of  18(32  he  was  elected  sheriif  of  Mercer  county,  and  served  the  full 
term,  and  then  he  returned  to  his  store  in  Millei'sburg.  where  he  con- 
tinued till  ]\Iarch,  1878.  The  following  year  he  moved  ujjon  his  farm 
near  Joy,  where  he  now  resides,  since  which  time  he  has  given  his 
farm  his  entire  attention.  Ca])t.  Bridgford  was  married  in  February, 
1852.  to  ]\Iiss  Eliza  A.  McLain.  native  of  Kentucky,  born  in  1833,  and 
•daughter  of  Joseph  and  Susan  McLain,  now  residents  of  Millersburg. 
They  have  ten  children,  five  living:  Medora  E.,  Clayton  AV.,  ]\rinnie 
L.,  Archie  G.,  Miles  E.  He  owns  a  farm  of  1.720  acres  of  land,  all  of 
which  except  eighty  acres  is  hi  ]\Iercer  county.  He  raises  thorough- 
hred  cattle.  Poland  china  hogs  and  Leicester  sheep.  He  keeps  on  his 
farm  100  head  of  stock  cattle,  200  hogs.  150  sheep,  and  horses  to  carry 
on  his  farm  work.  He  is  among,  if  not  the  largest,  tax  payers  in 
Millersburg  tcnvnship.  He  is  a  charter  member  of  the  I.O.O.F.  lodge 
at  ]\rillersburg,  only  two  of  whom  are  now  living.  Notwithstanding 
his  disal)ility  from  the  wound  received  at  Shiloh,  he  receives  no  pen- 
sion, neither  has  he  made  application  for  one.  Politically  he  is  a 
republican. 

The  parents  of  Edwix  Gilmoki:.  Judge   Ephrahn   and    Julia    A. 
Oilmore,   both  of  Ohio,  came  with  the  first  settlers  to    ]\rillersburg 


242  HISTORY    OF    MERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

townshi})  and  located  near  tlie  Peniel  clmrcli.  He  was  the  countj 
surveyor  at  the  time  the  country  was  being  settled,  and  held  the  office 
of  judge.  He  raised  his  family  in  Millersburg  township,  and  is  now  a 
resident  of  Aledo.  Edwin  Gilmore  was  reared  and  educated  on  the  farm. 
Tlie  advantages  for  obtaining  an  education  at  that  early  period  in  the 
settlement  of  this  part  of  the '  county  were  few.  He  was  born  in 
1844,  on  the  farm  where  he  now  lives,  on  section  21.  In  18<')2  he 
enlisted  in  the  service  in  Company  C.  102d  111.  Yol.,  and  served  till 
the  war  closed.  He  was  on  the  skirmish  line  till  he  left  Chattanooga 
with  Sherman's  division  on  his  march  to  the  sea.  He  was  married  in 
1870  to  Miss  Mary  A.  Morrow,  native  of  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of 
David  and  Elizabeth  (Kiddoo)  Morrow.  They  have  three  children : 
Nellie,  Burton,  and  Xewton  R.  Mr.  Gilmore  and  wife  are  members  of 
the  Presbyterian  church  at  Peniel.  He  has  a  fine  stock  farm  of  320 
acres,  and  raises  a  good  grade  of  cattle,  sheep  and  hogs. 

John  T.  McGinnis,  came  to  Alercer  county  in  1846,  and  located  in 
Millersburg  township.  At  that  time  the  country  was  sparsely  settled. 
Like  most  of  the  pioneers,  he  came  \\dth  small  pecuniary  means,  to 
seek  a  home.  He  is  a  native  of  Pemisylvania,  born  1821.  His 
parents  are  William  and  Elizabeth  McGinnis,  both  natives  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, his  father  of  Irish,  and  his  mother  of  Scotch  descent.  They 
followed  agriculture  for  a  livelihood,  and  belonged  to  the  United 
Presbyterian  church.  John  T.  received  little  literary  training  in  his 
early  life,  but  was  well  bred  in  the  characteristics  of  the  people  of  the 
Quaker  state,  namely,  energetic  industry  and  honesty.  Two  years, 
before  his  coming  to  Mercer  county  he  was  married  to  Margaret  Kid- 
doo, of  Pemisylvania,  born  in  1824,  and  daughter  of  James  and  Mary 
Kiddoo,  both  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McGinnis's  chil- 
dren are  Mary  E.,  Sarah,  Emily,  William,  Alice.  Maggie,  Charlie  E., 
and  C«:)ra  S.  He  was  justice  of  the  peace  before  the  township  organiza- 
tion, and  has  held  the  (»ffice  of  supervisor  fourteen  years.  He  represented 
Mercer  and  Knox  counties  in  the  legislature  during  the  sessions  of  1874 
and  1875.  Apart  fi'<»m  the  offices  mentioned  he  has  been  chosen  to  till 
most  of  the  offices  of  the  township.  Mr.  McGinnis  has  a  beautiful 
home  of  100  acres,  located  on  section  21.  Here  he  lives  a  quiet  farmer'^ 
life,  while  his  accumulated  capital  is  employed  in  other  directions.  He 
has  never  engaged  in  speculation,  but  kept  his  means  em})loyed  where 
reasonable  returns  were  certain.  He  was  at  one  time  stock  holder  in  a 
bank  at  Keithsburg,  and  at  this  time  owns  an  interest  in  the  Farmer's 
Bank  in  Aledo,  and  also  in  one  in  Kansas.  He  and  wife  are  members, 
of  the  Peniel  Presbvterian  church.     Politicallv  he  is  a  republican. 

John  Brady,  Jr.,  is  the  son  of  John  and-Eliza  Brady,  whose  history 


MlLLKKSUlRi;    TMWXSHU'.  2iS 

will  be  fouiul  in  connection  with  the  sketch  written  of  E<lward  Brady. 
John  Brady,  Jr.,  was  born  in  Green  connty,  Ohio,  in  ls;-5.s.  He  came 
with  his  parents  to  Mercer  county  in  1S42.  lie  received  no  educational 
training  beyond  the  district  school.  lie  was  reared  to  the  business  of 
fanning,  which  i)ursuit  he  has  followed  for  a  livelihood.  In  1S02,  he 
enlisted  in  company  D,  83d  111.  Vol.,  and  served  till  July,  18f>5, 
nuiking  his  term  of  service  two  years  and  eleven  months.  lie  was  with 
the  army  of  the  Cumberland,  in  the  second  battle  fought  at  FortDonel- 
son,  and  at  Franklin,  and  Lawrenceburg.  The  remainder  of  tlie  time 
he  was  kept  chasing  gnerrillas.  At  Fort  Donelson  he  was  wounded. 
He  was  married  in  1861  to  Martha  C.  Gibson,  daughter  of  George  and 
Isreal  Gibson,  the  former  a  native  of  Tennessee,  the  latter  of  Ohio. 
They  were  among  the  first  to  locate  in  AVarren  county,  Illinois,  in  1832. 
The  indians  had  not  quit  the  country.  Among  the  slain  by  the  Indians 
of  Warren  countv  was  a  brother  to  Georij;e  Gibson.  Thev  were  mem- 
bers  of  the  Associate  Presbyterian  church.  John  Brady  has  four 
children:  William,  George  P.,  Harry  (deceased),  and  Mary.  They 
hold  letters  of  membership  in  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  has  a  well 
improved  farm  of  160  acres,  and  keeps  a  good  grade  of  farm  stock. 
He  held  the  ottice  of  township  clerk  for  several  years,  and  is  now  com- 
missioner of  public  highways.     In  politics  he  is  a  republican. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch,  William  Kiddoo,  is  a  native  of  Lawrence 
county  (now  Beaver  county),  Pennsylvania,  where  lie  was  bom  in  1830  ; 
came  to  Mercer  county  in  1847,  and  located  w^ith  his  parents,  James 
and  Margaret  Kidchxj,  where  his  widow,  now  Mrs.  Bryant,  resides. 
He  and  wife  and  jjarents  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  .church. 
He  married  in  1853  Catharine  Yance,  native  of  Pennsylvania,  b(jrn  in 
1834,  and  who  came  with  her  parents,  AYilliam  and  Rachel  (Vannatta) 
Vance,  to  Mercer  county,  and  located  in  Keithsburg  in  1836.  They 
were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  The  former  died  in  1867, 
the  latter  now  resides  with  her  daughter  Caroline,  and  is  seventy-eight 
years  old.  William  Kiddoo  had  by  this  marriage  seven  children: 
E.  Vila,  Xancv,  Olive,  Forbes  M.,  Marv,  William  M.,  and  Rachel  E. 
He  left  his  family  in  good  circumstances.  Like  the  rest  of  the  Kiddoo 
family  he  was  a  man  of  exemplary  habits,  a  gcxjd  citizen,  kind  husl)and 
and  lather.  His  widow  married  in  1871  Fi-ank  I>.  Bryant  of  Ohio, 
by  whom  she  has  three  children:  Laura  B.,  Frank  (deceased),  and 
Archie  H. 

John  S.  Ivil)I)<:»o,  deceased,  emigrated  from  his  native  state,  Penn- 
sylvania,  to  Illinois,   in  1847,   and    l()cated  in   Millersburg  towiisliip, 
where  he  resided  till  his  deatli  in   1866,  in  the  thirty-seventh  year  of" 
his  age.     His  parents  were  James  ami  Maiy  Kiddoo,  who  emigrated 


244  HISTORY    OF    MERCKR    -VXD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

to  Mercer  coimtj  at  the  sam^  time  as  tlieir  son  Jolm  S.  Their  remains 
repose  in  the  cemetery  of  the  old  brick  church.  John  S.  Kiddoo,  was 
married  in  1S50  to  Eliza  Day,  of  Pennsylvaina.  born  in  1821,  and  emi- 
grated with  her  parents,  John  and  Mary  Day,  to  Iowa,  in  1S36,  and 
then  to  Mercer  county  in  1S46,  where  they  still  reside.  Her  father, 
John  Day,  in  early  life  was  a  boatman  on  the  Mississippi  riyer.  He  is 
n  member  of  the  United  Brethren  church,  his  wife  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church.  John  S.  Kiddoo  had  by  this  marriage  six  children: 
John,  Kobert  (deceased),  Mary  (deceased),  Alonzo,  William  (deceased), 
and  Lizzie.  John  S.  Kiddoo  and  wife  were  members  of  the  Free 
Presbyterian  church,  but  both  united  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  a  few  years  before  his  death.  His  wife  still  remains  a  member 
of  the  church.  He  began  in  this  county  with  small  means  ;  when  he 
died  left  his  family  a  property  worth  $8,000.  Alonzo,  son  of  John  S. 
and  Ehza  Kiddoo,  was  born  in  1860,  near  where  he  now  resides,  in 
Millersburg  township.  His  early  educational  training  was  that  of  the 
common  school  of  the  neighborhood.  He  is  by  occupation  a  farmer. 
He  was  married  in  1881,  to  Florence  Shingledecker,  born  in  1858,  and 
daughter  of  James  and  Caroline  Shingledecker,  both  of  Pennsylyania. 
They  came  to  Mercer  county  in  1858,  and  located  near  Joy,  where 
they  haye  since  resided.  Both  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal church  at  Jo}'.  Alonzo  Kiddoo  and  wife  are  members  of  the  same 
church.  They  haye  a  farm  of  140  acres  well  stocked.  In  politics  he 
yotes  the  republican  ticket. 

Mr.  J.  II.  Cr/Vne  located  in  Millersburg  township  in  1849.  His 
•early  education  was  that  of  the  commoi^  school.  He  began  business 
for  himself  as  a  farmer,  which  he  followed  ten  years,  when  he  opened 
a  store  in  Joy  and  engaged  in  shipping  grain,  both  of  which  he  still 
carries  on.  He  is  the  son  of  Dr.  John  W.  and  Ruth  Crane,  of  Ohio, 
early  settlers  of  Fc)untain  county,  Indiana.  J.  H.  Crane  was  born 
in  1837.  His  parents  came  to  Mercer  county  in  1847,  and  located 
on  the  old  Bassett  farm,  where  they  died,  his  father  in  1850,  aged 
forty  years,  his  mother  in  1841.  His  parents  were  members  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  His  father  by  profession  was  a 
doctor,  and  practiced  in  Illinois  till  his  death.  Mr.  Crane  was 
married  in  1861  to  Sarah  A.  Griffith,  a  natiye  of  Indiana,  and 
daughter  of  Charles  and  Martha  Griffith.  In  1861  he  enlisted  in  the 
army  of  the  late  war,  in  company  K,  10'2d  111.  Vol.  He  was  out 
twelye  months,  when  he  was  discharged,  because  of  ill  health.  He 
owns  a  line  farm  of  24< »  acres,  and  is  present  postmaster  at  Joy. 

iVmong  the  oldest  citizens  now  liying  in  Millersburg  township  is 
Mr.  J.  M.  GiLMi^RE.     In  1840  he  located  in  the  yillage  of  Millersburg 


itlLLERSnURG   TOWNSHIP.  245 

and  kept  liotel  for  two  and  a  half  years,  then  moved  upon  his  farm  east 
of  the  village,  where  he  remained  till  seven  years  ago  when  he 
returned  to  take  up  his  residence  in  Millersburg,  where  he  now 
resides.  He  came  to  Mercer  county  ^vith  small  means  which,  com- 
bined  with  unabating  energy,  has  made  him  a  successful  former. 
He  owns  a  fine  farm  of  354  acres  of  plow  land  and  100  acres  of  timber. 
He  is  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  in  Is  14:  liis  lather  of  Pennsyl- 
vania and  his  mother  of  i!^ew  Jersey.  In  1S47  they  came  and  settled 
in  Perryton  township,  Mercer  county,  where  the  former  died  in  1S57, 
aged  seventy-tsvo.  His  wife,  who  is  still  living,  is  a  devoted  member 
of  the  Presbyterian  church.  They  raised  a  family  of  nine  children,  all 
of  whom  grew  up  to  adult  age.  Three  yet  remain  in  Mercer  county. 
J.  M.'s  early  educational  trahiing  was  such  as  the  common  schools  of 
his  neighborhood  could  furnish.  He  served  an  apprenticeship  to  a 
tanner,  and  began  immediately  to  raise  the  material  for  making  leather 
instead  of  dressing  it.  He  held  the  office  of  county  assessor  for  six 
years,  and  also  the  office  of  county  treasurer  for  the  same  time.  He 
was  married  in  1838  to  Margaret  Taylor,  of  Pemisylvania.  born  in 
1815,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  E.  (Hoover)  Taylor,  both  of  Pennsylva- 
nia. By  this  union  Mr.  Gilmore  had  eight  children,  five  of  whom  are 
now  living:  George  M.  (deceased),  Eva  C,  Catharine  (deceased), 
Taylor,  Mary,  Richard  (deceased),  Jannett,  and  Fanny  A.  George  M. 
served  three  years  in  company  E,  9th  111.  Inf.;  was  veteranized  and 
promoted  to  steward.  He  was  wounded  at  Fort  Donelson,  having 
his  index  finger  on  the  left  hand  carried  awav  bv  a  ball.  He  was  with 
Shennan  on  his'  march  to  the  sea,  and  died  of  disease  in  the  ser^^ce 
two  months  before  the  war  closed.  Taylor  served  three  years  in  the 
14th  111.  cavalry,  and  was  commissioned  hospital  steward.  He  and 
wife  are  ardent  supporters  of  Christianity  and  good  morals,  and  belong 
to  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Millersburg.  In  politics  he  has  always 
been  a  democrat. 

J.  D.  Thornt<jn  is 'a  native  of  Columbia  county,  Pennsylvania,  and 
born  in  1828,  and  is  a  son  of  Eli  and  Abagail  (Ilittle)  Thornton,  b(^th 
natives  of  Pennsylvania.  J.  D.'s  early  education  was  limited  to  the 
subscription  school  of  his  home.  He  learned  the  trade  of  blacksmith- 
ing  in  his  fathers  shop.  This  he  followed  ten  yeai's,  when  he  left  the 
fori>;e  to  enlist  in  the  service  of  his  country.  He  seiwed  in  the  army 
through  the  Mexican  war.  His  soldierly  qualities  were  soon  recog- 
nized, and  he  was  appointed  to  fill  the  first  vacancy  in  Capt.  Pember- 
ton's  company,  to  which  he  belonged,  which  was  the  office  of  sergeant. 
He  was  with  Scott  when  he  made  his  campaign  to  the  city  of  Mexico. 
Then  he  joined  the  U.  S.  marines  and  went  to  West  Africa  to  suppress 


246  HISTORY    OF    MERCER    AND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

f 

the  slave  trade.  In  1862  he  again  enlisted  in  the  124th  111.  Yol.  Inf., 
company  G,  and  served  three  years  as  sergeant.  He  was  with  Grant 
«nd  in  all  the  rear  battles  at  Yicksburg,  the  siege  of  the  Spanish  Fort, 
and  the  taking  of  Mobile,  making  in  all  seven  years  he  has  served  his 
country  as  a  soldier.  In  1S40  he  came  to  Illinois  and  settled  at 
Millersburg  where  he  has  since  resided.  J.  D.  Thornton  was  married 
in  1855  to  Lucy  AVharton,  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  daughter  of  Jacob  and 
Martha  Wharton.  She  died  in  1871.  He  was  married  a  second  time 
to  Letticia  L.  Carver,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  daughter  of  Jesse 
Carver,  a  descendant  of  Gov.  Carver,  first  governor  of  Massachusetts. 
Mr.  Thornton  has  been  a  republican  since  the  organization  of  the 
party. 

J.  AV.  Wood  is  a  native  of  Tennessee,  born  in  1810,  and  is  the 
son  of  Isaac  and  Elenor  Wood,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Virginia. 
They  located  in  Indiana  in  1822,  where  they  died,  the  former  in  1839, 
aged  sixty  years ;  the  latter  in  1852,  aged  eighty-two  years.  They 
were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  respected  mem- 
bers of  society.  Isaac  Wood  by  trade  was  a  wheelwright,  by  profes- 
sion a  local  preacher.  J.  W.  Wood  emigrated  to  Indiana  with  his 
parents  where  he  remained  till  1842,  when  he  came  to  Mercer  countv 
where  he  has  since  lived.  He  is  a  caii3enter  by  trade,  which  he  fol- 
k)wed  till  within  the  few  j'ears  past.  He  was  lii'st  married  in  1832  to 
Frances  Reed,  native  of  Indiana,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Mary  Reed, 
-of  South  Carolina.  She  died  in  1869,  aged  fifty-eight  years,  leaving 
nine  children,  of  whom  the  living  are  James  R..,  Enos  A.,  and 
Samuel  S.  He  was  married  a  second  time  to  Mrs.  M.  C.  Robinson, 
native  of  England,  born  in  1830,  and  daughter  of  George  and  Cath- 
arine Staftbrd,  natives  of  England.  J.  W.  Wood  has  held  the  office 
of  justice  of  the  peace  most  of  the  time  during  his  residence  in  Illinois, 
is  now  notary  public,  and  served  one  term  as  constable.  He  and  wife 
are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Joy.  In  politics  he 
votes  the  republican  ticket.     He  keeps  the  only  hotel  in  Joy. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch,  David  A.  Steele,  came  to  Mercer 
countv  with  his  parents,  James  and  Mary  Steele,  in  1860.  They 
located  on  section  29  in  Millersburg  township,  where  they  both  died, 
the  former  in  1856.  at  the  age  of  sixty-five  years ;  the  latter  in  1868, 
■aged  seventy-six  years.  They  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
successful  farmers,  and  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  David 
was  born  in  1832,  and  reared  and  educated  on  the  farm  of  his  father  in 
the  Quaker  state.  In  1859  he  was  nuirried  to  Matilda  Denison,  native 
of  Illinois,  and  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Sarah  Denison,  both  of  whom 
were  from  Ohio.     Bv  this  union  he  lias  ten  children,  seven  of  whom 


MILLERSBURG   TOWNSHIP.  247 

are  living:  Elizabeth,  William,  Walter,  Cora,  Maud,  Fred.,  and  Asliel. 
He  lias  a  farm  of  130  acres,  weir  improved  and  faii-ly  stocked  with  a 
good  grade  of  farm  stock.  In  ]>olitics  he  votes  with  the  republican 
party.  He  is  a  man  who  takes  great  interest  in  sup})lying  his  children 
with  literature  to  feed  their  minds.  He  has  always  lived  a  c^uiet  life 
without  seeking  the  notoriety  of  office. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch,  James  E.  Bay,  is  the  son  of  James  and 
Hannah  E.  Bay,  both  of  whom  are  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
emigrated  to  Oliio  at  an  early  period  of  its  settlement.  They  were 
farmers.  The  former  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  emigrated 
to  Cedar  Eai)ids,  Iowa,  where  he  died  in  1843,  aged  fifty-tAvo  years ; 
the  latter  died  in  1856,  aged  fiftv-six  years.  J.  E.  Bav  was  born  in 
1829,  in  Guernsey  county,  and  in  1851  came  to  Millersburg  where  he 
has  since  lived.  He  was  married  in  1860  to  Mary  Marsh,  a  native  of 
•Gettysburg,  Pennsylvania,  and  daughter  of  John  B.  and  Lydia  (Porter) 
Marsh,  the  former  of  New  Jersey,  the  latter  of  Pennsylvania.  The 
f(^rmer  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  He  and  family  move<l  in 
1848  to  Illinois,  where  he  died  in  1864,  aged  seventy-three  years;  his 
wife  in  1834,  aged  thirty-six  years.  He  was  by  trade  a  carriage  trim- 
mer. He  first  emigrated  to  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania,  ti-om 
Xew  Jersey.  The  Marsh  family  were  formerly  from  Scotland. 
J.  E.  Bay  has  by  this  union  four  children  :  H.  M.,  John  M.,  Fanny  S., 
and  Catharine  M.  Mr.  Bay  is  a  farmer  and  stock  trader.  He  has 
several  times  been  chosen  by  the  voters  of  his  townshi]i  to  fill  various 
offices.  His  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Millers- 
burg.    Mr.  Bay  and  family  are  quiet  and  respectable  citizens. 

Among  the  early  settlers  of  this  township  is  Richard  S.  Edgar. 
He  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1818,  and  came  to  Mercer  county  in 
1851  and  located  in  Millersburg  township  where  he  has  since  been  a 
citizen.  His  parents  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  members  of  the 
Associate  Presbyterian  church,  and  died  there,  his  father,  Richard,  in 
1861  at  the  age  of  sixty-five  years  ;  his  mother,  Margaret,  in  1862,  aged 
sixty  years.  R.  S.  Edgar  was  married  in  1841  to  Elizabeth  A.  Steele, 
daughter  of  James  and  Mary  Steele,  of  Pennsylvania.  They  have 
three  children:  Margaret,  James  S.,  and  Mary  A.  He  served  three 
years  in  the  late  war  as  a  soldier,  in  Company  A,  otith  111.  Vol.  Inf., 
during  which  ser^ace  he  lost  his  health  and  now  receives  a  pension. 
He  owns  a  well  improved  farm  of  thirty  acres,  and  keeps  a  good  grade 
of  farm  stock.  ,  He  and  wife  are  membei'S  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  at  Joy.     In  politics  he  is  a  rei>ublican. 

Jacob  Braucht,  son  of  David  and  Mary  Braucht,  was  born  in  1828 
and  is  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  as  were  his  parents.     They  emigrated 


24:8  HISTORY    OF    MERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

to  Ohio  when  their  son  Jacob  was  a  mere  child,  where  they  resided 
the  remainder  of  their  lives.  They  were  pioneer  settlers  of  Ohio. 
Jacob  remained  in  Ohio  until  he  arrived  at  the  age  of  twenty-three  and 
then  came  to  Mercer  county  and  located  on  section  19,  Millersburg 
townshi]),  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  has  pursued  the  occupation 
of  farming,  the  vocation  of  his  father.  He  married,  in  1S51,  Christina 
Eiter,  a  native  of  Germany  and  daughter  of  John  F.  and  Machdalana 
Riter,  who  came  to  America  in  1831  and  located  in  Ohio,  and  after- 
ward to  Mercer  county,  locating  in  Millersburg  to'waiship.  Th'e  latter 
died  in  1871,  aged  seventy  years.  The  former,  John  F.  Riter,  resides 
with  his  daughter,  Christina.  He  served  as  a  soldier  in  his  native 
country,  Germany.  Jacob  Braucht  has  by  this  marriage  six  children  : 
Jemima,  David  AV. ,  Lucinda,  Sarah  (deceased),  George,  and  Catharine. 
He  has  a  fine  farm  of  227  acres,  well  improved  and  well  stocked  with 
the  best  of  farm  stock.  Xo  better  stock  farm  is  to  be  found  in  this 
section.  In  politics  he  is  a  democrat.  His  parents  and  also  his  wife's 
parents  were  of  the  Lutheran  faith.  His  wife's  father,  John  F.  Riter, 
still  holds  his  membership  in  that  church. 

Among  the  citizens  and  soldiers  now  resident  of  Millersburg  town- 
ship is  George  Boone,  native  of  Ohio,  born  in  Medina  county  in  1837. 
His  parents  were  Hezekiah  and  Sarah  A.  (Greene)  Boone,  the  former 
of  Pennsylvania,  a  great-nephew  of  Daniel  Boone,  the  Kentucky  hunter, 
the  latter  also  of  Pennsylvania.  They  emigrated  to  Medina  county 
with  its  early  settlers  with  their  parents,  and  were  married  there.  Thej 
came  to  Mercer  county  in  1851.  The  latter,  George's  mother,  died  in 
1857,  aged  thirty-eight  years.  Her  remains  repose  in  the  Millersburg 
cemetery.  Tlie  former  is  a  tailor  by  trade  and  now  lives  at  Fort 
Dodge,  j^ebraska,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church.  His  wife 
was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  George  Boone 
came  to  Mercer  county  with  his  parents  and  located  in  this  township, 
then  went  to  Perryton  township,  where  he  resided  for  a  time,  and  also 
for  a  while  in  Aledo.  His  early  education  was  that  of  the  common 
school.  He  first  enlisted  in  Company  I,  17tli  111.  Vol.,  served  two 
years  and  was  discharged  because  of  ill  health.  Li  1864  he,  in  com- 
pany with  R.  S.  Osborne,  raised  a  company  for  the  llOth  111.  Vol. 
Osborne  was  captain  of  the  company,  and  George  held  the  office  of  first 
lieutenant.  The  company  was  out  seven  months.  He  was  in  the 
battle  of  Fort  Donelson  and  a  part  of  the  two  days'  fight  at  Shiloh. 
During  his  second  term  of  service  the  company  was  detailed  to  fight 
the  guerrillas.  He  was  married  in  1865  to  Mrs.  Xancy  J.  Fullerton, 
daughter  of  Robert  and  Eliza  Shearer.  By  this  marriage  George 
Boone  has  one  child,  Ella  F.     His  wife  bv  her  former  husband  has  one 


JAMES      VE  RNON 


MILLERSKURG    TOWNSHIP.  251 

daughter,    Marv  A.  Fullertoii.      lie  has  a  nicely  improved   t'arni  of 
eighty  acres,  and  a  good  grade  of  farm  stock. 

James  K.  Morrow  was  born  in  1852,  on  the  farm  wliere  he  now 
resides.  His  parents,  David  and  Elizabeth  (Kiddoo)  Morrow,  were 
both  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  The  latter  was  the  daugjiter  of  James 
Kiddoo.  David  Morrow  came  to  Mercer  county  with  his  family  in 
1847  and  located  in  Millersburg  township,  where  he  resided  till  his 
death,  which  occurred  in  1854,  in  his  thirty-seventh  year.  His  wife, 
mother  of  James  K.,  died  in  1872.  They  were  married  in  1846  and 
raised  a  family  of  four  children,  two  sons  and  two  daughters.  They 
were  quiet  farmers  and  good  citizens  and  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
church.  They  left  their  children  in  good  circumstances.  Their  son, 
James  K.,  occupies  the  old  homestead  of  120  acres.  He  pursues  the 
vocation  of  his  father.  He  keeps  a  good  grade  of  farm  stock.  He 
has  imbibed  the  republican  spirit  of  his  neighborhood.  His  early 
educational  training  was  that  of  the  common  school. 

Dr.  Joseph  P.  Boyd,  deceased,  was  born  inWa^oie  county,  Indiana, 
in  1826.  His  parents  were  James  and  Hester  Boyd,  both  members  of 
the  Christian  church.  Dr.  Boyd  earlv  exhibited  a  fondness  for  books, 
and  at  the  age  of  sixteen  entered  the  profession  of  school  teaching, 
which  he  followed  till  he  began  reading  medicine  with  Dr.  James  Ruby 
at  Abington,  Indiana.  He  began  tlie  practice  of  his  chosen  profession 
at  Benton ville,  Indiana,  then  went  to  Randolph  county,  wliere  he 
remained  two  years,  and  then  came  to  Millersburg  in  1852,  where  he 
had  a  large  practice.  He  began  life  for  himself  with  limited  means, 
but  died  in  1878,  leaving  his  family  in  easy  circumstances.  He  was 
man-ied  to  Ellen  Commons,  daughter  of  William  and  Sarah  Commons, 
who  emigrated  ti'om  England  to  America.  The  Commons  family 
in  England  were  members  of  the  aristocracy.  The  offspring  of  this 
marriage  were  three  children:  William  C,  Sarah  H.,  and  Omer.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  masonic  order  at  Aledo,  and  the  Mercer  County 
Medical  Society.  The  community  mourned  his  death  as  a  great  loss. 
He  was  a  man  respected  for  his  ability  and  thorough  going  business 
ability. 

Thomas  Landreth  is  a  native  of  Owen  county,  Indiana,  where  he 
was  born  in  1842.  His  jjarents,  Zacharia  and  Elonder  (Fender),  both 
natives  of  A'^irginia,  settled  in  Owen  county,  Indiana,  about  1825, 
where  the  subject  of  our  sketch  was  reared  and  educated  on  the  farm. 
In  1852  they  came  to  Mercer  county  and  located  in  Perryton  township, 
where  the  former  died  in  1872,  aged  sixty  years ;  the  latter  in  1875,' 
aged  sixty  years.  They  were  quiet,  good  farmers  and  earnest  suj> 
porters  of  good  societv,  and  were  members  of  the  Missionary  Baptist 
15  ■  ^   i  I 


252  HISTORY    OF    MERCER    AND    IIEXDERSOX    COUXTIE.S. 

church.  Our  subject  came  to  Mercer  county  when  a  small  boy  with 
his  parents.  He  had  two  brothers,  Crisby  and  Andrew,  in  the  army 
in  tlie  late  war.  The  former  belonged  to  the  126tli  111.  Vol.,  and 
died  at  La  Grange,  Temiessee,  but  a  few  montlis  after  his  enlistment ; 
the  latter  died  two  days  later  at  the  same  place.  Mr.  Landreth  is  a 
member  of  the  I.O.O.F.  at  Millersburg.  lie  was  married  in  1865,  to 
Rachael  Reed,  a  native  of  Mercer  county,  born  in  1843,  and  a  daugh- 
ter of  Harper  and  Louisa  (Drury)  Reed,  early  settlers  in  Mercer  county. 
They  have  three  children:  Lillie  M.,  William  R.,  and  Nola  L.  He 
has  a  farm  of  ninety  acres  well  suited  to  stock  raising.  He  keeps  a 
good  article  of  farm  stock.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Mission- 
ary Baptist  church.     In  politics  he  is  a  Greenbacker. 

Caey  Dryden  is  a  native  of  Ohio,  born  in  1840,  and  is  a  son  of 
J.  M.  and  Elizabeth  (Ellis)  Dryden,  the  former  of  Ohio,  the  latter  of 
Virginia.  She  came  to  Ohio  with  her  j^arents  when  eleven  years  old. 
J.  M.  and  Elizabeth  Dryden  came  to  Illinois  in  1851,  and  located  in 
Peoria  county,  where  thej^  remained  till  1853,  when  they  came  to  Mer- 
cer county.  In  1855  they  went  to  Iowa,  but  returned  to  Mercer  county 
in  1864,  where  the  former  died  in  1872,  aged  sixty-eight  years;  the 
latter  is  living  in  Keithsburg,  this  county,  and  is  seventy-four  years  old. 
Gary  Dryden  accompanied  his  parents,  first  to  Peoria  county,  then  t(^ 
Mercer  county  and  to  Iowa,  and  returned  in  1858  to  Mercer  county, 
where  he  has  since  lived.  He  has  pursued  the  occupation  of  farming 
aU  his  life,  except  three  years  and  one  month  he  served  in  the  army. 
He  enlisted  in  1861  in  company  G.  27tli  111.  Vol.  He  was  a  non-com- 
missioned officer  all  the  time  of  his  service,  and  was  in  the  battle  of 
Belmont,  siege  of  Island  No.  10,  the  numerous  skirmishes  around  Cor- 
inth, battle  of  Stone  River,  Chickamauga,  siege  of  Knoxville,  Res- 
aca,  Georgia,  and  Kenesaw  Mountain,  where  he  Was  wounded  and 
taken  to  the  hospital,  where  he  remained  till  after  his  term  of  enlist- 
ment expired.  In  1867  he  was  married  to  Catharine  Wolfe,  native  of 
Illinois  and  daughter  of  Solomon  and  Evaline  (Marlatt)  Wolfe,  both  of 
Indiana,  and  came  to  Mercer  county  with  its  early  settlers.  Mr.  Dry- 
den by  this  marriage  has  four  children:  Eva  (deceased),  Mary,  Fred- 
erick, Xellie  L.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Seventh  Day 
Advent  church,  at  the  Marsh  school-house.  He  has  a  farm  of  KiO 
acres  of  fine  land,  well  improved,  located  near  the  south  line  of  the 
township,  upon  which  he  keo]~»s  a  good  grade  of  all  kinds  of  farm 
stock. 

John  Bell  is  a  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Cliftbrd)  Bell,  both  of  Ire- 
hmd.  He  was  born  in  Ohio  in  1848,  and  came  with  his  parents  to 
Illinois  in  1862.     He  was  reared  on  the  farm.     His  early  education 


MILLERSBURG   TOWNSHIP.  253 

was  such  as  he  couhl  ijet  in  the  district  schooL  He  was  married  in 
18S1  to  Fh)rence  S.  Adams,  native  of  Illinois,  born  in  1858,  and  daugh- 
ter of  Samuel  and  Mary  Adams,  of  Kentucky.  They  came  to  Rock 
Island  county,  Illinois,  with  its  early  settlers,  and  now  reside  in  Eliza 
township,  Mercer  county.  The  former  is  a  member  of  the  Latter  Day 
Saints  church.  Mr.  Bell  has  by  this  marriage  one  child,  Harry  Earl. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  lodge  at  Aledo ;  his  wife  is  a  member 
of  the  Latter  Day  Saints  church.  He  has  a  farm  of  160  acres  of  tine 
land  fairly  stocked.     Politically  he  is  a  democrat. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch,  William  A.  Marsh,  is  by  birth  a  native 
•of  New  York,  bom  in  1833,  son  of  M.  L.  and  Eliza  Marsh,  both  of 
New  York.  They  came  to  Mercer  county  in  1853,  and  are  now  resi- 
dents of  Aledo,  where  the  former  is  justice  of  the  peace.  M.  L,  INIarsh 
is  by  vocation  a  farmer.  He  first  settled  in  Illinois,  in  Millersburg 
township,  where  he  now  owns  a  farm  of  150  acres.  He  and  wife  first 
moved  to  New  York  city,  where  their  son,  William  A.,  was  born ;  then 
to  Buft'alo,  New  York ;  from  there  to  Licking  county,  Ohio ;  then  to 
Illinois,  where  they  have  since  resided.  William  A.'s  early  education 
was  that  of  the  common  school  and  two  years  as  a  student  in  a  graded 
school.  He  accompanied  his  parents  in  all  their  removals  till  they 
located  in  Mercer  county,  and  then  he  located  on  the  farm  where  he 
has  since  resided.  While  he  has  pursued  the  vocation  of  farming  for  a 
livelihood,  he  has  by  no  means  given  all  his  time  and  thought  to 
making  the  farm  pay,  but  is  one  of  the  most  active  members  of  the 
Mercer  County  Historical  and  Scientific  Society,  the  truth  of  which  his 
lai'ge  collection  of  well-arranged  specimens  of  shells,  woods,  grasses 
and  Indian  implements  demonstrate  without  further  question.  No  one, 
we  have  good  reason  to  believe,  has  added  more  to  the  conchology  and 
botany  of  Mercer  county  than  Mr.  Marsh.  So  large  is  his  collection 
in  ^ these  two  sciences,  and  that  of  Indian  implements,  that  one  who 
has  any  taste  in  either  of  these  directions  could  spend  months  in  his 
cabinet  with  both  pleasure  and  profit.  The  proficiency  Mr.  Marsh  has 
.acquired  in  these  branches  of  science  clearly  shows  that  success  de}»ends 
U])on  the  amount  of  labor  we  give  to  one  thing,  and  not  to  the  num- 
ber of  branches  we  take  up.  Mr.  Marsh  was  married  in  1855  to 
Mary  J.  Patterson,  of  Licking  county,  Ohio,  born  in  1837,  daughter  of 
AVilson  and  Isa  Patterson,  both  of  Pennsylvania.  They  emigrated 
in  1835  to  Mercer  county,  where  they  are  both  living.  They  are 
members  of  the  predestinarian  Baptist  church,  and  farmei'S  by  occu- 
pation. Mr.  Marsh  has  nine  children:  Philip,  Eliza,  Francis  L. 
(deceased),  Mary  J.,  Isa  E.,  William  A.,  Frederick  A..  AVilson,  and 
Estella  E.     Mr.  Marsh  has  a  good  farm  of  24o  acres,  well  im})roved 


254  HISTORY    OF    MEKCER    AXD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

and  fairly  stocked  with  a  good  grade  of  farm  stock.     In  politics  he 
votes  for  the  man,  not  for  the  party. 

A.  A.  Sherer,  the  subject  of  this  history,  is  a  native  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, Lawi-ence  coimty,  born  in  1839.  His  parents  were  Robert  and 
Eliza  Sherer,  both  of  Pennsylvania.  The  latter  died  in  1841  ;  the 
former  was  married  a  second  time  in  1843,  and  came  to  Mercer  coimty 
in  1853,  where  he  died  in  1861,  aged  lifty-six  years.  His  business  was 
that  of  stock  dealing.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  owned  600  acres  of 
land.  He  was  a  devoted  Cliristian  and  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  as  was  also  both  his  wives.  His  second  wife  now  lives  in  Joy. 
Robert  Sherer  did  much  to  improve  the  stock  of  horses  in  the  county. 
No  one  carried  off  more  first  premiums  from  the  county  fairs  than  he. 
A.  A.  Sherer  came  to  Mercer  county  with  his  father.  His  early  educa- 
tion was  limited  to  the  district  school.  He  was  reared  to  the  business 
of  the  farm,  which  he  has  alwavs  followed.  He  was  married  in  1861 
to  Hannah  Church,  native  of  Illinois,  born  in  1841,  daughter  of 
Thomas  and  Racliel  Church,  both  of  Indiana,  and  early  settlers  of  Xew 
Boston  township.  They  were  prominent  farmers  and  respected  citizens, 
of  the  community  where  they  resided.  The  former  died,  1859,  aged 
forty-eight  years ;  the  latter  in  1871,  aged  seventy-three  years.  Mr. 
Sherer  has  by  this  marriage  seven  children:  Ella  M.,  Willie  T. 
(deceased),  Robert  C,  Jane  E.,  Adda  P.  (deceased),  Rachel  C,  and 
Frank  E.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  faith  and 
hold  their  membership  with  the  congregation  at  the  Peniel  church  ; 
and  also  his  two  eldest  children  have  embraced  Christianity  in  the  same 
church.  Mr.  Sherer  has  a  tine  stock  farm  three  miles  south  of  Millers- 
burg,  which  consists  of  420  acres.  He  deals  in  both  stock  and  fat 
cattle.  His  herd  of  sheep  is  of  the  Leicester  stock ;  hogs,  Poland 
China.  He  follows  in  the  footsteps  of  his  father  as  to  class  of  stock  he 
keeps. 

Tlie  Wilitts  familv  came  from  Pennsvlvania  to  Mercer  coimty 
among  its  early  settlers ;  but  at  the  present  writing  but  few  of  the  once 
large  family  resident  remain.  Thomas  Wilitts  was  born  in  Columbia 
county,  Tennessee,  in  1804.  His  parents,  Nathaniel  and  Sarah  AVilitts, 
were  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  where  they  lived  out  their  lives.  His. 
mother  lived  to  the  ripe  old  age  of  60 ;  his  father  died  ten  years 
younger.  His  vocation  was  that  of  a  shoemaker.  Thomas  came  to 
Mercer  county  in  1854  and  settled  in  Duncan  township,  where  he  now 
owns  a  farm,  and  lived  there  till  the  winter  of  1881-2,  Avhen  he  retired 
from  active  farm  life  and  took  up  his  abode  in  Millersburg.  In  1828 
he  was  married  to  Margaret  Taylor,  of  his  native  state.  She  was  boi-n 
in  1810,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Christopher  Kahler,  a  native  of  Germany. 


MILLERSBURG   TOWNSHII'.  255 

Tliey  had  twelve  children,  eight  of  whom  are  now  living:  William, 
To^^^lsend,  practicing  i»hysician  in  Philadelphia ;  Horace,  Charles, 
Korman,  Thomas,  Maggie,  and  Chester.  His  four  sons,  Xorman, 
Ohester,  Charles,  and  Horace,  were  soldiers  in  the  late  war.  The  first 
served  as  quartermaster;  the  second,  in  the  102d  reg.  111.  Vol.  Inf., 
was  out  three  years,  and  was  with  Sherman  on  his  march  to  the  sea ; 
the  third  served  eight  months  in  the  IHh  111.  cavalry  ;  the  fourth  served 
six  months  in  the  27tli  reff.  111.  Yol.  Inf.  He  and  wife  are  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  Millersburg.  In  politics  he  i&  a 
straight  out  republican. 

S.  H.  KiDDELL  is  a  native  of  Clinton  county,  Ohio,  born  in  IS-tO, 
and  came  to  Mercer  county  with  his  parents,  Humjdirey  and  Mary 
(Mori)  Riddell,  in  1855.  His  father  was  a  native  of  Maryland,  his 
mother  of  Pennsylvania.  The  former  emigrated  from  his  native  state 
to  Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  married,  and  emigrated  to  Ohio  in 
1836,  where  he  remained  till  he  came  to  Mercer  county.  He  died  in 
1871,  at  the  ripe  age  of  seventy  years.  His  wife  now  resides  in  Aledo 
and  is  sixty-four  vears  old.  He  was  bv  trade  a  slioemaker,  bv  vocation 
a  farmer,  and  superintended  the  county  farm  for  ten  years.  He  and 
wife  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  The  early 
literary  training  of  S.  H.  Riddell  was  that  of  the  common  school.  He 
began  a  collegiate  course  at  Delaware,  Ohio,  but  owing  to  his  ill  health 
it  had  to  be  abandoned.  From  the  age  of  twelve  he  was  reared  on  the 
farm,  which  business  he  fdlowed  for  himself  only  three  years.  In 
1861  he  was  married  to  Sarah  F.  Yernon,  boi-n  in  181:3,  daughter  of 
James  and  Eliza  Yernon,  whose  history  will  appear  elsewhere.  Mr. 
Riddell  by  this  union  has  five  children :  Jennett,  James  (deceased), 
Frank  A.,  Milo  A.,  and  Thomas  Y.  In  1865  he  engaged  in  the 
mercantile  business  in  Millersburo;,  which  he  carried  on  till  1871. 
Since  that  time  he  has  been  employed  as  clerk,  and  is  now  engaged  by 
W.  W.  Egbert.  He  now  holds  the  offices  of  notary  public  and  super- 
visor, and  has  filled  most  of  the  township  offices.  He  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
I.O.O.F.  lodge. 

John  Farax  came  to  Millersburg  in  1855,  where  he  has  since 
resided.  He  is  by  trade  a  plasterer,  which  trade  he  followed  till  1879, 
when  he  engaged  in  the  grocery  business.  In  1882  he  bought  the 
store  of  J.  D.  Strattan,  and  now  is  engaged  in  general  merchandise. 
In  connection  with  his  store  he  keeps  the  postoffice.  Mr.  Faran  is  a 
native  of  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  born  in  1832,  sou  of  John  and 
Stinche  Faran.  The  former  was  a  native  of  Ireland.  He  first  located 
in  Cincinnati,  where  he  was  married,  and  then  came  to  Indiana  and 


256  HISTORY    OF    MERCER    ^NJN'D    HENDERSON    COUNTIES.  • 

settled  in  Dearb(5rn  county,  where  his  son  John  was  born.  The  wife  of 
the  Latter  was  a  native  of  Ohio.  Both  were  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  chnrch.  The  former  died  in  1835,  at  the  age  of  thiity-eight 
years.  The  latter  tlien  moved  to  Topeka,  Kansas,  where  slie  died  in 
ISfiJ.  Mr.  Faran  was  married  in  1857  to  Harriet  Riddell,  dangliter  of 
Humphrey  and  Mary  Riddell,  whose  history  will  appear  in  the  sketch 
of  S.  II.  Riddell.  By  this  marriage  he  has  three  children  :  Jeneva  J., 
Ida,  and  Howard.  Mr.  Faran  is  one  of  the  men  now  living  in  Millers- 
burg  who  was  instrumental  in  driving  the  saloons  from  the  village  and 
stopping  the  whisky  traffic.  He  now  has  a  good  business,  with  an 
increasing  trade. 

Henry  Huttman,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  Aledo,  was  born  in 
Pennsylvania  in  1824,  and  is  the  son  of  Henry  and  Charity  (Feazel) 
Huffman,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  and  resided  in 
Washington  county.  Tlie  former  died  in  1827,  aged  forty-iive  years^ 
and  the  latter  in  1845,  aged  fifty -two  years.  They  were  farmers  and 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  churcli,  and  were  quiet,  well-to-do 
and  highly-respected  people  in  their  community.  Henry  Huffman 
came  to  Mercer  County  in  the  fjill  of  1854,  and  located  in  Keithsburg, 
where  he  resided  till  the  following  spring,  when  he  located  on  section  25, 
Millersburg  township,  where  he  has  since  lived.  He  was  married  in 
J.854  to  Mary  Witherspoon,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  in  1S31, 
daughter  of  John  and  Margaret  (Kennedy)  Witherspoon.  They  were- 
members  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  kno^vn  as  Seceders.  They  were 
peaceable  farmers  and  highly  respected  citizens.  Mr.  Huffman  has  six 
children  :  John  (deceased),  Maison  B.,  Samuel  I.,  Willie  E.  and  Dora  A. 
(twins),  and  George  AY.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  United  Pres- 
byterian churcli.  He  has  a  farm  of  2<)8  acres  of  fine  farming  land, 
located  one-half  mile  from  the  east  line  of  Millersburg  townsliip  and 
four  miles  from  the  county  seat.  He  keeps  a  good  grade  of  all  kinds 
of  farm  stock. 

Among  the  business  men  of  Millersburg  is  J.  D.  Strattan,  native 
of  Clinton  county,  Ohio,  bc)rn  in  1839.  His  parents  were  Da\ad  and 
Harriet  (Ilinman)  Strattan  ;  the  former  of  Lynchburg  county,  Virginia, 
the  latter  of  Connecticut,  near  Xew  Salem.  Thev  came  to  Mercer 
countv  and  located  at  Millersburg  in  1855,  then  emigrated  to  West 
Liberty,  Iowa,  where  the  former  died  in  1807,  aged  seventy-four  years. 
The  latter  then  moved  to  Mt.  Vernon.  Illinois,  where  she  died  in  1880, 
at  the  age  of  seventy -three  years.  David  Strattan  was  by  profession  a 
merchant  and  did  business  in  Cincinnati  as  early  as  1812-13.  He  sold 
goods  both  at  Millersburg  and  West  Liberty,  Iowa,  where  he  resided  at 
the  time  of  his  death.     David  Strattan  and  wife  were  members  of  the 


MILLERSIJURG   TOWNSHIP.  257 

Ilic'ksite  Friends.  J.  D.'a  literary  education  was  that' of  tlie  common 
school.  lie  learned  the  business  of  merchandise  with  his  father.  He 
began  business  for  himself  as  a  merchant  in  1803,  in  Millersburg,.  at 
which  he  continued  till  1882,  with  the  exception  of  one  and  a  half 
years,  during  which  time  he  engaged  in  farming.  In  1881  he  and 
Lunn  established  in  Millersburg  a  creamery,  to  which  he  now  giyes  all 
his  time  and  attention.  He  was  married  in  1862  to  Fanny  E.  Merrimar, 
native  of  Maine,  born  in  1843,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Mary  E.  Merri- 
man.  who  came  to  Illinois  about  1844.  ]>v  this  marrias:e  he  had  six 
children,  three  of  whom  ^ire  liying:  Ora  A.,  Frank  P.,  and  George  C. 
The  mother  of  these  died  in  188(7.  He  was  married  a  second  time  to 
Adella  V.  Turner,  natiye  of  Illinois,  daughter  of  John  H.  and  Mary  J. 
Turner.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  I.O.O.F.  lodge  at  Millersburg. 

William  Valentdve  is  the  son  of  Absalom  and  Susan  Valentine, 
the  former  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  came  to  Ohio  when  a  child, 
with  his  parents.  The  latter  is  a  native  of  Ohio.  Tliey  emigrated  to 
Mercer  county  in  1855,  having  spent  the  winter  of  1854-5  in  Lawrence 
county,  Illinois.  Tliey  located  in  Mercer  county,  where  Absalom 
Valentine  died,  in  1864,  aged  sixty-two  years.  His  wife  is  now  living 
w4th  her  son  William,  and  is  seventy-four  years  old.  She  is  an  old  sol- 
dier of  the  cross  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  holds  her 
membership  at  Joy.  William  Valentine  received  but  a  meager  literary 
education  such  as  he  was  able  to  obtain  during  the  winter  months,  in 
the  district  school  of  his  neighborhood.  He  was  reared  to  the  vocation 
of  farming,  which  he  has  followed.  He  was  born  in  Ohio  in  1837, 
and  came  with  his  parents  to  Mercer  county  in  1855,  where  he  has 
since  resided.  He  enlisted  in  the  seiwice  of  his  country  in  I8(i2,  in 
company  K,  102d  111.  Vol.,  and  served  till  the  close  of  the  war,  and 
was  mustered  out  June  6,  1865.  He  was  in  the  battles  of  Resaca, 
Georgia,  at  the  siege  of  Atlanta,  and  with  Slierman,  on  his  march  to 
the  sea,  at  Goldsborough,  and  Savannah,  and  from  there  to  Richmond, 
and  Washington.  He  was  married  in  1869  to  Easter  Bell,  daughter 
of  John  and  Margaret  Bell.  By  this  marriage  he  has  one  child,  Ben- 
jamin II.  He  has  a  fai-m  of  120  acres  of  tine  land,  and  keeps  a  good 
grade  of  farm  stock. 

Wilson  P.  Zentaore's  parents,  David  and  Dianna  (Minick)  Zent- 
mire,  emigrated  fi-om  their  native  state,  Ohio,  where  their  son,  Wilson  P., 
was  born,  to  Illinois,  in  1855,  and  located  in  .Vbington  township,  Mer- 
cer county,  where  they  resided  nine  years.  They  then  moved  to 
Millersburg  township,  where  the  former  died  in  187<>,  aged  sixty  years, 
the  latter  in  18(U),  aged  forty-nine  years.      He  was  a  carpenter  and 


258  HISTORY   OF    MERCEE    AXD    HENDERSON    COUXTIES. 

iaiTiier.  The  Zentmires  family  emigrated  to  America  from  GeiTuanv 
at  an  early  time.  Wilson  P.  came  to  Mercer  county  with  his  parents, 
when  eight  years  old.  His  early  education  was  such  as  the  common 
schools  of  that  time  could  fin-nish.  He  has  given  his  entii'e  time  to 
farming.  He  was  married  in  1S6S.  to  Miss  Xancv  Kiddoo,  daughter 
of  Richard  and  Eliza  (Tannatta )  Kiddoo.  whose  sketch  will  appear  in 
the  work.  They  have  live  chikb'en ;  Harry,  Hattie,  Ray  (^deceased), 
Tellv  (deceased),  and  Tuse.  He  owns  a  tine  stock  farm  of  160  acres, 
and  keeps  a  good  grade  of  fai-m  stock.  In  1881  he  had  his  house  on 
section  33.  burned,  loss  $2,20Cr,  $1,300  of  which  was  covered  by  insm- 
ance.     Politically  he  is  a  republican. 

William  M.  Miller,  tanner  and  teacher,  is  one  of  the  early  teachers 
in  Millersburg.  He  is  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  in  182V>.  His 
earlv  educational  ti-ainins:  was  that  of  the  common  school  of  his  home, 
and  ten  months  at  an  academy.  Five  years  pre^'ious  to  his  coming  to 
Illinois,  which  was  in  1855,  he  began  teaching  in  his  native  state, 
when  he  was  in  his  nineteenth  year,  and  has  taught  school  eighteen 
years  in  ]Millersburg  township,  lodging  at  the  same  house  all  this  time, 
making  twenty-tlu-ee  years  he  has  spent  in  tlie  profession.  His  parents, 
James  and  Mary  (McCreary )  Miller,  were  natives  of  the  Quaker  state. 
The  former  died  in  1881,  aged  seventy-seven  years,  the  latter  is  yet 
living  and  is  in  her  seventy-third  year.  His  parents  were  well-to-do 
fanners,  and  members  of  the  "VVestiield  Presb"\'terian  church.  His 
father  came  from  Ireland;  his  mother's  family,  the  McCrearvs.  em- 
igi-ated  to  Pennsylvania  in  its  early  settlement.  Mr.  Miller  was  mar- 
ried in  1856  to  ^liss  Elizabeth  Galaway.  native  of  Ohio.  She  came 
with  her  parents  to  Mercer  county  in  1854  and  located  in  Millersburg 
township.  Her  parents  were  natives  of  Ohio.  They  had  pre%-iou8ly 
emigrated  to  Kansas.  There  the  fathft-  died  in  18  Ti,  aged  sixty-three 
years.  Tlie  mother  is  still  living:.  Mr.  Miller  bv  this  marriao'e  has  a 
family  of  eight  children :  Mary  J..  Laura  B..  Eva  S.,  Granville  S., 
Jessie  S.,  Jolm  G..  Mattie  R..  and  Lizzie  L.  He  and  family,  except 
the  three  youngest,  are  members  of  the  Presb}i:erian  faith.  His  present 
occupation  is  that  of  farming.  He  has  a  line  farm  of  eighty  acres,  on 
which  he  keeps  a  good  gi-ade  of  fann  stock.  In  politics  he  is  a 
republican. 

A-VRox  P.  Shafer  is  a  native  of  Xew  York  state,  born  in  1811,  son 
of  Adam  and  Hellena  Shafer,  both  of  Xew  York.  He  was  by  occupa- 
tion a  farmer.  For  a  number  of  years  he  held  the  office  of  colonel  of 
the  state  militia.  Both  were  members  of  the  Baptist  church.  They 
were  reared,  educated  and  spent  their  lives  witliout  emigrating  from 
their  native  state.     Then*  son,  Aaron  P.,  was  reared  on  the  farm  with 


MILLERSBIRG   TOWNSHIP.  259 

such  educational  advantages  as  the  pioneer  scliouls  of  his  boyhood 
•couhi  furnish,  which  were  limited.  He  lived  on  the  farm  till  he 
arrived  at  the  age  of  twenty-three.  He  was  then  engaged  for  a  time  as 
clerk  in  a  store,  then  began  in  the  mercantile  business  in  Xew  York 
for  himself,  which  he  followed  for  a  time  when  he  sold  out  his  business 
and  bouirht  a  farm  which  he  sold  and  came  to  Illinois  in  1S56.  and 
located  in  Millersburg.  where  he  has  since  resided.  Here  he  learned 
the  wagonmaker's  trade  and  has  earned  on  a  shop  since  1856.  He  was 
mari-ied  in  1S41  to  Eliza  Da^-ls,  of  Xew  York,  born  in  1818,  daughter 
•of  John  S.  and  Elizabeth  Davis,  both  of  Xew  York.  They  were  well- 
to-do  tanners.  Mr.  Sliafer  has  by  this  mai-riage  two  children : 
Elizabeth,  now  ]\L'S.  Felton.  and  Annie  A.  Their  mother  died  in 
18J:6.  He  has  since  remained  unmarried.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Baptist  church,  and  a  republican  in  politics. 

William  C.  Buyd,  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  was  born  in  Indiana  in 
1847,  and  is  the  son  of  Dr.  Joseph  P.  and  Ellen  (Commons)  Boyd, 
whose  history  ^^'ill  appear  in  the  sketches  of  Millersburg  township. 
"William  C.  came  to  Mercer  county  with  his  father  when  a  mere  boy. 
His  educational  training  was  that  of  the  -s-illage  school  at  Millersburg. 
During  his  boyhood  his  father  was  engaged  more  or  less  in  stock 
raising,  for  which  AVilliam  C.  formed  a  liking  and  has  chosen  for  a 
livelihood.  He  lives  one  mile  west  of  Millersburg.  near  the  line 
between  Millersburg  and  Duncan  townships,  on  a  j^art  of  the  farm 
owned  by  his  father,  which  consists  of  64<>  acres,  and  is  yet  undivided 
between  his  thi-ee  children.  "U^illiam  C.  Boyd  was  married  in  1873  to 
Emma  Longshore,  native  of  Indiana,  born  in  1853.  and  came  to  Mercer 
■county  with  her  parents.  J.  H.  and  Sally  ( Hadley )  Longshore.  Mr. 
Boyd  has  bv  this  marriaare  two  children :  Archie  L.  and  Edna.  His 
wife  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Millersburg. 
La  politics  he  is  a  republican. 

Joseph  A.  Downey  is 'the  son  of  Andrew  and  Elizabeth  (Wilson) 
Downey,  both  of  whom  are  natives  of  Ireland.  He  first  located  in 
Pennsylvania  where  he  worked  uj^on  the  railroad  for  several  years, 
then  came  to  Mercer  count}-  where  he  rented  land  for  a  while,  and  now 
o^vns  a  fine  farm  of  419  acres  in  Millersburg  townshiji,  where  he 
resides.  He  was  married  in  Philadelphia  and  has  a  family  of  eleven 
children:  Joseph  A..  John,  Mary  (deceased),  William.  Wilson, 
Andrew,  Martha,  Annie  (deceased).  Moses,  George  (deceased),  and 
Harry.  Josej)h.  the  eldest  of  his  father's  family,  is  a  native  of  Mercer 
county,  born  in  1858.  He  M-as  nuirried  in  l>>sl  to  Mary  ]\Ic(Tinnis.  of 
Mercer  county,  daughter  of  John  J.  McCiinnis  now  a  resident  of  Duncan 
township.  Mercer  county.     Joseph  A.  lives  (^n  the  farm  of  his  father 


260  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

and  keeps  a  good  grade  of  farm  stock.  His  early  educational  training 
was  tTiat  of  tlie  common  school.  He  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  thia 
business  he  has  always  followed. 

James  H.  Longshore  was  formerly  from  Bucks  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania. He  first  emigrated  from  his  native  state  to  Ohio,  Clinton 
county,  where  he  remained  till  1852,  then  he  moved  to  Indiana,  where 
he  remained  seven  years,  when  he  came  to  Mercer  county  and  located 
in  Millersburg,  where  he  has  since  remained,  pursuing  the  trade  of 
his  choosing  for  a  livelihood.  He  was  born  in  1823.  His  parents, 
James  and  Sarah  Longshore,  remained  in  their  native  state  all  their 
lives.  His  father  was  a  wagon  builder  by  trade.  The  religion  of  his 
parents  was  that  of  the  Hicksite  Quakers.  Mr.  J.  H.  Longshore's 
earlv  educational  trainino;  was  such  as  the  common  schools  of  his  time 
could  fin-nish.  When  a  boy  he  learned  his  trade  with  his  father.  In 
1849  he  was  married  to  Sally  Hadley,  of  Clinton  county,  Ohio,  whose- 
birth  dates  to  1842.  She  is  the  daughter  of  William  and  Susanna 
Hadley,  both  of  whom  are  natives  of  Virginia.  They  came  to  Ohio 
quite  early,  where  they  both  departed  this  life,  the  former  at  the  age  of 
tifty  years,  the  latter  at  eighty-seven  years.  Both  were  members  of 
the  orthodox  Friend's  church.  By  this  marriage  Mr.  Longshore  has 
four  children:  Alvin  E.,  now  in  California,  Emma  B.,  Carrie,  and 
Howard.  In  politics  his  principles  are  those  advocated  by  the  republi- 
can party.  He  was  one  of  those  men  who  came  to  Millersburg  in  tha 
zenith  of  its  prospects  of  prosperity  and  yet  remains,  having  secured  a 
good  run  of  trade  in  his  line. 

D.  A.  Davison  was  born  in  1833,  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania. 
His  parents  were  Moses  and  Elizabeth  Davison,  both  of  Pennsylvania. 
They  emigrated  to  Wells  county,  in  1843.  There  they  died,  the  former 
in  1880,  aged  seventy-seven  years ;  the  latter  in  1864,  aged  iifty-seven 
years.  The  former  was  a  farmer,  miller  and  millwright.  D.  A.  came 
fi'om  Pennsylvania  to  Mercer  county  in  1859,  and  located  in  New  Bos- 
ton township,  where  he  remained  two  years,  then  moved  to  Keithsburg 
two  years.  In  1866  he  located  in  Millersburg  township,  where  he  now 
resides,  near  the  south  line.  He  was  married  in  1860  to  E valine  Wolfe, 
a  native  of  Indiana,  born  in  1842,  and  daughter  of  Solomon  and 
Evaline  (Marlatt)  Wolfe.  They  came  to  Illinois  in  1846.  They  are 
both  natives  of  Indiana,  and  are  now"  citizens  of  Abington  township, 
Mercer  county,  and  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  cluirch.  Mr.. 
Davison  has  by  this  marriage  twelve  children :  Ida  (deceased).  May, 
Cora,  Ealpli,  Walter,  Edward  (deceased).  Albert,  Clarence,  Morgan, 
Grace,  Rose,  and  Maud.  Mi-.  Davison  enlisted  in  1862  in  the  late 
war,  in  company  G,  124th  III.  Vol.  Inf,  served  three  years,  and  was. 


MILLERSBURG    TOWNSHIP.  2<'tl 

in  the  following  encrag-ements:  Fort  Gibson,  Brownsville,  Jackson^ 
Champion  Hills,  Black  river,  siege  of  Yicksburg,  nnmerons  skirmishes, 
and  at  Spanish  Fort.     lie  lives  on  a  tine  farm  of  320  acres. 

W.  AV.  Egijkrt  is  a  native  of  Stark  county,  Illinois.  His  parents, 
James  C.  and  Catharine  (Swank)  Egbert,  the  former  a  native  of  New 
Jersey,  the  latter  of  Pennsylvania,  came  with  the  early  settlers  to 
Stark  county,  where  our  subject  was  born  in  1854.  There  his  tatlier 
depai'ted  this  life  in  lSf>3,  aged  thirty-six  years.  W.  W.  Egbert 
recei\'ed  a  fair  common  school  education  and  five  tenns  at  Iledding 
college.  He  first  began  business  for  himself  as  druggist  in  j)artnership 
with  Dr.  D.  J.  Perry  at  AVest  Jersey,  Illinois.  In  1870  he  brought  a 
stock  of  drugs  to  Millersburg  and  opened  a  store.  In  1878  he  engaged 
in  general  merchandise  in  which  business  he  is  at  present.  He  has  a 
good  trade.  In  1878  his  store  was  burned;  loss  S2,00U,  $1,000  of 
which  was  paid  by  the  insurance  company.  He  was  married  in  1877 
to  Miss  Margaret  M.  Green,  native  of  Illinois,  daughter  of  AY.  L.  and 
Rebecca  E.  Green,  both  of  Pennsylvania,  and  came  to  Alercer  county 
in  185-I.  The  former  was  by  ti'ade  a  carver  and  gilder.  He  held  the 
office  of  justice  of  the  peace  for  several  years,  was  in  the  mercantile 
business  with  H.  AY.  Thornton,  and  was  for  a  time  postmaster  at 
Millersburg.  He  enlisted  in  the  army  in  1861  in  the  45th  111.  A^ol. 
Inf.,  in  company  I,  as  second  lieutenant.  He  was  in  the  battle  of 
Sliiloh,  and  died  of  wounds  in  1862,  while  in  the  service.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  I.O.O.F.  His  widow  now  receives  a  pension  and 
resides  in  Millersburg.  She  was  at  one  time  postmistress  at  Alillers- 
burg  for  about  fifteen  years.  AY.  AV.  Egbert  has  by  this  marriage 
two  children :  AYilliam  C.  and  Frederick  AV".  He  is  a  member  of  the 
I.O.O.F.  lodge  at  Millersburg.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

Among  the  well-to-do  citizens  and  farmers  of  Millersburg  township 
is  John  Pubert,  born  in  New  York  in  1838,  and  son  of  John  and 
Magdalena  (Chat)  Pubert,  the  former  a  native  of  France,  the  latter  of 
New  York,  and  of  German  descent.  John  Jr.'s  father  died  when  he 
was  an  infant ;  his  mother  died  when  he  was  fourteen  years  old,  aged 
thirty-seven  years.  She  came  to  Chicago  in  1843,  where  she  resided 
for  a  time,  when  she  removed  to  Peoria  county.  John's  parents  were 
members  of  the  Christian  church.  Mr.  Pubert's  early  education  was 
limited.  He  came  t<j  Mercer  county  in  1858  and  located  near  New 
AA^indsor,  where  he  remained  till  1861,  when  he  enlisted  in  the  army 
in  August  of  that  year,  in  company  A,  30th  111.  Yol.  Inf ,  and  served 
till  December,  1862.  He  was  in  the  battle  of  Belmont  and  bombard- 
ment of  Fort  Henry.     .Vt  Fort  Donelson  he  was  taken  prisoner,  and 


262  HISTOEY    OF    MERCER    A^TD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

taken  first  to  Memphis  where  he  remained  six  weeks,  then  to  Mobile, 
then  to  Tuscaloosa,  fi-om  whence  he  was  sent  to  parole  camp  at  St. 
Louis,  and  discharged  December,  1862.  He  returned  home  and 
located  in  Millersburg  township  in  1863,  where  he  now  resides.  In 
1863  he  was  married  to  Miss  K.  J.  Hughes,  of  Pennsylvania,  born  in 
1842,  and  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  Hughes,  the  former  of 
Pennsylvania,  the  latter  of  Ohio.  Thev  came  to  Mercer  county  in 
1857  and  located  in  Millersburg  township,-  where  both  now  reside.  He 
is  a  wagon  maker  b}'  trade  and  carries  on  a  shop  in  the  village  of  Joy. 
Both  are  members  of  the  Seventh  Day  Advent  church  at  Marsh 
school-house.  John  Eubert  has  by  this  marriage  three  children : 
Bertha  E.  (deceased),  Joseph  B.,  John  C,  and  Jennie  E.  He  and 
wife  are  members  of  the  Seventh  Day  Ad^'ent  church.  He  o\yns  a 
well-improved  farm  of  eighty  acres,  fairly  stocked  with  a  good  grade 
■of  stock. 

One  of  the  early  families  yet  resident  in  Millersburg  towhship  is 
the  Dool  family.  Of  that  family  now  resident  of  this  township  is 
John  Dool.  His  father,  Robert  Dool,  was  a  native  of  Ireland  (Antrim 
county),  and  came  to  America  in  1819,  landing  in  Pennsylvania,  where 
he  remained  two  years  when  he  moved  to  Ohio,  and  died  in  1829, 
aged  forty-two  years,  leaving  a  wife  and  eight  children  to  mourn  his 
loss.  His  wife,  Margaret  (Spears)  Dool,  was  a  native  of  Ireland ;  her 
parents  were  John  and  Mary  (Hannah)  Spears,  who  came  to  America 
in  1S2-1-  and  settled  in  Ohio,  where  they  both  died.  Robert  Dool's 
•children  were  named  as  follows:  William  S.,  Henry  and  Hannah 
(twins).  Rosanna,  Margaret,  Mary,  John,  Thomas.  Robert  Dool  and 
mfe  were  farmers  both  in  Ireland  and  America,  and  were  members  of 
the  Presbyterian  church.  His  wife,  who  still  survives,  lives  with  her 
daughter  on  the  farm  of  her  son  John,  and  is  now  eighty-eight  years 
old.  John  Dool  was  born  in  1826  in  Harrison  county,  Ohio,  where  he 
remained  till  1858,  when  he  came  to  Mercer  county  with  his  mother 
and  her  eight  children.  Here  he  has  since  resided.  He  was  married 
in  1.S63  to  Sarah  Havertield,  daughter  of  James  and  Mary  Ilaveriield, 
the  former  of  Ohio,  the  latter  of  Ireland.  The  former  died  in  1862, 
aged  sixty-two  years,  while  in  the  service  of  the  9th  111.  Vol.  Inf  The 
latter  died  in  1857.  They  were  both  members  of  the  United  Presby- 
terian church.  By  his  marriao-e  John  Dool  has  four  children :  Anna 
L.,  James  L,  William  H.,  and  Robert  B.  He  and  wife  are  members 
of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  has  a  farm  of  120  acres  of  tine  farm- 
ing land,  well  improved  and  fairly  stocked,  and  fifteen  acres  of  timber. 
In  politics  he  is  a  democrat. 

Timothy  Noonan,  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  is  a  native  of  Tipi)erary 


MILLEKSBUKG    T(  (WNSHIP.  263 

oountv,  Iivhuid,  born  in  is?, 7,  and  came  to  America  with  liis  parents, 
Daniel  and  Ellen  Xoonan,  both  of  Ti])[»erarv  county,  Ireland,  in  iSoD. 
Thev  first  located  for  a  time  in  Massachusetts;  then  came  to  Mercer 
county.  Both  were  members  of  the  Ronnm  Catholic  church.  The 
former  died  in  1878,  aged  ninety-live  years ;  the  latter,  his  wife,  lives 
in  the  village  of  ]\[illersbnrg,  and  is  ninetv'-two  years  old,  hale  and 
hearty  for  one  twenty  years  her  junior.  Timothy  Noonan  learned  the 
trade  of  his  father,  which  was  that  of  shoemaker.  He  and  his  father 
carried  on  a  shoe  shop  for  a  time  in  the  village  of  Millersburg.  In 
1859  he  made  a  trip  to  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  was  gone  nearly  one 
year,  when  he  returned  to  Millersburg  and  opened  a  shoe  sho]),  but 
soon  left  the  shop  for  the  farm  where  he  now  resides,  some  three  miles 
west  of  Aledo.  He  was  married  in  1860  to  Sarah  Mc(4innis.  born  in 
1839,  and  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Mary  McGinnis,  both  of  Ireland. 
They  first  located  in  Pennsylvania ;  \hen  moved  to  Keithsburg,  Mercer 
county,  when  their  daughter  Sarah  was  seven  years  old.  The  former 
died  in  1863 ;  the  latter  in  1872.  Both  were  of  the  Roman  Catholic 
faith.  By  this  nuirriage  Mr.  Noonan  has  six  children:  Thomas  F., 
William,  John  L.,  Eddy  11.,  Mary  J.,  and  an  infant.  He  and  wife 
are  members  of  the  same  church  as  their  parents.  He  has  a  fine  farm 
of  240  acres,  well  improved  and  well  stocked. 

P.  D.  Shingledecker,  Aledo,  is  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  in 
1852,  son  of  John  and  Sarah  Shingledecker,  both  of  Pennsylvania. 
They  emigrated  to  Mercer  county  in  1852,  remained  one  year,  and 
returned  to  their  native  state,  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their 
days.  The  former  died  in  1858.  at  the  age  of  fifty-two ;  the  latter  in 
1872,  aged  fifty-one  years.  They  were  members  of  tlie  Presbyterian 
faith.  P.  D.'s  early  education  was  that  of  the  common  scho<fl.  He 
came  to  Illinois  in  1862,  staid  five  years  and  returned  to  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  remained  se\'en  years,  when  he  came  again  to  Mercer  county, 
where  he  now  resides.  He  was  married  in  1872  to  Racliel  Richards, 
of  Whitesides  county,  Illinois,  born  in  1858,  daughter  of  George  and 
Eliza  Richards,  both  of  Illinois.  The  latter  died  in  1864,  and  was  a 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  ;  the  former  is  now  living  in  Colo- 
rado. Mr.  Sliingledecker  is  a  man  of  steady  habits  and  industrious 
turn.  He  keeps  a  good  grade  of  farm  stock,  but  raises  grain  to  sell 
rather  than  to  feed. 

John  Bell,  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  Aledo,  was  born  in  1805,  is  a 
native  of  Ireland,  and  came  to  America  in  1841.  His  ])arents  were 
Benjamin  and  xVnn  ]>ell,  both  of  whom  were  Presbyterians.  Mr.  Bell 
first  landed  at  Philadelphia,  and  proceeded  to  Ohio,  where  he  remained 
till   1S63,  when  he  came  and  settled  in  Millersburg  township,  on  the 


264  HISTORY   OF   MERCER   A^'D    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

• 

farm  of  360  acres  where  lie  now  resides.  He  was  married  to  Margaret 
Gilford,  native  of  L'eland,  and  daugliter  of  John  and  Mary  Clifford,  of 
Ireland,  both  of  whom  came  to  America  in  1841.  They  were  farmers 
and  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  Mr.  Bell  by  this  marriage 
has  six  children:  Mary.  John  C,  Easter,  George,  Aiui,  and  Jane.  His 
wife  is  of  the  Presbyterian  faith.  In  politics  he  is  strictly  a  democrat. 
He  keeps  on  his  farm  a  good  grade  of  farm  stock.  His  farm  is  the 
result  of  his  own  labor,  economy  and  business  ability. 

Zachariah  Jewel,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  is  a  native  of  Harrison 
countv.  Ohio,  born  in  1824.  He  was  reared  on  the  farm  in  his  native 
state,  where  he  resided  till  1873  when  he  came  to  Mercer  county  where 
he  now  resides.  During  the  late  war  he  was  a  member  of  the  Harrison 
Countv  Home  Guards,  and  was  called  out  to  drive  Morgan  from  the 
state.  He  was  married  in  1847  to  Mary  Dool,  native  of  Ohio,  daughter 
of  Pobert  and  Margaret  Dool.  By  this  marriage  he  has  seven  chil- 
dren: Margaret  A.,  Nancy  E.,  James  W.,  Rebecca  J.,  Hannah  L., 
Mary  O.,  John  W.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  at  Peniel.  Mr.  Jewel's  parents  were  James  and  Xancy  (Spring) 
Jewel,  both  of  whom  came  to  Harrison  county,  Ohio,  from  their  native 
state,  Virginia.  They  were  pioneer  settlers  of  Harrison  county, 
and  still  reside  in  Ohio.  They  are  farmers  and  members  of  the  Baptist 
church. 

Dr.  JdHN  P.  Chowning,  Millersburg,  was  born  January  21,  1843, 
in  the  town  of  Payson,  Adams  count}',  Illinois.  His  parents,  Thomas 
J.  and  Louisa  (Holman)  Chowning,  -were  nati^'es  of  Tennessee,  of 
Scotch  descent.  They  emigrated  to  Adams  county  in  1840,  and  located 
on  a  farm  near  Payson.  In  1850  they  removed  to  Adair  county,  Mis- 
souri, Jjut  returned  to  Adams  county,  after  an  absence  of  tlu-ee  years, 
where  they  remained  till  the  close  of  the  rebellion.  They  are  at 
present  living  in  Fort  Worth,  Texas.  Dr.  Chowning  was  the  oldest  of 
nine  chiklren,  eight  of  whom  are  still  living.  After  completing  the 
common  school  studies  he  spent  two  years  in  the  academy  of  his 
native  town.  The  rebellion  having  broken  out  he  enlisted  August  7, 
1862,  iu  Company  E,  84th  111.  Vol.,  in  which  he  served  till  the  close 
of  the  second  days'  fight  at  Chickamauga,  when  lie  was  taken  prisoner. 
He  was  taken  to  Kichmond,  Virginia,  and  confined  in  what  was  known 
as  ''Castle  Pemberton."  for  one  and  one-half  montlis,  after  which  he 
was  removed  to  Danville,  A^irginia,  where  he  remained  four  and  one- 
half  months,  from  thence  to  Andersonville,  Georgia,  where  for  seven 
montlis  he  was  subjected  to  scenes  of  cruelty  and  suffering  that  beggar 
description.  On  the  night  of  October  1,  1864,  while  being  transferred 
from  Andersonville  to  Charleston,  South  Carolina,  he  escaped  with  one 


>[ILLERSBURG   TOWNSHIP.  265 

of  his  fellow  prisoners,  by  jumping  from  the  train  while  in  motion. 
Keduced  by  starvation  and  disease  to  a  mere  skeleton,  the  tendons  of 
of  his  limbs  contracted  till  he  was  literally  compelled  to  walk  on  ti}) 
toe  by  the  aid  of  a  "walking  stick.''  After  a  perilous  journey  of 
eighteen  days,  through  an  enemy's  country,  subsisting  on  sweet  pota- 
toes and  such  other  edibles  as  were  obtainable,  he  at  last  reached  the 
Union  lines,  then  at  Atlanta,  Georgia.  Through  the  kindness  of  Cien. 
Stanley  he  was  at  once  detailed  as  a  clerk  in  the  di\ision  hospital, 
where  he  remained  till  the  close  of  the  war.  In  the  fall  of  1S64  he 
entered  tjie  Iowa  Wesley  an  University,  from  which  he  graduated  in 
1869,  defraying  his  expenses  by  teaching  during  the  mnter  months 
and  working  at  the  car})enter's  trade  during  the  summer  vacations. 
In  the  spring  of  1870  he  commenced  the  study  of  medicine,  with 
Dr.  E.  L.  Marshall,  of  Keithsburg,  Illinois,  as  preceptor,  lie  con- 
tinued his  medical  studies,  teaching  in  the  meantime ;  was  principal  of 
the  schools  in  Keithsburg  and  Barry,  Illinois,  respectively.  During 
the  winter  of  1872-3  he  attended  lectures  at  Rush  medical  college. 
Locating  at  Millersburg,  he  practiced  two  j-ears  and  six  months,  when 
he  again  attended  lectures  at  Bellvue  hospital  medical  college.  New 
York,  from  which  he  received  the  degree  of  ^M.D.  Dr.  Chowning 
was  married  to  Florence,  daughter  of  A.  B.  and  Anna  Sheriff,  in  1871; 
her  father  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  her  mother  of  Ohio.  By  this 
marriage  they  have  four  children :  Florence  M.,  "William  M.,  Josephine, 
and  Eva.  They  are  both  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
The  doctor  is  a  member  of  the  masonic  fraternity ;  is  also  a  member  of 
military  tract  medical  society. 

John  Downing,  Aledo,  is  a  native  of  Belmont  county,  Ohio,  born  in 
181:0,  son  of  John  and  Ellen  Downing;  former,  native  of  Pennsylvania, 
the  latter  of  Ohio.  They  came  to  Mercai-  county  in  1864,  and  located  one 
and  a  half  miles  east  of  where  their  son  John  now  resides,  and  where 
they  both  died ;  the  former  in  1873,  at  the  age  of  seventy-two ;  the  latter 
in  1874,  at  the  age  of  sixty-eight  years.  They  were  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  church,  and  their  remains  repose  in  the  cemetery  of  the 
Peniel  church.  John  Downing  came  to  Mercer  county  with  his 
])arents.  He  was  married  in  1863  to  Rachel  J.  Cami)bell,  native  of 
Belmont  county,  Ohio,  daughter  of  John  and  Jane  Cani})bell,  both  of 
Ohio,  and  are  now  residents  of  their  native  state."  Mr.  Downing  has 
by  this  union  iive  children:  Jane  E.,  Maggie  L.,  Robert  L..  Birdie  S., 
and  John  0.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 
He  served  in  company  K,  102d  111.  Vol.,  was  mustered  into  the  service 
in  1862,  served  six  months,  and  was  discharged  because  of  ill  health. 
He  moved  upon  the  farm  where  he  now  lives  in  1877.     His  farm  con- 


266  HISTORY   OF   FIERCER   A^■D    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

tains  150  acres,  which  cost  $50  pp  ■  acre.     It  is  fairly  improved  and 
stocked  witli  a  good  grade  of  cattie,  liogs  and  horses. 

W.  E.  Lemon,  Aledo,  is  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  in  1837, 
son  of  John  and  Eliza  Lemon,  both  of  Pennsylvania.  They  came  to 
Mercer  county  in  1867,  and  located  in  Aledo,  where  they  resided  till 
1871,  when  they  moved  upon  a  farm,  where  the  latter  died  in  1874,  at 
the  age  ol'  fifty-seven  years,  when  the  foi-mer  returned  to  Aledo,  where 
he  now  resides.  Having  sold  his  farm  he  now  lives  a  retired  life.  He 
and  wife  were  Presbyterians.  W.  P.  was  reared  on  the  farm.  His 
educational  training  was  such  as  he  could  get  in  the  district  school. 
During  the  war  he  was  a  member  of  the  home  guards  in  his  native 
state,  and  was  ordered  out  once.  He  was  married  in  1868  to  Alice 
Lair,  native  of  Indiana,  and  came  to  Mercer  when  she  was  a  girl  with 
her  parents.  She  died  in  1870,  at  the  age  of  thirty  years.  He  was 
married  a  second  time  to  Julia  A.  Barcroft,  of  Ohio,  daughter  of 
AVilliam  and  Anna  Barcroft,  both  of  Ohio.  By  this  last  marriage  he 
has  three  children :  Frank,  Lena,  and  Earl.  Mr.  Lemon  has  a  fine 
stock  farm  of  120  acres,  lying  upon  both  sides  of  the  railroad,  three 
and  a  half  miles  west  of  Aledo.  He  keeps  a  high  grade  of  cattle, 
sheep,  hogs  and  horses,  the  latter  of  the  Clidesdale  and  Norman  stock. 
His  sheep  are  of  the  Merino  breed.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Presby- 
terian church  at  Aledo. 

S.  A.  Oliver  was  born  in  1855  in  Henry  county,  Illinois,  and  is  the 
son  of  Pobert  P.  and  Mary  E.  Oliver,  both  of  Ohio,  now  citizens  of 
Henry  county.  By  vocation  they  are  farmers.  S.  A.  was  reared  and 
educated  to  the  farm,  which  pursuit  he  has  always  followed.  His 
early  educational  training  was  such  as  the  common  schools  of  his 
neighborhood  could  ftirnish.  He  was  married  in  1874  to  Maggie  Lyle, 
native  of  Henry  county,  Dlinois^  born  in  1855,  daughter  of  William  and 
Margaret  Lyle,  both  of  Scotland.  They  came  to  Henry  county  with  its 
early  settlers.  By  this  nuirriage  Mr.  Oliver  has  two  children,  twins : 
Marian  and  Mary.  He  came  to  Mercer  county  and  located  in  1879, 
where  he  now  resides.  He  has  a  fjirm  of  eighty  acres,  fairly  improved 
and  stocked  with  a  good  grade  of  cattle,  sheep,  hogs  and  horses. 

G.  W.  PrcKUP,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  is  a  native  of  Iowa,  born 
in  1848,  and  came  with  his  parents,  John  and  Mary  E.  Pickup,  to 
Burlington,  Iowa.  -They  were  natives  of  England,  and  emigrated  to 
America  in  1838.  They  both  died  during  the  cholera  scourge  of  1840, 
tlie  former  before  (t.  AV.  was  born.  G.  W.'s  mother  was  a  member  of 
the  Episcopal  churcli.  In  isc.l  he  enlisted  in  company  D,  7th  111.  Vol., 
ninety  days*  men,  tlieii  le-enlisted  in  com]>any  G,  l(»th  111.  Vol.,  and 
served  till  July  4,  1865.     He  was  in  tlie  siege  of  New  Madrid ;  then 


•1',. 


.  ^''y'-'^-t- 


..^ 


JOHN      GLAUCEY. 


KIJZA    TOWNSHIP.  2^9 

went  to  Mempliis ;  was  in  tlie  ))attles  of  Shiloli  and  Corinth  ;  with  (tgh. 
E.  A.  Payne,  wlio  was  sent  to  reinforce  Xasliville;  in  ls<;8  was  phiced 
in  Rosecrans'  division;  was  in  the  battles  of  Stone  nver,  Chickamaui^a, 
and  was  witli  Sherman's  division  in  his  marcli  to  the  sea,  at  (toMs- 
boroiigli,  and  tlien  went  to  Richmond,  Washiiifi^ton  and  Louisville, 
where  he  was  mnstered  out  of  the  service  July  4,  1S65.  He  was 
married  in  1S71  to  ]\[ary  E.  Grithth,  of  Mercer  county,  born  in  1853, 
and  daughter  of  Charles  and  !^^artha  (ii-iffith;  the  former  of  Indiana, 
the  latter  of  Ireland.  They  came  with  the  early  settlers  to  Mercer 
county,  and  located  in  ]\[illersburg  township,  where  the  former  now 
resides,  his  wife  having  died  in  1879,  aged  sixty-seven  years.  Mr. 
Pickup  by  this  marriage  has  one  child,  George  A.  He  resides  two 
miles  south  of  Millersburg,  on  a  farm  of  eighty  acres,  which  is  nicelv 
improved  and  well  stocked.     In  politics  lie  is  a  republican. 


ELIZA   TOWNSHIP. 

This  is  No.  15,  in  range  5,  of  the  fourth  principal  meridian.  Rock 
Island  county  bounds  it  on  the  north,  and  the  Mississi}»])i  river  on  the 
west.  A  chain  of  irregular  and  abrupt  bluffs  extends  from  north  to 
south,  through  the  center  of  the  township,  from  the  south  line  of 
section  32  to  the  northern  boundary  line  between  Eliza  townshij)  and 
Rock  Island  connty,  at  the  northwest  corner  of  section  0.  Three 
creeks  run  in  a  southwesterly  direction  through  the  town,  the  princii)al 
one  of  which  is  Eliza  creek,  whose  source  is  in  the  N.  E.  J  of  Sec.  12, 
of  Duncan  township.  Fed  by  small  tributaries  on  botli  sides,  it  runs 
southwest  through  that  township,  crossing  the  eastern  boundary  line 
between  the  two  townships  in  the  N.  E.  ^  of  Sec.  24 ;  runs  southwest 
to  the  center  of  section  23;  thence  northwest  to  the  north  section  line 
between  sections  15  and  22  ;  thence  southwest,  crossing  the  west  section 
line  between  sections  21  and  22,  through  sections  21,  29,  30,  25,  and 
36,  and  em])tying  into  the  head  of  lower  Eliza  lake.  Winters- creek 
enters  the  township  in  the  N.  E.  J  of  Sec.  25  ;  flows  southwest  through 
sections  25  and  35.  Glancy  branch  enters  the  townishi])  at  the  north- 
ern boundary  line  between  Eliza  township  and  Rock  Island  county,  in 
section  5,  and  runs  southwest  through  sections  5  and  7.  These  streams 
and  theii-  tributaries  furnish  am]de  sui)plies  of  water  for  stock  at  all 
seasons  of  the  year. 

In  the  western  part  of  the  townslii]i,  below  the  bluffs  and  between 
the  river,  are  nestled  numerous  small  lakes  and  ]>onds.     The  most 
]>i-oininent  of  the  lakes  are  U])])er  Eliza,  (Tlancv,  and  Swan,  the  largest 
10 


270  HISTORY    OF   MERCER    A>,'D    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

being  Swan,  part  of  wliich  extends  south  into  Xew  Boston  township ; 
this  lake  is  two  and  a  half  miles  long  and  a  half  mile  wide,  and,  like  all 
the  rest,  the  water  in  this  lake  is  clear  and  from  four  to  five  feet  in 
depth.  Upper  Eliza  is  one  mile  long  and  a  quarter  mile  vnde,  and 
from  three  to  eight  feet  deep.  Glancy  extends  north  into  Rock  Island 
county,  and  is  about  two  miles  long,  one-eighth  mile  in  width,  and 
i'rom  five  to  twenty  feet  in  depth.  These  lakes  and  tlieir  tributaries  are 
mostly  skirted  with  timber  and  a  species  of  willow  commonly  called 
buck  brush.  The  timber  consists  of  the  various  oaks,  hickory,  maple, 
sycamore,  hockberry,  buckeye,  wild  honey-locust,  ash,  walnut,  and 
pecan,  of  which  a  fine  young  growth  is  now  growing.  Grape  and 
other  wild  climbers  also  abound  along  the  banks  of  creeks  and  lakes. 
These  lakes  and  tributaries  abound  in  game  and  fish  of  fine  flavor,  and 
the  business  of  fishing  is  carried  on  to  some  extent  by  parties  who 
lease  the  grounds  for  that  purpose.  Wild  ducks  and  geese  are  also 
plentiful  in  seasons  when  they  migrate  Irom  north  to  south,  and  vice 
versa. 

The  soil  of  Eliza  township  is  admirably  adapted  to  agricultural 
purposes.  The  land  lying  on  the  southeast  side  of  Eliza  creek  is 
mostly  prairie,  and  is  composed  of  rich  black  loam,  with  yellow  and 
brown  clay  subsoil  in  places,  which  produces  heavy  crops  of  corn  and 
other  agricultural  staples.  The  land  lying  north  of  the  creek  is  undu- 
lating, and,  near  the  bluft',  quite  hilly ;  is  mostly  covered  with  timber, 
and  is  used  for  pasture,  for  which  it  supplies  a  fine  growth  of  blue 
grass. 

The  land  on  the  bluft'  and  in  the  vicinity  of  the  river  seems  to  have 
been  the  favorite  abode  of  the  ancient  mound  builders,  of  which  race 
of  people  we  know  but  little  at  the  present  day.  All  along  below  and 
on  the  summit  of  these  bluft's  can  be  seen  these  mounds,  the  most 
noted  of  which  are  on  sections  28  and  29,  north  of  Jay  Wilson's  farm, 
Martin  Bear  place,  on  section  16,  now  occupied  by  Edwin  Bishop's 
house,  and  on  the  east  part  of  sections  1 9  and  30,  the  most  prominent 
of  which  are  (tn  sections  19  and  3,0.  All  through  the  timber  on  these 
lands  can  be  seen  what  appears  to  have  been  at  one  time  a  line  of 
earth-works,  thrown  up  for  a  defense,  inside  of  which  are  hundreds  of 
these  mounds.  Some  of  them  measure  fortv  feet  at  the  base,  and  on 
top  large  oak  trees,  four  feet  in  diameter,  have  grown.  Many  of  these 
mounds  have  been  o])ened  by  scientific  men  and  curiosity  seekers.  In 
some  of  them  have  been  found  S])ecimens  of  several  grades  of  pottery, 
from  the  common  clay  to  some  artistically  decorated  and  a]»])arcntly 
glazed.  Some  curiously  shaped  pi])es  and  axes  have  also  been  found, 
among  which  was  a  double  edged  one,  having  a  round  hole  in  the 


ELIZA   TOWNSHIP.  271 

center  for  an  eve.  The  most  important  thing  found  in  these  mounds 
was  a  skeleton  measuring  nine  feet  in  lengtli.  Tlie  bones  taken  fi'om 
the  mounds  are  all  well  preserved. 

All  that  portion  of  land  extending  westward  and  nearest  the  river 
is  of  the  finest  quality,  but  owing  to  tlie  exjiosure  to  ovei'ilow  and  the 
damp  nature  of  the  soil  in  seasons  for  y)lanting,  is  not  farmed.  It  is 
covered  with  a  heavy  growth  of  tall  coarse  grass  which  makes  line 
l>asture  for  cattle,  hundreds  of  which  are  grazed  upon  it  annuall}'  and 
hundreds  of  tons  of  hay  are  made  and  stacked  for  winter  use.  The 
land  nearer  the  bluff  is  of  the  finest  grade,  the  soil  being  from  five 
to  ten  feet  deep,  and  susceptible  of  the  highest  state  of  cultivation,  and 
in  favorable  seasons  unaccom])anied  by  overfiow,  has  produced  more 
corn  })er  acre  than  any  other  land  in  the  country;  but  in  seasons  of 
extreme  rtiiny  weather  in  the  northern  states,  it  is  subject  to  ovei-fiow, 
as  was  too  truly  the  experience  in  that  locality  in  the  sj^ring  and  fall  of 
1881.  After  the  farmers  had  planted  their  corn  and  it  had  grown  a 
foot  or  more  the  land  began  to  overfiow,  and  in  the  course  of  a  few  days 
crops  were  completely  submerged  in  a  vast  sea  of  water  extending  from 
the  blufi'  to  the  Mississippi.  Crops  of  all  kinds  were  completely 
destroyed.  Many  cattle,  horses  and  hogs  were  drowned  and  those 
only  were  saved  that  could  be  brought  out  on  fiat-boats.  The  sudden 
and  unexpected  appearance  of  this  fiood  was  without  a  parallel  Xo  the 
oldest  inhabitants.  The  water  reached  a  height  equal  to  that  of  1851, 
soon  subsided  and  disappeared.  The  inhabitants  were  at  first  discour- 
aged at  the  pros})ect  for  a  crop  that  season,  but  they  went  to  work 
re})laiiting  their  corn  hoping  to  be  favored  by  a  long  season  to  mature 
the  second  crop ;  the  second  planting  germinated  and  grew  and  so<jn 
looked  better  than  the  first.  The  season  of  1881  being  unfavorable  for 
corn  throughout  the  state,  proved  the  best  in  this  locality  on  account 
of  the  peculiar  adaptability  of  the  soil.  The  crop  raised  that  season 
was  the  best  in  the  county,  but  when  harvest  time  came  and  the 
farmers  were  about  to  realize  the  results  of  their  labor,  with  corn  at 
sixty  cents  i)er  bushel,  a  repetition  of  what  had  taken  i)lace  in  the 
spring  ensued  ruining  the  crops  and  swee})ing  away  horses,  cattle, 
hay  and  fences.  No  portion  of  land  could  be  seen  anywhere.  Unlike 
the  previous  overfiow  in  the  spring,  the  water  was  slow  to  pass  ofi'and 
covered  the  land  for  two  months,  during  which  time,  drawn  there  by 
the  excellent  feeding,  the  wild  ducks  swarmed  in  by  the  thousands, 
completely  stripj)ing  the  corn  that  was  standing  out  in  the  water. 
Sj)ortsmen  came  from  all  })arts  of  the  state,  the  reports  of  whose  guns 
sounded  to  the  old  soldier  like  a  distant  skirmish  line.  It  has  been 
estimated  that  during  that  season  forty  thousand  ducks  were  killed  and 
shi])ped  from  tluit  ])lace  to  the  large  cities. 


272  HISTORY    OF   MERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

FIRST   SETTLEMENTS. 

The  lirst  early  settlers  of  Eliza,  with  but  few  exceptions,  came  from 
Indiana  and,  in  most  instances,  brought  their  families  with  them, 
making  the  journey  through  the  open  prairie  and  enduring  all  the 
hardships  incident  to  the  times.  There  being  at  that  time  a  few  trad- 
ing places  at  New  Boston,  that  point  was  mostly  aimed  for  on  account 
of  the  freight  and  commercial  advantages  it  then  afforded.  Another 
attraction  was  the  timber  along  the  bluff.  The  majority  of  these 
people  having  been  raised  in  and  adjacent  to  timber  in  the  Ibrmer 
state,  looked  npon  farming  without  the  use  of  timber  as  impracticable, 
and  without  which  they  were  unable  to  constrnct  their  rude  log  cabins 
and  fence  their  farms. 

J.  H.  Witter  was  the  first  settler  in  Eliza  township.  He  came 
from  Indiana  to  Eliza  in  the  spring  of  1833  and  settled  on  Witter's 
creek,  then  named  for  him,  but  afterward  changed  to  Winter,  who  was 
the  next  man  to  settle  near  the  same  place.  Witter  did  not  stay  long 
in  Eliza,  but  sold  out  and  moved  to  Iowa. 

In  the  fall  of  that  year  David  Shaunce  and  family,  accom])anied  by 
his  son,  John  Shaunce,  arrived.  They  entered  the  E.  ^  of  the  S.  E.  J 
of  Sec.  29,  but  by  mistake  settled  on  a  quarter  of  land  in  the  W.  -J-  of 
the  S.  W.  J  of  Sec.  29,  soon  after  which  William  AVilson  and  John 
Hill  came.  AVilson  was  from  Indiana  and  Hill  from  Kentucky.  Hill 
took  a  claim  and  built  the  best  house  then  in  the  to"«Tiship,  on  the  E. 
^  of  the  S.  E.  ^  of  Sec.  29,  which  land  by  right  belonged  to  Shaunce. 
As  soon  as  the  mistake  was  discovered  a  difficulty  between  the  parties 
ensued,  causing  a  bitter  enmity  in  both  men.  After  considerable 
quarreling"  over  the  disputed  land,  Shaunce  sold  it  to  J\Ir.  I).  F. 
Noble  on  condition  that  he  (Shaunce)  should  take  possession  of  the 
l)lace.  Shaunce  first  tried  to  get  Hill  off  the  place  by  legal  process, 
but  failing  in  that  he  then  nndertook  it  by  force,  which  was  the  cause 
of  some  heavy  fist  battles  in  the  neighborhood.  Hill,  howcs'er,  relin- 
quished his  right  to  the  property  by  moving  off  the  premises,  of  which 
Noble  took  possession.  Hill  then  bought  a  piece  of  land  on  section  31, 
where  he  lived  for  a  short  time,  and  sold  out  to  Sanuiel  Elliott  and 
moved  to  Iowa.  Shaunce's  name  is  familiarly  remembered  by  all  the 
old  settlers  of  the  ])resent  time.  His  house  was  the  radiating  point. 
A  traveler  inquiring  the  way  to  a  place  was  invariably  told  that  the 
place  inquired  for  was  so  far  to  or  from  Shaunce's.  Shaunce  was  one 
of  the  first  grand  jurors  chosen  in  the  C(Minty,  and  also  one  of  the  first 
]^arties  in  a  law  suit. 

In  the  spring  of  1834  Silas  Drury  and  father,  accompanietl  by  a 
cousin,   Charles  Drury,   and  J.   P.   Keynolds,   arrived.      Silas  Drury 


ELIZA   TOWNSHIP.  273 

entered  a  piece  of  land,  wliere  he  built  a  cabin  and  lived  until  he  sold 
out  to  Daniel  Noble,  when  he  moved  to  liock  Island  county,  town 
of  Drury,  which  bears  his  name.  lie  then  built  a  large  mill  on 
Co])])eras  creek,  familiarly  known  to  all  the  old  settlers  as  Drury's  mill. 
Mr.  Drury's  lather,  Charles  Drury,  and  J.  P.  Reynolds  did  not  remain 
long  in  Illinois,  but  took  i)assage  on  board  a  steandjoat  at  New  Boston 
on  their  way  back  to  Indiana  by  way  of  Cincinnati.  Reynolds  return- 
ing the  same  season  lived  with  Dr.  Reynolds  until  the  following 
spring  of  ls35,  when  he  was  married  to  Miss  Ilettie  Elliott,  formerly 
from  Morgan  county,  Indiana.  This  was  the  iirst  marriage  in  the 
township,  which  event  is  distinctly  remembered  from  the  circumstance 
that  followed.  Reynolds  died  in  just  four  weeks  after  the  wedding 
day,  and  was  buried  in  Eliza  cemetery,  Charles  Drury,  returning  in 
the  fall  of  1S35,  was  also  nuirried  to  Miss  Nancy  Prentice,  who  died 
eleven  months  after,  lie  then  moved  to  Rock  Island  county  and 
studied  medicine  with  Dr.  Revnolds,  after  which  he  married  Mrs. 
Eliza  McGreer,  moved  back  and  practiced  medicine  throughout  the 
townshi}),  living  upon  what  is  known  as  the  E.  W.  Mardock  farm. 
He  quit  the  practice  of  medicine  in  1851  and  moved  to  Oregon. 

In  the  fall  of  183-4  Jesse  Willits  and  family,  also  from  Indiana, 
settled  on  section  32,  the  place  now  owned  by  Frank  Willits.  Willits 
was  the  first  probate  judge,  and  one  of  the  first  justices  of  the  peace ; 
also  one  of  the  first  grand  jurors  chosen  in  1835.  lie  lived  on  the 
place  where  he  first  settled  until  the  time  of  his  death  in  1S43.  Dr. 
Miivk  AVillits  settled  on  the  same  piece  of  land  \vitli  Jesse  Willits,  on 
section  32,  which  he  sold  after  li\ing  upon  the  place  one  year.  Dr. 
Mark  Willits  was  also  one  of  the  first  grand  jurors  chosen  fi-om  the 
township  that  year.  Dr.  Willits  was  a  native  of  Indiana.  ]\Iark 
Mullen  and  family  arrived  late  in  the  fall  of  that  year  and  settled  on 
section  7,  where  he  built  a  cabin  and  small  blacksmith  shop,  near  the 
bluff,  which  is  still  standing.  Mullen  was  the  first  blacksmith  in  the 
township,  and  it  is  presumed  he  was  not  troubled  much  with  com])e- 
tition,  as  the  nearest  shop  to  him  was  at  North  Henderson,  some  thirty 
miles  distant.  INIullen  lived  but  a  short  time  on  the  place  where  he 
settled,  and  selling  his  place  to  Samuel  Elliott  he  moved  to  Iowa. 
Isaac  Dawson  and  AVilliam  Jackson  came  next.  Dawson  settled  on 
land  now  the  August  Schrader  place,  which  he  sold  to  Martin  A.  Cook 
in  ls.51,  and  moved  to  Iowa.  Both  men  were  from  Montgomery 
county.  Indiana.  Jackson  settled  on  Poj)e  creek,  near  Keithsburg. 
Lewis  Noble  and  family  settled  on  section  32,  where  he  built  a  house 
and  im})roved  a  farm,  which  he  afterward  sold.  :nid  moved  to  Decatur 
countv,  Iowa. 


274  HISTORY   OF   MERCEK   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

Tlie  glowing  accounts  of  the  then  far  west  sent  back  by  those  who 
had  settled  here,  induced  others  to  follow  them,  and  the  next  one 
coming  in  the  spring  of  1S35  was  John  Drury  and  family.  They 
settled  on  section  35,  now  known  as  the  A.  B.  Childs  place,  on  which 
he  lived  until  the  time  of  his  death.  Aaron  Mannon  then  bought  a 
piece  of  land  on  section  29,  which  is  now  owned  by  Harvey  Mills. 
After  Mannon  bought  the  land  he  returned  to  Indiana  for  his  family, 
leaving  his  son,  who  had  come  wdtli  him,  in  charge  of  the  place. 
During  his  father's  absence  he  built  a  house  on  section  30,  which  land 
he  had  entered  soon  after  his  first  arrival  with  his  father.  Ilis  father 
returning  in  the  following  May,  settled  on  section  30,  land  now  owned 
by  W.  H.  Mills.  Abijah  Wilson  and  Allen  Wilson  came  in  the 
summer  of  1835 ;  they  took  up  land  on  section  33,  which  they  after- 
ward sold.  Robert  Childers  settled  on  section  16,  where  he  built  a 
cabin,  lived  a  short  time,  sold  out  and  moved  to  Iowa.  John  and 
William  Fisher  came  in  the  fall  and  settled  on  section  18,  the  Joseph 
Bush  place.  John  also  bought  land  in  section  23.  William  settled  on 
the  Ira  Noble  place,  at  the  foot  of  the  bluff.  Jesse  L.  Adams  settled 
on  section  19,  from  which  place  he  moved  to  section  22,  where  he  now 
resides.  Rezin  Pratt  came  from  Indiana  to  Mercer  county  in  1836. 
He  first  bought  in  section  30,  and  subsequently  bought  land  adjoining. 
He  then  returned  to  Indiana  the  same  season  for  his  family.  Pratt  was 
the  fu'st  postmaster  in  the  township  and  had  his  office  in  the  house  in 
which  he  lived.     He  was  also  the  first  justice  of  the  peace. 

Daniel  Noble  and  family,  accompanied  by  his  son,  D.  F.  Xoble, 
and  wife,  came  soon  after  Pratt.  They  rented  land  the  first  season  of 
Jessie  Willits,  and  the  same  year  Daniel  iSToble  bought  some  land  from 
Silas  Drury,  arid  atthe^ame  time  entered  on  sections  30,  18' and  19. 
He  built  a  house  on  the  S.  E.  |-  of  Sec.  30  the  same  year.  D.  F.  Noble 
fii"st  entered  land  in  sections  31  and  20,  which  he  afterward  sold  ;  he 
also  bought  eighty  acres  in  section  29  at  the  same  time,  as  did  David 
Shaunce,  where  he  first  settled.  He  afterward  bought  land  in  section 
30,  near  the  bluff,  u])on  which  there  was  a  small  house,  in  which  he 
lived  until  1881,  at  which  time  he  built  a  fine  new  frame,  near  the 
site  of  the  old  one.  Thomas  Morgan,  of  Montgomery  county,  Indiana, 
settled  with  his  family  on  section  22,  on  which  place  he  died  in  1S5»>. 
The  place  is  now  owned  by  Martin  Bear,  and  occupied  by  his  son 
Madrew.  The  first  log  cabin  built  upon  the  place  is  still  standing  in 
a  good  state  of  preservation.  Morgan  was  buried  in  Eliza  cemetery. 
Samuel  Elliott  bought  the  Mark  Mullen  ])lace  in  1836,  in  section  7. 
George  Moore  came  in  the  spring  and  settled  on  the  S.  W.  ^  of  Sec.  30, 
which  he  sold  in  the  spnng  to  his  brother  John  Moore,   who  came" 


ELIZA    TOAVXSHIP,  275 

during  the  j^revions  winter,  Moore  started  early  in  tlie  winter  to  make 
the  jonrney  by  boat,  accompanied  by  liis  wife  and  a  small  cliild. 
AVhen  boarding  the  boat  at  Cincinnati  he  fell  througli  u  liatchvvay  and 
was  severely  injured.  On  arriving  at  Fort  Madison  they  found  that 
they  could  not  proceed  farther  by  boat,  owing  to  the  river  being  frozen 
over  at  that  point.  They  left  the  river  at  that  place  and  began  the 
balance  of  the  journey  on  foot,  through  a  wilderness  of  prairie  grass 
and  howling  wolves.  The  sufferings  they  endured  on  account  of  cold 
and  hunger  was  intense,  but  after  several  days  ])ainful  travel,  tired  and 
foot  sore  they  finally  arrived  at  the  house  of  Joseph  Glancey,  where 
they  staved  during  the  winter,  and  in  the  s[)ring  settled  in  EHza 
on  land  bought  of  his  brother  George.  John  Moore  seems  to  have 
been  exceedingly  unlucky,  for  in  the  s])ring  of  1839,  while  in  the 
timber  s])litting  rails,  a  tree  fell  u[)on  him  crippling  him  for  life. 
But  notwithstanding  all  the  sufferings  he  had  previously  endured, 
he  went  to  work  and  built  a  saw-mill  on  Eliza  creek,  the  first  of 
the  kind  in  the  triwnship,  Martin  and  Jacob  Bear  came  next. 
They  started  from  Indiana  about  April  16,  in  company  with  John 
Thompson,  and  Abraham  Piatt.  Thomjoson  and  T^iatt  were  from 
Ohio,  and  settled  in  AYalnut  Grove,  in  Knox  county,  Illinois.  The 
Bears'  outfit  consisted  of  four  yoke  of  oxen  hitched  to  an  old  fashioned 
Virginia  road  wagon,  heavily  loaded,  in  consequence  of  which  the 
journey  was  a  slow  and  tedious  one.  Often  the  drivers  had  to  unhitch 
their  teams  and  carry  their  loads  out  of  a  slough  on  their  backs,  and 
often  tills  interesting  performance  was  re])eated  several  times  during 
each  days'  j<nu-ney.  Many  times  they  would  hitch  all  the  (^xen  to  one 
wagon  to  pull  it  through  a  slough,  and  when  that  failed*  then  the  inter- 
esting process  of  wading  throngh  the  mud  was  resorted  to.  Mr.  Jacob 
Bear's  ex])erience  on  the  occasion  as  related  by  him  must  have  been  an 
exceedingly  interesting  one  to  him.  Among  the  party  there  was  a 
small  child  who  was  very  fond  of  him,  and  when  not  in  his  company 
would  continually  cry  for  him,  and  as  Mr,  Bear's  part  of  the  programme 
was  to  drive  the  cattle,  he  was  forced  to  strap  the  child  to  his  back,  in 
which  manner  they  made  the  trip  to  Illinois  together.  The  party 
arrived  in  Mercer  county  on  the  evening  of  May  10,  1836,  having  been 
twenty-four  days  on  the  road.  Arriving  at  a  point  two  miles  below 
Pope  creek,  they  went  into  camp  for  the  night,  on  top  of  a  high  bluff. 
Tliey  turned  their  cattle  out  to  graze,  built  a  fire  and  began  })re}>arations 
for  su])])ei-.  A  heavy  storm  that  had  been  threatening  for  a  few  hours 
before  suddenly  broke  with  great  violence  upon  the  i>arty,  ])utting  out 
their  fires  and  carrying  away  their  tents,  leaving  them  to  sit  all  night  in 
a  drenching  rain.     As  soon  as  daylight  came,  they  moved  foi-ward  to 


276  HISTORY    OF   FIERCER    A^"D    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

Mrs.  William  "Will its',  where  a  breakfast  was  prepared  for  them,  after 
which  the}'  continued  their  journey,  reaching  the  place  where  they 
settled  and  still  own.  George  and  Isaac  Dawson,  learning  of  their 
arrival  in  the  neighborhood,  concluded  to  frighten  them,  and  accord- 
ingly prepared  their  toilets  in  true  Indian  style,  jjainted  their  faces 
with  blood  root,  and,  to  give  them  a  more  hideous  look,  they  bedaubed 
their  hair  with  yellow  clay,  in  which  style  they  suddenly  rushed  upon 
the  emigrant  party.  It  is  hardly  necessary  to  add  that  the  scheme  had 
the  desired  effect  upon  the  party.  Martin  Bear  bought  his  land  of 
Thomas  Morgan,  on  section  22,  upon  which  he  lived  until  a  few  years 
since  when  he  moved  to  Aledo.  Jacob  Bear  still  lives  where  he  first 
settled,  and  has  at  different  times  since  bought  other  lands  adjoinmg. 
For  the  first  few  years  after  coming  to  the  country,  he  lived  with  his 
brother  Martin.  He  first  broke  ten  acres  the  first  season,  and  built  a 
cabin  near  the  site  of  which  he  has  since  built  a  large  frame  house. 
John  Glancy  settled  in  Eliza  in  1837.  He  still  lives  where  he  first 
settled,  on  section  7.  He  bought  the  land  of  Samuel  Elliott,  and  from 
time  to  time  bouglit  lands  adjoining  it,  and  now  owns  one  of  the  largest 
farms  in  the  county. 

The  Indians  were  plentiful  here  in  the  days  of  the  first  early  settlers. 
They  were  peaceful,  however,  and  disposed  to  ti'ade  honorably  with  the 
whites.  They  belonged  mostly  to  Black  Hawk's  tribe.  Black  Hawk 
himself  was  a  frequent  visitor  to  Mr.  Silas  Drury's  cabin,  where  he  was 
accustomed  to  stop  to  enjoy  a  night's  rest  on  his  cabin  floor.  ,  Among 
Black  Hawk's  tribe  was  one  familiarily  known  to  the  old  settlers  as 
Slim  Jim,  who  was  noted  for  his  cunning,  and  of  whom  many  good 
stories  are  still  told  by  the  surviving  settlers.  Jim  lived  in  the  bottoms 
below  the  bluff',  but  was  quite  fond  of  lounging  about  the  settlers' 
cabins,  and  especially  at  Mark  Mullen's.  One  day  Jim  came  up  out  of 
the  bottom  and  reported  to  Mullen  that  he  had  found  a  bee  tree  in  the 
timber  below,  which,  after  considerable  bartering,  he  succeeded  in 
buying  Jim's  right  in  the  tree  for  one  dollar  in  silver.  Then  Mullen 
and  Jim  started  to  hunt  for  the  tree,  which  they  found  as  Jim  had 
stated.  Mullen  then  set  to  work  chopping  the  tree,  which  was  a  large 
one.  Mr.  D.  F.  Noble  and  John  Pratt,  being  in  the  neighborhood,  on 
hearing  the  noise  went  to  where  the  parties  were  at  work,  and  offered 
their  assistance  for  a  i)art  of  the  honey.  Thus  reinforced  the  tree  soon 
began  to  fall,  and  on  its  downward  course  fell  against  another  near  by, 
breaking  off'  a  large  limb,  from  the  opening  of  which  there  fell  out 
upon  the  snow  a  comb  of  honey,  about  the  size  of  Jim's  fist,  which  he 
quickly  picked  up  and  ate.  Upon  furtlier  examination  it  was  soon 
found  that  Jim  had  got  all  the  honey  the  tree  contained,  besides  a  good 


ELIZA  TOWNSmi'.  277 

joke  on  the  parties  present  and  a  dollar  in  silver.  Mullen  concluded 
to  keep  cool  about  the  matter  and  revenue  himself  in  some  other  way. 
lie  used  to  keej)  li(|uor  for  sale  at  his  cabin,  an  article  that  Jim  had  a 
])cculiar  liking  for.  One  day,  not  long  after  the  bee-tree  transaction, 
Jim's  thirst  ibr  fire  water  became  so  great  as  to  force  him  to  ])awn  a 
line  new  blanket  to  him  for  a  quart  of  the  ardent,  which,  if  he  failed  to 
redeem  in  a  specitied  time,  was  to  be  the  i)roperty  of  ^lulleii.  When 
redemi)tion  day  came  around,  Jim's  cash  account  being  short,  he 
forfeited  his  right  to  the  blanket.  Jim  took  in  the  situation  at  once, 
but  said  nothing,  and  quietly  walking  away  was  not  seen  about  the 
place  for  many  days  after,  and  wdiile  the  settlers  were  feeling  alarmed 
lest  some  evil  had  befallen  him  he  one  day  suddenly  made  his  aj»])ear- 
ance.  with  a  large  powder  horn  filled  with  lead  ore,  which  he  took  into 
^Mullen's  cabin  and  began  to  mold  bullets  from.  This  excited  Mullen's 
curiosity  greatly  to  know  where  Jim  had  found  the  ore.  Upon  inquiry 
Jim  pointed  across  the  ri^■er,  and  by  signs  and  gestures  conveyed  the 
impression  that  the  place  was  quite  a  distance  away.  Mullen  began 
at  once  to  enter  into  negotiations  with  Jim  to  be  conducted  to  the 
El  Dorado.  Mullen  wished  to  start  immediately  for  the  place,  but 
Jim,  pointing  to  the  ground,  told  Mullen  that  the  place  could  not  be 
reached  in  the  winter  season,  but  that  they  must  wait  until  the  grass 
grew  in  the  spring,  so  the  oxen  could  graze.  This  philoso])hical  state- 
ment satisfied  Mullen,  and  he  took  Jim  and  his  squaw  in  the  cabin 
with  him,  where  they  both  enjoyed  Mullen's  hospitalities  during  the 
winter,  but  when  spring  came,  and  they  were  nearly  ready  to  start  for 
the  promised  land,  Jim  suddenly  disappeared,  and  was  not  seen  again 
for  many  years. 

MILLS. 

The  first  mill  built  in  the  township  was  by  Rezin  Pratt  and  John  IL 
Mannon,  about  1837.  It  was  situated  just  above  Daniel  Noble's,  and 
was  built  about  184-1-,  or  1845.  This  was  a  grist  mill,  and  disai)peared 
years  ago.  No  other  mill  has  since  taken  its  jjlace,  owing  to  an  insuffi- 
cient body  of  water  of  late  years  to  run  one.  A  saw  mill,  built  by 
Rezin  Pratt  and  E.  Esley,  stood  on  the  same  stream,  a  little  below  ^Ir. 
Koble's,  and  was  built  somewhat  later;  no  remains  of  it  can  be  seen 
there  now.  The  mill  was  a  large  one  and  was  well  patronizetl  at  tlie 
time.  For  a  long  time  after  this  mill  ceased  running  there  was  no 
other  mill  in  the  township,  until  about  1864,  when  a  steam  saw  mill 
was  erected  by  Jesse  Bogart.  which,  for  the  want  of  jtatronage,  did  not 
do  much  business.  A  steam  grist  mill  for  grinding  feed  was  started  on 
section   IT.  bv  J.  C  Achisoii.      Before  the  establishment  of  the  first 


278  HISTORY    OF   MERCER    AND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

mill  in  the  township,  the  inhabitants,  having  then  to  go  as  far  as  J^ortli 
Henderson  and  Monmouth,  one  man  would  generally  do  the  business 
for  several  of  his  neighbors ;  he  was  usually  detained  fi'oni  six  to  ten 
days,  according  to  the  stage  of  water  and  the  number  of  jjersons  ahead 
awaiting  their  turn.  They  usually  started  with  a  supply  of  rations  and 
feed  for  an  emergency.  The  teams  quartered  about  these  mills  gave 
the  place  the  appearance  of  a  camp-meeting  ground. 

The  only  town  of  importance  in  the  township  was  started  by  Edwin 
Bishop,  who  settled  there  in  1S50.  Being  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  he 
there  started  a  shop  on  the  corners,  and  the  place  was  then  called 
Bishop's  Corners  until  Mr.  Bishop's  appointment  as  postmaster ;  the 
office  having  formerly  been  called  Eliza,  that  name  was  substituted. 
The  place  is  located  near  the  center  of  section  16.  On  or  about  the 
year  1876  Dr.  Thomas  L.  Edwards  bought  a  house  and  moved  to  the 
place,  where  he  followed  his  profession  until  a  few  years  since,  when 
he  retired  from  practice  on  account  of  advanced  age,  and  was  succeeded 
by  Dr.  Reynolds,  who  is  the  only  physician  in  the  place.  Harrison, 
son  of  Edward  Bishop,  built  a  large  house  in  the  place  a  few  years 
ago,  on  the  opposite  corner  from  his  father's,  where  he  resides  and 
follows  the  carpenter  trade.  The  next,  a  building  sixteen  feet  square, 
was  built  for  a  store  by  Isaiah  Bishop  in  1876,  which  was  stocked  and 
opened  up  for  the  first  time  on  the  morning  of  the  annual  town  meet- 
ing of  that  year.  His  stock  consisted  of  a  barrel  of  kerosene  and  a 
few  other  light  goods  which  he  had  carried  on  his  back  from  Muscatine 
the  day  before.  Not  having  a  large  stock,  his  business  at  first  was 
slow  and  perplexing ;  some  of  his  customers  greatly  annoyed  him  by 
calling  for  such  goods  as  they  knew  he  did  not  have  on  hand.  After 
a  careful  survey  of  his  stock,  one  of  his  customers  remarked  that  his 
was  the  only  store  he  ever  saw  which  he  felt  able  to  buy  out.  Bemem- 
bering  the  old  adage,  that  from  small  acorns  large  trees  grow,  he 
continued  in  business,  and  by  carefiil  watching  of  the  wants  of  his 
customers,  has  built  up  a  large  trade,  and  added  an  addition  to  his 
store-room,  which  is  now  well  stocked  with  such  merchandise  as  is 
usually  needed  by  farmers.  Before  the  establishment  of  this  store,  the 
trade  of  the  township  was  divided  between  New  Boston  and  Musca- 
tine, Iowa.  The  place  also  contains  a  jeweler  shop  and  the  business  is 
carried  on  by  Mr.  Taylor. 

Soon  after  the  organization  of,  and  at  the  September  term  of  the 
board  of  supervisors  of  ISo-l,  on  order  was  made  by  that  body  author- 
izing the  issuing  of  a  bond  of  $100,000  to  the  capital  stock  of  the 
Warsaw  &  Rockford  Railroad  Company,  to  be  paid  in  county  bonds  to 
nm  twenty  years  with  interest  at  six  per  cent,  providing  that  the  bonds 


ELIZA    TOWNSHIP.  279 

should  not  be  issued  until  a  sufficient  amount  of  available  capital  stock 
was  subscribed  to  build  the  road  ;  and  providing  tliat  the  monev  from 
the  sale  of  the  bonds  should  be  expended  within  the  limits  of  the 
county.  In  1S55  Mr.  Iliram  Thornton,  agent  for  said  company,  filed 
a  petition  asking  a  modilication  of  the  terms  of  the  bonds,  and  asking 
that  the  bonds  be  made  unconditional  and  payable  on  demand  of  the 
company  or  its  agents.  The  question  of  rescinding  the  former  action 
was  submitted  to  the  voters  of  the  several  townships  in  the  spring  of 
1856.  Eliza  township  cast  eight  votes  for  rescinding  the  former  vote, 
and  twenty-eight  against. 

SPECULATORS. 

For  a  few  years  after  the  first  settlement  here  the  settlers  were 
greatly  annoyed  by  speculators  and  land  grabbers,  in  consequence  of 
which  they  were  ever  upon  the  lookout  for  intruders,  who  usually 
appeared  in  the  guise  of  emigrants  seeking  homes,  therefore  all 
new  comers  were  eyed  with  suspicion.  Upon  one  occasi(m  three 
strangers  were  noticed  in  the  neighborhood  whose  actions  aroused  the 
8usj)icions  of  Mr.  Silas  Drury,  then  sheriff  of  the  county,  as  to  the  real 
nature  of  their  business.  After  carefully  examining  several  of  the  best 
pieces  of  land  in  that  vicinity,  they  came  to  Drury  and  requested  him 
to  show  them  such  lands  as  had  not  already  been  taken,  saying  that 
they  were  seeking  places  upon  which  to  settle.  Supposing  that  they 
were  land  sharks,  he  took  them  up  on  tojD  of  the  bluff  in  a  thickly 
timbered  place  where  left  them,  knowing  that  they  would  get  lost. 
Then  returning  to  his  cabin  he  mounted  a  swift  horse  and  notified  his 
neighbors  of  the  threatening  danger.  They  all  met  that  night  at  a  cabin 
at  the  foot  of  the  bluff  to  determine  the  best  course  to  pursue  in  the  mat- 
ter. Believing  the  parties  to  be  sj)eculators,  they  began  to  realize  the 
importance  of  quick  action,  and  accordingly  concluded  to  gather  all  the 
money  in  the  neighborhood  and  start  Mr.  Drury  to  the  land  office  to  buy 
in  their  lands  for  them.  Drury  left  that  night  in  com[)any  with  a  neighbor 
who  was  going  a  part  of  the  way.  They  took  a  trail  leading  through 
Eock  Island  county,  at  which  place  it  was  their  intention  to  have  staid 
for  the  night,  at  a  cabin  owned  by  one  Dunlap.  On  arriving  they  rode 
up  to  the  cabin,  and  looking  through  a  partly  open  door,  saw  the  same 
parties  whom  Mr.  Drury  had  left  in  the  timber  but  a  few  hours  before. 
Mr.  Drury  at  oitce  came  to  the  conclusion  that  the  parties  were  head- 
ing for  the  land  office,  and  determined  to  get  ahead  of  them  if  possible. 
Not  wishing  to  proceed  farther  that  night,  the  man  accompanying 
Drury  rode  forward  to  the  cabin  and  called  Mr.  Dunlap,  who,  being  in 
sympathy  witli  the  settlers,  was  confidentially  told  their  business.     A 


280  HISTORY    OF   AMERCER   ASH    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

cabin  a  short  distance  away  was  pointed,  out  to  tliem,  where  they  were 
assured  they  could  find  quarters.  Drurj  started  from  that  phice  early 
the  next  morning,  and  reaching  Andalusia  just  at  sun  up  in  the  morn- 
ing, was  directed  to  cross  the  river  at  that  point  and  take  a  trail  made 
the  day  before,  from  Rock  Island  down  the  river  by  drawing  a  log 
through  the  snow,  to  allow  the  Indians  to  go  there  to  trade.  Arriving 
at  Rock  Island  about  noon,  he  stopped  at  a  tavern  kept  by  a  man 
named  Dixon,  who  was  county  clerk  of  the  county.  He  was  instructed 
by  him  as  to  the  route  to  take,  and  also  informed  him  that  he  should 
stop  at  Port  Byron  for  the  night,  which  if  he  passed  he  would  not  find 
another  stopping  place  within  forty  miles.  Soon  after  leaving  Rock 
Island  Mr.  Drury  looked  back  and  saw  a  man  on  horseback,  appar- 
ently in  pursuit,  which  he  supposed  to  be  the  speculator.  On  arriving 
at  Fort  Byron  the  man  o^'ertook  liim  and  remarked  that  Drury  must 
have  a  fine  horse  as  he  had  tried  all  the  afternoon  but  had  failed 
to  overtake  him.  They  left  in  the  morning  in  company,  but  had 
not  gone  far  until  Drury  noticed  that  the  stranger's  horse  was  a 
superior  animal,  which,  not  agreeing  with  the  statement  he  had 
made  the  day  before,  caused  Driu-y  to  fear  that  the  man  was  fol- 
lowing him  for  the  purpose  of  waylaying  him  at  the  first  opportunity. 
After  a  few  hours'  ride  together  he  told  Drury  that  he  had  just  come 
from  Eliza  township,  where  the  day  before  he  had  beaten  a  citizen 
doctor  in  a  horse  race  and  taken  $500  from  him.  Drury  also  noticed  by 
the  actions  of  the  man  that  he  likewise  -suspicioned  him,  and  thus 
the  two  men  rode  along  together  in  silence,  the  one  watching  the 
movements  of  the  other.  Presently  the  stranger  asked  Drury  if  he  had 
any  money  about  him.  He  replied  that  he  had  $2.50  and  was  hurry- 
ing to  get  to  Galena  to  find  work,  and  asked  if  he  was  acquainted  there. 
The  man  said  that  he  was,  but  that  work  was  scarce.  He  ofiered  to 
bet  Drury  that  his  money  was  counterfeit,  and  demanded  an  examina- 
tion, after  which  he  passed  it  back,  and  producing  some  of  the  same 
kind  fi'om  his  own  pocket,  said  that  he  was  well  acquainted  with  the 
parties  in  Galena,  who  made  it.  This  statement  aroused  Drury's  fears 
more  than  ever,  and  as  it  was  now  growing  dark  both  parties  watched 
closer  than  ever.  They  however  reached  Dubuque  in  safety,  and  Drury 
going  straight  to  the  land  office  was  there  informed  that  they  were 
three  weeks  behind  with  their  books  and  that  he  would  have  to  await 
his  turn  to  make  the  entries.  Not  satisfied  he  went  Ijack  and  enlisted 
the  co-operation  of  a  friend  and  the  tw(^  succeeded  in  making  the 
entries  that  same  night.  The  next  morning  just  as  Drury  was  prepar- 
ing to  start  back  the  speculators  made  their  appearance,  and  going  to 
the  office  were  told  that  the  lands  had  all  been  entered  the  day  before, 


ELIZA   TOWNSHIP.  281 

at  wliicli  tliev  broke  out  in  a  fit  of  rao;e  and  said  the  trick  liad  been 
played  by  that  little  sheriff  of  Mercer  county,  and  if  he  conld  be  found 
they  Avould  cowhide  him  within  an  inch  of  his  life.  Instead  of  being 
settlers  looking  for  homes,  they  turned  out  to  be  Virginia  land  agents. 

ROADS. 

The  first  road  laid  out  in  the  township  was  one  leading  from  the 
bluff  to  Rezin  Pratt's  mill,  on  Eliza  creek.  This  road  was  located  in 
1850.  In  the  same  year  a  road  was  laid  out  from  the  blufi"  to  the  old 
Bloomington  road,  at  Bear's.  Another  road,  commencing  where  the 
Millersburg  and  Muscatine  road  crossed  the  county  line,  running  west 
in  Mercer  county,  through  II.  Mardock's  land,  intersecting  the  county 
line  at  John  Boruff's,  then  west  into  Rock  Island  county,  was  laid  out 
in  1851.  A  road  leading  from  George  Scott's  house  in  New  Boston 
township  to  D.  F.  Noble's,  was  laid  out  in  1851. 

A  portion  of  an  old  Indian  trail,  leading  from  New  Boston  to  Bock 
Island,  is  still  yisible  in  the  southeastern  part  of  the  township. 

"       ORGANIZATION. 

The  first  town  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  Daniel  Noble 
A])ril  2,  1854.  J.  P.  Mannon  was  chosen  moderator  and  Joseph 
Leonard  clerk.  The  first  election  resulted  in  the  choice  of  John 
Glancy,  for  supervisor  ;  L.  AV.  Noble,  town  clerk  ;  James  M.  Mannon, 
assessor ;  AYilliam  Irvin,  M.  A.  Cook  and  D.  W.  Noble,  commis- 
sioners of  highways  ;  H.  H.  Randolph  and  G.  W.  Black,  overseers  of 
highways;  Dudley  AVillits,  overseer  of  the  poor;  and  Eli  Mills,  pound- 
master.  The  whole  number  of  votes  cast  was  thirty.  At  an  annual 
town  meeting  held  at  the  school-house  in  district  No.  2,  twenty-five 
votes  were  cast  for  supervisor  ;  twenty  for  town  clerk  ;  twenty-five  for 
assessor ;  twenty-three  for  commissioner  of  highways ;  twenty-four  for 
overseer  of  the  poor,  and  five  for  pound-master.  A  vote  was  taken  to 
decide  the  question  of  township  organization,  which  received  eight 
votes  in  favor,  and  twenty-three  against  it. 

D.  F.  Noble  has  served  as  su])er\'isor  nine  years ;  Martin  Bear,  six  ; 
and  A.  B.  Swisher,  eight  years.  J  II.  Nolan,  J.  Y.  Merritt  and 
J.  H.  Leech  have  each  served  one  year. 

The  Nobles  at  times  held  nearly  all  the  ]3rincipal  ofiices  in  the 
township.  The  Bishops  have  also  held  numerous  ofiices,  notably  that 
of  town  clerk,  which  was  filled  by  one  or  the  other  for  ten  consecutive 
years. 


282  HISTORY   OF   IVIERCER   AIs'D   HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

SOLDIERS. 

At  the  first  breaking  out  of  tlie  late  civil  -svar,  the  question  as  to 
"my  duty  to  go,"  was  responded  to  affirmatively  by  many  of  Eliza's 
truest  patriots,  and  from  the  beginning  to  the  termination  of  the  great 
struggle,  they  bravely  answered  ever}-  call  for  troops  ;  father  and  son 
left  the  farm  to  offer  their  lives,  if  need  be,  that  the  nation  might  be 
perpetuated.  And  it  was  not  until  the  town  liad  almost  exhausted  her 
resources  that  men  were  hired  to  fill  the  quota.  Many  from  Eliza 
enlisted  in  Iowa  regiments,  among  whom  were  P.  Whaley,  B.  R. 
Whaley,  Jasper  Eeed,  David  j^oble,  Mom-oe  Leech,  Eli  Mills,  Pyrhus 
Glancy,  Isaiah  Bishop,  E.  A.  "Wood,  S.  S.  Wood,  Walter  Keneday, 
John  I.  Reed,  Alexander  Irwin,  Harrison  Bishop,  wounded.  Those 
who  enlisted  in  the  102d  reg.  III.  Yol.  Inf.  were :  J.  G.  Merritt  (who 
entered  company  K  as  a  private  and  was  promoted  to  captain,  and 
was  wounded  at  Averysborough,  North  Carolina),  Maclison  Reth- 
erford,  Jacob  A.  Reed,  Thomas  Beverlin,  James  A.  Barlett,  William 
Carr,  Ezra  Fuller,  H.  J.  Frazier,  Josiah  Spicher,  James  R.  Wood, 
Abram  Fuller  (died  of  disease  February  8,  1862),  James  Collier  (died 
of  disease  December  4,  1862),  George  Barlett  (died  May  18,  1864,  of 
wounds  received  at  Resaca),  Noah  Spicher  (died  of  disease  October  IT, 
1863),  Otis  Albee  (discharged  on  account  of  wounds),  Peter  O.  Pierce 
(died  May  IT,  1864),  M.  Biverlin,  John  H.  Murfin,  Franklin  Ferguson, 
Daniel  Knapp,  Walter  Smithers,  Henry  Smithers,  Harvey  J.  Fisher 
(wounded  at  Averysborough,  North  Carolina),  J.  F.  Essly  (enlisted  in 
company  outside  of  the  county),  II.  C.  Esley,  W.  D.  Maladay  (who  was 
killed  at  Stone  River),  and  Van  A.  Noble  (wounded  at  Chickamauga). 

BURIAL  PLACES. 

There  are  several  burial  places  in  the  township,  the  most  noted  of 
which  are  Eliza  and  Leech's.  Eliza  cemetery  is  situated  just  east  of 
Mr.  D.  F.  Noble's  house,  on  top  of  the  bluff,  on  a  beautiful  site  over- 
looking the  Mississippi.  More  than  a  hundred  have  been  buried  here. 
The  first  person  buried  in  this  cemetery  was  Miss  Elizabeth  Pratt,  who 
was  also  the  first  person  to  die  in  the  township.  Leech's  cemetery  is 
located  in  the  northeast  part  of  the  township,  just  south  of  William 
Leech's  house,  and  contains  some  fifty  graves.  There  is  also  a  burial 
])lace  on  the  old  Miller  farm,  and  one  at  John  Clancy's. 

The  first  child  born  in  the  township  was  Mrs.  John  Shaunce. 

TIMBER. 
At  the  time  of  the  first  settlement  of  the  township,  old  timber,  such 
as  the  various  oaks  and  hickory,  ash  and  elm,  was  found  in  abundance 
on  the  upper  lands  along  the  edge  and  on  top  of  the  bluffs  and  in  the 


ELIZA   TOWNSHIP.  283 

bottoms  near  the  lakes,  but  young  timber  could  not  be  found,  having 
been  destroyed  by  prairie  fires  started  by  the  Indians  to  drive  out  the 
deer  and  other  game  to  points  where  they  could  the  more  easily  cap- 
ture them.  Noticing  the  destruction  of  the  young  timber  by  these 
fires,  many  of  the  settlers  began  plowing  around  the  edges  of  the 
timber  to  protect  it,  which  had  the  desired  effect,  and  in  a  few  years 
young  saplings  sprang  uj),  and  where  once  only  large  trees  could  be 
seen  the  ground  is  now  thickly  dotted  with  a  fine  new  growth  of  oaks 
and  hickory  large  enough  to  convert  into  rails.  Many  of  the  large 
oaks  now  standing  were  here  when  the  early  settlers  first  came.  On 
the  land  of  Harrison  Bishop,  pc  large  white  oak  is  standing,  as  straight 
as  an  arrow,  three  feet  through  at  the  base,  and  sixty  feet  to  the  first 
limb,  xbiother,  the  largest  tree  in  the  county,  is  standing  in  tlie  door- 
yard  of  J.  Y.  Merritt.  It  is  an  elm  measuring  37^  feet  in  circum- 
ference at  the  ground,  and  34  feet  three  feet  fi-om  the  ground.  It  is 
108  feet  high  and  has  a  spread  of  top  of  104  feet.  Much  notice  has 
been  taken  of  this  tree  by  the  j^ress  throughout  the  country,  and  having 
several  times  been  measured  by  competent  surveyors  is  pronounced 
the  largest  in  the  county.  It  is  said  that  Black  Hawk  used  to  hold 
council  under  the  shade  of  its  branches. 

LAKES. 

In  the  bottom  lands  west  of  the  bluff  and  near  the  Mississippi 
river  is  nestled  numerous  small  lakes,  all  linked  together  by  a  chain  of 
tributaries  extending  from  one  to  another  from  north  to  south,  the 
currents  in  these  outlets  being  strong  in  places.  The  lakes  are  all  fed 
by  the  under  drainage  of  the  river  and  from  numerous  springs  along 
the  summit  of  the  blufts,  in  consequence  of  which  the  water  is  fresh 
and  clear.  In  many  places  the  lakes  are  shaded  by  large  trees,  and 
the  sun's  silvery  rays  shining  through  the  tree-tops  on  the  face  of  the 
water  gives  it  a  picturesque  beauty.  Fish  and  wild  game  are  plentiful, 
and  the  angler  and  hunter  find  enough  to  occupy  them  pleasantly  for  a 
short  stay.  Late  in  the  summer  season  these  lakes  become  thickly 
matted  along  the  edges  with  a  tall  green  moss  growing  from  the  bottom 
to  the  surface  of  the  water.  At  the  time  of  the  first  settlement  here, 
these  lakes,  with  the  exception  of  Glancy  lake,  were  much  wider  and 
deeper  than  at  the  present  time,  owing  to  the  accumulation  of  decayed 
vegetation  and  continual  washing  from  the  blufi".  Glancy,  however, 
still  maintains  its  usual  depth,  owing  to  a  swift  current  passing  through 
it  from  the  river  in  seasons  of  high  water.  At  the  present  time  the 
depth  of  Glancy  lake  is  from  twenty  to  twenty -five  feet  in  places; 
Eliza,  three  to  five ;  Swan,  four  to  six.  All  along  these  lakes  was 
the  favorite  hunting  ground  of  the  Indians. 


284  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

SCHOOLS. 

Tlie  first  school-house  in  the  township  was  built  on  top  of  the 
bluff,  a  short  distance  from  where  D.  F.  Noble  now  lives.  The  house 
was  built  of  logs,  and  the  first  school  tauglit  in  it  was  presided  over 
by  ]\Iiss  Mary  Ann  Delabar,  and  afterward  by  Miss  Emily  Cawkins. 
The  school  was  kept  up  for  many  years  by  subscription,  until  tlie 
legislature  passed  a  law  authorizing  such  townships  as  desired  to  levy 
a  tax  for  the  maintenance  of  schools,  soon  after  which  a  meeting  was 
called  to  discuss  the  merits  and  demerits  of  changing  to  that  system. 
It  being  determined  at  that  meeting  to  accept  the  provisions  of  that 
act,  the  schools  have  thus  been  kept  u])  ever  since.  Before  the 
change  was  made  the  township  had  but  one  district,  whicli  was  com- 
posed of  what  is  knowTi  now  as  districts  1,  2,  and  3,  since  whicli  the 
town  has  been  divided  into  six  school  districts,  as  follows :  Center, 
No.  1;  Boruff",  No.  2;  Glancy,  No.  3;  AVhite  Eagle,  No.  4;  Eliza 
Creek,  No.  5 ;  Winter  Creek,  No.  6.  The  following,  as  shown  by 
Mr.  A.  B.  Swisher,  present  school  treasurer,  are  the  amounts  received 
and  disbursed  by  him  for  school  purposes  for  the  year  1880 : 

Amount  levied  for  1881 §1,000  00 

State  funds  received 364  62 

Interest  received  from  town  fund 161  65 

$2,126  27 
RELIGIOUS  MEETINGS. 

Many  of  the  early  settlers  here  were  church  members,  and  re- 
ligious meetings  date  from  1836.  At  the  request  of  Mr.  Daniel 
Noble,  the  first  was  held  at  his  son's  (D.  F.  Noble)  house  which,  at 
the  time,  was  the  largest  house  in  the  neighborhood ;  and  afterward 
at  David  Shaunce's  and  other  places  in  the  township,  until  the  first  log 
cabin  was  built  on  the  blufi',  which  was  then  used  for  all  meetings, 
public  and  religious.  The  Methodists  were  the  most  numerous  at  that 
time,  but  the  meetings  were  of  a  union  character,  and  were  partici- 
pated in  by  members  of  all  other  religious  sects.  The  Metliodists 
afterward  became  a  regular  organized  body  here,  which  has  since  been 
broken  up  owing  to  many  of  its  members  having  joined  churches 
located  elsewhere  outside  of  the  townsliip.  They,  however,  as  well  as 
the  Baptists  and  Cln-istians,  still  continue  to  hold  meetings  at  the 
several  school-houses  in  various  ])arts  of  the  town.  Neither  denomina- 
tion being  strong  enough  to  support  a  regular  minister,  the  services 
are  conducted 'by  transient  preachers.  Asa  McMerter  and  Samuel 
l^inkly  were  the  first  preachers,  who  were  at  tliat  time  termed  ex- 
horters.     Soon  after  the  first  log  cabin  on  the  blufi*  was  built,  a  regular 


MARTIN       BEAR 


ELIZA   TOA\TSrSHIP.  287 

camp-Ill ooting  ground  m\is  cstal)lislied  near  the  site  of  it,  wliere  the 
peo])le  of  the  whole  neighbor! lood  congregated  to  worship  and  talk  to 
familiar  friends  and  acquaintances. 

In  1S42  a  kiln  of  brick  was  burned  in  the  township,  on  the  premises 
of  Samuel  Strauss,  from  which  several  houses  in  the  neighborhood  were 
built  the  same  season. 

Eliza  township  has  never  yet  sent  a  man  to  state  j)rison  for  crime. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Maktin  Be.ve,  a  retired  farmer,  now  residing  in  Aledo,  was  born  in 
Northumberland  county,  Catawissa  township,  Pennsylvania,  April  6, 
180S,  and  moved  with  his  father  at  an  early  date,  to  Pickaway  county, 
Ohio,  where  he  was  raised  and  educated  at  a  common  school,  and 
resided  till  his  marriage  with  Miss  Catherine  Dodson,  September  8, 
1831.  In  the  same  month  thev  were  married  thev  emigrated  to  Cov- 
ino-ton,  Fountain  countv,  Indiana,  and  after  a  residence  of  four  years 
there  thev  came  to  Mercer  countv  in  1836,  arrivino;  May  10th  and 
settling  near  Eliza  creek,  in  what  is  now  Eliza  tcnraship.  Jacob  Bear, 
his  brother,  then  a  single  man,  accompanied  and  settled  near  him.  In 
1835  Mr.  Bear  first  came  out  to  look  at  some  land,  and  traveled 
pretty  much  all  over  northern  and  central  Illinois,  and  bought  a  claim 
from  Thomas  Morgan.  In  1836  he  went  to  Galena  and  entered  the 
tract,  with  some  other  pieces  to  which  he  had  obtained  the  choice 
number.  When  Mr.  Bear  came  out  here  in  1835,  somewhere  about 
the  head  of  the  Edwards  river,  night  overtook  him,  and  the  darkness 
was  not  relieved  by  moon  or  stars.  Xo  house  could  be  seen,  so  without 
anything  to  eat,  he  slipped  the  reins  over  his  horse's  head  and  sat 
down  in  the  tall  grass  to  hold  his  horse  while  he  M-as  grazing.  He  fell 
asleep,  and  in  the  morning  when  he  awoke  found  that  his  horse  had 
gotten  away  from  him.  After  iinding  his  horse  he  journeyed  on  and 
the  following  night  reached  Major  Lloyd's  at  Camp  creek  a  little  below 
Millersburii:.  That  was  the  onlv  house  around.  ]\Ir.  Bear  felt  at  home 
here.  The  major  was  bragging  about  the  fat  of  the  land,  which  the 
good  housewife  illustrated  with  a  very  fat  coon  for  supper,  the  first  Mr. 
Bear  had  ever  tasted.  In  early  times  Mr.  Bear  used  to  go  to  Spoon  river 
to  get  his  milling  done,  and  to  Knoxville  to  get  his  plows  sharpened  and 
general  smithing  done.  When  Mr.  Bear  first  came  here  he  found  the 
following  persons  living  in  the  neighborhood  :  Isaac  Dawson,  Esq., 
John  Drury.  Daniel  Xoble,  D.  F,  Noble,  Aaron  Mannon,  Elisha 
Essley,  John  Shaunce,  Isaac  Drury,  William  Fisher,  Jesse  L.  Adams, 
all  from  Indiana  ;  David  Shaunce,  from  Carolina ;  Abijah  Wilson, 
from  Connecticut ;  John  Shaunce  and  Thomas  Morgan,  from  Ohio ; 
17 


288  HISTORY   OF   MERCEK   AND   HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

Martin  Fislier  (father  of  "William  Fislier),  Jacob  Bear  and  John  Pratt, 
all  from  Indiana,  in  1836.  Thomas  Miller  came  about  1837 ;  William 
Eetherford,  in  1840 ;  James  Larue,  about  1812 ;  J.  J.  Huston  arrived 
about  1847 ;  Edwin  Bishop,  in  1850 ;  William  Irvin,  about  1849. 
A.  B.  Cliilas,  still  residing  in  the  township,  settled  here  June,  1838,  at 
which  time  there  were  residing  in  the  northern  part  of  the  township, 
John  Glancey,  William  and  John  Fisher,  Valentine  Boruif  (and  his 
sons,  Felty  and  John),  Miles  Boyd,  and  Martin  Bear.  In  the  northern 
part  of  the  township  was  Daniel  Strauss,  who  fell  from  a  tree  while  gath- 
ering hickorj-nuts,  and  was  partly  devoured  by  hogs  before  found. 
John  Shaunce  lived  near  Boruif 's.  Mr.  Chilas  was  a  blacksmith,  and 
worked  at  his  trade  there ;  was  a  smith  in  New  Boston ;  he  sharpened 
plows  and  shod  horses  for  twenty  miles  around. 

Francis  Laivibert  was  born  in  the  southern  part  of  Ireland,  in  1816, 
and  moved  to  America  with  his  father's  family  in  1840,  landing  first 
at  St.  Johns,  New  Brunswick,  where  he  resided  for  two  ^^ears,  and  then 
went  to  New  York,  in  which  city  he  resided  for  ten  years.  Being  of  a 
roving  dis^^osition,  he  next  went  to  Pennsylvania,  where  he  staid  one 
year ;  then  went  to  Tazewell  county,  Illinois,  where  alter  a  short  stay 
he  started  back  to  New  York,  but  changed  his  mind  when  arriving  at 
St.  Louis,  and  started  north  for  Galena,  at  which  place  he  resided  ten 
months.  He  then  came  to  Pock  Island,  and  from  there  to  Buffalo,  Iowa, 
and  from  there  to  Eliza,  settling  on  section  10,  where  he  made  a  farm 
and  now  resides.  He  was  married  in  Iowa  in  1844  to  Miss  Nancy 
Moore,  who  was  a  native  of  Ohio.  Mr.  Lambert  was  educated  in  this 
country,  and  has  followed  farming  as  an  occupation.  He  began  life 
poor,  but  by  industry  and  close  attention  to  business  has  attained  an 
easier  position  in  life.     In  politics  Mr.  Lambert  is  a  democrat. 

George  Moore,  of  New  Boston  township,  was  born  in  Pickaway 
county,  Ohio,  October  5,  1807.  He  moved  with  his  parents  while 
young,  from  that  state  to  Wayne  county,  Indiana,  in  1814,  where  he 
was  educated  at  a  common  school  and  afterward  worked  at  the  car- 
penter and  wheelwi'ight  trades  until  his  marriage,  when  he  moved  to 
Mercer  county,  settling  in  Eliza,  near  where  D.  F.  Noble  now  lives. 
Since  his  residence  in  the  county  he  has  followed  farming.  In  April, 
1852,  Mr.  Moore  crossed  the  plains  to  Oregon,  and  was  five  months 
making  the  journey,  in  company  with  other  parties.  They  sto])ped 
first  at  Yam  Hill  county,  Oregon,  and  went  from  there  to  the  southern 
part,  where  they  stayed  until  February  20,  then  went  back  to  Yam 
Hill  county,  where  tliey  stayed  until  October  7,  and  then  started  for 
home.  Leaving  Port  Louis,  Oregon,  on  board  a  steamer  they  went  by 
way  of  San  Francisco  and  the  Isthmus  of  Daricn  to  New  York,  then 


KLIZA   TOWNSHIP.  289 

lip  the  Iliidsoii  to  ButJhlo,  and  froin  thence  to  Chicago,  reacliing  home 
December  8,  1853.  Geoi-fi^e  Moore's  great-grandfather  was  born  on 
December  19,  1732.  His  grandmother  was  born  February  24,  1706. 
Mrs.  George  Moore,  wife  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in 
Ohio  September  27,  1813.  They  have  seven  children,  one  of  whom, 
Leslie  G.,  died  a  soldier,  at  St.  Louis,  January  14,  1862.  lie  was  a 
member  of  the  2d  Iowa  cavalry.  Sarah  Jane,  Helen  L.,  Araminta  E., 
Cara,  Robert  C,  are  living.  Ella  Clarissa  is  deceased.  In  religion 
Mr.  Moore  is  a  Universalist,  and  in  i^olitics  a  republican. 

Edwin  Bishop  was  born  in  New  Jersey  October  29,  1815.  and 
moved  with  his  parents  to  this  state  November  13,  1850.  They  made 
the  journey  through  by  canal  and  steamboat  up  the  Mississippi  river, 
landing  first  at  Muscatine,  Iowa,  where  he  stayed  until  December  2, 
1850,  when  he  settled  in  Eliza.  He  received  a  common  school  educa- 
tion in  the  former  state,  and  learned  the  blacksmith  trade,  which  he 
has  followed  during  his  residence  in  Eliza.  Lie  was  married  in  Penn- 
sylvania August  31,  1837,  to  Miss  Sallie  Meeker,  who  was  born  in 
Crawford  county,  that  state,  in  1819.  Mr.  Bishop's  father  was  an 
American  and  his  mother  Scotch.  They  left  New  Jersey  in  January, 
1816,  and  moved  to  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Bishop  has  from  time  to  time 
filled  all  the  various  oftices  in  this  town,  and  has  served  as  justice  of 
the  peace  for  twenty-four  years,  and  is  at  present  postmaster.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  His  family  of  children 
consists  of  Delilah,  Isaiah,  Harrison,  Barbara  A.,  Levi  A.,  and  Sarah 
(deceased). 

Silas  Drury  was  born  in  Pickaway  county,  Ohio,  in  1808,  and 
moved  with  his  parents  to  Wayne  county,  Indiana,  in  1811,  and  from 
Wayne  county  to  Morgan  county  in  1820,  where  he  received  a  common 
school  education  and  was  brought  up  to  farming.  His  father  was 
English  and  his  mother  AVelch.  His  grandfather  was  also  English, 
and  was  born  in  London  (Drury  Lane,  which  bears  the  name  of 
the  familv),  where  he  was  educated  for  a  lawver.  After  this  he 
turned  Quaker  and  moved  to  America,  settling  in  Baltimore,  Mary- 
land, where  he  followed  legal  writing  as  a  profession.  Silas  Drury, 
the  subject  of  the  sketch,  came  from  Indiana  to  Mercer  county  in  the 
spring  of  1834,  just  after  serving  as  a  soldier  in  the  Black  Hawk  war, 
which  service  he  entered  in  1832.  He  first  settled  in  Eliza  township, 
and  was  the  first  sheriff"  elected  in  the  county,  April  6,  1836,  after 
which  he  moved  to  Rock  Island  county,  Illinois,  where  he  now  resides. 
He  has,  since  his  residence  in  that  county,  held  the  office  of  justice  of 
he  peace,  assessor,  and  several  minor  oftices,  for  twenty-six  consccu- 
ive  vears.     ^Ir.  Drurv  is  a  member  of  the  masonic  fraternitv,  and  a 


290  HISTORY    OF   aiERCER    AND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

member  of  the  Illinois  Citj  Lodge ;  also  a  member  of  the  Old  Settlers' 
Association,  of  Eock  Island  county.  In  i)olitics  he  is  a  national. 
His  business  is  farming  and  trading  along  the  river.  He  was  married 
in  Ivock  Island  countv  in  1843  to  Miss  Malinda  Bentley,  by  which 
marriage  they  had  four  children  :  Silas,  Sarah,  Oscar,  and  Byron. 

J.  y.  MERirr,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  boi-n  in  AVayne 
■county,  Indiana,  January  5,  1828,  and  is  the  third  child  of  a  family 
of  eight,  all  of  whom  are  liying  except  Aaron  J.,  who  died  a  soldier 
at  Bardstown,  Kentucky.  He  was  a  member  of  the  36th  reg.  111.  Vol. 
Inf.  Moses,  a  merchant,  resides  in  Appanoose  county,  Iowa.  Eliza, 
wife  of  A.  C.  Reynolds,  whose  husband  is  a  farmer,  also  resides  in 
that  county.  Mary,  wife  of  Samuel  Spangler,  a  farmer,  resides  in 
Whitesides  county,  Illinois,  near  Port  Byron.  Sarah  Free  also  lives  in 
that  county.  Mary  M.  Kirlin  lives  in  Mercer  county,  Illinois.  John, 
a  farmer,  lives  in  Wayne  county,  Indiana.  J.  Y.  Meritt's  mother's 
maiden  name  was  Margaret  Trindall,  and  of  Scotch-Irish  descent ;  was 
raised  in  Allegheny  county,  Pennsylvania.  His  father,  E.  J.  Meritt, 
was  born  and  raised  in  Belmont  county,  Ohio,  and  served  as  a  soldier 
in  the  war  of  1812.  J.  Y.  Meritt  received  a  common  school  education 
in  Indiana,  and  was  there  raised  to  farming.  He  came  to  Mercer 
county,  Illinois,  in  1848,  and  for  the  first  few  years  worked  at  the 
carpenters'  trade,  which  he  picked  up  after  coming  to  the  state.  He 
bought  the  land  where  he  now  resides  in  1856,  and  on  December  25 
of  that  year  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Prine,  and  in  1858  moved 
upon  the  place.  His  residence  is  marked  by  a  large  elm  tree,  the 
largest  tree  in  Mercer  county.  J.  Y.  Meritt  enlisted  in  the  three 
gears'  service  in  the  late  war  in  1862,  as  a  private  in  company  Iv., 
102d  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  was  afterward  jDromoted  to  the  captaincy  of 
the  company,  and  participated  in  all  the  battles  in  which  his  regiment 
was  engaged.  He  was  wounded  at  Avery sborough,  North  Carolina,  in 
March  1865.  Unlike  many  who  enlisted  at  that  time,  he  served  until 
the  close  of  the  war,  in  1865,  when  he  was  mustered  out  of  service 
after  participating  in  the  grand  review  at  Washington,  U.C.  In 
politics  Capt.  Meritt  is  a  republican. 

D.  F.  Noble  was  born  in  Fayette  county,  Indiana,  February 
9,  1813,  and  is  the  son  of  Daniel  and  Sarah  Xoble.  His  father 
is  Scotch-English,  and  was  born  in  !North  Carolina,  August  22,  1787 ; 
his  mother  is  Crerman,  and  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  January  20, 
1788.  His  father  left  Xorth  Carolina  with  his  })arents  at  the  age 
of  six  years,  and  went  to  Tennessee,  where  he  remained  until  he  was 
twenty-one  years  of  age,  at  which  time  he  moved  to  Oliio,  where  he 
was  married  in  1810  to  Miss  Barbara  Fruit,  soon  after  which  he  went 


ELIZA    TttWXSIIII'.  291 

to  Indiana,  where  he  resided  until  1836 ;  he  then  moved  to  ^Mercer 
county,  Illinois.  Jle  was  drafted  for  a  sohlier  in  tlie  war  of  1812,  but 
did  not  serve,  owing  to  the  termination  of  the  war  soon  after  his 
enrolhnent.  Ilis  father  was  a  soldier  in  the  revolutionary  wai*.  On 
comin*!;  to  this  county  Daniel  Xoble  tirst  settled  in  Eliza  township, 
where  he  remained  until  the  time  of  his  death  in  1880,  his  wife  having 
preceded  him  in  1875.  They  were  buried  side  by  side  in  Eliza  ceme- 
tery, which  place  is  marked  by  an  appro])riate  monument.  They  had 
lived  together  sixty-five  years.  D.  F.  Xoble,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  is  widely  and  favorably  known,  ha\ing  from  time  to  time 
served  in  all  the  various  offices  in  this  township.  Soon  after  township 
organization  he  was  elected  supervisor  of  his  town,  which  office  he 
held  for  several  years  in  succession  ;  he  also  served  as  justice  of  the 
peace,  and  was  postmaster  for  twenty  consecutive  years  when  the 
salary  of  the  office  amounted  to  one  dollar  per  year.  After  serving  in 
that  office  for  twenty  years  he  received  his  twenty  years'  salary, 
amounting  to  $20  and  a  few  cents.  During  the  late  war  of  the  re- 
bellion he  was  appointed  enrolling  officer  for  Eliza  and  Millersburg 
townships.  lie  has  also  served  as  school  director  for  thirty-six  con- 
secutive years.  Mr.  Xoble  received  a  common  school  education  in 
Indiana,  and  moved  with  his  parents  to  Eliza  in  1836,  since  which  he 
has  been  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising.  Pie  was  married  in 
Union  county,  Indiana.  January  26,  1836,  to  Miss  Sarah  Pratt,  who 
died  in  1881  and  was  buried  in  Eliza  cemetery.  Eight  children  have 
been  born  to  them,  six  of  whom  are  living.  Miss  Avarilla  married 
Elisha  L.  Essley,  to  whom  four  children  were  born ;  Essley  having 
died,  Mrs.  Essley  married  Michael  Shannahan.  Ira  Xoble  married 
Miss  (Airoline  Reed,  who  also  died.  The  result  of  that  marriage  was 
ten  children,  two  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  Ira  lives  just  a  mile  north 
of  his  father's  place.  David  Xoble  married  Eliza  Hampton,  of  Kock 
Island  county,  and  they  had  five  children,  one  of  whom  died  while 
young.  Miss  Barbara  E.  lives  with  her  father  on  the  home  place. 
J.  F.  Xoble  also  lives  at  home.  Edward  II.  was  married  to  Miss 
C.  A.  Bean  in  1881,  and  lives  with  his  father  and  farms  the  place. 

William  Shields  was  born  in  AVayne  county,  Indiana,  January  9, 
1819.  He  there  received  a  common  school  education,  and  was  also 
raised  to  fanning.  His  father  was  a  native  of  Westmoreland  county, 
A'irginia;  and  his  mother,  of  Kentucky.  They  moved  to  Hamilton 
county,  Ohio,  wdiere  they  were  married.  William  Shields  came  to 
Mercer  county  in  the  spring  of  1840,  and  first  settled  in  Xew  Boston 
township,  after  which  he  moved  to  Eliza  and  settled  on  section  33, 
which  land  was  then  owned  by  Abijah  Wilson,  whose  daughter  Lucy 


292  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   A^TD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

he  married  April  12,  1849.  His  father  and  motlier  foUowing  in  the 
same  fall,  settled  in  ISTew  Boston  township,  in  sight  of  their  son's  resi- 
dence. William  Shields  has  long  been  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcoj^al  church,  and  also  a  Mason  for  thirty-two  years ;  he  is  a  mem- 
ber of  Xew  Boston  Lodge,  I^o.  59.  Out  of  a  family  of  eight  children 
only  three  are  living:  Mariah  AYillits,  Ira,  and  Jo.  The  two  last 
named  are  living  with  their  parents. 

John  Glancey,  a  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  was  born  in  York  county, 
Pennsylvania,  January  11,  1800.  He  moved  with  his  brother  from 
that  state  to  Indiana  in  1820,  where  he  received  a  common  school 
education,  and  for  a  while  after  followed  wool  carding  and  cloth 
dressing.  Joseph  Glancey,  his  father,  was  Irish ;  and  his  mother, 
whose  maiden  name  was  Maith  Willits,  was  English  and  the  second 
wife,  his  father  having  been  twice  married.  Mr.  Glancey  was  the  sixth 
child  of  that  family.  His  father's  third  wife  was  Lura  Chambers. 
Mrs.  John  Glancey ""s  father's  name  was  Robert  Moore,  Scotch-Irish ; 
his  mother's  maiden  name  was  Deborah  Willitts,  of  English  descent, 
and  having  formerly  li^-ed  in  York  county,  Pennsylvania,  moved  from 
that  state  to  Ohio,  and  then  to  Indiana  in  1812.  Mrs.  Glancey's  father 
was  married  twice,  and  Mrs.  Glancey  is  the  seventh  child  of  the  second 
family.  John  Glancey,  the  subject  of  the  sketch,  came  to  Illinois  and 
settled  in  Eliza  in  1837,  and  still  resides  where  he  first  settled.  Mr. 
Glancey's  name  has  been  familiar  to  the  public  for  many  years.  The 
most  striking  points  in  his  character  are  his  disposition  to  help  others 
in  their  life  struggles ;  his  generosity ;  his  animated  and  kind  nature ; 
his  earnestness  in  his  neighbors'  success  ;  and  these  have  made  for  him 
friends  everywhere,  and  he  lives  to  see  his  bright  dreams  realized  at 
the  golden  age  of  eighty-two.  Mr.  Glance}'  was  elected  first  super- 
visor of  his  township;  he  was  also  one  of  the  first  county  commis- 
sioners. 

John  Mason  was  born  in  Switzerland,  December  8,  1812.  Casper 
Mason,  his  father,  was  born  in  the  same  parish  in  1787,  as  was  also  his 
grandfather,  Casper,  July  11,  1762.  Jacob  John  Mason,  son  of  Casper, 
was  born  in  the  same  parish,  October  28,  1722.  Susana,  wife  of  John 
Mason,  was  also  born  in  the  same  parish,  May  3,  1816.  They  were 
married  January  10,  1834,  by  which  marriage  they  had  eight  children  : 
Jacob,  Henry,  Albert,  August,  Jacob  John,  and  John.  Two  not 
named  died  in  inlancy.  Jolm  Mason  received  a  liigli  school  educa- 
tion in  the  parish,  which  school  was  controlled  by  the  family.  He. also 
served  as  a  soldier  in  the  Zurich  war  before  coming  to  this  country. 
He  left  his  native  country  for  America  June  20,  1847,  and  arrived  at 
New  York  city  July  21.     After  his  arrival  in  this  countiy  he  sj)ent 


ELIZA   TOWNSHIP.  293 

several  years  traveling  from  place  to  place,  finally  settling  in  Berks 
county,  Pennsylvania,  where  be  remained  six  years,  from  which  place 
he  moved  to  "Wayne  county,  Indiana,  where  he  stayed  ten  months. 
He  then  came  to  Illinois,  settling  on  the  Essley  place.  After  a  resi- 
dence of  five  years  he  moved  where  he  now  resides.  Like  many 
others  of  the  first  settlers,  ]\Ir.  Mason's  circumstances  in  life  were 
exceedingly  limited,  but  by  industry  and  economy  in  his  business  he 
has  managed  to  acquire  a  good  farm,  with  plenty  around  him. 

Thomas  Beverlin  was  born  in  Wayne  county,  Indiana,  I^overaber 
10,  18Jr3.  His  father  was  born  in  Hamilton  county,  Indiana,  and  his 
mother  in  Virginia.  They  were  married  in  Indiana,  and.  moved  to 
this  state  in  IS-iO.  Thomas  Beverlin  received  a  common  school  educa- 
tion in  this  state,  having  come  with  his  parents  while  young.  His 
occupation  is  that  of  farming.  He  enlisted  in  the  three  years'  service 
in  the  late  war  in  lS*i2,  in  company  K,  102d  111.  A"ol.  Inf ,  commanded 
by  Capt.  J.  Y.  Meritt,  and  after  serving  for  nearly  three  years  was 
mustered  out  of  the  service  in  1865,  having  been  engaged  in  all  the 
battles  with  his  regiment.  On  arriving  in  Illinois  Mr.  Beverlin's 
father  first  settled  in  Bock  Island  county  and  afterward  in  Eliza,  Mercer 
county,  on  the  place  where  Henry  Brockett  now  lives,  at  which  place 
he  died  August  8,  1878.  His  family  consisted  of  eight  children,  of 
whom  only  tAvo  are  now  li^'ing.  Thomas  Beverlin  was  married  July 
16,  1866,  to  Miss  Mary  L.  Denison.  Four  children  born  to  them  are 
all  living:  Emaranda,  Fannie  E.,  Estel,  and  Carrie.  Mr.  Beverlin  is  a 
memWr  of  the  republican  party,  and  also  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
fraternity,  Illinois  City  Lodge,  I'l(jck  Island  county. 

August  Schrader,  a  native  of  Germany,  was  born  in  King  county, 
Hanover,  December  27,  1830.  He  was  educated  at  a  common  school, 
and  afterward  learned  the  wheelwright  trade,  which  he  followed  until 
he  came  with  his  parents  to  America.  The  family  first  landed  in  iVew 
Orleans,  where  they  remained  a  short  time,  and  then  moved  to  Mercer 
county,  settling  at  Xew  Boston,  where  August  followed  his  trade  for  a 
while.  After  a  residence  of  twelve  years  at  Xew  Boston  he  moved  to 
Eliza,  settling  on  the  old  Martin  A.  Cook  farm,  which  he  imju-oved  and 
still  resides  upon.  Mr.  Schrader  was  married  in  ^S'ew  Boston  in  1851. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  E]>iscopal  church  and  also  of  the 
masonic  lodge  of  that  city.     In  })olitics  he  is  a  re}»ublican. 

Jacob  Bear  was  born  in  Pickawav  countv,  Ohio,  November  29, 
1812.  Peter  Bear,  his  father,  was  a  German,  a  native  of  Hamburg, 
who  on  fii'st  coming  to  America  settled  in  Pennsylvania,  after  which  he 
moved  to  Pickaway  county,  Ohio,  about  the  year  1811.  Catharine,  his 
mother,  was  a  native  of  Pennsvlvania  also.     Jacob  Bear  is  the  third 


294  HISTOET    OF   MEKCEE   A2s'D    IIEXDEKSON    COUKTIES. 

child  of  a  fiimily  of  eight,  six  of  whom  are  still  living.  lie  came  to 
Mercer  county  in  company  with  his  brother  Martin  in  1836,  and 
immediately  began  improving  a  farm,  upon  which  he  broke  ten  acres 
the  fii-st  year.  He  was  married  in  1844  to  Miss  Jemima  Carson,  of 
Morgan  county,  Ohio.  His  family  are  Clinton,  Carlton,  and  Holland. 
Clinton  is  at  home.  Carlton  is  at  present  absent  from  home.  Holland 
is  deceased.  Mr.  Bear  received  a  common  school  education  in  Indiana 
and  was  brought  up  to  farming.  He  is  now  engaged  in  farming  and 
stock  i-aising. 

JoHX  HoiPHEiES  Leech  was  born  April  8,  1811, -in  Monroe  county, 
now  West  Virginia.  His  parents  were  Chichester  and  Margaret 
Leech.  His  mother's  maiden  name  was  Humphries.  Chichester 
Leech  was  born  in  Culpepper,  Yirginia.  His  parents  were  Andrew 
and  Elizabeth  Leech.  Chichester  Leech  was  of  English  origin,  his 
grandparents  being  among  the  first  early  settlers  of  America.  Losing 
his  father  very  vouno;,  his  mother  married  one  Burns  and  moved  west 
to  Monroe  countv.  He  had  two  uncles  in  the  revolution,  George  and 
Valentine  Leech,  who .  entered  that  service  at  the  age  of  sixteen  and 
eighteen.  They  went  to  Georgia  and  were  never  after  heard  of. 
Margaret  Humphries  was  the  daughter  of  John  and  Catharine  Hum- 
phries, whose  name  before  marriage  was  Dickison.  Her  parents 
were  from  Ireland,  but  raised  in  America,  near  the  Cow  Pasture 
river  in  Virginia.  John  Humphries  was  raised  in  Ireland,  near 
Dublin.  His  mother  was  the  only  daughter  of  Sir  Toby  Butler,  lord 
mayor  of  Dublin.  Young  Humphries  lirst  landed  in  Pennsylvania, 
and  from  thence  went  to  Virginia,  where  he  became  acquainted  with 
and  married  Catharine  Dickison,  after  which  he  moved  to  AVest 
Vu-ginia.  He  there  laid  a  warrant  on  1,0U0  acres  of  land,  had  the 
same  surveyed  and  recorded  at  Pichmond.  He  there  made  his  home, 
and  raised  a  family  of  ten  children,  six  boys  and  four  girls,  namely : 
John,  James,  William,  Samuel,  Pichard,  Pobert,  Elizabeth,  Isabel, 
Margaret,  and  Martha.  John  was  a  miller  by  trade,  Pobert  a  shoe- 
maker; the  rest  were  all  farmers.  Samuel  and  Pobert  were  in  the 
war  of  1812.  Pobert  was  present  at  the  surrender  of  Hull  in  Canada. 
After  the  war  he  moved  to  Calloway  county  in  1818.  Pichard,  follow- 
ing in  1820,  settled  in  the  same  county  where,  after  a  short  time,  they 
were  followed  by  their  grandparents,  accompanied  by  Isabel  Carlton 
and  husband,  the  rest  of  the  familv  remaininc;  in  A^irs-inia,  where  thev 
died.  William  was  elected  high  sheriff  of  tlie  county  where  he  was 
raised.  Pichard  was  elected  county  judge  in  jNIissouri,  and  was  also 
there  elected  to  the  legislature  of  that  state.  In  1832  Chichester  Leech 
and  a  family  of  nine  children,  all  single  but  Samuel,  started  for  ]\Luli- 


ELIZA   TOWNSHIP.  295 

son  county,  Indiana,  on  which  journey  tliey  lost  one  of  the  fjunily. 
On  the  fourth  morning  of  their  journey  they  met  tliirty-fiye  droyes  of 
hogs  being  driyen  from  Kentucky  to  the  markets  of  Phihi(k'l]^liia, 
Baltimore,  and  Richmon(h  The  journey  was  an  exceedingly  hazardous 
one,  it  haying  rained  almost  incessantly  and  the  muddy  roads  were 
almost  impassable.  ( )n  the  lirst  day  of  Deceudjer  the  party  arriyed  at 
Henry  Warner's,  in  AVayne  county,  where  they  went  into  a  log  cabin 
for  the  winter.  Here  they  i'ound  times  good;  wheat  50  cents  per 
bushel;  corn,  374^;  ])ork,  83  per  hundred;  day's  wages,  37^  cents; 
rail-making,  37^  cents  per  hundred.  When  the  spring  opened  up  the 
])arty  started  for  Madison  county,  forty  miles  distant,  which  place  they 
reached  in  a  week's  trayel.  J.  1 1.  Leech  at  this  time  was  twenty-two 
years  old,  and  he  concluded  to  begin  life  for  himself,  and  accordingly 
api)renticed  himself  to  C.  T.  Ilooyer,  a  cabinet  maker  of  Pendleton. 
At  this  jilace  in  1.S42  malarial  feyer  was  prevalent  and  the  family 
suli'ered  terribly  from  its  rayaji:es,  their  father  falling  a  yictim  to  the 
malady  in  the  s[)ring  of  1835.  The  family  still  stayed  at  Madison, 
where  they  experienced  the  financial  crash  of  1837.  This  caused  a 
reverse  in  tlie  family  affairs,  ending  in  great  financial  ditliculty  to 
them.  At  tliis  time  J.  II.  Leech  wt'iit  into  partnership  witli  Samuel 
Dale,  his  old  employer,  bought  his  uncle's  interest,  and  they  carried  on 
the  Ijusiness  until  1830,  when  Leech  entered  tlie  carpenter  trade  Ayitli 
Isaac  Williams.  In  the  fall  of  that  year,  money  being  scarce,  they 
wound  up  that  business,  and  from  that  time  till  1842  they  were  en- 
gaged in  fixing  u|)  their  business  preparatory  to  moving  farther  west, 
and  in  that  tall  they  came  to  Illinois,  first  landing  in  Mercer  county 
near  where  J.  Y.  Merritt  now  lives,  on  section  31.  In  the  early  i)art 
of  1839  Mr.  Leech  was  married  to  Eiener  R.  Sibley,  by  which  mar- 
riage they  have  had  eight  children,  as  foHows:  James  W.,  Marianna 
II.,  Leander  M.  (who  was  a  member  (jf  the  9th  Iowa  cavalry), 
Corydon,  Adolphus  M.,  Sarah  E.,  A'irginia  C.  and  Mary  B. 

The  Leeches  are  widely  and  finorably  known  throughout  Mercer 
county.  They  came  to  Mercer  county  in  an  early  day,  with  but  little 
means  with  which  to  begin  life  in  the  new  country,  but  by  energy  and 
honest  diligence  have  attained  an  enviable  position  in  the  comnuniity 
in  wliich  they  live.  The  three  brothers,  William,  Andrew,  and 
J.  II.,  live  but  a  few  miles  a})art  in  Eliza  township.  William  Leech 
was  born  in  Monroe  county,  Virginia,  in  1821,  and  came  to  this  state 
at  the  age  of  twenty-one.  He  was  married  in  Eliza  township  to  Miss 
Eliza  Spirling.  Viewing  his  fine  residence  now  one  would  hardly 
suppose  that   lie  came  to  this  country  with   but  .half  a  dollar  in   his 


296  HISTORY   OF    MERCER    A^T)    HEXDERSON   COUNTIES. 

pocket,  ret  such  was  the  case.  Andrew  Leech  was  born  in  Virginia, 
in  1S19,  and  when  he  left  that  state  for  Indiana  was  but  twelve  rears 
old.  After  his  arrival  in  Mercer  county  he  first  bought  eighty  acres 
before  he  was  married  to  Miss  Matilda  Spirling.  His  wife  was  bom 
December  25,  1830.  From  this  union  they  had  born  to  them  :  Daniel, 
AVilliam,  Eliza  J..  Delphia  A.,  George  R.,  Mary  E.,  Ulysses  G., 
Susan  F.,  and  D.  A.  Leech.  His  daughter,  Eliza  J.,  married 
S.  W.  Anderson,  who  died  October  22,  1873.  George  married 
Maggie  Sloan  December  26,  1878.     Delphia  died  June  27,  1867. 

Mrs.  Hariet  Xoble,  widow  of  Jonathan  Xoble,  formerly  a  native 
of  Indiana,  was  born  in  that  state  in  1821.  He  spent  his  youth  in  that 
state  where  he  also  received  a  part  of  his  education,  finishing  in  Illinois 
after  his  removal  here  with  his  parents.  He  was  married  in  1861  to 
Miss  Harriet  Irvin,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  Eight  children  resulted 
in  this  union :  Peter,  George,  Cora,  Omar,  Charles,  Jennie,  Beecher, 
and  Henry,  named  in  order.  Mr.  Xoble  first  began  business  with  his 
father  which  he  continued  for  some  length  of  time,  when  he  removed 
to  Iowa  where  he  purchased  160  acres  of  land  near  Iowa  City.  Then 
returning  he  was  married  and  soon  after  bought  a  farm  of  280  acres 
on  sections  17  and  18,  upon  which  Mrs.  Koble  is  now  living,  and 
which  is  sujDcrintended  by  the  oldest  son.  Mr.  Xoble  was  a  hard- 
working, thorough  business  man,  and  highly  esteemed  by  all  who 
knew  him.     He  was  a  member  of  the  masonic  fraternity. 

Ira  Noble,  son  of  D.  F.  Xoble,  was  born  in  Mercer  county  in  1839, 
and  was  married  in  1860  to  Miss  Caroline  Reed,  of  the  same  county. 
She  died  December  28,  1878,  leaving  a  large  family  of  children,  all  of 
whom  are  residing  at  home  with  their  father:  Sarah,  Eva,  Blanch, 
Clarinda,  Gertie,  Avarilla,  Tom,  and  Caroline.  The  two  oldest,  Fred 
and  Flora,  were  t^vins  and  died  while  young.  Mr.  Xoble  is  a  repub- 
lican in  politics,  and  a  member  of  the  masonic  order  of  Xew  Boston. 

Mrs.  Eliza  Martin,  wife  of  the  late  sergeant  J.  Martin,  was  born 
in  Franklin  county,  Ohio,  and  went  from  there  to  Burlington,  Iowa,  in 
company  with  her  sister  in  1859.  Mrs.  Martin  has  been  twice  married, 
first  to  Charles  Sabin,  after  whose  death,  July  19,  1865,  she  married  a 
second  time  to  J.  Martin,  who  was  well  and  favorably  known,  especially 
among  his  army  associates,  whose  friendship  and  esteem  he  merited. 
He  was  chosen  first  sergeant  of  his  com})any,  124th  Vol.  Inf.,  and 
credibly  distinguished  himself  in  the  battles  of  Raymond,  Jackson, 
Fort  Gibson,  Champion  Hill,  Fort  Hill,  Siege  of  A'icksburg,  Browns- 
ville, Spanish  Fort,  Yazoo  City,  Benton,  and  was  present  with  his 
regiment  during  th«  ^Nft-ridian  cam]iaign.     He  served  from  the  com- 


ELIZA   TuWXsIIir.  207 

menccment  of  tlie  o;reat  struggle  to  its  close  in  1S65.  He  died  in  1S70, 
leaving  four  cliildri'ii  to  lament  his  deatli :  Albert  J.,  Laura,  Grant, 
and  Jenny.     Grant  is  superinten<ling  tlie  farm. 

L.  B.  NoHLE,  son  of  Lewis  and  Matilda  Xoble,  was  born  in  Eliza 
townslii])  in  LS39.  Ills  gi'oat-grandfatlier  was  Irish  and  his  great- 
grandmother  English.  They  settled  in  Virginia  in  an  early  day,  where 
our  subject's  grandparents  were  born  and  raised  near  Lynchburg,  and 
where  his  parents  were  also  born.  They  mo\'ed  from  that  state  to 
Tennessee,  then  to  Ohio  and  from  there  to  Lidiana,  in  an  early  day. 
Here  they  resided  about  twenty  years,  after  which  they  moved  to  this 
state  in  1834,  and  were  among  the  first  early  settlers  of  the  townshi}). 
Lnmediately  after  arriving  here  he  took  a  claim  and  began  improving 
a  farm  upon  which  our  subject  was  raised.  L.  B.  Xoble  enlisted  in 
the  late  war,  in  the  !2Tth  111.  Inf..  in  which  he  served  three  years.  He 
was  wounded  at  Kenesaw  Mountain  in  1864.  After  the  close  of  the 
war  he  returned  home  and  continued  farming.  In  1873  he  was 
mai-ried  to  Miss  Irabell  Stephens,  of  Adams  county,  Iowa.  By  this 
marriage  they  had  four  children:  Archer  L.,  Elsie  M.,  Don  L.,  and 
Ethel  J.,  all  whom  are  residing  at  home. 

John  PRArr,  son  of  John  and  Avarilla  Pratt,  and  brother  of  Rezin 
Pratt,  was  born  in  Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1815.  His  father, 
a  German  by  descent,  and  a  native  of  Maryland,  moved  w4th  his 
parents  to  Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  a  very  early  day,  where 
he  was  married  to  Mrs.  Avarilla  Boner.  Eleven  children  was  the 
result  of  this  union,  all  born  in  Pennsylvania.  His  father  first  mo^'ed 
to  Union  county,  Indiana,  in  1830,  where  they  remained  until  1838,  at 
which  time  they  moved  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  first  settling  in 
Eliza  township,  on  section  29,  where  he  lived  until  thej'  moved  to  his 
son  Jonas'  house  in  Xew  Boston  to^\^lship.  Here  he  died,  his  wife 
following  seven  years  later.  His  oldest  daughter,  Eliza,  died  in  1830, 
and  was  tlie  first  death  in  Eliza  township.  They  are  all  reposing  in 
the  Eliza  Creek  cemetery.  Benjamin  died  in  1868,  Lacey,  in  1866, 
and  liezin  in  1880.  Jonah  resides  in  New  Boston  township  where  he 
settled  about  the  year  1852.  Xancy,  widow  of  AVesley  Wicks,  resides 
with  her  brother  Jonah.  Avarilla,  wife  of  Elisha  Essley,  resides  in 
Kansas.  Tamar  resides  in  X'ew  Boston.  Annie,  wife  of  John  Dun- 
gan,  in  Kansas.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  in  1852  to 
Miss  Xancy  Fergason,  by  which  marriage  they  have  had  nine  children 
born  to  them.  Sarah,  the  oldest,  married  Joel  Woodward,  a  farmer, 
and  they  reside  in  Adams  county,  Iowa.  Avarilla,  wife  of  Oliver 
Essley,  also  resides  in  the  same  county.     Louis  married  Miss  M.  Mol- 


298  IlISTOKY    r)F    MERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

iiiger,  of  Iowa.  ^Mary.  wife  of  Henry  Taylor,  resides  in  Adams  county, 
Iowa.  Nancy,  wife  of  Jolm  Jones,  resides  in  Adams  connty,  Iowa. 
Harvey,  Malisse,  Riitli.  and  Xellie  are  at  home  with  their  parents. 
Our  subject  began  the  busines  of  farming  in  Eliza  township,  on  section 
30,  where  he  lived  five  years  and  in  1853  bought  a  farm  in  section  36 
and  soon  after  eighty  acres  adjoining  it,  where  he  built  a  handsome 
residence  and  is  now  living  in  comfort  and  ease.  His  business  has 
been  tarming  and  stock  raising. 


PERRYTON  TOWNSHIP. 

In  writing  a  history  of  the  town  of  Perryton,  I  have  considered 
it  desirable  to  embrace  in  it  only  those  facts  that  at  present  have 
no  historical  record  in  existence  elsewhere,  and  which  would  otherwise 
be  lost  with  the  present  generation.  I  have  also  endeavored,  as  far  as 
possible,  to  place  myself  with  the  people  who  will  occupy  our  places  at 
the  recurrence  of  our  national  centennial  anniversary,  and  relate  such 
things  as  will  be  of  most  interest  to  them,  as  well  as  our  more  imme- 
diate successors. 

Owing  to  the  fact  that  the  earlier  settlers  kept  no  written  history  or 
record  or  even  regular  accounts,  and  also  to  the  fact  that  many  of  them 
have  died  or  moved  to  distant  localities,  it  has  been  very  difficult  to 
gather  the  facts  herein  recorded,  and  they  must  be  my  excuse  for  any 
errors  of  matter  or  data  herein  contained. 

I  would  here  acknowledge  my  indebtedness  to  all  those  who  have 
kindly  furnished  assistance  in  this  historical  record  of  the  town  of  Per- 
ryton, and  I  would  especially  acknowledge  my  obligaticjns  to  William 
Doak,  now  living  among  us,  and  to  Abraham  Miller,  Jr.,  who  since 
1847  has  resided  in  Oregon. 

The  ^Jhysical  features  of  the  town  that  will  not  change  with  time, 
are  only  those  that  are  aftected  by  amount  of  prairie  woodland  and 
such  features  of  water  courses  as  would  be  aftected  by  cultivation  and 
by  domestic  animals.  When  the  white  man  came  he  found  the  surface 
in  the  condition  created  by  natural  causes,  or  as  aftected  by  the  annual 
prairie  fires  of  the  Indians.  Tlie  better  and  more  level  land  was  prairie 
covered  by  a  coat  of  mixed  natural  grasses  and  plants  that  grew  in 
stools,  each  independently,  to  the  height  of  eighteen  to  twenty-four 
inches ;  some  like  the  polar  plant,  or  rosin  weed,  running  up  in 
alternate  years  to  five  or  six  feet.  The  ground  seemed  covered  like  a 
meadow,  yet  there  was  no  sward  as  in  blue  grass,  altliough  the  matting 


PKRKYTOX    ToW.NSIIIl'.  209 

of  roots  l)olow  bound  the  soil  very  firmlv,  oacli  ])lmit  growing  by 
itself  as  u  tuft.  As  a  })astnrc  and  for  hay,  it  would  yield  from  one  to 
two  tons  i)er  ac)"e,  and  most  of  the  plants  were  eaten  by  stock,  but 
when  closely  pastured  were  sure  to  die  out,  giving  place,  subsequently, 
to  the  cultivated  grasses.  The  broken  grounds  furnished  the  same 
grasses  but  in  much  less  quantity,  and  in  many  places  the  coat  was  so 
light  that  the  autumn  fires  were  not  hot  enough  to  destroy  certain  kinds 
of  timber  in  the  most  protected  places,  as  on  the  south  sides  of  ravines 
and  creeks,  and  such  as  black  oak  and  white  hickory.  In  some  few 
places  the  more  valuable  white  and  burr  oaks  had  established  small 
groves. 

As  it  may  in  the  future  be  desirable  to  know  what  part  of  the  to\vn 
once  grew  timber,  I  will  in  brief  specity  tracts  which  it  occupied  in 
1845.  In  the  fork  of  Camp  creek,  on  sections  23  and  24  was  some 
sixty  acres  of  very  fine  white  oak,  and  there  were  forty  acres  of  good 
mixed  timber  in  the  southeast  corner  of  section  21.  The  land  that  lay 
between  the  level  and  Camp  creek  on  the  north  on  sections  30  and  19, 
and  a  little  on  section  29  had  large  old  white  oak  trees  upon  it.  On 
the  north  side  of  the  creek  there  was  timber,  white  and  burr  oak,  on 
KE.,  KE.  18,  on  S.E.,  KW.  IS;  a  little  on  S.E.  of  KW.  17,  and 
N.E.  of  N.E.  16.  The  broken  ground  in  the  southeast  corner  of  the 
town  had  some  scattering  timber,  mostly  grown  since  the  Indians  had 
left;  also  most  of  section  24,  and  that  part  of  sections  12,  13  and  14 
that  lay  between  the  two  large  ravines  up  to  the  centre  of  section  12. 
The  K  ^  of  19,  S.  ^  of  18,  S.AV.  17,  and  north  to  section  20  was  more 
or  less  occupied  by  scattering  young  black  oaks,  or,  as  commonly  called, 
blacks  jacks,  and  white  hickory ;  also  a  small  body  of  mixed  timber  on 
northeast  corner  of  16  and  southeast  corner  of  9. 

In  the  early  settlement  of  Perryton  none  of  the  woodland  was  con- 
sidered as  of  any  value  but  that  containing  white  and  burr  oak,  and  for 
that  reason  was  the  last  entered  or  bought  of  the  Government.  The 
ravines  (or  sloughs,  as  called  by  early  settlers)  were  covered  with  a 
dense  growth  of  grass  and  weeds,  rising  often  to  the  height  of  six  to  ten 
feet,  and  were  the  hiding  })laces  of  deer  and  wolves.  AVhere  there  was 
sufficient  water  to  create  a  channel,  it  was  often  not  more  than  one  or 
two  feet  wide  and  deep,  even  a  mile  from  its  source  on  the  prairie. 
The  channel  being  tortuous,  and  the  bottom  soil  bound  by  very  strong 
roots,  it  was  only  a  channel  for  low  watei-  that  a})})arently  rarely 
changed  or  increased  in  size,  the  fiood  water  running  over  the  level 
bottoms  without  washing.  "Where  now  channels  are  washed  twenty 
feet  wide  and  six  feet  deep,  the  writer  has  stepped  across  the  original 
channel  without  nuich  effort. 


300  HISTORY   OF   MERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

After  tlie  removal  of  tlie  Indians,  and  previous  to  1846,  they 
returned  to  hunt  by  permission  of  the  Indian  agents.  The  last  evidence 
of  their  ^dsit  was  in  that  year.  Besides  their  knives  and  arrow  head^^, 
of  wliich  numbers  are  still  found,  they  left-  no  mark  save  the  great  trail 
their  tribes  followed  in  cutting  oif  the  bend  of  the  Mississippi  to  the 
west,  in  their  navigations  up  and  down  the  river.  This  trail  entered 
the  town  on  the  south  side  of  31 ;  thence  along  the  divide  to  Camp 
creek,  crossing  at  a  ford  in  19 ;  then  along  the  ridge  through  20  and 
17,  and  nearly  diagonally  through  the  north  half  of  9,  southeast  of  -1, 
and  northwest  of  3.  In  1845  there  were  still  five  or  six  distinct,  deep 
worn  paths  tliroughout  the  entire  distance,  and  were  the  guiding  path 
to  Rock  Island  and  Oquawka,  the  two  points  where  it  left  the  river. 
It  is  said  that  the  army  pursued  Black  flawk  upon  this  trail,  and  that 
Camp  creek  got  its  name  from  having  been  one  of  the  camping  places 
of  the  army.  The  pioneers  found  the  country  abounding  in  deer, 
wolves  and  prairie  chickens,  with  many  quails,  turkeys,  rabbits,  and 
occasionally  the  wildcat  and  badger.  The  elk  and  bulfalo  had  been 
ajjundant  at  no  very  distant  period,  as  attested  by  their  horns  and 
skeletons,  which  were  found  all  about  this  region  even  as  late  as  1845. 

As  was  the  case  everywhere  in  the  prairie  country,  the  earliest 
settlers  made  their  claims  adjacent  to  a  body  of  timber  suitable  for 
fencing  and  building,  and  believed  almost  universally  that  farms  could 
only  be  made  by  the  few  who  were  early  enough  to  secure  a  tract,  or 
take  from  the  government  land  the  scattering  white  oaks ;  and  it  was 
for  this  reason  that  the  best  prairie  land  was  the  last  selected. 
Although  not  strictly  belonging  to  the  history  of  the  town  of  Perryton, 
the  early  settlement  and  history  of  Sugar  Grove  is  so  thoroughly  inter- 
mixed, that  no  record  of  either  can  well  be  complete  without  encroach- 
ing somewhat  on  the  domain  of  the  other.  The  first  settlement  in  this 
vicinity  was  at  Sugar  Grove,  April  24,  1834.  In  the  month  of  March, 
1834,  the  following  named  persons  left  Montgomery  county,  Indiana, 
bound  for  the  Mississippi  river:  Abraham  Miller,  Jr.,  and  family, 
consisting  of  self,  wife,  and  wife's  sister;  George  Miller,  Sr.,  Abraham 
Miller,  Sr.,  Isaac  Miller,  Jr.,  Jacob  Miller,  John  Miller,  Elias  Moore, 
Ben.  Welch,  Dr.  John  Kester,  "William  Shuck,  Thomas  Dauson,  James 
Kester,  and  William  Moore.  This  company  was  fitted  out  with  six  ox 
teams,  with  breaking  plows  and  other  necessary  farming  utensils. 
Tliey  intended  putting  in  crops  and  then  returning  for  their  families. 
George  Miller,  Sr.,  was  selected  as  guide,  because  of  his  extensive 
experience  as  a  pioneer,  and  he  steered  his  trackless  route  through  the 
boundless  prairies  for  days  and  days,  without  the  aid  of  a  compass, 
consulting   only   the    stars    to  guide  him    to  his    destination.      This 


PERRYTON   TOWNSHIP.  301 

coni])any  Urst  landed  at  Sugar  Grove,  April  24,  1834,  and  built  a  .small 
cabin  made  of  split  linn  logs,  on  the  east  side  of  the  grov^e,  on  the 
claim  of  xVbrahani  IMiller,  Sr. ;  and  under  the  protection  of  this  rude 
cabin  the  entire  company  were  sheltered  until  they  had  each  broken 
up  and  ])lanted  a  piece  of  sod  corn,  interspersed  with  pumpkins  and 
melons.  The  wife  of  Abraham  Miller,  Jr.,  did  the  cooking  for  the 
entire  colony.  Xone  of  the  crops  were  fenced  that  season,  lor  as 
soon  as  planted  they  all  started  back  to  Indiana,  with  the  exception  of 
Abraham  Miller  and  family.  At  that  time  there  were  no  other  inhab- 
itants within  a  circuit  of  ten  miles.  Abraham  Miller,  Jr.,  with  his 
family,  remained  in  their  cabin  at  Sugar  Grove  until  the  corn  had  got 
well  out  of  the  ground,  when  he  removed  to  l^ew  Boston,  where  he 
remained  until  fall,  and  until  the  balance  of  the  company  returned  with 
their  families  from  Indiana.  Of  the  original  company  of  settlers  at 
Sugar  Grove,  all  but  the  Millers  and  Elias  Moore  went  back  to  Indiana 
to  remain,  or  settled  in  the  vicinity  of  New  Boston,  while  a  few  addi- 
tions were  made  to  this  colony  by  several  families  that  returned  with 
them  in  the  fall.  After  the  corn  crops  were  all  gathered,  cabins  were 
built  for  the  different  families  and  preparations  were  made  to  settle 
down  for  the  winter.  As  the  nearest  grist  mills  were  on  Spoon  river, 
most  of  the  meal  f<)r  subsistence  was  procured  by  pounding  the  corn  in 
improvised  and  rudely-constructed  mortars. 

George  Miller,  Sr.,  father  of  Abraham  Miller,  Jr.,  to  whom  I  am 
greatly  indebted  for  many  of  these  facts,  emigrated  to  Oregon  in  1847. 
In  man}^  respects  he  was  a  remarkable  man,  a  noble  t\^3e  of  the 
material  out  of  which  our  early  settlers  were  made.  He  was  the  father 
of  twenty-four  children,  all  of  whom  he  lived  to  see  grown  men  and 
women,  and  bought  and  gave  to  each  of  them  a  home.  All  of  his  chil- 
dren living,  but  one,  are  now  in  Oregon.  He  died  in  Oregon,  Septem- 
ber 11,  1874,  in  his  ninetieth  year,  and  until  a  short  time  before  his 
death  was  as  vigorous  as  most  men  at  forty-five.  Nearly  all  of  the 
Millers  moved  to  Oregon  about  the  same  date.  They  were  originally 
from  the  State  of  Tennessee,  Crab  Orchard,  on  Doe  river.  Carter  county. 
They  left  there  for  Indiana  in  the  fall  of  1812,  when  the  entire  country 
embraced  within  the  limits  of  that  state  was  occupied  by  the  Indians, 
and  when  pioneer  life  was  one  of  constant  danger.  It  1834  they  left 
Montgomery  county,  Indiana,  for  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  which  brings 
them  to  the  time  of  our  history.  Of  the  four  elder  Millers  \Vho 
originally  settled  at  Sugar  Grove  two  were  democrats  in  politics  and 
twc>  whigs ;  two  were  pro-slavery  and  two  anti-slavery ;  two  were 
Methodists  and  two  old  school  predestinarian  Ba])tists.  The  children 
followed  their  fathers  in  both   politics  and   religion.     Coming   from 


302  HISTORY    OF    MERCEE    AXD    IIEXDERSOX    COUNTIES. 

Tennessee  and  pioneering  in  Indiana  these  early  settlers  were  indepen- 
dent of  most  of  the  aids  of  civilized  society ;  their  clothing  was  mostly 
home-made,  from  wool  and  flax ;  a  spring  pole  mortar  pounded  their 
meal ;  their  axes  built  houses,  fences  and  implements ;  their  rifles 
repleted  emjDty  larders.  Those  who  were  the  earliest  settlers  of  the 
ridge  south  of  Camp  creek  were  from  Pennsylvania  and  other  eastern 
states,  and  being  less  practiced  in  the  art  of  pioneering  were  subject  to 
more  privations  and  experienced  more  difficulties  in  supplies  of  meat 
and  bread.  Mr.  Peny  says  that  they  were  obliged  to  go  to  Kickapoo, 
in  Peoria  county,  for  their  milling  in  1836,  and  to  Henderson  for  black- 
smithing  ;  yet  there  must  have  been  mills  near  Henderson,  for  "William 
Doak  relates  an  experience  in  going  there  to  mill  in  the  winter  of 
1837-8,  when  with  two  neighbors  he  made  the  trip  with  a  wagon  and 
three  yoke  of  oxen.  In  order  to  pass  two  farms  before  a  supply  of 
corn  for  a  grist  could  be  obtained  they  were  obliged  to  make  a  wide 
detour  to  the  east,  became  lost  in  the  night  upon  the  trackless  ])rairie, 
were  obliged  to  break  ice  and  ford  streams,  and  only  near  morning, 
wet  and  frozen,  they  reached  the  second  place,  where  they  bought  and 
shelled  the  last  of  their  grist. 

Soon  after  the  Millers  settled  at  the  Grove  they  made  of  a  boulder 
a  small  grist  mill,  and  upon  it  they  and  their  neighbors  ground  their 
grain.  About  1839  they  built  a  saw  mill  on  Edwards  river,  and  the 
year  after  a  grist  mill,  and  shortly  after  this  a  flour  mill  was  built  on 
the  "slough,"  where  Milan  now  stands.  The  following  description  of 
the  first  grist  mill  ever  erected  in  Mercer  county  ^will  no  doubt  prove 
interesting  to  the  readers  of  this  history.  It  was  built  by  the  Millers 
at  Suo;ar  Grove,  and  was  used  for  several  vears.  Thev  sawed  ofl'  an 
oak  log  about  three  feet  long,  stood  it  on  end  and  placed  coals  of  fire 
in  the  center  of  the  top,  burning  out  a  hole  in  the  shape  of  a  basin, 
which  they  dressed  out  nicely  to  receive  the  corn.  They  then  took  a 
long  pole  and  fastened  the  butt  in  or  on  the  ground,  set  a  forked  stick 
in  the  ground  and  laid  the  pole  in  it,  about  the  middle,  something  after 
the  style  of  an  old-fashioned  well  sweep.  They  then  took  another  pole 
and  fastened  to  the  top  of  this,  like  a  rope  to  the  top  of  a  well  sweep. 
In  the  lower  end  of  this  j^ole  was  inserted  an  iron  wedge,  with  the  butt 
down.  Then  a  hole  was  bored  through  this  pole,  about  eighteen  inches 
above  the  wedge,  and  a  pm  pu  through  it,  which  pin  was  seized  with 
both  hands  and  the  pole  worked  up  and  down.  Afterward  the  Millers 
found  a  stone  of  suitable  grain,  which  they  split  open  and  made  two 
good  mill  stones,  twenty-two  inches  in  diameter,  which  was  an  improve- 
ment on  the  first  mill.  Three  of  the  Millers  were  blacksmiths  and 
they  made  all  their  own  mill  irons  when  later  they  built  a  better  grist 
mill  and  also  a  saw  mill. 


I 


-4 


yf^r^- 

-■-r  "  ■'        . 

'"  X  - . 

W   '" 

■t.^  %' 

i4...:.*^v.- 

"?', 

V-"^,^.":    '^V 

^^ 

MRS    MARTIN    BEAR  . 


I'KRRYITIX    TOWNSHIP.  305 

Previous  to  the  settlement  of  Perryton  there  was  a  road  hiid  out  by 
Warren  county,  of  which  Mercer  was  then  a  part,  from  IMonmontli  to 
Chirk's  Ferry,  now  Andahisia,  on  the  Mississippi,  which,  like  all  tlie 
earlier  roads,  was  laid  with  reference  to  fords  and  ridges,  regardless  of 
section  lines.  Probably  but  little  of  the  original  road  is  now  a  high- 
way, excepting  that  from  the  bluffs  of  Camp  creek  to  section  9. 
Although  this  was  the  only  laid  out  road,  yet  the  nature  of  the  prairie 
turf  and  the  opportunity  of  selection  of  route  in  an  open  country  made 
the  trav^eliiig  very  good.  Even  the  most  spongy  slouglis  were  covered 
with  a  soil  firm  enough  to  bear  a  loaded  wagon. 

In  a  community  where  all  were  dependent  upon  labor  that  brought 
food  in  abundance  but  no  monev,  all  were  equallv  rich,  or  rather 
equally  poor.  Fashion  in  fabric  or  style  was  unknown.  Those  who 
were  able  to  work  their  own  wool  and  flax  into  garments  were  the 
most  independent,  and  the  tow-cloth  kersey  and  jeans  of  the  house- 
wives' loom  sufficed  for  nearly  all  their  wants.  Dejjendent  upon  each 
other,  a  warm  heart  and  a  ready  hand  were  of  vastly  moitj  value  in  a 
neighbor  than  worldly  possessions.  Every  liouse  was  a  tavern  where 
the  traveler  found  hospitality,  and  the  rude  log  cabin  never  was  so  full 
as  to  sliut  out  the  belated  wanderer.  No  caste  of  wealth  or  birth 
interfered  with  the  social  relations  of  those  who  made  up  a  community. 
Illustration  of  the  plainness  of  dress:  A  young  man  of  this  primitive 
period,  courting  the  daughter  of  one  of  our  earliest  settlers,  proposed  to 
his  sweetheart  and  her  friend  a  walk  of  two  miles  across  the  prairie  to 
a  neighbor's,  and,  like  all  young  men  in  like  circumstances,  affected  as 
much  style  as  possible.  The  neighbor  described  the  girls  as  clad  in 
linsey  dresses  and  sun-bonnets,  each  one  hanging  on  the  arm  of  the 
young  man.  He  was  clad  in  very  short  tow  pants,  a  white  sliirt,  with 
a  high  and  stiff  collar,  and  a  home-made  straw  hat,  holding  an  umbrella 
over  his  head,  his  big  feet,  brown  and  bare,  a  very  \-isible  means  of 
support. 

With  the  pioneer  settler  comes  the  ])ioneer  preacher,  usually  a 
farmer.  Knowing  more  of  his  Bible  than  any  other  book,  he  made  up 
in  spirit  and  earnestness  what  he  lacked  in  education.  Preaching  in 
log  cabins  or  groves,  where  the  school-houses  had  not  yet  arisen,  he 
always  found  an  audience  in  the  entire  community.  Denominational 
preferences,  how^ever  strong,  never  prevented  the  attendance  of  all,  no 
matter  who  preached.  To  show  the  plain  style  of  one,  a  good  old  man, 
who  most  frequently  preached  in  this  neighborhood,  in  illustrating  the 
doctrine  of  perseverance  he  said  :  "  It  is  like  the  man  who  took  a  coon 
skin  to  the  store,  ah,  and  says  he  you  may  have  this  coon  skin  for  fifty 
cents,  ah,  and  the  merchant  said  he  did  not  want  it  for  fifty  cents,  ah : 
18 


306  HISTORY    OF    MERCER   AXD    HENDERSON   COVXTIES. 

then,  says  he,  you  may  have  it  tor  twenty-tive  cents,  ah,  and  the  mer- 
chant said  he  did  not  want  it  for  twenty-live  cents,  ah ;  then  the  man 
says,  you  may  have  it  for  a  bit,  ah,  and  the  merchant  said  he  did  not 
want  it  for  a  bit,  ah ;  then  the  man  goes  away  and  leaves  it  on  the 
counter,  ah,  and  the  merchant  runs  after  him  with  the  coon  skin,  ah. 
So  it  is  with  religion ;  when  you  have  got  it  you  can't  sell  it,  nor  give 
it  away,  nor  lose  it,  ah ! ''  The  first  religious  services  held  in  Sugar 
Grove  was  by  a  branch  of  the  old-school  Baptist  church,  of  Henderson 
Grove,  extended  to  Sugar  Grove,  and  held  once  each  month,  lasting- 
two  days.  This  denomination  was  more  commonly  known  by  the 
name  of  hard-shell  Baptists.  Shortly  afterward  a  church  was  regularly 
constituted  at  Sugar  Grove,  called  the  Edwards  river  church,  m  corres- 
pondence with  the  Spoon  river  association  of  old-school  predestinarian 
Baptists.  Elder  Joseph  Jones  was  pastor  of  that  church,  and  Abraham 
Miller,  Jr. ,  was  ordained  to  a  deaconship.  There  was  no  church  build- 
ing, and  the  meetings  were  generally  held  at  private  houses,  or  in  a 
log  school-house,  when  one  had  been  erected.  At  a  more  recent  date 
the  Methodists  established  a  class  at  the  house  of  John  Miller,  in  Sugar 
Grove.  They  finally  had  a  camp  ground  in  the  Grove,  with  yearly 
attendance.  One  of  the  original  settlers  says  that  there  never  was  a 
temperance  lecture  delivered  at  the  Grove  from  1S34  to  1846  ;  and  says 
further,  that  they  had  no  habitual  drunkards,  idlers,  fanatics  or  unneces- 
sary babblers,  and  no  earthly  use  for  temperance  lecturers. 

In  regard  to  postoflices  I  have  not  been  able  to  ascertain,  with  any 
certainty,  what  were  the  earlier  mail  facilities.  Previous  to  1845  a 
post  route  had  been  established  through  this  town,  mth  an  office  at 
Millersburg.  Letter  postage  cost  twenty-five  cents,  just  the  price  of  a 
bushel  of  wheat.  But  little  corresiDondence  was  carried  on.  In  1847 
our  peojJe  succeeded  in  getting  an  office  at  James  Gingles',  it  being 
the  only  office  until  the  establishment  of  a  route  from  Millersburg  to 
Eock  Island,  when,  in  1854,  an  office  was  created  at  Hamlet,  at  the 
house  of  Graham  Lee,  and  removed  in  1857  to  its  present  locality,  the 
business  place  of  Josiah  Candor. 

Lentil  1839  there  had  "been  no  school.  In  that  year  Miss  Farwell 
(afterward  married  to  William  Doak)  taught  a  school  in  a  little  10x14 
house,  built  by  Jackson  Woods,-  on  the  northwest  of  section  26.  The 
first  school-house  was  obtained  by  moving  an  old  frame  tenement  house 
of  J.  Gingles,  from  near  the  center  of  section  27  to  the  center  of  section 
28,  in  the  year  1849,  and  it  was  not  until  some  years  later  a  school- 
house  was  built  on  the  north  side  of  the  town.  Abraham  Miller,  Jr., 
claims  to  have  taught  the  first  school  at  the  Grove,  but  is  not  positive. 
He  did,  however,  teach  the  first  school  ever  had  in  Mercer  county,  at 
or  near  New  Bostoi^ 


PERRYTOX   TOWNSHIP.  307 

Reciimng  to  the  scarcitj  of  money,  which  retarded  the  growth  of 
society  and  deprived  the  early  settlers  of  many  things,  afterward  con- 
sidered necessities,  I  will  explain  that  it  took  all  that  was"  held,  and 
all  that  could  be  borrowed,  to  enter  the  land  which  they  desired  for 
homes.  While  the  absolute  necessaries  of  living,  not  obtainable  from 
the  farm,  could  be  got  from  the  few  traders  by  barter,  yet  the  prices 
paid  previous  to  1840  were  not  such  as  to  induce  the  farmer  to  indulge 
in  luxurious  habits.  Wheat  at  twenty-live  cents ;  corn,  ten  cents ;  pork, 
dressed,  one  and  a,  half  to  two  cents ;  good  three  year  old  stears  and 
cows,  from  six  to  ten  dollars.  As  near  as  can  be  ascertained,  the  first 
produce  sent  to  market  from  our  town  was  shipped  by  Abel  Thompson, 
in  a  flat-boat  from  Kew  Boston,  in  the  fall  of  1840,  our  respected 
fellow-townsman,  AYilliam  Doak,  being  one  of  the  crew.  Without 
serious  dithculty  they  reached  Xew  Orleans  in  three  months,  and  dis- 
posed of  the  cargo,  consisting  of  wheat,  potatoes,  beans,  sauer-kraut, 
cabbage,  etc.,  etc.,  to  such  good  advantage  that  William  Doak  and  Paul 
Sherifl',  in  the  fall  of  1841,  built  at  Keithsburg  a  flat-boat,  on  the  bank 
where  Keithsburg  now  stands,  and  loading  it  mostly  with  their  o\fa 
produce,  made  a  successftil  and  profltable  trip  to  St.  Louis.  Their  suc- 
cess in  this  venture  so  encouraged  them  and  others,  that  the  next  fall 
they  repeated  the  experiment,  only  to  end  disastrously,  for  being 
caught  by  the  very  early  winter  of  1842-3,  they,  mth  four  other  flat- 
boats,  and  three  steamboats,  were  frozen  up  at  a  ixAnt  called  Quiver 
Island,  fifteen  miles  above  the  mouth  of  the  Illinois  river.  In  order  to 
relieve  themselves  they  were  obliged  to  cut  a  channel  through  fifteen 
miles  of  ice,  in  very  cold  weather,  and  such  were  the  hardships  endured, 
that  of  the  forty  stalwart  men  who  began  this  task,  but  three  were  left 
to  cut  the  last  gorge  and  free  the  boats.  The  writer  and  the  reader  of 
this  chapter  can  but  regret  that  our  indomitable  neighbor  Doak,  one  of 
the  three  iron-hearted  men  mentioned,  should,  even  in  front  of  St. 
Louis,  his  destination,  have  been  wrecked  in  a  dense  fog  to  lose  nearly 
all  for  which  he  had  risked  and  endured  so  much.  S])eaking  of  the 
departure  of  the  first  flat-boat  from  Kew  Boston,  Mr.  Doak  relates  that 
it  was  watched  with  intense  interest  by  the  large  crowd  that  lined  the 
shore,  aild  when  the  boat  cut  loose  and  swung  out  into  the  stream,  three 
rousing  cheers  were  given  in  honor  of  the  event,  which  was  such  an 
important  era  in  the  history  of  Xew  Boston.  In  the  fall  of  1842, 
George  and  Isaac  Miller,  of  Sugar  Grove,  built  a  boat  at  Keithsburg, 
and  loaded  it  with  j)roduce  with  destination  for  New  Orleans. 

Before  tlie  time  of  the  introduction  of  flat-boats  as  a  means  of  civil- 
ization, the  first  settlers  depended  upon  their  own  resources  for  many  of 
the  articles  of  food  which  we  at  this  day  regard  as  among  the  necesities. 


308  HISTORY    OF   MERCER    AND    IIEXDERSOX    COUNTIES. 

The  crops  raised  by  the  pioneers  of  Perryton  were  mainl}'  corn,  oats, 
flax,  and  tlie  most  useful  vegetables.  Melons  were  raised  in  abundance. 
Flour  could  be  bought  from  off  the  boats,  at  Denison's  landing  in  1S34 
at  four  dollars  per  barrel.  But  corn  was  principally  used  for  bread, 
and  for  meat  they  raised  a  feyv  hogs,  killed  deer,  turkeys,  prairie 
chickens,  and  caught  fish.  One  of  the  early  settlers  says  that  what  gro- 
ceries they  used  were  mostly  obtained  in  exchange  for  deer  and  coon 
skins,  beesewax,  etc.  Coffee  was  made  from  parched  corn,  peas  and 
wheat.  Red  root  leaves,  swetted  under  a  dutch  oven,  dried,  and  when 
dra^vn  and  sweetened  with  honey,  was  called  "Grub  Hyson,"  and  was 
considered  a  fine  substitute  for  tea.  Pork  and  corn  dodg'ers  was  the 
princi])al  food. 

From  the  flat-boat  to  the  steamboat  the  ti-ansition  was  rapid,  so  that 
but  few  were  built  after  the  period  mentioned  here,  and  the  increase  in 
steamboats,  keeping  pace  with  the  increase  of  commerce,  markets  were 
opened,  and  by  1845  business  had  its  regular  channels,  and  settlers 
were  able  to  sell  ]:)roduce,  although  at  the  low  price  of:  wheat,  forty 
cents  ;  corn,  pure  white  for  southern  bread,  ten  to  twelve  and  a  half 
cents ;  pork,  one  and  a  half  to  two  cents.  The  trade  of  Perryton  was 
almost  exclusively  with  New  Boston,  until  the  building  of  the  Chicago 
&  Rock  Island  railroad,  when  the  superior  inducements  offered  gradu- 
ally withdrew  the  trade  to  Rock  Island . 

Previous  to  1845,  I  can  learn  of  no  attempt  to  organize  a  church 
within  our  limits,  nor  of  public  worship  by  regular  appointment, 
excepting  that  previously  mentioned  in  tliis  record,  and  pertaining  to 
the  early  settlement  of  Sugar  Grove.  The  earliest  carpentering  was 
done  in  building  houses  and  barns  for  McIIard,  Gingles  and  Burrall, 
by  Andrew  Gingles,  a  son  of  Robert  Gingles  and  nephew  of  James 
Gingles.  Philip  Miller  occasionally  cut  grindstones  and  gravestones, 
to  add  to  a  living  obtained  by  his  rifle  and  the  rental  of  a  small  juece 
of  land.  The  flrst  blacksmith  shop  in  town  was  kept  by  a  man  named 
Jones,  on  section  25,  in  1846-7,  and  perhaps  a  little  later,  but  between 
1850  and  1860  there  was  no  shop  in  town  of  any  kind.  About  the 
latter  date,  a  blacksmith  shop  was  started  on  the  northeast  corner  of 
section  11.  George  J.  Miller,  son  of  Abraham  Miller,  Jr.,  should  prop- 
erly be  entitled  to  the  credit  of  first  birth  in  this  town,  but  shortly 
before  his  birth,  Mr.  Miller  had  moved  his  family  temporarily  to  New 
Boston,  where  he  was  then  teaching  school.  This  was  August  31, 
1834.  But  the  first  birth  at  Sugar  Grove  was  that  of  Eliza  Miller, 
daughter  of  George  Miller,  Sr.,  in  1835.  Eliza  Miller  is  now  living  at 
Miller's  Station,  Linn  county,  Oregon,  with  her  second  husband,  Philij) 
V.  Morris,  and    she   is   the   mother   of   a   large   family   of    children. 


I'KRU'i'KiX    'R>AVN.Sim'.       .  'Sod 

William  Mitore  was  \he  first  man  married  ;  he  married  Miss  Mary 
Miller,  dauuhter  of  Isaac  Miller,  at  Sugar  Grove  in  1835.  The  first 
death  was  a  child  about  one  year  old,  named  Philip  Farlow,  son  of 
John  and  Sarah  Farlow ;  died  of  croup. 

The  earliest  settlers  on  the  ridge  all  ]>lanted  such  trees  as  they 
could  get  or  raise,  mostly  seedlings.  The  first  grafted  fruit  brought  to 
the  town  was  peddled  out  by  a  Mr.  Robinson,  a  nurseryman  of  Fulton 
county,  but  there  was  no  general  planting  of  good  fruit  until  Mr. 
McWhorter  established  a  nursery  near  Millersburg  in  1S46.  The 
sauce  depended  upon  by  early  settlers  was  mainly. obtained  from  the 
crab-apple  and  plum  thickets,  which  abounded  in  the  vicinity  of  timber. 
These  tailing,  the  dish  of  ''those"  or  "them  molasses,''  was  the  ever 
present  and  onl}^  substitute  foi>  sauce.  As  common  as  the  molasses 
dish,  was  the  custom  of  making  it  a  plural.  In  one  instance  this 
custom  was  broken  by  an  uncourteous  guest  rei)lying  to  his  landlady's 
question:  ''Will  you  have  some  of  these?"  by  saying,  "I  will  take  a 
few  of  her."  One  of  our  earlier  settlers  relates  an  account  of  the 
manner  then  in  vogue  of  acquiring  seedlings.  On  the  occasion  of  a 
public  parade,  or  muster  day  at  Millersburg,  at  a  time  in  the  liistory  of 
that  village  when  it  had  assumed  metropolitan  airs,  a  peddler  brought 
to  town  a  lot  of  small  and  half  green  peaches,  which  he  retailed  out  at 
a  bit  a  dozen.  The  boys  eagerly  demolished  the  fruit  and  threw  the 
seeds  on  the  ground,  while  a  certain  economical  settler  gathered  them 
up  for  seed.  Fearing  that  he  would  not  obtain  enough,  our  thrifty 
farmer  borrowed  a  bit  for  the  purpose  of  investing  in  peaches,  with  the 
view  of  obtaining  the  seed.  Several  years  afterward  he  returned  the 
money  thus  borrowed.  Wild  grapes,  blackberries  and  strawberries 
were  used  by  the  settlers  for  nniking  pies  and  preserves,  and  wild  hops 
answered  the  purpose  of  cultivated  ones. 

The  first  fence  in  the  town  was  built  in  1835,  on  the  piece  of  land 
broken  by  Abraham  Miller,  on  the  south  side  of  section  33.  This  was 
done  by  piling  sod,  previously  turned  by  a  plow,  and  making  a  small 
ditch  on  the  outside,  the  dirt  from  which  was  thrown  inside  the  i)ile  of 
sod.  In  1837  Mr.  Burrall,  and  ]>erliaps  Perry,  made  more  sod  fence, 
and  began  the  making  of  rails,  which  afterward  constituted  the  sole 
fencing  material,  until  the  unentered  land  was  stripi)ed  of  everything 
which  would  make  a  rail  or  jjole.  About  ls50  the  building  of  board 
fences  commenced.  The  first  ett'ort  at  hedging  was  made  by  planting 
seed  in  1848-9,  and  I -think  the  oldest  hedge  is  that  of  James  Gingles, 
which  was  "set  in"  about  1S52,  when  the  date  of  hedge  fencing  first 
commenced.  The  Millers  invented  and  nuuiufactured  a  machine  for 
fence  ditchinu'.     This  was  the  first  machine  of  the  kind  ever  used  in 


310  HISTORY    OF   BUERGER    ^\:XD    HEXDERSON    COUNTIES. 

Mercer  county.  It  was  an  improvement  made  o^i  the  original  ditching 
plow,  and  was  done  by  adding  a  bar  with  a  tlat  underground  lining  or 
share  that  cut  off  the  tier  of  sod  from  the  bottom.  They  used  three 
or  four  yoke  of  oxen,  and  thus  a  string  of  sod  fence  one  hundred  rods 
long  was  cut  in  a  very  short  time.  A  few  abortive  efforts  at  draining 
by  a  machine  cutting  an  open  ditch,  was  made  as  early  as  184S. 
Mole  ditching  began  in  1860,  and  was  prosecuted  for  many  years  with 
varying  success,  but  was  iirially  abandoned.  The  aggregate  result  of 
mole  ditching  has  been  advantageous.  "With  the  exception  of  a  few 
rods  to  obtain  water,  and  drain  cellars,  no  tile  has  yet  been  laid. 

With  regard  to  agricultural  implements  so  much  has  been  said  and 
wi'itten  that  will  go  into  history,  that  I  forbear  saying  much  more  than 
that  steel  plows  appeared  in  the  Diamond  plow  in  1844,  followed  ra}> 
idly  by  the  plow  of  the  present  model.  Plows  antedating  the 
Diamond  were  but  little  better  in  their  working  than  though  of  unhewn 
wood,  our  fi'iable  soil  never  leaving  a  mold-board  until  removed  by 
hand.  In  1850  the  first  reaper  was  introduced  by  Levi  Cooper,  and 
shortly  before  the  separating  thresher  appeared.  The  first  plow  used 
for  breaking  prairie  in  Mercer  county,  was  the  old  bar-share  with  a 
wooden  mold.  The  Miller's  invented  a  lever  power  and  hung  the 
plow  on  wheels,  which  they  used  at  Sugar  Grove.  It  could  be  set  to 
any  depth,  and  be  thrown  out  at  will,  and  it  would  run  without  a 
holder.  This  simple  invention  was  almost  universally  adopted 
throughout  the  county  for  breaking  prairie.  In  this  arrangement  the 
driver  was  also  the  plowman,  thereby  saving  one  hand,  besides  doing 
much  better  work.  For  ground  once  broken,  the  early  settlers  had 
what  was  called  the  Bull  plow,  with  a  short  iron  mold  in  front,  a  few 
inches  high,  with  the  balance  of  the  mold  made  of  wood.  Xext  was 
the  Carey  plow,  an  improvement  on  the  Bull  plow.  For  tending  corn 
when  up,  shovel  plows,  hoe  harrows  and  one  horse  harrows  were  used. 
The  Bull  tongue  was  simply  a  narrow  shovel,  resembling  the  pattern 
after  which  it  was  named.  The  hoe-harrows  were  a  number  of  small 
shovels  set  in  a  forked  stick,  in  the  shape  of  the  letter  ''A."  The 
one-horse  harrows  were  made  in  the  same  way,  generally  with  wooden 
teeth,  and  made  narrow,  so  as  to  run  between  corn  rows.  Xext 
followed  the  Scott  Diamond  plo\v.  In  early  times  it  was  peddled 
through  Mercer  county.  The  Diamond  plow  was  sim})ly  a  diamond 
square,  cut  out  of  a  steel  or  iron  mold  the  required  size ;  the  lower 
square  was  sharpened  out  and  served  as  the  edge  or  share,  and  was 
set  up  in  the  required  ])itch,  and  served  as  share  and  mold-board,  all 
solid.  It  was  bent  hollowing  without  any  t^dst,  and  then  bolted  fast 
to  a  wooden  upright,  set  in  a  beam  like  a  shovel  \>\o\\\  but  the  mold 


PERRYTON   TOWNSHIP.  311 

did  not  set  square  like  tlie  shovel,  but  was  set  quartering  so  as  to  throw 
the  dirt  to  the  side  of  the  furrow.     This  plow  would  scour  completely. 

In  the  fall  of  1835  John  Black  and  taniily  settled  on  section  30,  and 
so  far  as  ascertained  was  actually  the  first  settler  within  the  limits  of 
the  townshi])  proper.  In  ]\[arch,  1836,  a  child  was  born  to  Black, 
which  died  at  the  age  of  five  years.  Perry  says  in  1830  Maj.  Edward 
Biirrall  had  twenty  acres  broken  on  the  S.W.  ^  of  Sec.  28,  now  the 
property  of  David  Bhie,  and  that  William  Moore  broke  some  land  on 
southwest  of  30,  and  put  uj)  the  body  of  a  log  house.  Philip  Miller  also 
built  a  log  cabin  and  lived  on  the  same  section.  In  1837  Ed.  Bur- 
rail.  Jr.,  and  Alfred  Perry,  living  on  the  west  side  6f  Sugar  Grove, 
broke  prairie  for  Maj.  Burrall  on  S.W.  ^^  38,  and  for  Dr.  Perry  on 
E.  ^  of  28.  Linus  and  A.  Wood  came  upon  the  northeast  of  20  and 
built  a  loo;  house  durins:  the  vear.  A.  Perry  and  E.  Burrall  did  tlie  first 
farming  on  the  ridge  in  Perryton,  and  during  this  year  Dr.  Perry  came" 
west  and  in  the  w^inter  of  1837-8  built  a  log  house  near  the  timber  on 
the  northeast  of  28.  The  cro])s  raised  this  year  were  sold  to  the  Geneso 
colony,  at  the  price  of  one  dollar  for  wheat  and  seventy-five  cents  for 
corn  and  potatoes.  In  1838  xVustin  AVood  moved  his  family  to  the 
house  built  bv  his  son.  Burrall  built  the  first  frame  house  on  south- 
west  of  28,  for  Sheldon  Wooden  as  tenent.  Dr.  Perry  died  this  year. 
There  were  no  markets  during  this  year,  and  the  settlers  went  all  the 
way  to  KickajDOo  for  milling. 

In  1839  James  Gingles  and  AVilliam  McIIard,  with  their  families, 
moved  to  Perryton,  buying  for  8500  the  claim  of  Dr.  Perry  to  the 
west  half  of  section  28.  In  this  year  Louisa  Wood  was  married  to 
Lyman  Tenney.  During  this  year  the  land  sale  occurred,  and  those 
who  could  raise  the  money  entered  a  part  or  all  of  their  claims.  John 
Harris  and  J.  Gingles  moved  into  the  township,  as  did  also  William 
Doak  with  his  father  and  family.  In  181:0  William  McIIard  and  James 
Gingles  divided  the  Perry  claim  and  each  built  a  one  and  a  half  story 
frame  house,  about  16x24  feet,  with  two  rooms  below.  These  were 
regarded  at  the  time  as  not  only  handsome  and  commodious  but  luxuri- 
ous. Previous  to  this  time  there  had  been  but  a  home  market  for 
produce,  which  was  conducted  mainly  by  barter.  Drury  and  Willetts, 
of  Xew  Boston,  traded  for  some  wheat  allowing  twenty-five  cents  ]ier 
bushel  in  store  goods.  In  1844  Ilandet  Cooper  stopped  at  Burrall's 
with  his  wife  and  seven  children,  a  voke  of  oxen  and  cart  and  cow  and 
a  calf  Out  of  mrmey,  he  was  induced  to  look  at  the  prairie  on  the 
north  side  of  Camp  creek.  It  being  a  very  bad  season,  with  the 
streams  high,  he  camped  on  the  banks  of  Camp  creek,  and  swinnning 
the   creek,  he   examined  the  land    and  determined  to  make   a  claim 


312  HISTORY    OP^    MERCER    AND    HEXDERSON    COUNTIES, 

on  section  0.  Waiting  two  weeks  for  the  water  to  fall  so  that  he 
could  cross  the  creek,  he  in  the  last  of  June  moved  up  and  made 
the  first  settlement  on  the  north  side  of  Camp  creek.  At  that 
time  there  were  living  on  the  south  side  of  Cam])  creek  the  following 
families,  viz :  John  Black  and  Mr.  Burroughs  on  section  36 ;  Austin 
Wood  and  W.  A.  Wood  on  section  26 ;  Daniel  Ebner  and  AVilliam 
Doak  on  section  27;  William  McPIard  and  James  Gingles  on  section 
28 ;  Edward  Burrall  and  Robert  Gingles  on  section  29 ;  Philip  Miller 
and  John  Crooks  on  section  30 ;  and  Isaiah  Lockhard  on  section  33. 

In  the  fall  of  1845  Graham  Lee  and  Henry  Lee  settled  on  the  east 
side  of  section  *J.  Up  to  this  time  the  settlements  had  been  begun  bv 
claims,  and  but  few  had  been  able  to  enter  the  whole  amount  of  their 
claims,  Edward  Burrall  and  Philip  Miller  being  the  only  known  excep- 
tions. From  this  to  1850.  excepting  the  lands  held  by  military  title, 
the  best  lands  were  taken  up  and  entered,  or  bought  at  the  land  office, 
and  by  1855  no  lands  were  held  by  claims.  The  dates  of  settlements 
subsequent  to  181:5  will  be  shown  by  the  records,  and  therefore  are 
omitted  from  this  history  which  is  only  intended  to  cover  ground  that 
records  will  not  reach.  By  general  consent  the  year  181:5  is  considered 
by  the  present  inhabitants  to  terminate  the  years  of  pioneer  settlement. 

The  climate  in  the  early  history  of  Perryton  was  subject  to  very 
severe  changes  from  one  extreme  to  another,  with  such  suddenness  as  to 
surprise  every  one,  and  thus  often  causing  suffering,  and  even  death, 
when  the  settlers  were  caught  unpi-epared  away  from  home  on  the 
boundless  prairie.  An  early  settler  relates  of  a  phenomenon  in  1834, 
in  the  fall  from  the  clouds  of  a  heavy  body  of  frost,  in  veins  and  in  all 
manner  of  strange  shapes.  There  would  be  a  solid  body  of  several 
rods  in  extent  that  killed  all  kinds  of  vegetation,  and  leading  out  of 
this  body,  in  a  zig-zag  course,  a  narrow  stri])  of  the  frost  that  left  its 
mark  like  the  course  of  a  prairie  fire.  The  wind,  in  the  fall  season  of 
the  year  especially,  would  veer  about  from  the  south  to  the  northwest, 
piercing  with  the  most  intense  cold,  and  the  fine,  dry  snow  almost 
blindiiig  and  cutting  like  needles  those  exposed  to  its  fury.  A  storm  of 
this  kind  is  remembered  by  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  at  the  Grove,  in 
which  some  persons  were  caught  away  from  home  and  i)ei'ished  by 
being  fro^zen.  Abraham  Miller,  Jr.,  was  once  caught  away  from  home 
on  the  ])rairio  in  a  stinging  nor'wester,  and  so  badly  frozen  that  for  a 
time  his  life  was  despaired  of.  He  was  utterly  hel|)less  when  found  by 
his  neighbors,  who  had  become  alarmed  for  his  safety  and  organized  a 
]tart3'  of  rescue;  the  skin  all  peeled  off  from  his  face  and  hands,  and 
the  evil  effects  of  this  freezing  followed  him  to  the  declining  years  of  a 
renuirkably  vigorous  manhood.     An  old  settler,  describing  from  niem- 


I'EKRVTON   TOWXSHIl'.  313 

ory  some  of  the  disastrous  effects  of  a  tierce  liurricane  wliicli  he  wit- 
nessed in  the  north  end  of  Mercer  county  in  ls44,  says  that  the  whole 
neighborhood  had  scarcely  a  house  left  standing  for  several  miles. 
The  main  body  of  the  hurricane  was  not  more  than  three  to  live  miles 
wide ;  it  took  Mercer  in  15  north,  and  in  range  1  or  2,  where  it  did  the 
greatest  damage.  It  came  up  hurriedly  with  a  dark  thunder  cloud, 
accomj)anied  with  a  lierce  dash  of  rain,  with  a  dense  fog  or  smoke. 
Two  deaths  and  a  large  number  slightly  injured  were  tlie  results  so  far 
as  lieard  in  Mercer  county.  One  Howard  Trego  was  killed  l)y  his 
house  falling  on  hiii;.  Ijut  liis  wife  aiul  children  escaped  with  only 
slight  injuries. 

Among  our  first  settlers  there  was  scarcely  ever  any  thought  of 
going  to  law  with  each  other.  A  certain  code  of  honor  reigned 
supreme.  If  a  neighbor  did  not  pay  his  just  debts  as  socm  as  able, 
his  neighbors  shamed  him  into  paying,  and  if  that  failed  the  case  was 
arbitrated,  settled,  and  all  hands  went  iKnne  satisfied  and  jovial  over 
the  result.  If  a  man  inclined  to  act  dislionorable,  social  ostracism 
brought  him  around  to  a  sense  of  the  magnitude  of  his  offense,  and  he 
was  generally  made  to  feel  that  the  community  would  not  receive  on 
an  ecpiality  any  one  tainted  with  the  suspicion  of  dishonorable  conduct. 
In  the  settlement  of  personal  difficulties,  growing  out  of  insults  and 
other  indignities  offered  by  one  to  another,  a  resort  was  generally  had 
to  a  test  of  prowess  in  a  fair  stand-u])  and  knock-down  fight,  the 
respective  friends  of  the  combatants  seeing  that  fair  ])lay  was  had 
until  one  of  the  warriors  cried,  "Hold  I  enough  I"  If  one  of  the 
})arties  was  not  considered  able  to  combat  a  larger  and  more  muscular 
opponent,  sometimes  a  friend  and  sometimes  an  entire  stranger  would 
take  his  place  in  the  i-ino;.  In  those  davs  a  coward  was  reckoned 
among  the  contemjitible  things  of  earth,  and  if  a  man  exhibited 
cowardice  by  drawing  a  wea})on  and  threatening  another,  he  was 
lucky  to  escape  the  indignation  of  the  bystanders  with  a  whole  body. 
Although  the  standard  of  honor  adopted  by  our  early  settlers  would 
hardly  be  regarded  as  just  the  thing  at  the  present  day,  there  was  that 
about  it  which  challenges  our  admiration  in  sjjite  of  the  condemnation 
l)Ut  u])on  it  by  modern  civilization. 

The  first  justice  of  the  ])eace  in  the  Sugar  (^rove  jjrecincts  was 
Aljraham  Miller,  Jr.  The  first  suit  at  law  ever  had  was  instituted  by  a 
man  named  B.  Lloyd.  An  excuse  for  a  lawsuit  was  a  sufficient  ])rovo- 
cation  generally  for  a  free  ''pitch  in."  At  the  time  of  this  first  suit 
there  was  but  one  copy  of  the  Illinois  statutes  in  Mercer  county,  and 
that  was  in  the  hands  of  the  county  clerk  at  New  Boston.  William 
Drury,    and    it    could    not  be  loaned.      The  justice   begged    time  for 


314  HISTORY   OF    MERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

preparation,  but  the  plaintitF  was  rampant  for  litigation  and  would  not 
listen  to  a  proposition  for  postponement.  So  the  justice  was  compelled 
to  ride  some  twelve  miles  to  Rock  Island  county,  where  he  borrowed 
a  statute  of  Daniel  Edgington,  Esq.,  which  copy  was  reluctantl_y  loaned 
with  the  solemn  stipulation  that  it  was  to  be  returned  in  three  days. 
During  the  time  allowed  him  our  justice  pored  over  this  book  to 
ascertain  the  statutory  duties  enjoined  upon  his  office,  and  in  taking 
notes  for  future  reference.  The  notes  thus  taken  from  the  statutes 
constituted  the  edition  from  which  our  justice  dispensed  the  law,  and 
were  used  for  a  number  of  years  by  him,  until  he^  was  fortunate  enough 
to  secure  a  printed  edition.  AVhon  copying  from  the  borrowed  book, 
one  night  he  went  to  sleep  over  his  labor  and  upset  the  inkstand  over 
the  sacred  volume,  which  so  terrified  him  that  he  licked  away  with 
his  tongue  until  he  had  saved  the  blotted  pages  from  entire  obliter- 
ation. 

Recurring  once  more  to  the  wild  animals  and  game  found  by  the 
earlier  settlers  of  this  region,  as  bearing  upon  the  question  of  food,  I 
will  enumerate  such  as  are  suggested  to  my  memory  and  spoken  of  by 
the  pioneers.  Deer  were  in  great  abundance,  wild  turkeys,  prairie 
chickens,  squirrels  (the  gray  and  the  large  fox),  pheasants,  partridges 
or  quails,  and  the  curlew  and  plover.  There  were  plenty  of  wild 
geese  and  ducks,  pellicans,  swans,  coons,  rabbits,  large  wolves,  and 
the  prairie  wolf  or  cayota.  Tlie  large  wolf  and  the  small  frequently 
crossed  and  the  half  breed  made  a  very  troublesome  animal.  AVildcats 
or  catamounts,  a  chance  panther,  mostly  in  the  heavily  timbered 
bottoms,  bears,  though  not  plenty,  raccoons,  badgers,  and  opossums. 
There  were  ground  squirrels,  owls,  hawks,  eagles,  turkey  buzzards, 
parokeets,  and  large  snow-white  owls.  Of  fish  there  was  an  abundance 
of  all  fresh-water  varieties,  such  as  the  catfish,  pike,  pickerel,  bass, 
l^ercli,  drum,  buftalo,  red-horse,  sucker,  dog-fish,  flying  fish,  sunfish,  and 
salmon.  Abraham  Miller,  Jr.,  says  that  he  has  killed  with  the  gig 
in  the  Edwards  river  pike  weighing  fifty  pounds,  and  that  he  built 
a  fish-trap  in  the  same  river  by  which  he  secured  barrels  and  barrels  of 
fish,  some  of  which  he  took  to  Knoxville  ibr  sale.  One  method 
adopted  by  the  settlers  for  trap])ing  deer  was  by  what  was  called 
fire-liunting,  in  a  canoe. 

Of  the  domestic  animals  raised  by  the  first  settlers,  it  is  a  difficult 
matter  to  give  anything  like  a  pedigree.  They  were  of  various  kinds 
and  grades,  such  as  the  old  pioneers  happened  to  have  on  hand  when 
they  landed  and  settled  down  in  tlieir  Ijackwoods  homes.  At  that 
early  date  but  very  little  attention  had  been  paid  to  blooded  stock,  and 
hogs  and  cattle  were  selected  more  on  account  of  their  qualities  for 


PERKYTttX    TOWNSHIP.  315 

])ickino;  their  own  living  in  the  woods  and  on  the  prairies.  George 
Miller,  Sr.,  brought  some  fine  brood  mares  with  him  to  Sugar  Grove, 
from  Montgomery  countv,  Indiana,  in  the  fall  of  1834.  They  were 
originally  the  foal  of  a  Goliah  dam,  by  a  McKinney  roan  sire,  crossed 
by  a  Smiling  Call  horse,  then  by  a  cross  from  a  Koanoke  sire,  and 
then  next  crossed  with  the  Copper  Bottom  and  the  Flag.  This  stock 
was  large,  wx'll  i:)roportioned,  docile,  and  of  line  spirit,  and  well  suited 
for  the  early  settlers.  One  Joseph  Tichnor,  a  young  man  from  Ohio, 
brought  the  lirst  Berkshire  hogs  to  Mercer  county,  and  made  quite  a 
speculation  out  of  them  in  the  Sugar  Grove  settlements.  George 
Miller,  Sr.,  brought  from  Indiana  with  liim  a  lot  of  hogs  that  were  a 
cross  between  the  large  China  and  the  large  white  Shaker  hog;  they 
were  long,  large,  heavy-boned,  and  thought  to  be  as  easily  fattened  as 
the  China.  Abraham  Miller  killed  one  of  this  breed  in  the  early 
history  C)f  the  Sugar  Grove  settlemicnt  that  weighed  over  live  hundred 
pounds,  and  thinks  he  could  have  been  made  to  weigh  seven  hundred. 
Later,  a  few  pigs  were  introduced  of  the  Byefield  and  Bedford  stock. 
The  Berkshire  was  regarded  as  a  failure.  Tlie  stock  of  cattle  were  a 
mixed  breed,  between  the  old  scrub  and  the  Durham,  Patton.  etc. 
They  made  tine,  large  work  oxen,  good  milkers,  and  excellent  beef. 
The  sheep  were  of  the  commonest  stock,  and  no  more  were  kept  than 
answered  the  purpose  of  making  the  necessary  clothing.  The  little 
flocks  of  sheep  were  highly  esteemed  by  the  pioneers,  because  of  tlieir 
usefulness  in  furnishing  clothing,  and  they  were  carefully  protected 
from  the  depredations  of  the  wolves,  as  they  seemed  to  have  a  strong 
hankering  after  mutton.  This  appetite  resulted  in  the  destruction  of 
the  entire  race  of  the  large  wolves,  and  almost  all  of  the  prairie  wolves, 
by  the  writer,  whose  serious  loss  in  sheep  compelled  him  to  resort  to 
an  extensive  use  of  strychnine,  used  in  bait  to  accomplish  their  destruc- 
tion. After  1845  the  wolves  had  become  so  thoroughly  extinguislied 
as  to  occasion  no  more  losses  or  annoyance  to  owners  of  sheep. 

Deer  were  quite  plentiful  in  tlie  early  history  of  Perryton,  so  much 
so  as  to  furnish  a  large  portion  of  the  meat  required  for  the  table.  Of 
the  deer  and  their  habits,  much  could  be  wTitten  which  wouUl  no  doubt 
prove  an  interesting  part  of  this  record,  but  I  will  desist  with  the  sim- 
ple rehititjn  a  tight  between  two  buck  deer,  witnessed  by  a  pioneer  near 
where  the  town  of  Millersburg  now  stands.  When  tirst  noticed,  they 
were  plunging  and  pushing  at  each  other,  with  horns  interlocked  and  in 
a  manner  peculiar  to  these  animals.  Their  horns  could  be  heard  rat- 
tling against  each  other  quite  distinctly  for  a  distance  of  three  hundred 
yar<ls.  They  were  both  large  bucks,  one  of  them  a  monster  of  his 
species,  and  the  struggle  between  them  a  tierce  one.     After  watching 


316  HISTORY    OF    MERCER    AXD    HEXDERSOX   COUNTIES. 

with  deep  interest  for  about  one  hour,  our  informant  closed  in  to  a  dis- 
tance of  about  forty  yards  and  awaited  an  opportunity  to  get  a  good 
square  shot.  From  the  extraordinary  size,  of  the  hirger  buck  he  was 
satisfied  tliat  it  was  the  same  one  that  had  acquired  the  designation  of 
"The  Town  Buck"  from  the  hunters  in  the  settlement,  because  of  his 
great  size,  and  because  of  frequent  visits  to  the  towiishij),  and  suc- 
cessful efforts  in  always  escaping.  To  capture  such  a  prize  would  have 
been  regarded  as  a  great  honor  among  the  hunters,  so  our  relator  was 
watchfid  and  wary.  The  bucks  kept  continually  lunging  at  each  other 
so  that  it  was  impossible  to  get  a  safe  shot.  Finally  the  smaller  one 
broke  away  and  ran  off  pursued  by  the  larger.  Knowing  their  habits, 
pursuit  was  given  and  the  ' '  Town  Buck  "  soon  fell  a  victim  to  the 
rapacity  of  the  hunter.  The  fame  of  this  affair  spread  for  a  great 
distance,  as  the  buck  was  one  of  the  largest  ever  seen  by  hunters  who 
had  grown  gray  in  pioneer  life. 

The  tribes  of  Indians  roaming  about  Mercer  county  in  its  first  set- 
tlement were  the  Sacs  and  Foxes.  The  Fox  tribe,  about  the  time  of 
the  Black  Hawk  war,  formed  a  union  with  the  Sacs,  and  became 
a  tribe  known  as  the  Fox  and  Sac.  They  were  large,  strong,  active, 
brave  and  warlike,  and  used  all  of  the  weapons  of  Indian  warfare  with 
great  skill.  This  tribe  was  formerly  headed  by  the  famous  warrior 
Black  Hawk.  After  the  war  known  as  the  Black  Hawk  war.  he  was 
degraded  from  his  chieftainship  because  of  his  counsel  in  favor  of 
peace.  Abraham  Miller  relates  that  he  saw  Black  Hawk,  with  his 
twelve  braves,  who  always  accompanied  him  after  his  downfall,  strike 
their  evening  cam])  on  the  bank  of  the  Mississippi,  at  the  mouth  of 
Sturgeon  Bay,  near  Xew  Boston.  They  were  on  a  last  visit  to  the 
grave  of  Black  Hawk's  daughter,  who  was  buried  there  in  a  grove  of 
black  oaks.  For  their  evening  meal  they  boiled  a  pole-cat  which  they 
did  not  even  trouble  themselves  to  take  the  hair  off,  but  the  hair  sim- 
mered to  tlie  surface  of  the  stew.  When  sufficiently  cooked,  Black 
Hawk  gave  to  each  a  share  of  the  savory  meal ;  the  first  received  the 
head,  and  so  on  until  all  were  served.  Black  Hawk  then  wore  about 
his  neck  a  long  string  of  silver  medals,  which  had  been  presented  to 
him  by  the  goveiTiment,  and  by  English  fur  companies.  Occasionally 
some  few  Miamis  and  Potawottomies  wandered  through  the  county, 
but  not  to  remain.  The  headquarters  of  the  Winnebagos  for  the 
winter  season  was  on  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi,  in  Mercer  county, 
a  short  distance  above  New  Boston.  They  could  there  winter  their 
ponies  better  than  elsewhere,  in  consequence  of  the  tall  grass  that  grew 
along  the  bays.  Sugar  Grove  was  a  great  camping-ground  for  the 
Indians  at  one  time,  especially  on  the  south  side  along  Edwards  river. 


PERRYTON   TOAVXSIIIP.  317 

The  Indian  name  of  this  was  "Big  Tuitle  river."  AVhen  the  Miller's 
lirst  settled  at  the  Grove,  the  Indians  had  a  large  encampment  there 
for  making  sugar,  witli  quite  a  large  wigwam  made  of  poles  and 
covered  with  bark. 

The  early  history  of  Perryton,  thus  hastily  and  briefly  wi-itten  at 
moments  of  leisure,  and  under  many  adverse  circumstances  pertaining 
to  lack  of  data  and  conflict  of  facts,  will,  I  hope,  possess  the  certain 
interest  always  attaching  to  the  record  of  that  which  has  passed  away, 
never  to  return.  It  is  the  reflection  rather  of  a  period  of  pioneer  life 
that  long  ago  ceased  to  exist,  the  mirror  of  an  irrevocable  past,  the  gi'im 
romance  of  the  adventurous  life  of  the  early  settler.  None  of  us  who 
were  living  and  moved  in  the  scenes  of  pioneer  settlement  ever,  in 
brightest  anticipation,  contemplated  the  possibility  of  such  changes  as 
have  been  brought  by  the  advancing  tide  of  cfvilization.  Never  in 
fondest  dreams  did  the  pioneer  picture  the  transition  that  has  actually 
taken  place.  The  fields  have  been  nuide  to  bloom  and  >deld  most 
bountifully  of  the  products  which  make  nations  prosperous,  thus  con- 
tributing to  their  happiness.  Many  of  those  who  are  now  enjopng  the 
fruits  of  the  labors  of  the  early  pioneers  have  but  little  conception  of 
what  it  cost  in  hardships  and  ])rivations  to  open  up  the  wilderness,  and 
when  they  read  of  the  trials  encountered,  the  adventures  endured,  to 
accomplish  this  result,  they  can  only  realize  it  in  the  light  of  a  pleasant 
romance.  While  the  rising  generation  are  amassing  wealth  in  a  life  of 
comparative  luxury,  we,  the  earlier  settlers  yet  living,  experierice  a 
lively  sense  of  gratitude  in  the  thought  that  our  hands  contributed  so 
materially  to  the  building  up  of  the  j^resent  condition  of  prosperity  and 
ha])])iness  of  those  who  are  now  occupying  the  beautiful  homes  and 
magniflcent  farms  to  be  found  in  Perryton. 

[To  the  foregoing,  contributed  by  Mr.  Lee,  we  append  a  few  notes 
relative  to  the  organizations  of  the  township. — En.] 

HAMLET. 

The  village  of  Hamlet,  located  one  mile  south  of  the  north  line  and 
three  miles  west  of  the  east  line  of  the  township,  was  laid  out  on  the 
land  of  Josiah  and  Capt.  D.  M.  Candor,  in  1S08,  and  was  christened 
Hamlet,  in  honor  of  Hamlet  Cooper,  now  deceased,  one  of  the  very 
first  of  the  pioneers  to  locate  in  this  section  of  the  country.  The  prog- 
ress of  the  village  has  been  slow,  owing  to  its  proximity  to  Peynolds, 
the  nearest  railroad  town,  but  it  is  one  of  those  quiet  country  villages 
where  the  farmers  in  the  community  go  for  their  mail  and  spend  a 
short  time  in  social  converse.  The  first  store  erected  in  the  ])lace  was 
that  of  Josiah  and  Ca]jt.  D.  M.  Candor,  who  dealt  in  general  merchan- 


318  HISTORY    OF   IVIEECEE   AJSTD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

clise.  The  latter  of  the  Candor  brothers  has  at  this  writing  withdrawn 
from  the  firm  ;  the  former  yet  continues  in  the  business.  Lloyd  Girton 
opened  the  second  store.  The  first  blacksmitli  shop  was  opened  here 
by  Thomas  Lewis.  The  business  houses  of  the  village  are  one  harness 
shop,  one  store  of  general  merchandise,  by  Josiah  Candor,  one  drug 
store,  by  Dr.  Criswell,  one  wagon  and  blacksmith  shop,  by  A.  T. 
Hooples  and  D.  M.  Dumbell  and  son.  The  village  has  a  good  local 
trade,  and  has  a  population  of  about  125  persons.  The  postoffice  now 
kept  at  Hamlet  was  first  established  in  this  neighborhood  in  1851-.  The 
oftice  was  first  kept  by  Graham  Lee,  who  held  it  till  1869,  when  it  was 
moved  to  Hamlet,  and  Josiah  Condor  appointed  postmaster.  He  has 
since  continued  to  hold  the  ofiice  without  cessation. 

The  Presbyterian  church  of  Hamlet  was  organized  in  1870.  Pre- 
vious to  the  organization  here  the  members  of  this  faith  held  their 
membership  in  the  societies  of  the  surrounding  country,  the  greater 
part  at  Millersburg.  The  first  members  that  constituted  the  church 
were  thirty-two  in  number.  The  society  was  organized  by  Thomas  M. 
Wilson,  W.  S.  Dool,  and  T.  R.  Johnson.  Previous  to  the  organization 
they  had  preaching  in  the  school-house  one  mile  west  of  the  village, 
but  not  regularly.  Those  present  at  the  organization  were  :  F.  A. 
Sherer,  moderator;  William  S.  Dool,  C.  B.  Bristol,  Daniel  Kelly, 
T.  R.  Johnson,  and  William  W.  Morehead.  The  elders  were  :  Thomas 
Candor  and  J.  M.  Gilmore.  Of  the  thirty-two  members  who  consti- 
tuted the  organization  in  the  beginning,  fifteen  were  dismissed  from 
the  society  at  Edgington  Mills,  Rock  Island  county ;  thirteen  from  the 
Millersburg  society;  the  remaining  four  were  not  members  of  any 
particular  society  here  at  that  time.  The  first  elders  appointed  were : 
Cornelius  Swartwout,  J.  S.  Gilmore,  and  John  Montgomery.  The 
present  elders  are :  William  H.  Wlieaton,  D.  M.  Candor,  and  John 
Montgomery.  The  ])resent  membership  is  eighty-five.  The  society 
has  a  very  neat  frame  church,  36x50,  erected  at  a  cost  of  $3,000. 
Since  its  organization  it  has  supported  and  kept  in  operation  a  live 
Sunday  school.  The  ministers  who  have  labored  here  are  T.  M.Wilson 
and  H.  W.  Fisk,  since  the  organization ;  the  former  from  1870  to 
1872;  the  latter  from  1873,  and  is  at  this  time  pastor  of  this  charge. 
The  membership  of  this  society  represents  most  of  the  first  families  in 
this  community.     This  is  the  only  church  organization  in  the  village. 

There  is  another  Presbyterian  society  in  the  township,  south  of 
Camp  creek,  known  as  the  Perryton  Presbyterian  church  s(X'iety.  This 
society  was  organized  in  1871.  The  first  meethig  preliminary  to  the 
organization  was  held  February  18  of  the  same  year.     It  is  connected 


I'EKRYTON    TOWNSHIP.  319 

with  the  society  at  Hamlet.  At  the  above  meeting  a  committee  was 
ai)itointed,  consisting  of  J.  Harris,  "William  Doak,  and  Cruser  Gray, 
for  the  puiix)se  of  erecting  a  church-house.  This  committee  located 
the  church  at  Gingles'  Corner,  in  conformity  with  the  will  of  the  mem- 
bers. The  church  is  a  neat,  frame  edifice,  erected  at  a  cost  of  $2, 100, 
It  was  dedicated  in  1872,  out  of  debt.  The  society  at  its  organization 
numbered  thirty  communicants ;  but  from  •various  causes,  over  which 
the  church  has  no  control,  it  now  numbers  only  twelve  active  members. 
Its  pastors  are  the  same  as  those  of  the  Hamlet  society.  Previous  to 
effecting  the  organization,  the  people  of  this  faith  held  their  meetings 
at  the  school-house  near  bv,  but  like  the  members  of  the  societv  at 
Hamlet,  were  members  of  the  societies  of  the  same  faith  at  other 
})laces.  The  first  members  who  constituted  the  society  were  Samuel 
and  Frank  McIIard,  Mrs.  Jane  Martha  McHard,  Martha  Blue,  Sarah 
Doak,  Mary  J.  and  J.  Harris,  Mary  Guffy,  Mary  A.  Bristow,  and 
AVilliam  McIIard,  Sr.  The  society  supports  a  very  good  Sunday 
school. 

The  only  Baptist  church  in  the  township  was  located  in  1871,  near 
where  tlie  Methodist  Episcopal  church  now  stands.  It  was  organized 
in  18()9.  Almost  fi'om  the  first  settlement  of  the  township  the  Baptist 
people  were  represented,  but  built  no  church-house ;  they  held  their 
meetings  in  private  houses  and  school-houses,  and  held  their  member- 
ship principally  at  Edgington,  in  Bock  Island  county.  Their  first  and 
only  church  building  in  the  township  was  a  frame,  erected  in  1869,  two 
and  a  half  miles  east  of  Hamlet,  wdiere  it  held  its  meetings  till  1879, 
when  the  society  moved  its  building  to  Reynolds,  Rock  Island  county, 
where  the  members  of  the  society  now  hold  their  membershi}).  The 
first  minister  of  the  society  in  Perryton  township  was  John  Tittering- 
ton.  The  cost  of  the  church  as  erected  in  Perryton  township)  was 
83,000;  size,  30x38.  It  always  supported  a  live  Sunday  school  in 
connection  with  the  church. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  like  the  Presbyterian,  came  with 
the  first  settlers.  They  held  their  meetings  in  the  pioneer  days  at 
private  houses,  and  later  at  the  school-house  till  1869,  when  they  built 
their  present  church-house  twx)  miles  east  of  Ilandet.  It  cost  §2, 100, 
and  in  size  is  30x44.  At  the  time  it  was  erected  the  society  numbered 
thii'ty-six  communicants,  now  numbers  twelve.  It  has  at  various 
times  lost  many  valuable  members  by  removals,  but  the  greatest  loss 
was  caused  by  the  organizati(jn  of  a  like  society  at  Reynolds.  The 
building  committee  were  H.  Ketzel,  S.  Iloneycut  and  ILiliday.  The 
l»resent  i>astor  is  Rev.  J.  Small ;  class  leader,  Albion  Nichols ;  trustees, 


320  mSTOEY   OF   SIERCER   A^T)    HEXDEESOX   COUNTIES. 

n.  Ketzel,  George  Hauck.  and  Thomas  Tannatta.  Among  its  mem- 
bers have  been  and  are  many  influential  and  prosperous  citi2ens  (^f 
Perr^'ton. 

Among  the  organizations  of  Perrvton  township,  none  are  more 
deserving  of  mention  than  the  Librarv  Association  of  Hamlet.  It  was 
established  in  1879,  with  a  view  of  tiirnisliing  reading  matter  at  a  small 
cost  to  those  who  wished  to  invest  in  the  enterprise.  The  lirst  officers 
were :  President.  Graham  Lee ;  Secret arv,  Edward  Hollister.  Mr. 
Lee  still  holds  the  office  of  president.  AV.  C.  Tandalsem  is  present 
active  secretai-y.  The  first  dii'ectors  were :  D.  31.  Candor.  H.  "W.  Fisk. 
and  P.  ^'.  Dumbell.  The  present  directors  are :  P.  W.  Dumbell. 
H.  W.  Pisk,  Elisha  Lee.  D.  M.  Candor.  Libranan.  Dr.  AT.  Criswell. 
The  association  reqnu-es  an  admission  fee  of  one  dollar  to  become  a 
member  of  the  society,  and  alter  that  each  member  pays  an  annual 
fee  of  fiftv  cents,  and  has  the  use  of  anv  book  in  the  librarv  without 
further  charge.  The  income,  up  to  the  present  time,  has  been  about 
$205.  much  of  which  has  been  raised  by  entertainments.  The 
library  now  contains  213  volumes,  all  of  which  have  been  selected  with 
great  care.  It  requires  three  of  the  directoi*s  to  place  a  volume  on  its 
shelves.     The  association  is  in  a  prosperous  condition. 

The  Mutual  Fu-e  and  Lightning  Insm-ance  Company  was  organized 
at  Hamlet  in  1878,  under  the  insurance  laws  of  Plinois.  Josiah  Can- 
dor and  Graham  Lee  were  the  principal  leaders  in  efl:ecting  the  organ- 
ization. The  fii'st  officers  of  the  company  were :  Graham  Lee. 
president,  and  Josiah  Candor,  treasurer.  The  subscribed  capital  was 
$62,016.65.  The  present  board  of  directors  is:  Graham  Lee  (presi- 
dent), H.  Ketzel  (secretaiy).  W.  TVilmerton,  J.  I.  Everett,  G.  D.  Miller, 
David  Mavhew.  R.  S.  Montcfomerv.  WilKam  Wait,  J.  B.  McConnell, 
and  G.  Peate.  The  number  of  policies  now  out  is  146.  with  an  aggre- 
gate capital  of  $3(>4,720.  Tlie  company,  dui-ing  its  organization  has 
not  met  with  a  single  loss,  hence  their  insurance  dining  the  time  has 
cost  them  nothing.  This  has  proved  the  best  system  of  insurance  to 
the  farmer  of  Hamlet  and  vicinity  ever  adopted  by  them. 

Townsliip  organization  was  effected  in  1855.  Tlie  first  town-meet- 
ing was  held  in  1S55.  at  Gingles'  comers.  Graham  Lee  was  appointed 
moderator,  and  S.  D.  Trego  made  clerk.  In  1856  "Wm.  McHard  was 
made  moderator,  and  S.  D.  Trego  clerk  of  the  meeting.  At  this 
meeting  townshij)  organization  was  adopted  and  officers  elected.  Tlie 
following  is  a  list  of  all  the  oflicers  elected  to  the  present. 

The  justices  of  the  peace  of  Perr\'ton  township,  so  far  as  we  were 
able  to  make  up  the  list  from  the  count}'  records,  are  as  follows : 
Edward  Burrall,  elected  April  30,  183S.  and  resigned  April  6,  1839: 


^ 


JACOB     BEAR 


I'EKK  VTON    TOWXSI 1 1  P. 


323 


AVilHiun  ]\[oore,  elected  June,  1842  ;  Joseph  G.  Gilmorc,  1847  ;  Edwanl 
Bunall,  1847  ;  (\  G.  Tjulor,  ls40  ;  J.  G.  Gilmore,  1858;  Lee  Jlolister, 
1858;  Lee  llolistcr,  18«;2  ;  J.  G.  Gilmore,  1862;  J.  G.  Gilmore, 
1870;  Lee  Holister,  1870;  J.  G.  Gilmore,  1874;  Lee  Ilolister,  l.s74; 
John  Ginijles,  1877;  J.  G.  Gilmore,  1881, 


c  .- 

1»J6 
1&57 
1858 
]8;">9 
IStlO 

I8t;i 
mv> 

IS*;:! 

INVt 

isr.7 

18«18 
18C)'J 
IKTfl 
1S71 
1872 
187:; 
1871 
187.'i 
1870 
1877 
1878 
1879 
1880 
1881 
1882 


Supervisor. 


Graham  Lee... 
Graham  Lee... 
J.  C.  (iilinore  . . 
,1.  G.  Gilmore  .. 
.1.  C.  (iilmure  .. 
.(.  (t.  (iihnore  . . 
.1.  G.  (iihnore  . . 
William  Doak. 
William  Doak. 
William  Doak. 
L.  V.  Willitts  .. 
Thomas  Love  . 
Th(ima.s  Love  . 

(i.  1).  ('ral)S 

William  Doak. 
William  Doak. 
William  Doak. 
William  Doak. 
(;.]).  Miller  ... 
G.  D.  Miller  ... 
D.  M.  Candor. . 
William  Doak. 
William  Doak. 
William  Doak. 
G.  1).  >riller  ... 
G.  D.  Miller  ... 
G.  D.  MiUer  ... 


Clerk. 


S.  D.  Trejjo 

S.  D.  Tref-'o 

S.  D.  Treijo 

S.  D.  Trejro 

S.  D.  Trego 

.'<.  D.  Treiio 

L.  W.  Haiies 

L.  W.  Haiies 

L.  W.  Hanes 

n.. I.  Walter 

Theodf)re  GuttV  .. 
J.  M.  Gaily  ...'.... 
Frank  Me  Hard... 

.John  (iinples 

John  Gin}<les 

C.  C.  Walters 

G.  D.Walter 

H.  .I.Walter 

.John  (iingles 

L.  (iirton 

L.  Girton 

L.  Girton 

L.  Girton 

L.  Girt(m 

M.  Griswell 

.1.  T.  Hartman 

G.  F.  Ilartman 


A.SSESSOR. 


William  McHard  . 
William  M<llard  . 
William  .McHard  . 
William  McHard  . 
William  McHard  . 
.Varon  Thompson. 
.\aron  Thompson. 
William  .McHard  . 

H.  .I.Walter 

(  harles  York 

.losiah  Candor. . .. 

Meigs  Wait 

G.  D.  Crahs 

.lohn  Hall 

Lee  Holister 

Charles  York 

David  Bine 

David  Blue 

Theodore  <;utlV  .. 

D.  Bine '.... 

D.  Bine 

D.  Blue 

D.  Bine 

.V.Kendall    

.1.  G.  Gilmore 

A.  Kendall 

A.  Kendall 


Collector. 


J.  C.  Gilmore. 
.1.  G.  (iilniore. 
.1.  G.  (iihnore. 
William  Clark. 
AVilliam  Clark. 
William  Clark. 
William  Clark, 
(i.  D.  Crat.s. 
a.  D.  Crahs. 
(i.  D.  Crahs. 
William  McHard. 
(i.  D.  Crahs. 
Davi<l  Bine. 
J.  U.  Ball. 
C.  Mclntire. 
C.  Mclntire. 
C.  B.  Halstead. 
C.  B.  Halstead. 
David  Bine. 
A.  .1.  Birrkett. 
L.  (iirton. 
.1.  Hartman. 
.1.  Hartman. 
.1.  McDonald, 
(ieorge  Harness. 
L.  H.  ( Viopcr. 
J.  G.  Gilmore. 


The  census  report  of  1880  gives  the  population  of  Perryton  town- 
ship 987.  The  taxable  property  of  1881  was  valued  at  $367,134;  the 
real  estate  at  $281,248;  and  personal  property  at  $85,886.  In  issi 
there  was  collected  taxes  for  general  state  j)urposes  and  schools, 
$2,'091.60;  county  ta.x,  $987.61;  town,  $191.61;  road  and  bridge  ta.x, 
$396.66;  bond  tax,  $987.61;  distiict  school  tax,  $2,250.28;  dog  tax, 
$134. 

Perryton  township  is  located  along  the  north  line  of  the  county, 
and  is  bounded  on  the  north  bv  Rock  Island  countv,  on  the  east  bv 
Pre-emption,  south  by  Mercer,  and  west  by  Duncan.  It  is  divided 
into  two  sections  by  Camp  creek,  which  enters  the  townshi]>  on  the 
south  half  of  section  24,  and  flows  west  across  and  out  (tf  the  town- 
ship on  section  19.  The  country  for  some  distance  on  either  side  of 
this  creek  is  very  broken ;  but  both  north  and  south  Perryton  is  a  tine 
farming  country,  hi  the  neighborhood  of  Hamlet,  the  country  can- 
not, for  farming  purjioses,  be  excelled  by  any  locality  in  the  county. 
It  is  peopled  by  a  well-t(j-<.lo  class  of  farmers,  who  ])ride  themselves  in 
having  good  improvements,  and  many  of  them  have  their  fjirms  so 
19 


324  HISTORY   OF   JSIERCER   AND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

beautified  by  fine  buildings,  groves  and  lawns,  as  to  attract  the  atten- 
tion of  lovers  of  the  beautiful.  The  farm  of  Graham  Lee  is  the  most 
beautiful  farm  in  the  township,  and  justly  merits  the  title,  ' '  The  Ever- 
gi-een  Home."  There  are  a  number  of  farms  both  north  and  south  of 
Camp  creek  that  need  to  be  mentioned,  but  the  owners  names  of  most 
of  them  will  be  found  in  the  biographical  department  of  the  township. 
Tlie  stock  of  the  township  in  every  particular  will  compare  with  tliat 
of  everv  other  section  of  the  countv. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Meigs  Wait  is  a  native  of  Switzerland  county,  Indiana,  born  in 
1826.  His  parents  were  Hemy  and  Sophia  (Wells)  Wait,  the  former 
a  native  of  Grand  Isle  county,  Vermont,  and  served  as  a  soldier  in  the 
war  of  1812  at  the  battle  of  Plattsburg,  and  died  February  9,  1882,  at 
the  age  of  eighty-nine  years.  His  father,  Gardiner  Wait,  grandfather 
of  Meigs,  was  a  native  of  Wales,  and  came  to  America  at  an  early 
date  and  settled  in  Grand  Isle  county,  Vermont,  and  served  in  the 
Contuiental  army  as  a  soldier,  and  died  about  the  year  1788.  Henry 
Wait,  by  this  marriage  with  Sophia  AYells,  raised  a  family  of  eight 
children :  William,  Sarah,  Ruth,  Rhoda,  Harriet,  Jacob,  Lucretia, 
Lavina  (deceased).  Meigs  Wait  was  married  in  Switzerland  county, 
Indiana,  in  1856,  to  Caroline  Robinson,  of  Indiana,  daughter  of 
Thomas  and  Mary  Robinson,  and  emigrated  to  Eflingham  county, 
Illinois,  in  1864,  where  they  both  died.  Mr.  Wait  has  by  this  mar- 
riage two  children :  Frank  G.  and  Katie,  whose  mother  died  in  1862. 
In  1863  Mr.  Wait  was  married  a  second  time,  to  Miss  Edith  Clark,  ( )f 
Pennsylvania,  born  in  1842,  and  daughter  of  William  and  Mary  Clark, 
both  of  Pennsylvania.  They  came  to  Mercer  county  in  1853,  and 
located  near  Kew  Boston,  where  they  remained  oidy  a  few  months, 
when  they  moved  to  Perry  ton  township.  There  they  both  died,  the 
former  in  1882,  aged  seventy-seven  years ;  the  later  in  1875,  aged 
sixty-sLx  years,  both  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He 
was  a  local  preacher.  By  this  marriage  Mr.  Wait  has  seven  children  : 
Harry,  Ernest,  Daisy,  Bertie,  Marion,  Guy,  and  ]\[ark.  His  wife  is  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He  has  a  beautiful  and 
well  improved  fiirin  of  400  acres,  located  at  the  north  line  of  Mercer 
county,  one  mile  west  of  Reynolds.  He  raises  on  his  farm  thorough- 
bred cattle,  and  feeds  cattle  for  the  market.  His  hogs  are  of  the  best 
breeds.  He  does  the  largest  business  in  buying  and  shi])piiig  stock, 
es]>ecially  cattle,  of  any  man  in  Perryton  townshij).  The  Wait  family 
came  here  as  early  settlers.  They  are  all  well-to-do  and  highly 
respected  citizens. 


PERRYTOX   TOWNSHIP.  325 

Lee  Holister  is  a  native  of  Connecticut,  born  in  Litchfield  C(junty 
in  1822,  son  of  Horace  and  Sarali  (Lee)  Holister,  both  nati\'es  of  Con- 
necticut. Ilis  mother  died  in  Connecticut  in  1830,  aged  thirty-nine 
years.  His  lather  came  to  Macoupin  county,  Illinois,  in  1864,  where 
he  died  in  1860,  aged  seventy-five  j'ears.  lie  was  by  vocation  a  farmer. 
He  and  M'ife  were  members  of  the  Comj-reo-ational  church.  Mr.  Lee 
Holister  was  reared  in  Connecticut  where  he  remained  till  he  was 
twenty -four  years  old.  He  then  came  to  Illinois  and  located  in  Peoria 
county  where  he  remained  till  1856,  when  he  came  to  Mercer  county 
and  located  where  he  now  resides.  He  was  married  in  1^47  to  Esther 
Barker,  of  Greene  county,  New  York,  daughter  of  Charles  and  Anniiui 
(Smith)  Barker,  both  of  New  York.  They  came  to  Peoria  county, 
Illinois,  in  1846,  where  the}'  are  yet  residing;  the  former  is  now 
seventy-eight  years  old,  the  latter  seventy-seven.  Mr.  Holister  has  by 
this  nuirriage  four  children :  Minnie,  Edward,  Clara,  and  Alice.  He 
and  wife  and  three  children  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at 
Hamlet.  He  has  a  well  impro\ed  farm  of  eighty  acres,  one-fourth  of 
a  mile  west  of  the  village  of  Ilandet,  and  keeps  a  good  grade  of  farm 
stock.     He  has  held  the  otfice  of  justice  for  the  past  eighteen  years. 

George  D.  CrxVbs  is  a  native  of  Jefi'erson  county,  Ohio,  born 
Decembei"  11,  1824,  and  is  a  son  of  Philip  and  Sarah  (Dutfield)  Crabs, 
both  of  Pennsylvania ;  his  father  of  Westmoreland  county,  and  mother 
of  Cumberland  county.  They  emigrated  to  Ohio  with  their  parents, 
where  they  were  married.  The  latter,  Philip  Crab's  wife,  died  in  Ohio 
in  1836,  at  the  age  of  fifty-five  years ;  the  former  came  to  Rock  Island 
county  in  1858,  and  died  there  in  1878,  at  the  age  of  seventy-five  years. 
He  served  as  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  was  wounded  by  the  enemy 
in  an  engagement  near  Lake  Erie ;  at  another  time  by  one  of  the  guards 
who  accidentally  hit  him  w  hile  shooting  at  a  pig  a  negro  was  trying  to 
force  across  his  beat.  By  trade  he  was  a  carpenter  and  joiner.  His 
lather  was  Abraham,  born  in  1767,  and  died  February,  1836;  his 
mother,  Thankful  Crabs,  was  born  in  August,  1775,  and  died  in  Se})- 
tember,  1814.  G.  D.  Crabs  received  a  fair  educational  training  in  his 
boyhood.  He  was  reared  to  the  trade  of  carpenter  and  joiner,  which 
he  followed  for  a  livelihood  till  1859  when  he  locatetl  in  Mercer  county 
where  he  now  resides,  and  engaged  in  farming.  He  emigrated  with 
his  family  in  1844,  from  Ohio  to  liock  Island  county,  where  he  resided 
till  he  located  in  Perryton  township.  He  was  married  July,  1850,  to 
Sarah  B.  Hazlitt,  of  Xew  York,  who  was  born  in  1827,  and  is  the 
daughter  of  Alexander  and  Sarah  (McKay)  ILulitt,  both  of  Xew  Jersey. 
Thev  emii::rated  to  Illinois  in  1838,  and  located  iu  Ilock  Ishmd  county 
in  1839,  where  the  father  died  in  1849,  at  the  age  of  eighty-two ;  t!ie 


326  HISTORY    OF   ^rERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

mother  in  1842,  at  the  age  of  fifty-seven.  Both  were  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  clmrch.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Crabs  have  a  family  of  seven 
chikh-en:  Armenia,  Ichx,  Ekla,  Sarah  J.,  Emerson,  Amy  T.,  and  Fay. 
He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  lias  a  well 
improved  farm  of  120  acres,  located  one  mile  west  of  the  village  of 
Hamlet.  His  stock,  consisting  of  Norman  and  Morgan  horses  and 
short  horn  cattle,  is  of  the  best  grades. 

AViLLiAM  Brain,  the  subject  of  this  life  sketch,  is  a  native  of  Eng- 
land, born  in  1807,  son  of  John  and  Sarah  Brain,  who  were  born  and 
reared  in  their  native  country  and  there  died.  Our  subject's  father  was 
a  boatman.  William  Brain  came  to  America  in  1832,  stopped  for  a 
time  in  Connecticut,  then  went  to  New  York  where  he  remained  till 
1834,  when  he  returned  to  his  native  home.  In  1843  he  returned  to 
New  York,  remained  five  years,  came  to  Illinois  and  located  where  he 
now  resides.  By  trade  he  is  both  wagonmaker  and  carpenter.  He 
has  been  married  twice,  first  to  Elizabeth  Sproson,  of  England,  in 
1832,  by  whom  he  has  three  children:  Sarah  A.,  Anna,  and  Elizabeth. 
The  mother  of  these  died  in  1861.  He  was  married  ae:ain  in  1862 
to  Mrs.  Mary  Hal  stead,  formerly  Miss  Mary  Cooper,  and  daualiter  of 
Thomas  and  Ann  Cooper.  She  is  a  native  of  England.  Mr.  Brain 
has  a  fine  farm  of  240  acres,  well  improved  and  well  stocked. 

J.  Ct.  Gilmore's  parents,  Robert  and  Elizabeth  Gilmore,  came  to 
Illinois  with  the  pioneers  and  located  in  Warren  county,  eight  miles 
northeast  of  Monmouth.  The  former  was  born  in  Chester  county,  the 
latter  in  Westmoreland  county,  Pennsylvania.  They  emigrated  to 
Jefierson  county,  Ohio,  with  their  parents,  where  they  were  married. 
He  was  a  tanner  by  trade,  but  followed  farming  exclusively  in  Illinois. 
In  1820  he  was  a  member  of  the  Ohio  legislature,  and  at  one  time  was 
colonel  of  the  state  militia,  and  held  the  office  of  captain  in  the  war  of 
1812.  He  and  wife  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  J.  G. 
was  born  in  1819,  in  Jefierson  county,  Ohio,  and  came  to  Illinois  with 
his  parents  when  two  years  old.  His  early  educational  training  was 
only  such  as  the  common  schools  of  the  pioneer  districts  of  Illinois 
could  furnish.  He  was  reared  on  the  farm.  In  1839  he  moved  from 
Warren  county  to  Mercer,  where  he  has  aince  resided,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  two  years.  In  1840  he  moved  to  Iowa,  where  he  remained  one 
year,  when  he  moved  to  Missouri,  and  stayed  one  year  and  returned 
in  1842  to  Mercer  county.  He  was  married  in  December,  1843,  to 
Alletta  A.  Brady,  native  of  Ohio,  born  in  1822,  daughter  of  John  and 
Elizabeth  Brady.  By  this  marriage  he  has  nine  children :  Elenor 
(deceased),  Mary,  Elizabeth,  Lydia,  Ann  E.,  Robert  J^.,  Arabella, 
Ephraim  C,  and  Albert  N.  (deceased),     lie  held  the  otKce  of  justice 


PKRRYTON   TOWNSHIP.  327 

for  iiinc'teon  years  without  ccssatioii,  and  was  re-elected  in  IbSl 
for  another  term,  lie  also  tilled  the  otlice  of  supervisor  for  two 
3'^ears,  the  office  of  collector  two  years,  and  assessor  in  1S80.  He  and 
wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Hamlet.  He  has  a 
farm  of  eighty-one  acres,  well  improved  and  fairly  stocked. 

Daviu  Bopes  is  a  native  of  Columbia  county,  Pennsylvania,  born 
in  1825,  son  of  Ge<H'ge  and  Sarah  (Bauchard)  Bo})es.  Both  were 
natives  of  Pennsylvania.  They  were  married  in  Pennsylvania  and 
came  to  Illinois  in  1836  and  located  in  Rock  Island  county,  near 
Edgington,  when  there  were  but  few  white  settlers  in  that  part  of  the 
country.  The  former  died  in  1838,  at  a  comparatively  early  age  ;  his 
wife  afterward  moved  to  Mercer  county,  where  she  died  in  1843. 
She  was  a  zealous  christian  and  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal, 
church.  He  was  a  man  respected  for  his  integrity  and  other  good 
qualities.  David  Bopes  came  with  his  parents  to  liock  Island  county 
where  he  resided  till  1858,  when  he  located  where  he  now  resides. 
His  early  educational  training  was  that  of  the  pioneer  schools  of  his 
neighborhood.  lie  has  always  been  engaged  in  farming,  the  voca- 
tion of  his  father.  In  1854  he  married  Miss  Sarah  E.  Titterington,  a 
native  of  Ross  county,  Ohio,  born  in  1836,  daughter  of  James  and 
E.  (Beal)  Titterington,  the  former  a  native  of  England,  and  came  to 
America  when  he  was  ten  years  old ;  the  latter  b(  )rn  in  Ross  county, 
Ohio,  and  now  a  resident  of  Rock  Island  county,  near  Edgington. 
The  former  died  in  1876,  at  the  age  of  sixty -nine  years.  They  located 
in  Rock  Island  county  in  183y.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  David  Bopes  have  six 
children  living.  He  crossed  the  plains  to  California  in  ls4!»,  and 
returned  in  1851.  Mr.  Bopes  has  a  farm  of  480  acres  of  as  line  land 
as  can  be  found  in  Mercer  county.  It  is  well  improved  with  substan- 
tial buildings,  and  beautified  by  groves  which  he  himself  planted, 
He  deals  in  cattle,  feeding  them  for  the  market,  and  has  his  farm  well 
stocked  with  good  grades.     He  is  a  successful  farmer. 

Among  the  soldier  citizens  of  Perryton  township  is  C.  B.  Hai.stkad. 
He  was  born  in  New  York  in  1843,  and  son  of  Lewis  M.  and  Mary  J. 
(Cooper)  Halstead.  His  lather  was  a  native  of  New  York,  and  his 
mother  of  England.  He  first  emigrated  to  JVIichigan  in  1838,  where 
he  married  and  returned  to  New  York.  In  1851  he  came  to  Mercer 
county  and  located  where  his  son  C.  B.  now  resides.  Here  he  died  in 
1854,  at  the  age  of  forty-two.  He  served  three  years  in  the  U.  S. 
dragoons.  The  date  of  his  discharge  is  1836.  C.  B.  Halstead  came 
to  Mercer  county  with  his  fatliei-  when  eight  years  old.  His  early 
education  was  limited  to  the  connnon  school.  In  18()1  he  enlisted  in 
company  H,  61st  111.  Vol.  Inf..  and  served  two  years  and  live  months. 


328  HISTORY    OF   FIERCER   AND   HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

He  was  in  the  battles  of  Pea  Ridge,  Prairie  Grove,  and  Yicksbiirg, 
after  which  he  was  discharged  on  account  of  a  wound  received  in  the 
battle  of  Pea  Pidge.  He  then  returned  home  to  the  farm.  He  was 
married  in  1870  to  Elnora  A.  Xeely,  of  Illinois,  born  in  1851,  in 
Stark  county,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Happy  Xeely,  both  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. They  came  to  Stark  county  with  its  early  settlers  and  moved 
to  Mercer  county.  The  father  is  now  living  in  Hamlet,  this  township  ; 
the  mother  died  in  IS 79,  at  the  age  of  66.  Mr.  Halstead  has  four 
children:  Dallas  B.,  Riley  E.,  L.  Benjamin.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  masonic  lodge  at  Edgington,  Illinois.  He  has  a  farm  of  120 
acres,  and  keeps  a  good  grade  of  farm  stock. 

Among  the  farmers  and  stock  raisers  of  Perryton  township  is 
•Michael  Yetter,  located  on  the  north  line  of  the  township.  He  is  of 
German  birth,  born  in  Hesse  Darmstadt  in  1830,  and  is  a  son  of  Peter 
and  Mary  Yetter.  They  lived  out  their  lives  in  their  native  country. 
The  former  died  in  1862,  aged  sixty-four  years ;  the  later  in  1852,  aged 
fifty-three  years.  They  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  ;  by 
vocation  they  were  farmers.  Michael  came  to  America  and  first  located 
in  !New  Jersey ;  then  moved  to  jSTew  York ;  then  to  Rock  Island 
county,  where  he  remained  till  1867,  when  he  came  to  Mercer  county, 
where  he  has  a  fine  farm  of  292  acres  fairly  improved  and  well  stocked 
with  good  grades  of  cattle,  sheep,  hogs,  and  horses.  He  was  married 
in  1856  to  Elizabeth  Yetter,  of  Germany,  daughter  of  Lewis  and  Mary 
Yetter,  both  of  Germany.  The  former  died  in  Germany  in  18-10,  at 
the  age  of  forty-two  ;  the  latter  came  to  America  in  1855  and  located 
in  Rock  Island  county,  now  lives  in  Duncan  township,  and  is  in  her 
seventy-seventh  year.  By  this  marriage  Michael  has  eight  children : 
Catharine,  Barbara,  Mary,  Elizabeth,  Lewis,  Michael,  John,  and  Willie. 
He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  German  Presbyterian  church. 

Frederick  Hartman  is  a  native  of  Germany,  born  in  1838,  and  is 
a  son  of  Daniel  and  Barbary  Hartman,  both  of  Germany.  They  came 
to  America  in  1810:  li^'ed  one  vear  in  Muscatine:  then  moved  to 
Buifalo  Prairie,  Rock  Island  county,  where  they  lived  for  thirty  years, 
when  they  moved  to  Perryton  township,  where  their  son  Frederick  now 
lives.  Thev  were  farmers,  and  members  of  the  German  Presbvterian 
church.  The  father  died  in  1866,  aged  seventy-eight  years ;  the 
mother  in  1818.  Frederick  came  to  Mercer  county  in  1867,  where  he 
now  resides.  He  was  reared  to  the  business  of  farming.  His  literary 
education  was  wholly  German  and  taught  him  in  his  mother  tongue. 
He  was  married  in  1861  to  Barbary  Schweobel,  of  Hesse  Darmstadt, 
Germany,  daughter  of  George  and  ]\Iargaret  Schweobel,  both  of  Ger- 
manv.     Thev  emigrated  to  Rock  Island  countv  in  1819,  and  now  live 


PERRYTON    TOWNSHIP.  329 

with  tlieir  dtingliter,  Mrs.  Frederick  ITartman.  They  are  both  mem- 
bers of  the  German  Presbyterian  church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  llartman 
have  six  chikh-en :  ]\[argaret,  George,  Thomas,  John,  Frederick,  and 
Edward.  lie  has  a  tine  stock  farm  of  2-10  acres,  well  improved  and 
well  stocked.  He  and  wife,  like  their  parents,  are  members  of  the 
German  Presbyterian  church. 

HiOiLET  Cooper  (deceased)  was  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Perry- 
ton  township.  He  located  here  in  1844.  At  that  time  there  was  but 
little  else  here  than  wild  grass  and  wild  animals.  He  emigrated 
from  England,  his  native  country,  about  1832,  to  New  York,  and 
then  to  Michigan,  where  he  resided  six  years,  and  then  came  to 
Perry  ton  township,  where  he  died  in  1847,  at  the  age  of  forty-one 
years.  In  1829  he  was  married  to  Mary  A.  Clark,  of  England.  They, 
raised  a  family  of  eight  children:  Thomas,  William  H.,  Charlotte  A., 
John  H.,  Lester  II.,  Philip,  Enoch,  and  Eobert  (deceased).  The  last 
named  enlisted  in  company  A,  9th  111.  cavalry ;  he  was  mustered  into 
the  service  in  1801  and  served  one  year,  when  he  died  at  Keokuk, 
Iowa.  "William  H.  and  Lester  H.  enlisted  in  1862,  in  company  C, 
102d  111.  Yol.  Inf ,  and  served  till  the  close  of  the  war.  They  were  at 
the  battle  of  Peach  Tree  creek,  with  Sherman  on  his  march  to  the  sea. 
Both  were  with  the  company  all  the  time  during  their  term  of  service. 
They  passed  through  Richmond,  to  Washington,  then  to  Chicago, 
where  they  were  mustered  out.  William  H.  now  resides  in  Kansas ; 
Lester  H.  on  the  farm,  three-fourths  of  a  mile  west  of  the  village  oi 
Hamlet.  Lester  H.  received  onlv  a  moderate  educational 'traininij;:  for 
several  years  he  followed  breaking  prairie,  when  he  took  to  the  farm, 
but  at  present  is  engaged  in  keeping  line  horses.  He  was  married  in 
1876  to  Mary  J.  Nichols,  native  of  Illinois,  daughter  of  Ephraim  H. 
and  Diana  Nichols,  both  of  Ohio.  They  came  to  Illinois  in  1854  and 
located  in  Hancock  county;  they  afterward  came  to  Mercer  county, 
but  returned  to  Hancock  county,  where  both  are  living, 

David  II.  Cooper  was  born  in  1832,  in  the  State  of  New  York,  and 
is  a  son  of  Levi  and  Lucy  Cooper.  He  emigrated  with  his  parents 
from  New  York  when  five  vears  old,  and  came  with  his  father  in  1S46 
to  Mercer  county,  where  lie  has  since  resided.  His  early  educational 
training  was  such  as  the  pioneer  schools  of  the  west  could  furnish.  He 
was  reared  to  the  business  of  farming,  which  he  has  since  followed. 
He  was  married  in  1855  to  Sarah  A.  Brain,  daughter  of  AVilliam  and 
Betsey  Brain.  He  has  by  this  marriage  seven  children :  Clara,  Lucy, 
Lewis  (deceased),  AYillie  J.,  Fanny  E.,  Ella,  and  Levi.  His  wife  is 
a  member  of  the  Wesleyan  Methodist  church.  He  resides  oil  the  farm 
of  his  father.  He  keeps  a  good  grade  of  farm  stock.  In  politics  he 
is  a  republican. 


330  HISTORY    OF    :jtERCEE    AXD    HEXDERSOX    COUXTIES. 

H.  X.  EosEBERRY  is  R  native  of  Xew  Jersev.  born  in  1S27,  son  of 
Elijah  and  Xancy  (Xoung)  Eoseberrv,  natives  of  Xew  Jersey.  The 
mother  died  in  IS'29 ;  the  father  came  to  Perrvton  township.  Mercer 
county,  \yhere  he  died  in  1S64.  at  tlie  asre  of  sixty-three  years.  He 
was  a  farmer  and  trader.  H.  X.  came  with  his  fatlier  to  Mercer 
county  in  1S4"J,  and  located  where  he  now  resides.  He  was  married 
in  1S59,  to  Ann  EUllon.  a  native  of  England,  born  in  1S42.  who  came 
to  Amenca  with  her  god-father,  in  1849.  Her  parents  were  James  and 
and  Marv  E^lon,  of  whom  the  former  died  in  1869.  the  latter  abi^ut 
1842.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Eoseberrv  have  seven  children :  Anna.  Mary, 
Eebecca,  Catharine.  Hilda  H.,  Stanton  (the  youngest  not  named). 
He  has  a  fine  farm  of  190  acres  located  along  the  north  line  of  the 
county  in  Perrvton  township.  It  is  well  improved  and  well  stocked 
with  good  grades.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church.  Since  he  settled  in  Mercer  county  he  has  seen  the  sea 
of  tall,  waving  wild  grass  transformed  into  beautiful  farms,  ornamented 
with  the  maple  and  elm  trees,  and  fine  spaci(jus  barns  and  dwellings. 

F.  G.  Wait,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  is  a  native  of  Indiana,  born 
in  1857,  son  of  Meigs  and  Caroline  Wait.  He  was  reared  on  the 
fann,  and  received  a  common  school  education.  Except  one  year, 
which  he  spent  in  a  store,  he  has  followed  the  business  of  fanning. 
He  was  married  in  1881  to  Lizzie  Asquitt.  of  Illinois,  born  in  I860, 
daughter  of  Joseph  and  Sarah  (Webster)  Asquitt.  both  of  English 
birth,  and  emigi*ated  to  America  about  1850.  They  are  now  residents 
of  Reynolds,'  Rock  Island  county.  Illinois.  They  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episccjpal  church.  He  is  a  retired  farmer.  F.  G.  Wait  has 
a  well  improved  farm  of  eighty  acres,  located  two  and  a  half  miles 
east  of  Hamlet.     He  keeps  a  good  grade  of  stock. 

A.  Kexdat.t.  is  a  native  of  Chautauqua  county,  Xew  York,  born  in 
1836,  son  of  Hazzard  and  Mary  (Smith)  Kendall,  both  of  Connecticut. 
Thev  emicjrated  to  Pennsvlvania,  then  to  Xew  York,  then  to  Kane 
coimty,  IlHnpis.  then  to  Kendall  county,  Illinois,  where  the  foiTuer 
now  lives,  his  wife  having  died  in  1838  in  Xew  York  at  the  age  of 
twentv-one  years.  Ebenezer  Kendall,  father  of  Hazzard  Kendall, 
was  a  native  of  Scotland.  The  family,  consisting  of  four  brothers, 
came  to  America  and  settled,  one  in  each  of  the  following  states  (then 
colonies) :  Massachusetts,  Xew  Jersey,  Yennont.  and  Connecticut. 
Levi  Smith,  maternal  grandfather  of  A.  Kendall,  was  a  native  of  Gen- 
esee county,  Xew  York,  and  moved  to  Mercer  county  in  1840.  locating 
at  ^[illersburg.  A.  Kendall  was  married  in  1863  to  Lucretia  Wait,  of 
Switzerland  county.  Indiana,  born  in  1863,  and  daughter  of  Henry 
and  Sophia  (Wells;  Wait,  both  of  Yermont.     They  came  with  their 


PERRYTON    TOWXSIilP.  331 

parents  to  Xenia.  Ohio,  where  they  were  married,  then  to  Switzerland 
county,  wliere  their  daujrhter  was  born ;  thev  then  moved  to  Rock 
IsLind  county,  where  the  father  died  in  1SS2.  at  the  age  of  eighty-nine. 
He  had  served  as  a  soklier  in  tlie  war  of  1^15.  A.  Kendall  has  four 
children:  Lettie,  Ida,  Viola,  and  Meigs  AV.  lie  has  a  farm  f»f  '1\^\ 
acres  of  tine  farming  land,  taii'ly  improved  and  well  stocked  with  good 
grades  of  cattle,  sheep  and  liogs. 

OiRXELiLS  SwABTwouT  is  a  native  of  Saratoga  county.  Xew  York, 
born  in  1809,  son  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  Swaitwout,  both  of  Xew 
York  state.  His  father  died  in  1S39  at  the  age  of  Hfty-six.  and  his 
mother  in  1S14.  Tliey  were  Baptist  people.  The  advent  of  the  family 
into  America,  consisting  of  three  brothers,  was  dui-ing  the  colonial 
times.  AU  of  them  settled  in  Xew  York.  The  Swartwout  family  is  of 
German  descent.  Cornelius  received  a  common  school  education,  such 
as  could  be  obtained  in  the  then  almost  pioneer  schools  of  his  boyhood 
days.  He  was  taught  the  vocation  of  farming  which  he  lias  always  fol- 
lotred.  He  came  to  Illinois  Avith  his  family  in  1S55  and  located  in 
Rock  Island  c<  imity.  where  he  remained  until  1S60,  when  he  came  to 
Mercer  county,  where  he  now  resides,  three-fourths  of  a  mile  east  of 
Hamlet,  on  his  farm  of  240  acres.  He  was  mai'ried  in  1S39  to  Lucinda 
Piatt,  a  native  of  X"^ew  York  and  daughter  of  Epenitis  and  Eve  Piatt, 
both  of  Xew  York  and  now  livinif  in  their  native  state.  Thev  have  six 
children :  James.  Elizabeth.  Sarah,  John.  "William,  and  Hem-y.  Tlie 
eldest  enlisted  in  the  ai-my  in  1862.  in  company  B.  126th  111.  Vol..  and 
died  in  1861.     He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

Graha^l  Lee.  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  January  22.  1821, 
and  is  the  son  of  Elisha  and  Almvra  (^Scoville)  Lee.  His  father  is 
number  18.191  of  the  sixth  generation  of  the  family.  Graham  is  imm- 
ber  18,219.  Elisha  Lee  was  born  August  27.  1791.  Tliis  history  is 
recorded  in  the  chronological  history  of  the  Strong  family,  volume  II. 
Tlie  Lees  trace  their  ancestry  to  John  Lee,  born  in  1621,  a  native  of 
Ipswich,  England,  who  came  to  America  in  1831,  in  the  ship  Francis, 
under  the  care  of  William  "Westwood.  He  located  in  Cambridge, 
Massachusetts,  where  he  remained  a  slu:>rt  time  when  he  moved  to 
Hartford,  Connecticut,  where  he  married  and  became  one  of  the  per- 
manent men  of  the  settlement.  Graham  Lee  was  born  on  the  same 
farm  as  was  his  lather,  and  in  the  same  house,  where  he  was  reared  to 
the  age  oi  twelve,  when  his  father  moved  to  town  and  engaged  in  the 
mercantile  bushiess.  Here  Graham  received  a  tair  education  and  but 
for  indisix»sition  of  his  eves  would  have  beirun  a  collei^iate  course.  But 
notwithstanding  his  failure  to  enter  college,  a  loiig  life  of  continuous 
reading  and  careful  observation  has  made  him  a  well-posted  man  as  to 


332  HISTOKV    OF    MERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

practical  knowledge  concerning  business  and  national  needs.  At  tlie 
age  of  nineteen  he  went  to  ISTew  York  to  suj^erintend  the  dairy  farm  of 
his  father  where  he  remained  till  he  arrived  at  the  age  of  twenty-one. 
In  1842  he  went  on  a  wlfaling  voyage  on  the  Pacific  Coast  with  a  view 
to  improve  his  health,  and  spent  two  years  on  the  coast  of  Alaska.  In 
18-1:5  he,  in  company  with  his  brother  Henry,  went  to  Ohio,  purchased 
a  flock  of  sheep,  which  they  drove  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  the  same 
year,  to  what  is  now  Perryton  township.  They  laid  a  claim  on  section 
9,  which  is  now  owned  by  him.  He  has  made  one  of  the  most 
beautiful  farms  in  Mercer  county.  In  1853  he  was  m'arried  to  Mary  A. 
Candor,  born  1834,  and  a  native  of  Union  county,  Pennsylvania.  She 
came  with  her  parents,  Thomas  and  Margaret  (Montgomery)  Candor,  to 
Mercer  county,  Illinois,  in  1837.  They  had  nine  children,  two  of 
whom  are  living:  Elisha,  born  in  1856,  and  Fanny,  born  September, 
1865.  Elisha  was  married  December  18, 1881,  to  Lena  Bopes,  daughter 
of  David  Bopes.  He  carries  on  the  business  of  the  farm  for  his  father. 
Mr.  Lee  was  elected  vice-president  of  the  state  board  of  agriculture  in 
1864,  which  position  he  held  till  1870.  At  the  organization  of  the 
institute  for  the  feeble-minded  of  Illinois,  he  was  appointed  a  member 
of  the  board,  and  with  the  exception  of  two  years  has  held  the  position 
of  president  of  the  board  since  its  organization.  His  wife,  Mary  A., 
died  January  30,  1874.  He  was  married  a  second  time,  to  Anna  S. 
Fisher,  a  native  of  Greene  county,  Pennsylvania,  born  March  1,  1847. 
They  have  one  child,  Graham,  born  February  24,  1880.  Mr.  Lee  was 
raised  a  Congregationalist,  but  is  now  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  at  Hamlet. 

Among  the  many  successful  farmers  of  Mercer  county  whose  first 
capital  to  begin  business  with  was  muscle  and  will  power  is  the  subject 
of  our  sketcli,  Jouathan  Gaunt.  He  is  a  native  of  Lancashire  county, 
England,  and  a  son  of  James  and  Ann  Gaunt.  His  father  was  a  manu- 
facturer of  cotton,  and  died  in  1845,  at  the  age  of  fifty-six  years.  His 
mother  came  to  America  with  Jonathan  in  1851,  and  settled  in  Rock 
Island  county,  wliere  she  lived  for  ten  years,  when  she  moved  to 
Mercer  county,  where  she  died  in  1879,  at  the  age  of  eighty  years.  She 
was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  her  husband  of  tlie 
E])isco})al  church.  Jonathan  partly  learned  the  trade  of  his  father. 
He  lived  with  his  mother  till  lie  arrived  at  the  age  of  twenty,  when  he 
went  to  work  for  himself  He  was  married  in  1862  to  Emily  Damp,  a 
native  of  New  York,  born  in  1841,  daughter  of  Michael  and  Eliza  Damp. 
They  have  five  children  :  Fernando,  Cicero,  Lorenzo,  Eliza,  and  Albert. 
He  lias  a  fine  stock  farm  of  520  acres,  well  imj^roved  and  well  stocked 


PEREYTON   TOWNSIirP.  333 

with  tlie  best  grades.     lie  makes  a  specialty  of  raising  horses  to  sell. 
In  1881  his  sales  of  horses  amounted  to  81,912. 

John  Moxtgomeky  is  a  descendant  of  one  of  the  earliest  i)ioneer 
families  to  locate  in  this  part  of  the  state.  Among  the  pioneer 
preachers  of  northwestern  Illinois  is  llev.  John  M(Hitgomery,  his  uncle. 
John  Montgomery,  our  subject,  is  a  native  of  Rock  Island  county,  born 
in  1838.  His  parents  were  Daniel  and  Margaret  S.  Montgomery,  both 
of  Montour  county,  Pennsylvania.  They  emigrated  from  their  native 
state  to  Edgington,  Rock  Island  county,  in  1830.  They  were  of  that 
class  of  Pennsylvania  people  who  carried  their  morals  with  them. 
Both  were  devoted  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  did  much 
to  establish  a  high  degree  of  morality  in  the  community  where  they 
resided.  The  father  died  in  18-1:9,  when  he  was  fifty  years  old.  The 
mother  is  now  living  in  Milan,  Pock  Island  county,  and  is  in  her 
seventy-third  year.  John  Montgomery  received  a  fair  common  school 
education,  in  addition  to  which  he  attended  school  at  Dixon,  Illinois,  for 
some  time.  He  was  reared  on  the  farm,  which  business  he  lias  always 
followed.  He  was  married  September,  1868,  to  Sarah  J.  Morris,  native 
of  Ohio,  and  daughter  of  William  and  Sarah  Morris,  both  of  Ohio,  and 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  By  this  marriage  he  has 
two  children  living:  Maud  M.,  born  January  4,  1870,  and  Fanny  L.,  • 
September  6,  1871.  His  w^ife,  Sarah  J.,  died  in  is 74.  He  married 
again  in  1876,  Elizabeth  Swartwout,  born  in  1842,  a  native  of  Xew  York 
and  a  daughter  of  Cornelius  and  Lucinda  Swartwout.  Bv  this  second 
marriage  he  has  three  children  :  Lucinda,  bcfrn  March  6, 1877  ;  James S., 
Mav  17.  1878 :  and  William  H.,  May  30,  1880.  He  and  wife  are  mem- 
bers  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Hamlet.  He  first  came  to  Perrvton 
township  in  1868,  then  returned  to  his  native  county  and  remained  till 
1 882,  when  he  again  came  to  Perryton  township,  and  located  on  the 
old  David  Blue  farm,  where  he  owns  360  acres.  He  makes  a  specialty 
of  fat  cattle,  in  addition  to  which  he  does  a  good  business  in  buying 
and  shipping  stock.  He  enlisted  March,  1S6.5,  in  company  K,  68th 
111.  Yol.,  and  served  one  year. 

The  present  practicing  physician  and  druggist  of  Hamlet  is  Dr.  M. 
Criswell,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania;  was  born  in  1847,  and  is  a  son  of 
Matliew  and  Sarah  M.  (Whitehill)  Criswell,  both  of  Pennsylvania. 
They  emigrated  to  Rock  Island  county,  Illinois,  in  1855,  where  they 
remained  till  1878,  when  they  came  to  ]\Iercer  county,  where  she  died 
in  1864,  aged  fifty-one  years.  The  father  and  his  son  Mathew  now 
reside  in  the  village  of  Hamlet.  Dr.  Criswell  received  a  good  common 
school  education.  In  the  study  of  medicine  he  graduated  at  Jefferson 
medical  college,  Philadel})hia,  with  the  class  of  1876.     The  same  year 


334  HISTOKY    OF    MERCER    ^SJS'l)    IIEXDEKSOX    COUNTIES. 

he  located  in  Pre-emption  township,  where  he  remained  till  1ST7,  when 
he  came  to  Hamlet.  He  was  married  in  1870  to  Anna  C.  Huvett,  o 
Illinois,  native  of  Eock  Island  connty,  daughter  of  Dr.  Joseph  and 
Harriette  L.  Huvett,  of  Pennsvlvania.  Thev  located  in  Milan,  Eock 
Island  county,  about  1850,  where  he  has  since  been  engaged  in  the 
practice  of  medicine.  Dr.  Criswell  has  by  this  marriage  one  child, 
Edith.     He  has  a  paying  practice. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  Josiaii  Candor  is  a  native  of  Columbia 
counts',  Pennsvlvania,  born  in  1830,  and  is  the  son  of  Thomas  and 
Margaret  (Montgomery)  Candor.  He  came  to  Mercer  county  with  his 
parents.  He  was  reared  and  educated  on  his  father''s  farm  in  Oliio 
Grove  township.  In  1852  he  went  to  Oregon  and  California,  returned 
in  1854  and  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  in  Edgington,  Eock 
Island  county,  where  he  remained  till  1867,  when  he,  in  company  with 
his  brother,  Capt.  D.  M.  Candor,  opened  a  store  of  general  mer- 
chandise in  Hamlet,  in  which  business  he  continues.  He  has  held  the 
office  of  postmaster  in  Hamlet  since  1868.  He  was  married  in  1857 
to  Mary  E.  Xichols,  a  native  of  Searsport,  Maine.  She  was  born  in 
1838  and  is  a  daughter  of  Woodburn  and  Olive  (Sleeper)  JS^ichols,  both 
of  Maine,  who  came  to  Mercer  county  in  1859  and  located  in  Perryton 
township.  The  mother  now  lives  ■s\'itli  her  son  Albion,  one  mile  south 
of  Hamlet.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Candor  have  six  children:  Marv  C,  Mav, 
Eobeit  A.,  Edwin  H.,  Yessie  O.,  and  Herbert  J.  He  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  has  a  farm  of  175  acres  well 
improved,  and  adjoining  Handet,  on  which  he  keeps  a  good  grade  c^f 
stock.  He  and  his  brother  formerly  dealt  in  stock  buying  and  ship- 
ping. Previous  to  the  building  of  the  town  of  Eeynolds,  in  Eock 
Island  county,  they  carried  on  a  trade  in  coal  at  Hamlet.  He  has 
been  the  school  treasurer  of  the  township  for  the  past  six  years. 

Capt.  Daniel  M.  Candor  was  born  in  Columbia  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, in  1836,  and  came  with  his  parents,  Thomas  and  Margaret 
(Muntgomery)  Candor,  to  Mercer  county  when  he  was  one  year  old. 
His  early  education  was  such  as  he  could  get  in  the  pioneer  schools  ( )f 
his  neighborhood,  with  a  two  vears'  course  in  the  academv  at  Macomb, 
Illinois.  He  remained  on  the  farm  with  his  parents  till  of  age.  He 
went  to  Pike's  Peak  in  185I>,  stayed  two  years,  returned  in  1860,  and 
enlisted  in  1861,  in  company  A,  30th  111,  Vol.,  and  served  a  few  days 
over  four  years.  He  lirst  enlisted  for  three  years,  or  during  the  war, 
and  afterward  veteranized  at  Yicksburg.  He  was  in  the  following 
engagements:  Belmont,  Fort  Henry,  Fort  Donelson,  the  skirmishes 
around  Shiloli,  Brittin's  Lane,  Port  Gibson,  Eayniond,  Jackson,  Mis- 
sissippi, Champion  Hills,  siege  of  Yicksburg,  Kennesaw  Mountain,  sieges 


PERRYTON   TOWNSHIP.  335 

of  Atlanta,  Savannah,  Charleston,  Raleigh,  Bentonville.  and  Golds- 
borough,  and  then  went  to  AVashington  by  way  of  Itichmond.  He 
was  commissioned  captain  of  his  company  October  27,  ls«U,  which 
commission  he  held  till  the  com])any  was  mustered  out  of  the  service. 
Following  the  siege  of  Yicksburg  he  was  promoted  to  the  otKce  of 
orderly  sergeant  from  the  office  of  commissary  sergeant.  At  the  battle 
of  Atlanta  he  received  a  wound  in  the  head.  His  parents  located  in 
Ohio  Grove  township  when  they  came  to  Mercer  county,  and  continued 
to  reside  there  till  1850.  His  mother  died  in  1871,  at  the  age  of 
seventy-five  years.  His  father,  Thomas  Candor,  was  married  a  second 
time,  to  Mary  L.  Boardman,  and  died  in  187-1,  aged  seventy-five  years. 
Capt.  Candor's  parents,  Margaret  and  Thomas,  were  both  natives  of 
Pennsylvania.  Capt.  Candor  was  married  in  1868  to  Emma  J.  Girton, 
a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  in  18-12,  and  daughter  of  Baltis  and 
Anna  E.  Girton,  both  of  Bloomsburg,  Pennsylvania.  They  came  to 
Blinois  in  1872,  and  now  live  in  Hamlet.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Candor  have 
three  children:  Graham  L.,  born  in  1868, Thomas  G.,  1870,  and  Edna, 
in  1879.  He  has  a  well  improved  farm  of  175  acres,  adjoining  Hamlet. 
He  keeps  a  good  grade  of  all  kinds  of  stock.  He  and  his  brother 
Josiah  were  partners  in  the  mercantile  business  in  Hamlet  from  1867 
to  1881.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at 
Hamlet. 

Of  those  who  look  to  Mercer  county  as  their  birth  place  and  home 
is  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  W.  C.  Yandalsem.  He  was  born  in  1850. 
His  parents  were  John  and  Hannah  M.  Vandalsem,  both  of  Ohio,  and 
came  to  Mercer  county  with  the  early  settlers  with  their  parents.  They 
were  married  here.  His  mother's  family  located  as  early  as  1832  in 
Warren  county,  and  afterward  came  to  Mercer  county  and  settled  near 
Pope  creek.  AV.  C.'s  parents  emigrated  to  Kansas  in  1879,  where 
they  yet  remain.  His  father  is  now  fifty-nine  years  old,  his  mother 
fifty-seven  years.  They  are  both  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 
His  father  served  in  the  army  in  company  B,  83d  111.  Vol.,  and  was 
out  three  years,  lacking  one  month.  He  was  in  the  second  battle 
fought  at  Fort  Donelson.  after  which  his  com])anf  was  detailed  to  fight 
bushwhackers  and  guerillas.  AV.  C.  was  educated  in  the  common 
school  and  reared  on  the  farm.  He  was  married  in  1876  to  Deborah 
Dunn,  native  of  Illinois,  born  in  1852,  and  daughter  of  John  G.  and 
Lydia  (AVinans)  Dunn,  the  former  of  Ohio,  the  latter  of  Kentucky. 
Her  father  died  in  1857,  at  the  age  of  thirty-five,  her  mother  in  1S64. 
aged  about  forty-four  years,  a  devoted  christian  and  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church.  AV.  C.  has  by  this  marriage  three  chil- 
dren :  Glenn,  Charley,  and  Bessie.     His  wife's  people  came  to  Mercer 


336  HISTORY   OF   JSIERCEK   AKD    IIENDEESOX   COUNTIES. 

county  in  1S51,  where  tliej  lived  till  tlieir  deaths.  Mr.  Yandalsem 
owns  a  fine  farm  of  128  acres,  on  which  he  keeps  a  high  grade  of 
stock. 

George  Gray  is  a  native  of  Switzerland  county,  Indiana,  born  in 
1851,  and  is  a  son  of  Eobeit  and  Mary  Gray,  both  of  Indiana.  His 
father  came  to  Illinois  in  1867,  then  went  to  Iowa,  and  now  resides  in 
Barton  county,  Missouri.  His  mother  died  in  Indiana.  George  came 
first  to  Eock  Island  county,  Illinois,  and  lived  with  his  uncle  for  some 
time.  His  educational  training  was  such  as  he  could  get  in  the 
common  school.  He  began  life  for  himself  with  nature's  capital, 
energy  and  muscle.  He  now  has  a  fann  of  120  acres,  located  two 
miles  southeast  of  Hamlet,  in  Perryton  township.  He  keeps  a  good 
m-ade  of  stock.  In  1879  he  came  to  Mercer  county  and  located.  The 
same  year  he  was  married  to  Arabella  Yandalsem,  daughter  of  John 
and  Hannah  M.  Yandalsem.     They  have  one  child,  Grace. 

Of  those  whom  we  may  term  old  resident  settlers  of  Perryton  town- 
ship is  Mr.  J.  M.  Dunn.  He  located  here  as  early  as  1851.  He  was 
born  in  the  state  of  Kentucky  in  1824.  His  parents  were  James  and 
Sai-ah  Dunn,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  the  '"corn  cracker  state." 
His  father  died  in  his  native  state  in  1823,  his  mother  emigrated  with 
her  family  in  1831,  to  Clermont  county,  Ohio,  where  she  died  in  1852, 
at  the  age  of  sixty-two  years.  She  was  a  member  of  the  Wesleyan 
Methodist  church.  J.  M.  received  only  a  meager  education,  such  as 
the  pioneer  schools  could  give.  He  was  reared  a  farmer,  which  busi- 
ness he  has  always  followed.  He  returned  to  Ohio  in  1855,  where  he 
was  married  to  Elizabeth  Huntington,  born  in  1826,  and  daughter  of 
Abner  and  Pebecca  Huntington,  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio 
respectively.  The  former  died  in  1877  at  the  good  old  age  of  seventy- 
seven  years,  the  latter  in  1876,  aged  seventy-one ;  both  were  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Mr.  Dunn  has  by  this  marriage 
seven  children:  James  A.,  John  IL,  Benjamin  F.,  George W.,  Emma 
C,  Thomas  IL,  Sarah  (deceased),  and  Rebecca  (deceased).  He  and 
wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He  has  a  farm 
of  200  acres  located  ene  mile  southeast  of  Hamlet,  fairly  improved. 

"VV.  W.  Bradford,  the  subject  of  this  life  sketch  is  a  native  of  Swit- 
zerland county,  Indiana,  born  in  1830.  His  parents  were  Eli  and 
Mary  A.  Bradford  ;  the  former  of  Canada,  died  March,  1876,  at  the  age 
of  seventy  years  ;  the  latter  of  Pennsylvania,  died  in  1872,  at  the  age  of 
sixty-two  years  and  ten  months.  They  were  i)ioneer  settlers  of  Indi- 
ana, having  located  in  Switzerland  county  while  the  Indians  were  yet 
])lenty.  They  were  people  of  high  moral  integrity  and  members  of  the 
Baptist  church.     W.  W.  came  to  Mercer  county  in  1855,  and  located 


PERRYTON   TOWNSHIP.  337 

east  of  Ilamlc't,  where  A.  Kindall  now  resides.  He  returned  t«j  Indi- 
ana the  following  year  and  was  married,  and  again  came  to  Illinois 
where  he  lived  till  ISOO,  when  he  went  to  Henry  county,  and  there 
remained  till  1S77,  when  he  came  to  Mercer  where  he  yet  resides.  Ilis 
wife  was  Miss  Maria  P.  Stephens,  a  native  of  Indiana  and  daughter  of 
Reuben  and  Mary  Stephens,  both  of  whom  are  nati\es  of  Xew  Yoi-k. 
They  were  early  settlers  of  Switzerland  county,  Indiana.  Her  m<jther 
flied  in  1881  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-two  years.  Her  father  still 
lives  in  Switzerland  county,  and  is  now  ninety-three  years  old.  Thej' 
were  both  members  of  the  Methodist  Ei)iscopal  church  and  well  res- 
pected by  all  with  whom  they  dealt.  By  occupation  they  were  farmers. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bradford  have  by  this  marriage  eight  children :  Bruce, 
Perry  (deceased),  Eddy  (deceased),  Elijah  (deceased),  Ida,  Guy  S., 
and  "William  F.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Free  Methodist 
church.     He  has  a  well  improved  stock  farm  of  320  acres. 

Alfred  II.  Smith  is  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  in  1828,  son  of 
Charles  and  Margarette  A.  (Sungrain)  Smith.  His  father  was  a  native 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  served  in  Capt.  Brady's  United  States  volunteers 
in  the  war  of  1812.  He  died  in  1828.  His  mother  was  a  native  of 
Philadelphia,  born  in  1S04,  and  died  in  Mercer  county  in  1874.  Her 
parents  were,  one  from  Switzerland,  the  other  from  Holland,  She 
came  to  Mercer  county  in  1849.  She  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian church.  Alfred  II.  came  to  Mercer  county  with  his  mother.  He 
was  reared  on  the  farm  in  w^hich  business  he  has  continued.  He  was 
married  in  1855  to  Margaret  Catchcart,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania, 
daughter  of  John  and  Mary  (Brown)  Catchcart,  who  came  to  Rock 
Island  in  1850.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  have  ten  children :  Emma,  Charles, 
Arthur,  Adella,  Dora,  Retta,  Harvey,  Frederick,  Charles,  and  Uliner. 
He  has  a  well  improved  farm  of  240  acres  and  good  grades  of  stock. 
He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Baptist  church.  His  wife's  father  is  a 
native  of  Pennsylvania,  her  mother  of  Donegal  county,  Ireland. 

Among  the  early  settlers  of  Perryton  township  who  have  passed 
from  this  seething  and  ever-changing  world  of  mingled  bliss  and  j<jy  to 
that  more  quiet  home  above  is  James  Gorman.  He  located  in  Perry- 
ton  townshi})  in  1842,  where  he  resided  till  his  death,  which  occurred 
in  1877  in  the  seventy-seventh  year  of  his  age.  He  was  born  in  Ire- 
land in  1800  and  came  to  America  in  1837,  locating  in  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  remained  till  1842,  when  he  emigrateil  to  Blinois.  By  trade 
he  was  a  linen  weaver  but  farmed  in  America.  He  was  married  in 
Ireland  to  Sarah  McAdam,  daughter  of  Sanuiel  and  Sarah  McAdam, 
James  Gorman  had  by  this  marriage  eight  children  :  John  (deceased), 
William,  and  James  were  born  in  Ireland;  Andrew,  Sarah,  and  Sanuiel 


338  HISTORY  OF  ^n-:RCER  and  hendersox  counties. 

(deceased),  were  born  in  the  "Quaker  state;"  Elizabetli  and  Xancv 
•svere  born  in  Perryton  townshi]).  James  and  William  enlisted  in  the 
army,  the  former  in  company  C,  the  latter  in  company  G,  102d 
111,  Vol.  ;  both  went  out  in  1862  and  returned  at  the  close  of  the  war  in 
1868.  James  Gorman  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  from 
early  life  till  his  death.  His  widow  is  a  member  of  the  same  church. 
She  now  lives  on  the  old  homestead  in  the  south  half  of  Perryton 
township  where  they  located  in  1812.  Sarah  and  Andrew  remain  At 
home  to  comfort  her  in  her  old  age.  She  is  now  seventy-seven  years 
old. 

Levi  Cooper  was  born  in  Staffordshire,  England,  in  1810.  His 
parents  were  Thomas  and  Ann  (Hashley)  Cooper,  both  of  England. 
His  father  was  born  in  Staffordshire,  September  3,  1771:,  and  died  at 
Hamlet,  October  10,  1857.  His  mother  was  born  October  1,  1787, 
and  died  October  20,  1838.  Tliey  were  married  in  their  native  country 
and  emigrated  to  America  in  1832,  and  located  in  Canada,  where  they 
remained  five  years,  when  they  moved  to  Lewis  county,  New  York. 
In  1810  they  emigrated  to  Michigan,  and  came  to  Illinois  in  1846  and 
located  in  Perryton  township,  Mercer  county,  where  they  spent  their 
declining  years.  Thomas  Cooper  was  a  tailor  by  trade.  He  and  wife 
were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  both  in  England  and 
America.  Levi  Cooper  came  to  America  with  his  father,  and  made  the 
same  removals.  He  was  by  trade  a  brick  and  tile  maker,  which  busi- 
ness he  followed  in  England,  and  in  America  one  year,  after  which  he 
engaged  in  the  business  of  well-digging,  till  he  located  on  the  farm. 
This  last  business  he  pursued  till  he  retired  from  active  life.  He  now 
owns  a  farm  of  320  acres  second  to  none  in  location  and  quality  in 
Perryton  township.  He  was  married  in  1839  to  Lucy  Sproston,  of 
England,  who  was  born  in  1807,  and  was  the  daughter  of  John  and 
Sarah  Sproston.  They  came  to  America  in  1832,  located  in  Canada,  and 
emigrated  to  Perryton  township,  Mercer  county,  in  1866.  Her  father 
died  at  Hamlet,  April  21,  1864,  aged  eighty-five  years,  her  mother  in 
England,  about  1808.  By  this  marriage  Mr.  Cooper  has  four  children: 
David  H.,  Sarah,  Betsy  E.,  and  Hiram  L.  His  wife,  Lucy  Sproston, 
died  in  1876.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Wesleyan  Methodist  church  ;  his 
wife  was  a  member  of  the  same.  Since  the  death  of  his  wife  he  has 
left  his  farm  and  now  lives  with  his  son-in-law,  C.  Taylor.  Llis  two 
sons  live  on  his  farm.  Mr.  Cooper  is  a  man  who  is  well  respected  by 
all  who  know  him. 

H.  W.  FisK,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  a  native  of  Orange  county, 
New  York,  was  born  in  1833,  and  is  the  son  of  Jonathan  and  Susan 
(AVilliams)  Fisk,  both  of  Massachusetts.     His  father  was  a  mechanic 


.  ^^/J^ 


PERRYTON   TONVNSnil\  341 

and  died  in  ISo^  tit  the  age  of  sixty-three;  his  mother  died  in  1841  at 
the  age  of  tifty-oiie;  both  were  iiiumbers  of  the  Presbyterian  church'. 
His  father  vtA'S  one  of  the  ruling  elders  in  the  society  of  which  he  was 
a  nieinl>er.     The   Fisk  family  is  of  Saxon   descent.     They  came   to 
America  •soon  after  the  MayHower  brought  the  jnlgrims  to  the  rockV 
coast  of  Massachusetts.     II.  W.  Fisk  graduated  at  Waveland,  Indiai\a.; 
in  the  class  of  1859.      He  then  took  up  the  profession  of  teacUilig,' 
which  he  followed  till  18(54,  when  he  was  licensed  to  preachy  h}f  the"- 
Vincennes  presbytery.     In  1866  he  was  ordained  a  mini^t^i*  of  the" 
gospel  by  the  same  presbytery.     lie  was  appointed  home  iili^si^ary,  « 
in  which  position  he  labored  till  1870,  when  he  was  called  to  the  Eiicf- 
lah  charge  in  Rock  Island  county  where  he  remained  two  years.     In 
1872  he  was  called  to  the  Hamlet  charge,  where  he  has  since  labored, 
j)reaching  both  at  Hamlet  and  at  the  Perryton  church  four  miles  soutti. 
lie  was  married  in  1862  to  Miss  Marv  Stevenson,  a  native  of  Pennsvl- 
vania,  who  was  born  in  1834,  and  is  a  daughter  of  John  and  Susan  (J.  ■ 
(Myres)  Stevenson.      Iler  father  was  a  native  of  Ireland   and   her" 
mother  of  Pennsylvania.     Her  mother  died  in  1857  at  the  agofvf  torty-- 
seven.     Her  father  is  now  liviiiii:  and  is  in  his  seventv-second  year- 
Both  were  devoted  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church.     Pev.  Fisk 
has  by  this  marriage  three  children :  Charles  E.,  Susan,  and  Emma. 

Michael  Damp,  deceased,  and  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  bom  in 
1814,  in  New  York,  and  was  a  son  of  Philip  and  Susan  Damp,  both  of 
Germany.  He  came  to  Illinois  about  1852,  and  first  located  at  ]\rilan, 
where  he  engaged  in  the  milling  business.  In  1854  he  went  to  Moline, 
where  he  run  a  mill,  and  paid  the  farmers  of  Pock  Island  county  the 
first  cash  for  wheat  received  in  that  section.  Previous  to  his  locating 
there  they  received  their  pay  in  goods.  In  1858  he  sold  his  mill  at 
Moline  and  moved  to  Pope  creek,  where  he  again  engaged  in  running 
a  mill  for  about  four  years,  when  he  quit  the  milling  business  and  came 
to  Perryton  township  and  engaged  in  farming.  This  he  followed  till 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  1865.  He  was  married  to  Eliza  Kemp,  of 
New  York,  who  was  born  in  1818,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Michael  and 
Sarah  Kemp.  Her  parents  were  reared,  educated,  married,  raised  a 
family  and  died  without  emigi-ating  from  their  native  state.  The  Kemp 
family  came  to  America  from  (irermany,  and  located  in  New  York  in 
the  early  settlement  of  the  state.  By  this  marriage  he  had  eight  chil- 
dren :  Edward  C,  Emily,  Amos  (deceased),  Julia  (deceased),  Melonia 
(deceased),  Charlotta  (deceased),  and  Cicero  R.  Of  the  three  living 
cliildren  two  are  at  home.  Emily,  now  Islrs.  (iaunt,  lives  in  the  east 
part  of  Perryton  township.  Edward  C.  was  married  in  1875  to  Eliza 
Johnson,  who  died  in  1879,  leaving  three  children:  Arthur,  Elmer, 
20 


842  HISTORY   OF   SfERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

and  Isaac  F.  Cicero  R.  was  born  in  1860,  and  was  married  in  Decem- 
ber, 1881,  to  Julia  A.  Howard,  of  Illinois,  born  in  1858,  and  daughter 
•of  John  and  Mary  Howard.  Mr.  Damp  left  his  family  in  good  circum- 
stances. His  widow  now  resides  about  two  miles  south  of  Hamlet. 
Few,  if  any  farms  in  Perryton  are  better  improved. 

jAiiEs  GiNGLES,  dcccascd,  is  justly  entitled  to  the  honor  of  being 
one  of  the  pioneers  of  Perryton  townshiji.  He  came  at  the  same  time 
as  did  the  McHards,  in  1838,  and  settled  south  of  Camp  creek.  He 
was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  in  the  year  1801,  in  Columbia 
county,  where  he  was  reared  and  educated  to  the  business  of  farming. 
He  remained  in  his  native  state  till  1838,  the  time  of  his  emigration  to 
Perryton  township.  He  resided  here  till  his  death,  which  occurred 
when  he  was  in  his  seventy-second  year.  He  was  married  in  1822  to 
Elizabeth  Lackard,  of  Pennsylvania,  born  in  1805,  and  daughter  of 
Pobert  and  Jane  Lackard,  both  of  Pennsylvania.  James  Gingles,  by 
this  marriage,  raised  a  family  of  eight  children :  Martha,  Jane,  Eliza- 
beth, AVashington,  Margaret,  Harriet  (deceased),  John,  and  Clinda, 
all  of  whom  are  married  except  Washington,  and  he  remains  at  home 
with  his  mother,  caring  for  her  in  her  old  age.  She  still  resides  on  the 
old  homestead,  where  they  located  when  they  lii"st  came  to  Perryton 
township.  To  use  the  language  of  a  friend  of  the  family:  "Mr.  Gin- 
gles was  energetic  and  industrious.  His  character  for  sobriety,  honesty, 
and  integrity,  was  above  reproach.  Coming  to  this  country  when  it 
was  in  its  infancy,  he  endured  every  privation  and  hardship  incident  to 
a  new  country  in  its  early  settlement ;  these  he  bore  with  manly  forti- 
tude and  Christian  resignation.  His  well  matured  opinions  and  advice 
were  sought  for  and  readily  given  to  the  more  recent  settler.  In  times 
when  money  was  scarce  he  often  lent  a  helping  hand  to  those  who 
were  in  need  or  distress,  thus  fuMlling  the  Christian  maxim  of  doing 
good  while  we  have  time.  His  door  was  ever  open  to  the  wayfarer  and 
traveler.  N^o  one  in  need  was  turned  away  without  being  recipients 
of  his  hospitality.  During  the  last  hours  of  his  earthly  existence  he 
•had  the  sweetest  solace  and  consolation  of  human  existence  by  being 
surrounded  by  the  children  of  his  love,  whom  he  had  nurtured  in  the 
way  of  religion  and  truth,  thus  depriving  death  of  more  than  half  its 
terror,  and  illustrating  the  truth  of  that  beautiful  stanza  : 

"  Jesus  can  make  a  dying  bed 
As  soft  as  downy  i)illows  are." 

His  preference  in  religion  was  that  of  the  Presbyterian  teaching.  He 
and  his  wife  so  impressed  their  earnestness  and  faith  in  Christianity 
u]>()n  tlieir  children,  that  they  are  all  following  in  the  footsteps  of  their 
parents. 


PERRYTON   TOWNSHIP.  343 

Of  the  citizen  soldiers  now  residents  of  Mercer  county,  whom  the 
county  chiinis  as  her  own  by  birth  and  education,  is  J.  B.  Felton.  He 
was  born  in  Millersburg  township,  in  1842,  and  is  a  son  of  David  and 
Lucinda  Felton.  He  has  lived  in  Mercer  county  all  his  life  except  ten 
years.  He  received  most  of  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Mercer 
county.  In  1866  he  was  married  to  Charlotte  A.  Howe,  daughter  of 
L.  B.  Howe.  She  was  born  in  1847  in  Mercer  county.  They  have 
two  children :  Jenney  F.  and  Clara  E.  He  enlisted  in  the  army  in 
1862,  in  Company  g"^  102d  111.  Yol.,  and  served  till  June,  1865.  He 
was  in  the  battle  at  Resacca,  where  he  was  wounded.  He  was  in  the 
hospital  at  Nashville  from  May,  1863,  till  November,  1864.  During 
the  remainder  of  his  term  of  service  he  was  in  numerous  skirmishes. 
He  has  not  yet  recovered  from  his  wound  and  draws  a  pension.  He 
has  a  nicely  improved  farm  of  eighty  acres. 

Robert  Dool,  a  native  of  Ohio,  was  born  in  1850,  and  is  the  son 
of  Henry  and  Mary  Dool,  Ireland,  who  came  to  Ohio,  where  they 
remained  for  some  time,  when  they  came  to  Mercer  county  and 
located  in  Perryton  township  in  1853,  where  they  resided  till  1881, 
when  they  moved  to  Aledo  to  live  a  retired  life  and  enjoy  their  declin- 
ing years.  Both  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  Robert 
was  reared  on  the  farm  and  educated  in  the  district  school.  He  was 
married  in  1873  to  Therssa  Hayes,  daughter  of  Henderson  and  Olive 
Hayes,  both  of  Pennsylvania,  but  afterward  of  Ohio,  settling  in  that 
state  in  1848.  His  mother  died  in  1852.  His  father  is  now  living 
and  a  resident  of  Belmont  county,  Ohio.  Mr.  Dool  has  two  children : 
Gertrude  B.  and  Henry  C.  H.  His  wife's  parents  were  members  ot 
the  Presbyterian  church,  as  are  he  and  wife,  and  hold  their  member- 
shi})  at  Millersburg.  He  has  a  fine  farm  of  234  acres,  well  improved, 
and  keeps  a  good  class  of  farm  stock,  and  feeds  cattle  for  the  market. 
George  Walter,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  a  native  of  Penn- 
sylvania and  was  born  in  1812.  He  was  a  son  of  Henry  and  Elizabeth 
Walter,  both  of  Northampton  county,  Pennsylvania,  who  emigrated 
to  Columbia  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  they  died.  George  was 
married  in  his  native  state  in  1836,  where  he  remained  till  he  emi- 
gi'ated  to  Illinois  and  located  in  Perryton  township  in  1859,  where  he 
died  in  1872  on  his  farm,  at  the  age  of  sixty-one.  His  widow  now 
resides  on  the  old  place.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
church.  They  had  ten  children:  Charles  C,  Henry  J.,  David  M., 
George  D.,  Sarah  E.  (deceased),  Mary  E.  (deceased),  Martha  R., 
^Villiani  A.,  Hannah  J.,  and  Samuel  W.  (deceased).  The  homestead 
farm  consists  of  a  quarter  section,  which  is  undivided  between  the 
heirs.     Henry  J.  was  born  in  Montour  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1841, 


344  HISTORY    OF    MERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

and  came  to  Illinois  with  liis  parents  and  now  lives  with  his  mother  on 
the  old  homestead.  lie  enlisted  in  the  army  in  1801  and  served  till 
November,  1862,  when  he  was  wounded  at  Brittin's  Lane,  and  dis- 
charged from  the  service.  He  belonged  to  company  C,  30th  111.  Vol. 
Inf.  He  was  in  the  battles  of  Belmont  (Missoiu-i),  Fort  Henrv,  and 
Fort  Donelson,  the  siege  of  Corinth  and .  Brittin's  Lane.  William  A. 
was  born  in  1852  and  resides  on  the  old  homestead  with  his  mother. 
David  M.  enlisted  in  1862  in  company  II,  84th  111.  Yol.  Inf ,  and 
was  transferred  to  the  marine  brigade,  served  three  years,  and  now 
lives  in  Ringgold  county,  Iowa.  George  D.  enlisted  in  company  H, 
84tli  111.  Yol.  Inf,  and  was  transferred  to  the  21st  111.  Yol.  Inf.  He 
now  lives  in  Burlington,  Iowa. 

Warner  Corns,  a  native  of  Ohio,  born  1821,  is  the  son  of  Henry 
and  Mary  Corns,  the  former  of  Pennsylvania,  the  latter  of  Yirginia. 
They  emigrated  to  Ohio  where  they  were  married,  and  afterward  came 
to  Illinois  in  1842,  located  in  Rock  Island  county,  where  they  remained 
one  year.  They  came  to  Mercer  county  in  1843,  and  located  where 
their  son  Warner  now  resides.  The  ftither  died  in  1880,  aged  eighty- 
three.  The  mother  lives  on  the  old  homestead  with  her  son  Warner, 
and  is  now  in  her  eighty-seventh  year.  Warner  came  to  Illinois  with 
his  parents  with  whom  he  has  always  lived.  He  and  his  father 
together  laid  a  claim  on  the  ftirm  where  he  now  resides,  and  both 
improved  the  same.  He  enlisted  in  1862  in  company  D,  33d  111.  Yol. 
Inf.,  and  served  three  years.  He  was  iu  the  second  battle  of  Fort 
Donelson  and  at  Resacca.  The  remainder  of  his  term  of  service  the 
company  was  detailed  to  fight  bush-whackers  and  guerillas.  He  was 
married  in  1854  to  Amelia  Gingles,  daughter  of  Robert  and  Catharine 
(xingles.  They  came  to  Mercer  county  in  1839  and  located  in  Perry- 
ton  township.  The  former  died  in  1875,  at  the  age  of  seventy-six 
years;  the  latter  in  1880,  aged  seventy-nine  years.  Mr.  Corns  has 
four  children :  Mary  C.  (now  the  widow  of  James  Huffman),  Ellen  M. 
and  Thirza  C.  (twins). '  Ellen  married  Charles  Fencedemancher  and 
Thirza  married  Charles  Snow,  and  Amanda  is  at  home  with  her 
parents.  Mr.  C.  has  a  farm  of  120  acres  and  keeps  a  good  grade  of 
stock. 

Among  the  prominent  farmers  and  stock-raisers  of  Perryton  town- 
ship is  G.  D.  Miller.  He  was  born  in  1824  and  is  a  native  of 
Kentucky,  and  son  of  William  and  Elizabeth  Miller,  of  Kentucky. 
His  father  died  in  his  native  state  in  1832,  at  the  ao-e  of  thirtv-two 
years.  In  1833  his  mother  emigrated  to  Crawford  county,  Ohio  (now 
Wyandot  county),  where  G.  D.  was  reared  on  the  farm,  receiving 
such  educational  instruction  as  the  ])ioneer  schools  could  furnish.     His 


I'ERRYTOX   TOWNSHIP.  345 

mother  died  in  1870,  at  the  age  of  sixty-five,  on  tlie  old  homestead  in 
Ohio.  II is  great-grandparents  on  his  father's  side  came  to  America 
from  across  the  sea :  one  from  Germany,  the  other  from  Ireland.  Mr. 
Miller  came  and  located  in  Perry  ton  township  in  1852  where  he  now 
resides.  Previous  to  his  locating  here  he  herded  and  fed  cattle  in  the 
neighborhood  of  DeWitt  c<^inity,  this  state,  for  several  years.  In  1852 
he  returned  to  Oliio  where  he  was  mari-ied  to  Sophia  Brady,  born  in 
1827,  and  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Sarah  Brady,  the  foi-mer  of  whom 
died  in  Ohio  in  1842,  at  the  age  of  fifty-six  years,  and  the  latter  in 
1870,  at  the  age  of  seventy  years.  Mr.  Miller  has  ten  children : 
Helen  S.,  Minor  D.,  Dow  (deceased),  Olive  L.,  Calista,  Sue,  Emma, 
Iva  M.  (deceased).  Clay,  and  Lonie.  He  has  a  fine  stock  farm  of  700 
acres  located  in  the  southeast  quarter  of  Perryton  township.  lie  feeds 
and  ships  cattle  and  hogs.  He  raises  shorthorns,  draft  horses,  and 
the  best  grades  of  hogs  and  sheep.  He  is  a  member  of  the  masonic 
lodge  at  Aledo. 

Among  the  early  settlers  of  Perryton  township  was  Austin  A\"ot)d, 
the  father  of  our  subject  (W.  A.  Wood)  and  his  family.  He  located  in 
Perryton  township  as  early  as  1837,  ha\ing  come  to  Peoria  county  in 
1836.  AV.  A.  Wood  was  born  in  1820,  in  the  state  of  New  York. 
His  parents,  Austin  and  Louisa  Wood,  were  natives  of  Connecticut. 
His  father  died  in  18(34,  at  the  age  of  seventy-seven  yeai's;  his  mother 
in  1874,  aged  seventy-three  years.  They  were  both  members  of  the 
IMethodist  Episcopal  church,  and  highly  respected  by  those  who  knew 
them.  W.  A.  was  reared  on  the  farm.  His  earlv  education  was 
received  at  the  common  school.  He  has  pursued  the  business  of  his 
father  all  his  life.  He  owns  a  fine  stock  farm  of  290  acres,  fairly 
improved  and  well  stocked.  He  was  married  in  1843  to  Harriet  S. 
Smith,  of  Xew  York,  daughter  of  Jesse  Smith,  who  came  to  Mercer 
county  in  1840.  Mr.  Wood  has  eight  children:  Saphrona,  AValter, 
Louis,  Burdick,  Emerson,  Charles,  Bell,  and  Lena.  He  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He  lives  in  the  south 
half  of  Perryton  township,  four  and  a  half  miles  southeast  of  Hamlet. 

The  veteran  pioneer,  Wilijam  Doak,  of  Mercer  county,  was  born  in 
Columbia  county,  Pennsylvania,  October  15, 1816,  and  was  brought  up 
on  a  farm.  His  education  was  received  in  the  pioneer  log  cabin  school- 
house,  with  its  slab  seats  and  desks.  In  the  fall  of  1837  he  emigrated 
to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  first  settting  in  Greene  township,  where  he 
remained  till  the  fall  of  1839,  when  he  removed  to  Perryton,  where  he 
permanently  located  on  section  27,  and  actively  engaged  in  farming 
and  stock-raising,  following  the  business  successfully  till  the  spring  of 
1882,  when  he  gave  up  active  labor  and  removed  to  Aledo,  with  a  view 


346  HISTORY   OF   :MERCER   and   HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

of  spending  his  declining  years  in  quiet  rest.  He  was  married  May 
19,  1S46,  to  Sarali  P.,  daughter  of  Dr.  M.  Farwelh  She  is  a  native  of 
!Xew  Hampshire,  and  came  with  her  parents  to  Mercer  county  in  1S42 
and  settled  in  Pre-emption  township.  They  are  the  parents  of  three 
childi'en :  Kancy  J.,  now  Mrs.  William  McHard,  "William  E.,  now  a 
resident  of  Keithsburg  township,  and  Alvah  J.,  who  now  lives  on  the 
old  homestead  farm  in  Perrji;on  township.  For  many  of  the  incidents 
related  of  the  earlv  settlement  of  Perrvton  township  reference  may  be 
had  to  the  Perrvton  township  history.  He  and  wife  are  pioneer  mem- 
bers of  the  Presbyterian  church  as  well  as  pioneer  settlers.  His  son, 
Alvah  A.,  was  born  in  Perrvton  township  in  1S54.  He  was  reared  on 
the  farm.  His  educational  training  was  that  of  the  district  school  and 
a  few  tenns  in  the  academy  at  Aledo.  He  was  married  in  ISSO  to 
Agnes  Wallace,  a  native  of  Ohio,  born  in  1857,  and  a  daughter  of 
Joseph  and  Mary  Wallace,  both  of  Ohio,  and  came  to  Mercer  county 
about  1860.  A.  J.  Doak  carries  on  the  business  of  his  father's  farm. 
He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

T.  GuFFY  is  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  was  born  in  1829. 
He  is  the  son  of  Alexander  and  Catharine  Gufty,  both  of  Penn- 
sylvania. His  father  went  to  California  in  1848.  where  he  died 
in  1857,  at  the  ao-e  of  fiftv-six  years.  His  mother  now  lives  in 
Pennsylvania  and  is  in  her  seventy-ninth  year.  Both  were  members 
of  the  Lutheran  church,  but  his  mother  is  at  the  present  a  member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Mr.  Guffv  was  reared  a  mechanic, 
and  came  to  Mercer  county  in  1855,  where  he  engaged  in  farming, 
in  which  pursuit  he  is  still  occupied.  He  was  married  in  1857  to 
Margaret  Gingles,  daughter  of  James  and  Elizabeth  Gingles.  Mr. 
Guffy  has  by  this  marriaace  one  child.  Harriet  C,  who  was  married  in 
1881  to  John  C.  Lanon,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  son  of  Daniel 
and  Sarah  Lanon.  He  came  to  Mercer  county  from  Michigan.  !Mr. 
Guffy  has  a  well-improved  farm  of  sixty  acres.  His  son-in-law  lives 
with  him  and  carries  on  the  farm.  He  and  vdfe  are  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  church. 

The  McHard  family  located  in  Perrvton  township  in  1839.  At 
that  time  there  were  but  few  settlers  in  this  part  of  the  country. 
"\iMiere  AVilliam  McIIard  located  at  the  above-named  date  is  now  the 
finest  part  of  Perrvton  township.  In  1839  the  surrounding  country 
was  a  wild  wilderness,  over  whicli  the  deer  and  wolves  gamboled ; 
the  coo  of  the  prairie  chicken  and  the  quack  of  the  vnM  duck  made  the 
music  in  the  balmy  spring  morning  air.  Among  the  names  of  the 
pioneers  of  Perrvton. townshi]>  belongs  the  name  of  William  McH.\JiD. 
He  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  in  1810,  son  of  Joseph  and 


PERRYTON   TOWNSHIP.  347 

Sarah  (Adams)  McIIard,  the  former  of  Ireland,  the  latter  of  Scotland, 
botli  of  whom  died  in  Pennsylvania.  William  was  brought  up  a 
wagonmaker.  lie  was  mariied  in  his  native  state  in  1S32,  and  came 
to  Illinois  seven  years  later,  and  located  in  Perry  ton  toAvnship,  where 
he  engaged  in  farming,  which  pursuit  he  followed  till  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  1870,  at  the  age  of  sixty-three  years.  His  wife  died  in 
1867,  at  the  age  of  fifty-six  years.  They  were  both  persons  of  high 
moral  integrity  and  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  Ilis  son, 
"William  McIIard,  Jr.,  was  born  in  1842,  and  reared  on  the  farm, 
receiving  such  educational  instruction  as  the  schools  of  his  neighbor- 
hood could  give.  He  was  married  in  1873  to  Miss  Xancy  J.  Doak,  a 
native  of  Perryton  township,  born  in  1845,  and  a  daughter  of  William 
and  Sarah  P.  Doak.  By  this  marriage  he  has  two  children  :  Mary  E., 
and  Sarah.  He  has  a  fine  stock  farm  of  330  acres,  located  in  the  south 
half  of  the  township,  a  part  of  which  belonged  to  the  old  homestead  of 
his  father.  He  keeps  a  good  grade  of  stock,  and  makes  a  specialty  of 
feeding  cattle.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 
Samuel  McIIard,  son  of  William  McIIard,  was  born  in  1833,  is  a 
natiye  of  Pennsylvania,  and  came  to  Perryton  township  with  his  father 
when  six  vears  old.  He  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  inured  to  all  the 
privations  of  pioneer  life.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  the  army,  in  com- 
pany G,  102d  111.  Vol.,  served  two  years  and  nine  months,  one  year  of 
which  time  he  held  the  office  of  corporal.  He  was  in  the  following 
engagements :  Pesacca,  Burnt  Hickory,  Marietta,  Peach  Tree  creek, 
Atlanta,  Savannah,  and  Raleigh,  and  numerous  skirmishes.  He  was 
married  in  1866  to  Mary  Eiclunond,  native  of  Ohio,  and  daughter  of 
Joseph  and  Susan  Pichmond.  They  came  to  Mercer  county  in  1853, 
and  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episc()])al  church.  Samuel 
McIIard  has  by  this  marriage  six  children:  Franklin  P.,  Susan  L., 
Gertrude  and  Grace  (twins).  May,  and  William  S.  He  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  Perryton  Presbyterian  church.  He  has  a  farm  of  200 
acres,  well  imjjroved  and  well  stocked.  He  resides  on  the  old  home- 
stead where  his  father  settled  in  1839. 

EDUCATION. 

Contributed  by  Miss  Amanda  Frazier. 

The  subject  of  education  is  so  interwoven  with  the  growth  and 
progress  of  all  enlightened  comiinmities  that  a  full  history  of  any 
people  at  the  present  day  would  be  incomplete  which  omitted  some 
mention  of  their  public  schools  and  other  institutions  of  learning.  It 
is  a  matter  of  regret  that  many  of  the  records  of  the  earlier  schools  of 
Mercer  county  have  been  lost  by  the  carelessness  or  recklessness  of  a 


348  HISTORY    OF    MERCEK    A^T>    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

former  county  superintendent,  as  we  are  tlius  compelled  to  depend 
upon  tradition,  or  the  memories  of  the  older  settlers,  for  material  from 
which  to  comjiile  a  sketch  of  our  first  school  teachers  and  school- 
houses. 

The  original  settlers  of  Mercer  county  were  men  of  sterling  worth, 
intelligent  and  enterprising,  and  when  planting  their  homes  on  these 
wild  prairies  more  than  fifty  years  ago  were  not  unmindful  of  the  needs 
of  their  children  ;  and  we  find  that  as  soon  as  three  or  four  cabins  were 
erected  in  any  given  locality,  some  provision  w^as  at  once  made  to  fur- 
nish the  young  people  with  some  sort  of  school  privileges.  Sometimes 
it  was  a  small  log  cabin  which  furnished  teacher  and  scholar  shelter, 
and  sometimes  a  small  room  or  addition  to  one  of  the  prairie  cabins 
was  all  the  room  obtainable  for  school  purposes. 

It  is  no  disparagement  to  the  peoj^le  of  those  early  days  to  say  that 
in  some  instances  the  teachers  were  of  an  order  quite  in  keeping  with 
the  school-room,  cheap  and  unsatisfactory.  There  were  no  profes- 
sional teachers  among  the  early  pioneers ;  but  now  and  then  a  young 
settler,  or  the  older  son  in  some  famil}^,  would  undertake  for  small  pay 
to  ''keep"  school  during  the  winter,  while  some  pioneer's  daughter 
would  fill  the  same  otfice  for  the  summer  to  half  a  dozen  or  half  a  score 
of  })upils.  We  have  in  mind  the  case  of  one  young  lady,  a  settler's 
daughter,  who  taught  one  summer  for  fifty  cents  per  week  and  boarded 
around  among  the  patrons.  There  wei-e  but  four  families  in  the  dis- 
trict, and  but  eight  pupils  enrolled.  The  education  of  the  young  lady 
spoken  of  was  not  at  all  complete,  but  then  the  requirements  of  that 
school  were  limited  as  to  qualifications  and  advancement. 

The  first  school  taught  in  Mercer  county  was  held  in  a  small  log 
cabin  erected  on  the  claim  of  Erastus  Dennison,  about  two  miles  east 
of  the  town  of  ISTew  Boston,  near  the  present  home  of  Mr.  C.  E.ader. 
The  teacher  was  Abram  Miller,  and  the  time  the  summer  of  1833. 
Mrs.  Ephraim  Gilmore,  now  of  Aledo,  was  one  of  the  pupils  in  this 
pioneer  school  for  a  few  weeks.  Mr.  Miller  was  a  prominent  character 
in  the  early  settlement  of  the  county,  having  been  one  of  the  principal 
actors  in  the  organization  of  the  county  and  the  first  county  clerk. 
Abe,  as  he  was  familiarly  called,  had  a  strong  dislike  for  the  restraints 
of  close-fitting  garments,  and  it  was  no  unct)mmon  thing  to  see  him 
marcliing  to  and  from  school  in  M'arm.  weather  barefoot,  with  loose 
shirt  and  flowing  pantaloons.  This  first  school  was  attended  by  an 
average  of  about  ten  scholars,  the  total  enrollment  for  the  season 
reaching  only  about  a  dozen.  The  next  year  (1834),  as  near  as  we  can 
learn,  the  first  regular  school-house  was  erected  in  New  Boston  town- 
ship, near  the  blufi',  about  three  miles  east  of  the  present  A-illage  of 


PKRRYTOX    T<.)\\  NSIIII'.  310 

Kew  Boston,  on  tlie  farm  of  William  Willits.  Abram  Miller  or 
Joshua  Willits  tauulit  here  in  the  winter  of  188-1-5.  About  the  year 
1835-6  George  W.  Julian,  since  a  distinguished  politician  and  member 
of  congress  from  Indiana,  wielded  the  birch  in  this,  Mercer  county's 
first  regular  school-house. 

The  territory  now  constituting  the  county  (^f  Mercer  was  stricken 
oft"  from  Warren  and  organized  into  a  separate  county  in  1835,  and 
soon  after  the  organization  was  eft'ected  we  tind  that  John  Long  was 
appointed,  April  13,  1835,  by  the  county  commissioners'  court  to  the 
oftice  of  school  commissioner.  AVhile  the  county  thus  early  in  its 
history  proyided  herself  with  tlie  [)roper  ofticial  machinery  for  the 
organization  of  a  more  perfect  school  system,  yet  we  find  but  very 
indift'erent  progress  in  the  character  of  teachers  or  the  modes  of 
instruction  for  a  number  of  years. 

It  appears  that  the  school  commissioner  was  also  agent  of  the 
school  lands,  and  the  most  of  the  reports  from  several  of  the  earlier 
school  commissioners  pertained  to  the  care  and  dis})Osal  of  the  school 
lands,  and  little  or  nothing  relating  to  teachers  or  schools. 

For  nearly  iifteen  years  after  the  a])pointment  of  Mr.  Long,  the 
school  commissioner  did  not  assume  the  duties  of  examiner  of  teach- 
ers. During  these  years  the  school  board,  consisting  of  the  school 
trustees  of  the  various  precincts,  were  the  board  of  examiners.  These 
school  trustees  were  not  always  elected  on  account  of  their  educational 
cjualifi cations,  but  rather  for  their  sturdy  business  qualities,  and  for  the 
further  ])urpose  of  having  them  properly  distributed  over  the  precinct. 

As  a  matter  of  course  the  examination  day,  under  such  circum- 
stances, was  an  event  in  the  career  of  the  board  which  exhibited  its 
digniiied  and  ludicrous  character,  according  to  the  particular  cjualiiica- 
tions  of  the  members  of  the  given  board. 

An  incident  connected  with  one  of  these  examinations  is  related  by 
a  gentleman  now  living  in  the  eastern  portion  of  the  county.  Some 
thirty-fiye  years  ago,  this  gentleman,  then  a  young  man,  just  home 
from  a  medical  college,  was  requested  to  be  i)resent  on  a  certain  day  to 
hear  the  examination  of  a  small  class  of  teachers,  and  to  assist  in  the 
exercises.  He  attended  punctually  at  the  time  and  ])lace  appointed, 
and  found  three  candidates  for  certificates,  one  young  lady  and  two 
young  gentlemen.  The  three  trustees,  the  regular  school  board,  were 
also  present,  but  not  in  a  well  organized  condition  for  the  duties  before 
them. 

After  some  preliminary  conversations  of  a  general  character  with 
the  candidates,  the  board  retired  to  organize  for  the  ccmtest,  and  after 
a  short  caucus  among  themselves,  they  deputised  erne  of  their  numbei- 


350  HISTORY   OF   :MERCER   Ami   HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

to  request  the  young  doctor  to  join  the  caucus,  which  he  readily  con- 
sented to  do.  The  young  gentleman  found  the  board  to  be  composed 
of  three  sturdy  and  intelligent  farmers,  good,  honest,  capable  men  for 
all  ordinary  transactions,  but  honestly  confessing  their  inability  to  per- 
form the  duties  required  of  them  as  examiners.  They  could  "read, 
write,  and  cipher,"  but  then  the  law  required  the  teacher  to  pass  exam- 
ination in  geography  and  grammar,  and  these  last  branches  of  study  were 
as  Choctaw  to  them.  At  the  request  of  the  board  the  young  doctor  con- 
sented to  conduct  the  examination,  the  board  to  hear  the  class  and 
decide  upon  their  qualifications.  Hastily  arranging  a  set  of  questions 
he  began  the  examination,  which  was  oral,  except  a  few  examples  in 
written  arithmetic.  The  board  listened  carefully  to  all  the  exercises, 
and  when  it  was  finished  they  again  retired  for  consultation.  After  a 
short  secret  session  the  young  doctor  was  again  summoned  in  counsel, 
when  one  of  the  board  acting  as  spokesman,  said :  "See  here,  we  want 
you  to  go  right  straight  through  with  this  here  thing.  They  all  show 
a  nice  hand  writin',  and  spell  well  enough  and  read  and  cipher  fustrate, 
but  then  that  gography  and  grammar  is  all  Injun  to  us.  You  see  we 
dont't  pretend  to  know  anything  about  it,  so  you  jist  give  us  your  hon- 
est opinion  about  the  whole  thing,  and  if  you  say  they  pass  muster, 
why  we  will  give  them  all  their  papers  and  let  them  bang  away." 

To  return  to  the  main  narrative,  John  Long  ser\ed  as  school  com- 
missioner until  December  5,  1835,  when  William  I.  Xevius  was 
appointed  as  his  successor.  Mr.  Nevius  was  reappointed  in  1837,  and 
again  in  1838  and  1839,  serving  until  June  6,  1840,  when  Ephraim 
Gilmore  received  the  appointment.  In  1841  the  office  became  elective, 
and  Ephraim  Gilmore,  was  again  selected  to  fill  the  position  at  an 
election  held  in  August,  1841,  and  was  re-elected  annually  for  five 
years,  his  last  election  occurring  on  August  3,  1845.  The  next  to  till 
the  office  was  Thomas  Candor,  who  was  chosen  at  the  annual  election 
on  August  3,  1846.  Mr.  Candor  served  but  one  year  when  Benjamin 
D.  Ellett  was  chosen  his  successor,  August  5,  1847.  From  1847  to 
1865  the  election  for  school  commissioner  was  held  bi-ennially,  thereby 
giving  the  office  a  more  permanent  character.  Mr.  Ellett  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Tyler  McAVliorter,  who  was  elected  November  6,  1849,  and 
again  on  jSTovember  4,  1851.  Mr.  McAVhorter  was  the  first  school 
commissioner  who  undertook  the  examination  of  teachers  in  this 
county,  and  to  his  administration,  extending  over  a  period  of  four 
years,  is  due  the  first  real  advancement  in  the  character  of  teachers,  as 
regards  qualifications  and  modes  of  instruction.  lie  was  careful  and 
l)ains-taking  in  all  his  official  acts  and  was  especially  watchful  and 
thorough  in  his  inquiries  as  to  the  fitness  of  candidates  for  certificates. 


PERRYTON   TOWNSHIP.  351 

The  scarcity  of  well-qualitied  teachers  at  that  time  forced  him  to  grant 
certificates,  in  some  instances,  where  the  candidate  got  the  benefit  of  a 
"reasonable  doubt"  as  to  their  entire  fitness  for  the  high  office  of 
teacher,  but  many  able  educators  were  placed  in  charge  of  schools  dur- 
ing his  term  of  office.  Among  these  we  will  mention  the  names  of 
Simeon  Smith,  David  Felton,  liesin  Kile  and  Harvey  S.  Senter, 

After  Mr.  McWhorter  comes  Jolin  Ramsey,  who  was  elected 
IS^ovember  8,  1853,  followed  by  Xorman  P.  Bro\\Ti,  who  w^as  elected 
on  Xovember  6,  1855.  Mr.  Brown  was  a  practical  and  competent 
teacher,  but  so  far  as  we  can  learn,  neitlier  he  nor  Mr.  Ramsey  suc- 
ceeded in  advancing  the  character  of  the  schools  of  the  county  beyond 
the  point  attained  by  Mr.  McAVhorter  at  the  time  of  his  retirement  from 
the  office  in  1853.  The  successor  of  N.  P.  Brown  was  J.  E.  Ilarroun, 
who  was  elected  Novembcn*  6,  1857.  The  law  had  now  clothed  the 
commissioner  with  the  full  powers  of  superintendent  and  given  liini 
authority  to  visit  schools.  The  personal  visitation  of  schools  gave  to 
the  new  superintendent  great  advantages  over  his  predecessors,  as  it 
enabled  him  to  witness  the  everyday  work  of  the  teacher  in  the  school- 
room. It  is  not  unfi'equently  the  case  that  a  candidate  for  teacher  will 
pass  with  a  high  grade  after  a  most  thorough  examination,  and  yet 
prove  unable  to  impart  instruction,  or  unfit  to  govern  in  the  school- 
room. These  faults  or  failures  the  visiting  su])erintendent  could  detect 
and  remedy,  provided  the  visitations  were  made  in  the  right  spirit  and 
conducted  with  })roper  care  for  the  good  of  the  people.  The  truth  of 
history  constrains  us  to  say  that  the  greatest  good  possible  under  the 
new  order  of  things  was  not  attained  during  the  administration  of  sev- 
eral of  the  successors  of  Mr.  Harroun.  Too  little  practical  instruction 
was  imparted  by  the  superintendent  in  these  visitations,  too  much  time 
was  spent  in  the  exhibitions  of  the  proficiency  of  certain  advanced 
classes,  and  in  the  making  of  fine  speeches  by  the  visiting  official.  The 
^^sitations,  instead  of  securing  the  good  to  teachers  and  people  as 
designed  by  the  law  nuikers,  degenerated  in  some  instances  into  the 
veriest  routine,  measured,  we  fear,  more  by  the  per  diem  allowed  than 
bv  the  benefits  which  should  have  accrued. 

]\[r.  Harroun  filled  the  office  for  two  years,  and,  by  constant  visita- 
tions and  courteous  treatment  of  the  teachers  of  the  county,  inspired 
them,  not  only  with  the  desire  to  excel  in  their  calling,  but  with  that 
esprit  de  corps  which  should  ever  prevail  among  jirofessional  educators 
in  our  common  scliools. 

It  was  during  ]\[r.  Harroun's  administration  tliat  teacher's  institutes 
were  organized,  and  the  central  or  county  institute  was  first  attempted. 
He  was  also  the  first  to  attempt  the  introduction  of  any  form  of  school 


352  HISTORY   OF   FIERCER   AND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

apparatus  in  the  common  schools  of  our  county,  and  although  not 
always  successful  in  convincing  the  patrons  of  their  utility,  he  was 
enabled  to  scatter  here  and  there  a  goodly  number  of  these  helps  to 
stud}',  giving  an  impulse  to  their  use  by  explaining  to  teacher  and 
pupil,  in  the  school-room,  the  manner  in  which  they  sliould  be 
employed. 

Mr.  Harroun  was  succeeded  by  Eev.  James  S.  Poage,  a  prominent 
and  deservedly  poj^ular  Presbyterian  minister,  who  was  elected  Novem- 
ber 8,  1S59,  and  who  served  for  two  years.  Mr.  Poage  was  a  highly 
educated  gentleman,  a  fluent  speaker  and  a  most  exemplary  gentleman, 
but  he  was  not  a  practical  teacher,  and  while  he  made  a  creditable 
superintendent  he  did  not  succeed  in  advancing  the  character  of  the 
schools  to  that  extent  for  which  his  learning  and  high  character  gave 
promise  at  the  time  he  was  elected. 

Amos  T,  Waterman  was  elected  November  5,  1861,  as  the  suc- 
cessor of  Mr.  Poage,  and  served  for  two  years.  Mr.  Waterman  had 
formerly  been  engaged  in  teaching,  but  was  at  the  time  of  his  service 
a  young  practicing  attorney  of  more  than  ordinary  brilliancy.  His 
administration  of  the  office  was  creditable  to  himself  and  serviceable 
to  the  educational  interests  of  the  people.  Ills  examinations  were 
conducted  with  more  than  ordinary  care,  thus  securing  a  better  grade 
of  teachers,  and  giving  a  new  impetus  toward  a  higher  excellence  in 
teaching. 

Washington  L.  Campbell,  the  successor  of  Mr.  Waterman,  was 
elected  November  6,  1 863,  and  served  for  one  term  of  two  years,  and 
was  followed  by  Sylvenus  B.  Atwater,  who  was  chosen  at  the  election 
held  November  7,  1865,  being  one  of  the  first  of  a  long  line  of  county 
officials  who  have  claimed  the  suffrages  of  the  people  of  Mercer  on 
account  of  their  services  in  the  late  war.  Mr.  Atwater  was  a  practical 
teacher  of  fair  reputation  before  he  entered  the  military  service,  and 
returning  a  few  months  before  the  election  from  his  three  years^  service 
in  the  2Tth  reg.  111.  Vol.  Inf ,  after  participating  in  all  the  battles, 
marches  and  victories  in  which  that  gallant  regiment  was  engaged,  he 
was  promptly  elected  as  county  superintendent  of  schools  for  the  term 
of  four  years,  the  term  of  the  office  having  just  been  extended  from 
two  to  four  years.  To  Mr.  Atwater  the  people  of  Mercer  county  owe 
a  debt  of  gratitude  for  his  heroic,  but  then  most  unpopular  treatment 
of  all  school  matters.  He  introduced  a  strict  and  searching  sj'Stem  of 
examination  of  teachers,  and  insisted  so  strongly  that  his  standard  of 
fitness  should  be  met  that  a  large  number  of  lialf-qualified  teachers 
were  either  driven  from  the  schools,  or  induced  to  re-enter  school  as 
students  themselves  inv  the  purjiose  of  improving  their  education,  and 


PKRRYTOX    TOWNSHIP.  353 

their  places  were  filled  by  a  higher  and  better  grade  of  teachers.  He 
was  the  first  to  attempt  the  task  of  expurging  from  the  school-room 
tlie  antiquated  text-books  of  the  grandfathers,  and  introducing  in  their 
stead  a  uniform  system  of  books  so  graded  as  to  meet  the  wants  of  the 
several  pupils,  thus  enabling  the  teacher  to  separate  his  pu])ils  into 
classes  by  grades  of  proficiency ;  in  fact,  establishing  grades  in  many 
district  schools,  going  so  far  in  this  direction  that  in  several  instances 
where  the  patrons  refused  to  buy  or  order  the  purchase  of  new  books, 
he  furnished  them  out  of  his  own  private  funds.  Altliough  partially 
successful  in  his  eff(jrts  to  secure  a  uniformity  of  text-books,  there 
remained  much  to  be  done  in  this  direction  after  his  four  years'  struorgcle 
was  ended  by  the  expiration  of  his  ofiice.  Ho  labored  assiduously  to 
secure  a  black-board  in  every  school-house,  going  so  far  as  to  carry  his 
brush  and  slating  into  the  remoter  districts  and  painting  the  desired 
board  with  his  own  hands  where  the  directors  could  not,  or  would 
not,  get  it  done  themselves.  While  Mr.  Atwater  won  the  hearty 
ill  will  of  some  would-be  teachers  and  their  friends  by  refusing  certifi- 
cates to  persons  who  had  tauglit  under  other  superintendents,  and 
refusing  like  favors  to  new  candidates  who  ftiiled  to  pass  his  examina- 
tion, and  while  much  discontent  was  engendered  among  the  people  in 
some  localities  on  account  of  the  increased  expenses  caused  by  his 
unceasing  efforts  to  secure  new  books  and  apparatus,  and  advancement 
of  wages  consequent  upon  the  weeding  out  of  poor  and  cheap  teachers, 
yet  impartial  history  will  compel  the  admission  that  Mr.  Atwater  did 
more  to  advance  the  educational  interest,  and  to  place  the  common 
schools  upon  a  higher  plane  of  excellence  than  any  person  who  had 
]ireceded  him  in  that  office. 

The  successor  of  Mr.  Atwater  was  Frederick  Livingston,  a  graduate 
of  Lombard  college,  of  Galesburg,  Illinois,  and  a  teacher  of  some 
years'  experience,  who  was  elected  November  2,  1869,  and  served  for 
four  years.  His  acknowledged  learning,  with  a  fair  experience  as  a 
teacher,  and  courteous  address,  gave  promise  that  in  Ids  election  the 
schools  of  the  county  would  be  greatly  benefited ;  but  his  four  years' 
service  was  a  great  disappointment  to  Ids  friends  and  a  nusfortune  to 
himself  Lacking  in  administrative  ability,  he  soon  lost  his  hold  upon 
the  affections  of  the  older  teachers  of  the  county,  and  the  freedom  with 
which  he  granted  certificates  to  any  and  all  api)licants  soon  flooded  the 
county  with  a  new  croj)  of  teachers,  many  of  whom  were  in  no  wise 
qualified  for  tlie  duties  of  the  school-room,  thereby  greatly  imi»aring 
the  standard  of  the  schools  generally  throughout  the  county.  During 
his  administration  many  of  the  books  and  vouchers  belonging  to  the 
office  were  lost  or  destroyed,  including  all  the  records  of  the  school 


354  HISTORY    OF   FLEECER   AXD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

lands,  and  nearly  all  books  and  papers  pertaining  to  county  school 
funds.  His  bondsmen  made  good  such  loss  of  the  public  funds  as  was 
proven  to  have  been  lost  or  misused  while  in  his  charge.  Mr.  Living- 
ston was  the  first  and  only  defaulter  in  this  ofiice  in  the  history  of  the 
county.  Mr.  LiHngston  was  the  possessor  of  many  qualities  and 
graces  calculated  to  win  the  confidence  of  the  people  and  endear  him 
to  his  friends,  and  we  do  not  jjen  this  sketch  without  a  regret  that  one 
so  liberally  educated,  so  courteous  and  kind,  and  withal  so  well  quali-  ' 
fied  for  a  useful  life,  should  exhibit  that  lack  of  balance  which  caused 
the  unfortunate  miscarriage  in  his  official  acts. 

[The  following  sketch  of  Miss  Frazier's  career  as  a  teacher  and 
county  superintendent,  is  furnished  us  by  a  gentleman  who  is  interested 
in  education,  and  who  has  been  long  familar  with  her  work. — Ed.] 

During  the  administration  of  Mr.  Livingston,  our  legislature  en- 
acted a  law  making  women  eligible  for  all  school  offices,  and  at  the 
first  election  held  after  the  passage  of  this  law,  to-wit,  in  November, 
1873,  Miss  Amanda  E.  Frazier,  of  Mercer  county,  was  one  of  the 
eleven  ladies  who  were  elected  to  the  position  of  county  superintendent 
of  schools  in  Illinois.  Miss  Frazier  was  re-elected  in  November,  1877, 
and  at  the  expiration  of  her  second  term  of  office,  was  unanimously 
appointed  by  the  board  of  supervisors  in  December,  1881,  to  fill  the 
vacancy  then  existing  by  reason  of  the  recent  amendment  to  the  stat- 
utes changing  the  time  of  election  for  this  and  certain  other  county 
offices,  from  1881  to  1882,  and  quadrenially  thereafter.  She  is  there- 
.  fore  filling  the  ninth  year  of  her  incumbency  of  tliat  office,  a  fact 
which  speaks  in  no  uncertain  terms  of  the  confidence  and  trust  which 
the  people  of  the  county  continue  to  repose  in  her  capacity  and  official 
intem-itv. 

Miss  Frazier  has  long  been  identified  with  the  schools  and  school 
work  of  Mercer  county,  and  deserves  no  small  measure  of  praise  for 
the  earnest  and  well  directed  eftbrts  she  has  expended  to  elevate  the 
standard  of  public  instruction  in  the  county.  Entering  upon  her  career 
as  a  teacher,  in  1862,  after  completing  the  academic  course  in  Mon- 
mouth college,  and  while  yet  a  mere  girl,  she  developed  a  remarkable 
capacity  for  the  government  of  pupils  and  for  imparting  instruction, 
and  so  complete*  was  her  success  as  teacher  thus  early  in  life,  that  dur- 
ing all  the  after  years  she  gave  to  teaching  she  never  was  under  the 
necessity  of  applying  for  a  })Osition,  inasmuch  as  applications  for 
her  services  came  to  her  unsought.  After  teaching  a  few  terms  Miss 
Frazier  concluded  to  more  fully  (juality  herself  for  the  profession  which 
she  had  determined  to  follow,  and  with  this  view  spent  two  years  at 
the  State  Normal  University  at  Bloomington,    Illinois,  and  another 


PERRYTON   TOWNSHIP.  355 

year  at  Lombard  University,  Galesburg,  Illinois,  when  she  resumed 
her  professional  career  as  teacher  in  the  capacity  of  assistant  to  the 
principal  of  the  graded  schools  of  Aledo,  where  she  remained  four 
years,  and  was  tendered  the  position  ibr  another  year,  but  an  unsolic- 
ited call  from  a  lai-ger  constituency  constrained  her  to  decline  the  posi- 
tion of  teacher  for  that  of  county  superintendent,  to  which  she  was 
chosen,  as  before  stated,  in  November,  1873. 

Miss  Frazier  entered  upon  her  new  work  with  a  determination  to 
labor  for  the  interest  and  advancement  of  the  schools  thus  placed  under 
her  charge,  and  her  first  steps  in  this  direction  consisted  in  the  ado]> 
tion  of  a  rigid  svstem  of  examination  of  her  teachers.  It  at  once  became 
ai)parent  that  to  obtain  a  certificate  to  teach  it  was  necessary  for  the 
candidate  to  be  well  qualified  in  all  the  branches  which  the  law  requires 
to  be  taught.  Iso  half-way  work  would  fill  the  standard  she  had  fixed 
upon,  and  as  a  consequence  many  incompetent  teachers  were  droj)ped 
off  the  roll.  To  show  something  of  her  work  in  this  department,  the 
records  show  that  in  a  single  year  out  of  388  applicants  examined  for 
certificates,  219  were  rejected,  and  but  151:  accepted.  To  assist  such 
as  were  willing  to  work  for  the  position  of  teacher,  she  re-organized 
the  Teachers'  Institute  of  the  county,  whose  sessions  were  held  during 
the  school  year  at  various  points  in  the  county,  and  earlv  in  her  official 
career  organized  a  normal  drill,  holding  the  sessions  annually  during 
the  summer  vacation  and  continuing  four  weeks.  Securing  two  or  three 
prominent  educators  from  abroad  to  co-operate  with  her  in  these  nor- 
mal schools,  the  large  classes  annually  in  attendance  were  submitted 
to  a  thorough  drill  in  all  the  branches  required  to  be  taught,  and  the 
best  modes  of  teaching  and  government,  with  pronounced  advantages 
to  both  the  teachers  and  the  schools.  These  teachers'  meetings  and 
drills  have  been  marked  features  in  her  administration,  and  of  their 
utility  there  can  be  no  question. 

Miss  Frazier  is  a  woman  possessed  of  many  qualities  which  are 
peculiarly  fitting  for  one  in  the  position  she  occupied.  Thoroughly 
qualified  for  her  duties  by  a  liberal  education  and  experience  in  teach- 
ing, earnest,  conscientious,  and  careful  in  her  work,  courteous  and 
patient  in  her  intercourse  with  the  young  and  inexperienced  candidates 
for  teachers,  though  firm  and  unyielding  when  occasion  required,  and 
withal  possessed  with  a  strong  personal  magnetism  which  attracts 
while  it  does  not  repel,  she  has  succeeded  in  impressing  upon  the 
schools  of  the  county  during  these  eight  and  a  half  years  of  her  official 
life,  much  of  her  strong  indi\iduality  of  character,  and  secured  many 
changes  in  the  manner  of  examining  and  employing  teachers,  in  the 
methods  of  teaching  and  governing  schools,  and,  in  genei'al,  a  marked 


356  HISTORY    OF   MERCER    AXD    HENDERSON   COUNTIES.   ' 

advancement  toward  a  liiglier  standard  of  education  and  instruction 
throughout  the  county. 

The  school  lands  of  Mercer  county  came  through  two  general  acts 
of  congress ;  the  first  setting  aside  section  16  for  school  purposes  in 
each  congi'essional  township  in  all  the  states  and  territories  containing 
])ublic  lands,  and  the  second  turning  oyer  certain  low,  wet,  and  par- 
tially submerged  lands  for  a  like  purpose.  By  the  original  act  there 
were  tifteen  sections,  being  one  section  in  each  of  the  fifteen  townships, 
in  all  about  10,600  acres  of  very  good  lands  available  for  school  pur- 
poses. Some  of  these  lands  were  among  the  best  in  the  county  for 
agricultural  purposes,  and  the  entire  body  of  them  were  equal  in  native 
richness  and  availability  for  all  agricultural  and  grazing  purposes  with 
the  average  lands  in  the  county ;  and  if  it  had  been  kept  out  of  the 
market  and  held  a  few  years  longer,  until  the  ' '  congress  lands ""  were 
disposed  of,  when  the  price  of  all  wild  lands  advanced  from  $5  to  $10 
an  acre,  the  several  townships  in  the  county  might  have  realized  suffi- 
cient from  the  sales  of  their  several  school  sections  to  have  assured  them 
each  a  large  and  remunerative  permanent  fund.  This,  however,  was 
not  done,  and  the  consequence  is  that  these  township  funds  are  a  mere 
skeleton  of  what  they  should  and  might  have  been,  had  a  more  far- 
seeing  23olicy  been  adopted  by  the  people  and  those  having  charge  of 
these  trusts.  In  those  days  the  people  were  poor ;  there  was  then  no 
adequate  state  fund  as  now ;  railroads,  with  their  vitalizing  influence, 
had  not  yet  approached  our  borders ;  new  settlers  were  dropping  in 
but  slowly,  thus  leaving  the  country  but  thinly  populated,  and  making 
it  a  difficult  matter,  with  the  low  price  of  all  farm  j^roducts,  for  those 
scattered  neighbors  to  raise  the  means  (as  they  were  then  compelled  to 
do  mainly  from  their  own  pockets)  to  defray  the  expense  of  a  three- 
months'  school  in  winter  and  two  or  three  months  in  summer.  To 
lighten  their  school  expenses,  and  to  secure  for  themselves  some  of  the 
benefits  from  the  lands  donated  by  congress,  the  settlers  of  thirty  years 
ago  determined  to  dispose  of  these  lands,  and,  in  order  to  succeed,  they 
were  compelled  to  fix  the  schedule  of  prices  at,  or  below,  the  price  of 
congress  land,  and  in  some  instances  the  price  was  very  much  below 
that  of  the  government  land.  At  these  give-away  prices,  about  twelve 
sections  of  this  magnificent  donation  were  disposed  of  during  Mr. 
McAVhorter's  administration  of  the  office  of  school  commissioner  from 
1849  to  1851.  To  us  of  the  present  day  the  policy  then  pursued 
regarding  the  scIdoI  lands  aj)pears  short-sighted  and  wasteful,  and 
while  no  school  officer  is  justly  chargeable  with  blame  for  the  part  he 
took  in  disposing  of  these  lands  at  such  low  prices,  it  is  a  matter  of 
sincere  regret  that  the  public  sentiment  of  that  day  compelled  the 


GEORGE     Mc    PH  ERRE 


N 


PERRYTOX    TOWNSHIP.  359 

sacrilice  of  siicli  a  magnificent  ])uljlic'  trust,  in  order  to  secure  for  them- 
selves tlie  small  proceeds  obtained  for  that  immediate  present,  when 
we  realize  that  the  paltrv  sums  were  obtained  at  the  expense  of  a 
magnificent  fund  for  their  descendants  in  all  time  to  come,  had  they 
but  waited  in  patience  a  few  years  longer. 

The  swam])  lands  belonging  to  ]\rercer  county  are  situated  in  the 
immediate  vicinity  of  the  Mississippi  river,  and  embrace  several  thou- 
sand acres.  This  land  is  loaded  with  great  abundance  in  all  the 
elements  of  plant  food,  but  being  subject  to  overfiow,  is  valuable 
mainly  for  grazing  and  meadows,  and  in  seasons  of  very  high  waters 
much  of  it  is  not  even  valuable  for  these  purposes.  We  have  been 
unable  to  ascertain,  even  approximately,  the  acreage  of  these  lands,  as 
the  reports  of  surveys  were  not  in  the  proper  oflice  when  we  were 
there,  but  we  find  the  people  were  in  some  hurry  to  get  rid  of  these 
lands  also,  and  that  as  early  as  1S5T  the  swamp  land  commissioner 
reported  sales  to  the  amount  of  $8,194.75,  and  that  up  to  1865  the 
sum  total  of  $9,098.65  had  been  realized  from  the  sales  of  these  lands, 
and  properly  distributed  to  the  several  townships  of  the  county,  since 
which  time  there  have  been  no  further  sales.  There  i-emain  of  these 
swamp  lands  480  acres,  situated  in  Eliza  township,  M-hich  have  not 
been  sold,  and  which  are  not  situated  for  enough  above  low-water 
mark  to  make  a  promising  investment. 

The  township  funds  vary  in  amount  in  the  different  towTishi})s,  the 
maximum  being  §2,910.90  in  Keithsburg,  and  the  minimum  $1,186.26 
in  Green.-  The  total  permanent  township  funds  for  the  fifteen  town- 
ships is  $29,918.70.  The  interest  of  these  funds  only  is  to  be  used 
for  the  annual  expenditure  for  schools  in  the  t()wnshi})S  where  the- 
funds  belong.  The  permanent  county  fund  is  $2,168,  which  can  never 
be  diminished,  the  interest  being  annually  distributed  to  the  township 
treasurers  together  with  the  state  fimd. 

From  the  one  small  pioneer  log  cabin  of  1833,  with  its  ten  or 
twelve  pupils  and  barefooted  teacher,  the  school  system  of  Mercer 
county  has  grown  until  the  last  log  cabin  has  been  abandoned,  and  four 
brick  and  115  frame  buildings,  many  of  them  stately  and  imposing 
structures,  are  required  to  accommodate  the  wants  of  our  schools. 
During  the  last  year  2,795  males  and  2,587  females,  in  all  5,382' 
pu])ils,  were  enrolled,  while  71  males  and  161  females,  a  total  of  232, 
were  employed  as  teachers.  Of  the  119  school-houses  nine  are  graded 
schools,  wdtli  a  total  r)f  thirty-five  teachers. 

When  all  the  schools  of  the  county  are  in  session  the  least  number 
of  teachers  recpiired  to  carry  on  the  work  is  145  ;  but  the  system,  still 
too  much  in  vogue  in  the  country,  of  employing  one  teacher  for  the 


■<360  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND   HENDERSON   COUNTIES, 

winter  and  another  for  the  summer,  increases  the  number  of  teachers 
from  145  actually  required  to  232  actually  employed.  Dm-ing  the  past 
fiscal  year  there  was  collected  fi-om  all  sources  for  school  puq30ses  in 
the  county,  $53,698.43,  and  during  the  same  period  there  was  ex- 
pended in  payment  of  teachers  $34,219.11.  Three  new  school-houses 
were  erected  during  the  past  year,  at  a  total  cost  for  buildings  and 
grounds  of  $5,179.04. 

In  point  of  excellence  the  schools  of  Mercer  county  will  compare 
favorably  with  those  of  the  most  favored  counties  in  the  state.  In  a 
large  number  of  the  ungraded  schools  all  the  branches  required  for  a 
first  grade  certificate  are  taught  with  such  a  degree  of  thoroughness  as 
to  enable  many  of  our  young  men  and  women  to  step  at  once  from  the 
condition  of  pupil  to  the  position  of  teacher.  Our  graded  schools  are 
in  a  prosperous  condition,  and  are  gradually,  but  surely,  improving 
in  all  that  pertains  to  a  thorough  instruction  in  the  common  school 
branches,  while  a  few  of  these  schools  give  instruction  in  some  of  the 
higher  branches  belonging  to  an  academical  course.  At  the  graded 
schools  of  Aledo  and  Yiola,  a  well-chosen  cCurse  of  study  has  been 
adopted,  and  upon  the  completion  of  this  course  a  certificate  or  diploma 
is  conferred  upon  such  pupils  as  pass  examination  with  sufiiciently  high 
grade  in  all  the  studies  prescribed.  At  the  recent  close  of  these 
schools,  Aledo  and  Yiola  each  conferred  diplomas  upon  eight  gradu- 
ates. 

In  addition  to  our  public  schools  the  people  of  Mercer  county  have 
not  been  unmindful  of  a  higher  order  of  educational  advantages,  and 
hence  from  time  to  time  during  the  earlier  portion  of  our  history 
attempts  were  made,  most  unsuccessful,  to  establish  within  our  boi'ders 
a  collegiate  institute.  We  find  that  as  early  as  the  year  1839  a  charter 
was  procured  from  the  legislature  for  the  "Millersburg  Seminary  of 
Learning."  Millersburg  was  at  that  time  the  county  seat,  and  we  pre- 
sume that  the  attempt  to  secure  a  college  at  that  point  was  intended  to 
be  a  means  of  retaining  the  seat  of  justice  at  that  place.  Adequate 
means  for  so  large  an  undertaking  were  not  within  the  reach  of  the 

'  projectors  of  this  enterprize  at  so  early  a  day,  and  the  undertaking  was 
a  failure..  Later,  in  1857,  coincident  with  the  establishment  of  Aledo 
as  the  county  seat,  two  colleges  were  projected,  and  a  charter  for  the 

■  "Aledo  Collegiate  Institute"  was  procured  February  16,  1857.  One 
of  these  colleges  never  rose  above  the  foundation  of  the  proposed  build- 
ing. Tlie  other,  acting  under  its  charter,  erected  a  rather  imposing 
building  which,  though  enclosed,  was  never  finished  throughout.  Rev. 
Mr.  AVilliams  opened  the  fii'st  high  school  in  the  old  court-house  build- 
ing in  1802,  and  after  rooms  were  finished  in  the  new  college  he  trans- 


PERRYTON   TOWNSHIP,  361 

ferred  his  classes  to  tliat  buildin<;-  in  the  fall  of  1863.  After  a  struggle 
for  existence  against  many  dithculties  he  was  succeeded  by  Prof. 
McKee  in  1868.  Prof.  Mclvee  after  continuing  the  school  for  a  couple 
of  years  abandoned  tlie  undertaking,  as  the  building  was  at  that  time 
considered  unsafe,  and  the  Aledo  collegiate  building  was  torn  down 
and  the  building  material  sold. 

After  Prof  McKee  left.  Prof  Henderson  took  up  the  work  for  some 
years,  occupying  the  second  story  of  the  building  known  as  Richey's 
store,  and  in  this  building  Prof.  Henderson  was  succeeded,  in  1873,  by 
Prof.  J.  R.  Wylie,  assisted  by  his  brother,  J.  M.  Wylie.  After  teach- 
ing one  year  in  this  building  the  Wylie  brothers  determined  to  procure 
better  accommodations,  and  by  the  sale  of  scholarshijDS  they  were  ena- 
bled to  purchase  block  132  on  Maple  street,  where  they  erected  a  two- 
story  academy  building,  22x44  feet,  exclusive  of  hall  and  staii*way. 
This  beautiful  site  and  neat  little  building  with  the  two  young  ener- 
getic teachers,  attracted  102  students  the  first  year.  In  1879,  J.  R. 
Wylie  became  sole  proprietor,  J.  M.  Wylie  having  gone  into  the 
ministry  of  the  R.  G.  church.  At  the  present  time,  June,  1882,  the 
academy  under  J.  R.  Wylie  is  quite  prosperous.  It  contains  a  valu- 
able cabinet  of  geological  and  mineralogical  specimens,  many  of  which 
would  do  honor  to  any  college,  besides  a  good  library  and  an  abund- 
ance of  school  apparatus.  The  course  of  study  in  this  academy 
embraces  all  the  mathematics,  including  arithmetic,  through  plain  and 
spherical  trigonometry ;  an  English  course  of  one  and  a  half  years ; 
drawing,  book-keeping,  physical  geography.  United  States  and  ancient 
history,  physiology ;  two  terms  in  zoology,  natural  philosophy  and 
astronomy ;  two  years  in  latin  or  two  years  in  German,  elective. 
The  above  course  requires  three  years  for  its  completion.  Over  500 
students,  mostly  from  Mercer  county,  have  received  more  or  less 
instruction  in  this  institution.  Some  seventy  teachers  have  been  sent 
out,  and  twenty  diplomas  have  been  granted  since  1877. 

In  closing  this  sketch  it  seems  aj^projjriate  to  make  mention  of  a 
lew  of  the  old  and  tried  teachers  of  the  county,  and  such  others  as 
have,  after  teaching  for  a  time,  been  elevated  to  positions  of  honor, 
profit  or  trust.  Geo.  W.  Julian,  who  taught  here  in  1835-6,  has  since 
served  long  and  faithfully  as  a  member  of  congress.  Harvey  S.  Sen- 
ter,  who  was  a  teacher  as  far  back  as  1843,  was  afterward  successively 
clerk  of  the  circuit  court,  member  of  the  state  board  of  equalization  and 
state  senator.  WaiTen  Shed  was  a  colonel  commanding  the  30th  reg. 
Geo.  P.  Graham  was  a  member  of  the  legislature  after  serving  suc- 
cessfully as  teacher.  Prof.  Joseph  McChesncy,  a  teacher  thirty-five 
years  ago,  was  for  some  time  assistant  state  geologist,  and  was  twice 


362  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

appointed,  under  Abraham  Lincoln,  as  consul  to  Glasgow,  Scotland, 
and  was  afterward  chosen  professor  of  national  sciences  in  the  Chicago 
university.  B.  F.  Brock,  subsequently  district  attorney,  is  now  one  of 
the  leading  lawyers  of  the  county.  J.  K.  Herbert,  a  teacher  over 
twenty-five  years  ago,  is  a  prominent  lawyer  in  Washington,  District 
of  Columbia.  N.  P.  Brown,  J.  E.  Ilarroun,  S.  B,  Atwater,  and  F. 
W.  Livingston,  were  each  chosen  to  the  office  of  county  superintendent 
of  schools.  C.  S.  Richey  was  for  many  years,  and  is  at  present,  county 
surveyor.  Rev.  Mr,  Jamieson,  long  a  teacher,  was  afterward  mis- 
sionary to  Lidia.  T.  C.  Swaford,  a  teacher  of  great  success,  was  after- 
ward elected  city  superintendent  of  the  schools  of  Monmouth.  A.  U. 
Barler,  E.  H.  Jamieson,  J.  A.  Goding,  J.  T.  Johnston,  and  Alex. 
Stevens  were  old  and  successful  principals  of  graded  schools.  Besides 
these,  Simeon  Smith,  David  Felton,  Resin  Kile,  Cyrus  A.  Ballard, 
William  IST.  Graham,  G.  L.  F.  Robinson,  William  Miller,  and  Warren 
Biggart  may  be  mentioned  as  old  and  successful  teachers  of  a  long  and 
continued  service  in  the  county. 

From  the  long  list  of  lady  teachers  who  have  served  in  tlie  county, 
it  is  a  task  of  no  small  difficulty  to  select  names  for  honorable  mention 
without  making  the  list  too  long  for  the  purpose  of  this  history.  There 
are,  however,  a  few  who  are  pre-eminent,  by  reason  of  their  long  ser- 
vice, excellent  methods  of  instruction,  and  unquestioned  fitness  and 
success. 

Among  those  we  will  name  Miss  Hattie  and  Miss  Emma  Hunting- 
ton, Miss  Libbie  Perkins,  Miss  Parney  Harroun,  Miss  Mollie  Walker, 
Miss  Emma  Stevens,  Mrs.  A.  M.  B.  Young,  Mrs.  Melissa  Flemming, 
Miss  M.  Jennie  Marquis,  Miss  M.  M.  Burbank,  Miss  Maggie  Clarke, 
Miss  Tillie  S.  Frazier,  Miss  Mantie  Henry,  Miss  Mary  E.  Wolfe,  Miss 
Jo.  H.  Willits,  Miss  Abbie  M.  Burr,  Miss  Mattie  M.  Sloan,  Miss  Jen- 
nie Henderson,  and  Mrs.  Irene  Willits.  Besides  these  there  are  a 
host  of  lady  teachers  of  shorter  experience,  but  abitndantly  qualified 
for  their  work  and  deserving  the  warmest  commendation  were  this 
chapter  not  already  extended  beyond  the  limits  at  first  designed  by  the 
author. 

Simeon  P.  Smith. — Politically  Mr.  Smith  was  identified  with  the 
old  whig  party,  but  was  a  radical  abolitionist  in  sentiment.  When 
Fremont  and  Buchanan  were  the  opposing  candidates  he  was  asked  on 
election  day  "to  go  and  vote  for  Fremont  electors,"  but  declined, 
saying,  "No;  I  think  I  shall  not  vote  to-day,  but  if  I  do  it  will  be  for 
Buchanan, "  giving  as  a  reason  that  he  was  ' '  opposed  to  any  compro- 
mise with  slavery,"  a  thing  the  republican  party  seemed  at  that  time 


PKRRYTOX   TOWNSHIP.  363 

willing  to  do,  and  lie  thought  ' '  the  people  of  this  coimtiy  need  four 
years  more  of  democratic  rule  before  they  get  their  eyes  opened." 

Mr.  S.  was  exceedingly  diffident  in  public,  and  never  knowingly 
placed  liimself  where  there  was  the  remotest  chance  of  his  being  called 
upon  for  a  speech.  Happening  in  Chicago  one  time  when  there  was  a 
meeting  of  the  leading  teachers  of  the  state,  he  attended,  but  knowing 
no  one  there  he  took  a  seat  as  far  back  as  possible,  "to  see  and  not  be 
seen."  Some  one,  however,  seemed  not  only  to  know  him,  but  to 
know  he  was  there,  for  upon  the  election  of  officers  he  was  chosen  as 
one  of  the  vice-presidents,  all  of  whom  were  requested  to  "come 
forward  and  take,  a  seat  on  the  rostrum. "  Mr.  S.  did  not  respond,  and 
it  was  found  that  he  had  quietly  slipped  out  of  the  hall.  The  honors 
were  too  much  for  him.  AVhile  none  present  were  more  interested  in 
the  cause  of  education  he  could  not  bear  the  unsought  honors  thrust 
upon  him,  and  in  self-defense  was  forced  to  retire. 

EIGHTY-FOURTH  REGIMENT  ILLINOIS  INFANTRY. 

This  S})lendid  regiment  was  raised  in  the  summer  of  1862.  Louis 
H.  Waters,  of  Macomb,  formei'ly  lieutenant  colonel  of  the  28th  Illinois, 
was  asked  by  Gov.  Yates  to  enlist  one  of  four  regiments  required  of 
Illinois  under  the  president's  call  for  50,000  for  a  reserve  force,  and  he 
promptly  responded,  addressing  public  meetings  in  Mercer,  Henderson, 
Hancock,  McDonough,  Fulton,  Schuyler,  Brown  and  Adams  counties, 
and  enrolling  volunteers.  Beginning  about  the  middle  of  June  recruits 
were  first  sent  to  Camp  Butler,  Springfield,  but  in  the  latter  part  of 
July  the  rendezvous  was  transferred  to  Quincy. 

In  Mercer  county  John  C.  Pepper  and  Luther  T.  Ball,  of  Keiths- 
burg,  began  late  in  July  to  raise  a  company.  They  employed  a  band, 
and  in  a  short  while  had  the  men  ready.  On  August  13th  a  mass 
meeting  was  held  at  Sugar  Grove  and  company  H  was  organized, 
Pepper  being  elected  captain  and  Ball  first  lieutenant.  The  following 
day  the  company,  ha-^ang  105  men  enrolled,  assembled  at  Keithsburg, 
where  it  embarked  on  a  steamer  for  Quincy.  When  the  organization 
was  completed  Henry  E.  Abercrombie  was  chosen  second  lieutenant. 
The  company  was  mustered  into  the  service  with  ninety-three  enlisted 
men. 

Frederick  Garternicht,  of  Oquawka,  a  German  martinet,  formerly 
lieutenant  in  the  28th  Illinois,  raised  company  G  for  this  regiment. 
He  began  recruiting  about  the  middle  of  June  and  was  cordially 
assisted  by  his  townsmen  generally  and  by  the  following  persons  par- 
ticularly :  AVilliam  II.  Fuller  and  liussell  W.  Caswell,  of  Oquawka,  the 
Rev.  Dr.  David  McDill,  of  Biggsville,  and  Edward  Ray,  of  Young 


364  HISTORY   OF   SEERCEB   AJS'D    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

America  (Kirk wood).  As  soon  as  enough  were  em-olled  sqiiad  drilling 
was  commenced  at  Oquawka.  On  Monday  evening,  July  28,  the  com- 
pany was  mustered  in  the  court-house  yard  and  briefly  addressed  by 
the  Kevs.  Hanson,  Eutledge,  and  McDill,  the  latter,  after  his  remarks, 
presenting  each  volunteer  a  copy  of  the  New  Testament.  Capt.  Garter- 
nicht  shortly  after,  having  about  fifty  men,  marched  them  to  Sagetown, 
and  there  taking  the  Cliicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  railroad  went  to 
Quincy,  where  he  went  into  camp,  and  continued  recruiting  until  he 
brought  the  number  of  his  company  up  to  ninety.  As  long  as  the 
command  was  at  that  city  Capt.  Garternicht  was  regimental  drill- 
master.  He  was  commissioned  captain  of  his  company,  and  his 
associate  officers  were  W.  H.  Fuller,  first  lieutenant,  and  R.  AY.  Caswell, 
second  lieutenant.  Lieut.  Fuller  was  early  detailed  into  the  signal 
corps,  and  honorably  discharged  in  May,  186-i.  Lieut.  Caswell  was 
promoted  to  adjutant.  AYlien  the  first  lieutenancy  became  vacant  by 
the  retirement  of  Fuller,  in  1864.  Charles  Kaiser,  who  had  been  pro- 
moted after  the  organization  of  the  company  to  corporal  and  then  ser- 
geant, was  commissioned  to  take  that  place. 

Company  K  was  raised  at  Biggsville  with  unusual  despatch,  only  a 
few  days  in  the  first  part  of  August  being  required  to  secure  over  one 
hundred  men.  J.  B.  McGaw  left  his  harvest  in  the  field  un stacked, 
and  addressed  himself  with  vigor  to  the  work  of  raising  the  company, 
when  the  urgent  necessities  of  the  government  were  made  known  by 
the  second  call  within  little  more  than  a  month  for  300,000  volunteers. 
His  example  of  personal  sacrifice  and  instant  aid  was  followed  in 
numerous  cases.  He  was  assisted  at  Biggsville  by  Dr.  Alexander  P. 
Nelson  and  Joseph  Brown,  and  at  Stringtown  by  Myron  ]Mills,  who 
brought  from  that  place  a  squad  of  about  twenty.  On  Tuesday,  August 
12,  he  started  to  Quincy  with  104  men.  The  first  three  nights  after 
their  arrival  they  slept  under  a  tree  in  their  summer  clothing.  At  this 
place  the  men  balloted  for  officers,  and  elected  McGaw  captain,  Nelson, 
first  lieutenant,  and  Mills,  second  lieutenant.  The  company  was  mus- 
tered in  with  ninety  enlisted  soldiers. 

About  the  middle  of  August  the  organization  of  the  regiment  was 
completed.  Thomas  Ilamer  was  appointed  lieutenant  colonel,  and 
Charles  II.  Morton,  major.  It  was  mustered  into  the  L^nited  States 
service  on  the  first  of  September,  and  at  this  rendezvous  was  uni- 
formed and  armed  with  Enfield  rifled  muskets.  One  month's  pay  was 
advanced  and  one-fourth  of  the  §100  bounty  paid.  On  September  23d 
the  regiment  was  put  aboard  the  cars  for  Louisville,  Kentuck}-,  where 
it  arrived  the  26th,  and  was  assigned  to  the  tentli  brigade,  fourth 
division,  the  former  commanded  by  Col.  William  Grose,  and  the  lattei- 


PERRYTON   TOWNSHIP.*  365 

by  Gen.  Nelson.  The  other  regiments  composing  tlie  brigade  were 
"old  regiments,"  36tli  Indiana,  23d  Kentucky,  6th  and  24th  Ohio. 
Starting  with  the  rest  of  the  army  in  pursuit  of  Bragg,  on  October  1st, 
it  did  vigorous  service  and  suffered  bitter  hardships  on  that  disheart- 
ening campaign.  It  lay  in  hearing  of  the  battle  of  Perrysville  and 
chafed  under  a  criminal  restraint  while  struggling  comrades  were  being 
slain  in  that  unequal  contest.  Company  G  was  detached  at  the  time 
and  took  part  in  the  engagement.  The  regiment  went  to  Danville  aud 
Ci'ab  Orchard,  and  marched  and  counter-marched  in  that  section, 
enduring  what  were  great  trials  to  fresh  soldiers,  for  lack  of  food  and 
I'est  and  protection  fi'om  snow  and  frosty  and  stormy  weather.  All  the 
time  they  were  near  the  enemy  (Buell),  doing  him  the  favor  to  follow 
close  enough  to  oblige  his  army  to  keep  up  in  compact  order  while 
retiring  leisurely  from  the  state  with  the  immense  stores  he  had 
gathered.  The  84th  went  to  Mount  Vernon  and  from  there  to  Somer- 
set. The  marching  was  again  hard  and  privation  and  suffering  were 
great ;  cold  rains  and  heavy  snows  occurred ;  men  almost  barefoot  left 
bloody  footprints;  and  scores  went  to  the  hospital.  From  Somerset 
the  march  was  continued  to  Columbia,  thence  to  Glasgow,  and  crossing 
into  Tennessee  moved  to  Gallatin  and  Silver  Sp]"ings,  and  halted,  at 
last,  for  rest  and  recuperation,  at  the  close  of  the  month,  three  miles 
southeast  of  Nashville.  This  campaign  wrecked  many  a  strong  soldier. 
The  historian  of  the  regiment,  in  depicting  its  severities,  says:  "It 
deprived  us  of  more  men  than  any  battle  in  which  we  were  engaged,  it 
swept  many  into  an  early  grave,  it  ruined  the  health  of  hundreds,  but 
those  who  did  endure  its  hardships  w^ere  inured  to  the  rough  life  of  a 
soldier,  and  were  seldom  afterward  sick  or  sore  from  hard  marching. " 
The  regiment  now  had  400  in  line  out  of  951  sworn  in  at  Quincy  three 
months  before. 

Gen.  Rosecrans  had  relieved  Buell  of  the  command  of  the  army, 
and  at  once  undertook  the  reorganization  of  the  shattered  forces.  The 
bi-igade  with  which  the  84th  was  connected  became  the  third  brigade, 
second  division,  twenty-first  corps.  The  division  was  commanded  by 
Sooy  Smith  (who  was  relieved  about  the  first  of  December  by  Gen. 
John  M.  Palmer),  and  the  corps  by  Gen.  Thomas  L.  Crittenden.  On 
the  26th  of  December  tlie  army  was  put  in  motion,  and  soon  struck  the 
enemy,  who  was  gradually  pushed  back  on  Murfreesboro.  Having 
reached  Stewart's  creek  on  the  29th  the  command  advanced  in  order  of 
battle  with  light  skirmishing,  and  at  night  had  borne  down  within  two 
miles  of  tlie  town.  The  left  of  the  84th  was  on  the  pike.  In  front  was 
a  cotton-field,  at  the  southeast  corner  of  which  was  the  Cowan  "Burnt 
house."     Next  day  there  was  nothing  but  skirmishing,  and  the  front 


366  HISTORY    OF   RiERCEK    AifD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

line  was  occupied  by  other  troops.  Being  relieved  on  Wednesday 
morning,  31st,  the  brigade  went  a  short  distance  to  the  rear.  During 
the  night  the  rebels  had  outflanked  the  right  of  the  army,  and  at  day- 
light they  commenced  a  furious  attack  and  drove  the  union  troops  in 
great  disorder  down  upon  the  center.  About  nine  o'clock  the  fugitives 
began  straggling  back  to  the  turnpike  with  alarming  stories  of  the 
disaster  to  the  right  wing.  The  third  brigade  was  promptly  formed, 
facing  west,  and  one  hundred  yards  in  fi-ont  of  the  pike.  The  6th  and 
24tli  Ohio  were  disposed  on  the  first  line  in  the  thick  cedar  woods. 
The  roar  of  the  nearing  conflict  grew  louder.  Stragglers,  panic- 
stricken,  rushed  back  till  their  numbers  swelled  into  a  tide  of  retreat 
that  defied  all  efibrts  to  stop  it.  Nearer  comes  the  sound,  and  all 
know  that  the  victorious  foe  is  pushing  his  advantage  with  all  his 
strength.  The  storm  is  imminent ;  then  it  bursts  upon  the  first  line, 
and  its  fury  is  withstood  briefly ;  the  men  break  in  confusion,  and  the 
entreaties  and  im^^recations  of  officers  are  unavailing  to  check  the 
retreat.  Over  the  second  line  they  pour  and  are  formed  again  about  forty 
rods  in  the  rear.  Now  comes  the  test  of  the  S4th,  the  23d  Kentuck}^, 
and  the  36th  Indiana.  A  ledge  of  rock  behind  which  they  lie  gives 
them  partial  protection.  Parson's  and  CockerelFs  batteries  are  thun- 
dering behind  them,  throwing  shell  and  grape  shot  over  the  men 
directly  into  the  cedars  in  front,  which  are  swarming  with  the  exidtant 
enemy.  Soon  the  rebels  come  out  of  the  cedars  in  full  view  and  in 
point  blank  range,  and  instantly  the  line  springs  up  with  a  wild  shout 
and  pours  a  deadly  volley  into  them.  For  an  hour  each  side  faces  a 
shower  of  bullets,  and  the  air  throbs  with  the  detonations  of  the  union 
artillery.  The  rebels,  repulsed,  finally  take  cover  in  the  woods.  Dur- 
ing the  time  a  regiment  came  up  the  pike  from  the  south  and  directed 
a  cross-fire  upon  the  federal  troops.  Being  temporarily  relieved  from 
pressure  the  brigade  changed  front  forward  by  a  left  half  wheel,  and 
opened  on  some  rebels  lying  in  the  cotton-field,  probably  those  who 
had  been  cross-firing,  and  on  a  heavy  force  approaching  at  this  time 
from  the  right.  The  regiments  on  the  right  of  the  84th  receive  the 
enemy's  enfilading  fire  with  surprising  fortitude,  but  at  length,  unable 
longer  to  endure  it,  fall  back  and  leave  this  regiment  exposed  to  the 
raking  volleys  from  the  rebels  in  the  woods,  who  promptly  envelop  its 
flank.  A  desperate  resistance  was  kept  up  in  this  place  for  an  hour, 
and  the  foe  had  crept  up  within  sixty  yards.  The  right  was  now 
retired  so  as  to  face  him  squarely,  but  his  steady  advance  in  a  semi- 
circle beginning  soon  to  timi  the  left,  the  regiment  had  to  be  with- 
drawn to  the  ledge.  Here  the  84th  maintained  its  ground  ^vith  the 
utmost  gallantry  another  hour,  after  all  the  other  troops  had  retired 


PERRYTON   TOWNSHIP.  367 

beyond  the  pike.  At  last  the  order  was  given  and  the  left  fell  back ; 
the  right,  not  having  hoard  the  command,  remained,  and  some  confu- 
sion was  the  result.  While  in  this  last  position,  and  during  the  time 
it  was  falling  back  across  the  railroad,  the  regiment  suffered  heavy 
loss,  twenty-live  being  shot  dead,  besides  a  proportionately  large  num- 
ber wounded.  The  rebels  advanced,  but  were  met  by  the  troops 
holding  the  line  of  the  railroad,  and  their  movement  was  checked. 
The  S4th  then  formed  in  front  of  the  track,  but  were  exposed  in  this 
place  to  a  rebel  battery,  and  so  the  men  were  marched  fi'om  the  tield 
into  the  woods  a  mile  away,  and  there  stacked  arms  to  give  rest  to  tliis 
bleeding  battalion,  after  six  long  hours  of  heroic  fighting  and  sacrifice. 
New  Year  witnessed  a  comparative  cessation  of  hostilities.  On 
the  2d,  Van  Cleve's  division  was  thrown  across  the  river,  and  the  third 
brigade  went  over  as  a  support.  A  slight  breastwork  of  logs  was 
nuide.  A^an  Cleve  received  a  sudden  and  vehement  attack  from  Breck- 
enridge,  and  his  division  was  driven  back  pell-mell.  The  rebels  fol- 
lowed in  splendid  style,  confident  of  easy  victory ;  but  the  84th  and  the 
6tli  Ohio,  together  w4th  other  troops,  held  their  tii-c  till  they  were 
within  three  hundred  yards,  then  rising  with  a  deafening  yell,  poured 
into  them  a  destructive  volley,  after  which  each  soldier  loaded  and  fired 
at  will,  kee})ing  up  a  murderous  fire  which  tliiimed  their  crowded  col- 
umns. The  designs  of  the  enemy  had  been  antici})ated,  and  Oen. 
Rosecrans  had  massed  fifty-eight  guns  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river, 
and  when  the  rebels  reached  the  i-ight  place  these  opened  with  a  salvo 
as  if  the  universe  had  s])lit,  shaking  the  troubled  hills  and  devouring 
the  enemy  with  sickening  destruction.  The  rebels  faltered,  and  before 
they  could  break  into  full  retreat  the  S4th  and  the  Oth  Ohio  were  over 
their  works,  charging  with  a  slogan  upon  the  reeling  assailants.  The 
rest  of  the  brigade.  Van  Cleve's  division,  and  some  other  troops  which 
had  been  hurrying  over,  now  came  up  in  the  same  gallant  fashion, 
retaking  all  the  artillery  that  liad  been  lost  and  one  gun  of  the  famous 
Washington  battery  belonging  to  the  enemy.  Kosecrans  reported: 
"The  firing  was  terrific  and  the  havoc  terrible."  Bickham  wrote: 
"  The  commander-in-chief  hurled  his  batteries  and  his  battalions 
together  at  the  monstrous  machines  of  Breckenridge,  and  destroyed 
them  in  forty  minutes.  Two  thousand  men  or  more,  who  had  marched 
upon  that  field  in  haughty  defiance,  at  tliree  o'clock  and  forty  minutes, 
were  dead  f>r  manoled  at  four  o'clock  and  thirtv  minutes."  This 
engagement  was  decisive  of  the  protracted  contest  and  gave  the  union 
army  Murfreesboro.  Nothing  could  excel  the  patient  fortitude  and 
heroic  conduct  of  the  84th  throughout  this  memoi-able  struggle,  and  it 
won  merited  encomiums  from  oliicers  of  high  rank  who  were  witnesses 


368  HISTORY    OF   :MERCER   AKD    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

of  -its  splendid  courage.     Its  whole  loss  was  as  follows :  Killed,  33 ; 
severely  wounded,  114 ;  prisoners,  8.    Thirtv-one  of  the  wounded  died. 
Many  not  counted  were  slightly  wounded.     The  regiment  suffered  thus 
terribly  on  that  dreadful  "Wednesday.     The  loss  of  the  whole  army  of 
43,400  was  12,378. 

After  the  battle  the  84th  lay  in  the  \icinity  of  Murfreesboro, 
changing  place  occasionally,  and  doing  the  ordinary  duty  of  scouting, 
foraging,  guarding  pro\asion  trains,  and  working  on  fortifications. 

Early  in  February  elections  were  held  in  the  regiment  to  fill  vacan- 
cies caused  by  casualties  and  resignations.  Lieuts.  Ball  and  Aber- 
crombie,  of  company  H,  had  been  slain  in  the  forefront  of  the  battle, 
December  31,  and  now  Private  Peter  McLain  was  voted  first  lieuten- 
ant, and  Corporal  J.  iST.  "White,  second  lieutenant. 

May  12  the  brigade  moved  to  Cripple  creek  and  lay  there  till  June 
24,  when  the  forward  movement  was  taken  up  for  the  possession  of 
Tullahoma.  ' '  Upon  the  morning  of  the  advance  the  rain  commenced, 
and  continued  as  if  the  very  windows  of  heaven  had  been  opened. 
For  seventeen  consecutive  days  the  rain  fell  in  remarkable  quantity. 
No  such  stormy  period  had  visited  that  countrv  for  twentv-six  vears 
past."  So  said  the  annalist  of  the  army  of  the  Cumberland.  Critten- 
den "  had  seventeen  miles  to  march,  over  a  road  that  had  no  bottom, 
and  it  took  him  four  days  to  get  over  it.  The  infantry  waded  through 
mud  for  miles,  that  was  from  one  to  three  feet  in  depth.  They  had  to 
dismount  their  pieces  and  take  their  batteries  forward  from  higliland 
to  highland."  So  said  Eosecrans  recently  (1882).  The  rebel  army 
having  retreated  to  Chattanooga,  on  July  8  this  command  went  into 
regular  camp  near  Manchester.  Fatiguing  work,  toilsome  marching, 
a  scalding  sun,  and  short  rations  were  other  features  of  this  brief,  but 
brilliant  campaign,  which  might  have  been  more  complete  in  its  results 
but  for  unfavorable  weather  and  roads. 

The  advance  on  Chattanooga  began  on  the  IGtli,  and  Crittenden's 
corps  took  the  route  across  the  mountains  direct  for  that  place.  On 
the  2.5tli  the  brigade  (Grose's)  reached  the  Sequatchie  valley  and  camped 
near  Dunlap,  beneath  the  tall  cliffs  which  look  down  from  the  west, 
and  remained  there  till  September  1.  The  march  was  then  resumed 
down  the  valley,  and  during  the  evening  and  night  of  the  3d  the  divi- 
sion effected  the  passage  of  the  Tennessee,  and  encamped  at  Shell- 
mound.  On  the  6th  it  had  entered  Lookout  valley.  On  tlie  9th, 
Gen.  Wood  having  made  a  reconnoisance  in  force  in  the  direction  of 
Chattanooga  and  reported  the  enemy  giving  up  the  gateway  between 
the  river  and  Point  Lookout,  Grose's  brigade  climbed  the  mountain, 
drove  oft'  the  rebel  outposts,  moved  forward  to  Summerville,  thence 


^ 


PERRYTON   TOWNSHIP.  369 

down  the  moiiritain  on  the  other  side,  rejoining  the  division  below, 
whicli  had  now  passed  around  the  point,  and  moved  out  across  Chatta- 
nooga vallev  toward  Rossville,  under  orders  to  follow  the  enemy 
closely  and  watch  his  movements. 

Let  us  return  to  trace  those  maneuvers  which  secured  the  entrance 
through  this  gateway  and  led  to  the  battle  in  Chickamauga  valley. 
Having  reached  the  foot  of  the  Cumberland  mountains,  various  causes 
induced  Gen.  Rosecrans  to  delay  a  few  days ;  but  when  ready  to  con- 
tinue the  advance  by  a  ruse  cle  guerre  he  caused  Bragg  to  suppose  that 
he  intended  to  make  the  passage  of  the  Tennessee  above  Chattanooga, 
and  suddenly  on  the  29th  began  crossing  the  bulk  of  his  army  at 
Bridgeport,  Caperton's  ferry  ten  miles  below,  and  Shellmound  eight 
miles  above.  Thomas,  w'ith  his  corps,  marched  across  the  mountain- 
ous country,  entering  Lookout  (^or  Wills")  valley,  and  proceeded  up  to 
Cooper's  and  Stevens'  gaps,  occupied  them  on  the  8th  and  9th,  and 
passed  over  Lookout  mountain.  McCook's  corps  moved  on  a  parallel 
route  to  the  right,  going  over  Sand  mountain,  through  Valleys"'  Head, 
and  ascending  Lookout  at  Winston's  gap.  All  the  cavalry,  except 
what  was  employed  in  the  feint  above  Chattanooga,  was  sent  to  the 
liead  of  the  valley,  with  instructions  to  cross  over  to  Alpine  and  make 
a  show  of  strong  force  in  that  neighborhood.  McCook  was  to  follow 
it  to  the  summit,  display  his  troops  to  the  best  advantage,  send  a 
brigade  or  division  down  the  mountain  to  back  up  the  cavalry  while 
threatening  Rome,  so  as  to  give  the  appearance  of  a  large  force.  Crit- 
tenden had  been  reserved  to  cross  the  base  of  Lookout  immediately 
under  the  Point  and  next  the  river,  as  already  described.  The  demon- 
sti-ation  on  Bragg's  rear  forced  him  into  the  open  field  to  fight  the 
decisive  battle  which  Rosecrans  and  his  lieutenants  knew  would  inevit- 
ably take  place  for  the  possession  of  Chattanooga.  Discovering  the 
flank  movement  the  rebel  general  hastily  evacuated  the  city  on  the  9th, 
and  retreated  to  Lafayette,  twenty-two  miles  south,  covering  his  base, 
and  holding  a  position  near  enough  to  his  antagonist  to  take  any  sud- 
den advantage.  On  the  11th  Crittenden  was  ordered  to  Ringgold  to 
feel  forward  for  the  enemy  as  far  as  Gordon's  Mills.  His  report,  as 
well  as  other  information,  left  no  doubt  of  the  concentration  of  the 
rebel  armv  at  Lafavette  to  await  re-inforcements,  and  Rosecrans  learned 
with  deep  concern  of  Bragg's  present  attitude ;  especially  now  that  he 
himself  must  despair  of  help  from  Burnside,  who  had  been  sent  on  a 
cooperative  expedition  from  Kentucky  into  East  Tennessee  wdth 
instructicms  to  join  him,  Init  who  at  this  crises  "was  hunting  with 
22,000  men  at  his  back  for  Gen.  Sam  Jones  who.  with  less  than  6,000, 
was  toling  him  ofl'  up  into  western  Virginia."     Rosecrans'  main  army 


370  HISTORY    OF    FIERCER    AXD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

was  dispersed  from  Einggold  to  Alpine,  a  distance  of  fifty-eight  miles 
by  practicable  wagon  route,  and  sixty-five  by  that  subsequently  taken 
by  McCook  (certainly  a  precarious  situation),  and  the  supreme  en- 
deavor should  be  to  concentrate  and  cover  Chattanooga.  The  isolation 
of  each  corps  was  so  perfect  that  the  movement  must  necessarily  be 
from  the  south,  keeping  in  view  the  hold  on  the  city.  Ci'ittenden 
could  not  move  up  the  valley  to  Thomas  ^vith()ut  exposing  Chattanooga 
and  jeo])ardizing  the  army ;  the  latter  could  not  march  to  the  assist- 
ance of  McCook  without  leaving  Crittenden  at  the  mercy  of  Bragg ; 
therefore  all  hope  lay  in  the  celerity  of  McCook,  and  the  tardiness  of 
Bragg.  Recently  (1882),  Gen.  Bosecrans  said  ''this  was  the  most  anx- 
ious period  of  the  whole  campaign. "  He  had  indeed  risked  a  staggering 
responsibility.  Crittenden  was  immediately  ordered  to  march  without 
delay  to  Gordon's  Mills  and  to  communicate  with  Gen.  Thomas.  His 
troops  were  there  the  next  day.  Bressing  orders  were  dispatched  to 
McCook  to  come  by  the  road  along  the  top  of  the  mountain  with  all 
possible  haste  and  join  Thomas;  but  acting  on  what  he  believed  was 
reliable  informati<m  that  this  route  was  impracticable,  he  disregarded 
that  part  of  his  orders,  and  starting  at  midnight  retraced  his  way 
tlirough  Winston's  gap.  On  the  IJ-tli  Gen.  Crittenden  was  withdrawn 
to  the  southern  extremity  of  Missionary  ridge  to  avoid  being  cut  off, 
and  to  communicate  with  Gen.  Thomas,  whose  troops  began  to  arrive 
the  follo^ving  day.  Xegley's  division  confronted  two  rebel  divisions  at 
Dry  gap  in  Bigeon  mountain,  but  declined  battle  after  a  brisk  skirmish. 
Col.  AYilder  had  encountered  a  large  body  at  Binggold.  The  enemy's 
activity  and  boldness  portended  early  fighting.  Would  McCook  come 
before  tlie  blow  would  fall  (  He  was  still  far  away,  toiling  over  rugged 
hills,  rough  roads,  and  through  narrow  passes,  but  making  all  the 
while  prodigious  exertions  and  good  progress.  From  Winstoi/s  gap 
he  moved  down  to  Stevens'  gap,  and  then  followed  the  road  taken  by 
Thomas.  Four  and  a  half  days  were  spent  in  this  circuitous  march  of 
forty-six  miles.  The  sunnnit  route  of  seventeen  miles  would  have  con- 
sumed but  a  dav  and  a  half.  This  unfortunate  but  natiu'al  mistake  cost 
the  commanding  general  the  choice  of  the  battle  field ;  and  no  doubt 
the  loss  of  his  justly  high  military  reputation,  though  not  of  his  posi- 
tion, for  that  was  already  fated  by  his  unfortunate  misunderstandings 
with  the  war  department,  inflamed  by  his  own  rash  correspondence, 
invited  by  the  weakness  of  Halleck,  and  welcomed  by  the  vindictive- 
ness  of  Stanton. 

On  the  ITth  the  rebels  attempted  to  cross  the  Chickamauga  at 
Gordon's  mills,  but  were  ]>revented  by  Ci'ittenden,  who  had  returned 
the  same  day  from  the  foot  of  the  ridge,  McCook  having  just  arrived 


PEKRYTON   TO%VNSHIP.  371 

on  tlie  right.  At  evening  on  the  18th  mutterings  of  conflict  on  the 
left  foretokl  battle  on  the  morrow.  The  rebel  general  was  detected  in 
massing  overwhelming  numbers  on  that  flank  to  turn  or  crush  it,  and 
then  to  interpose  his  armv  between  Rosecrans  and  Chattanooga.  To 
check  this  maneuver  the  union  general  advanced  his  line  t(j  tlie  left 
during  the  night  by  moving  Thomas'  corps  from  the  center,  leaving  its 
place  to  be  filled  by  McCook's.  The  alignment  from  left  to  right  by 
divisions  was  covered  by  Brannan,  Baird,  and  Reynolds,  of  Thomas' 
corps ;  Palmer,  Van  Cleve,  and  Wood,  of  Crittenden's  corps ;  and 
Davis  and  Sheridan,  of  McCook's  corps,  not  yet  established  in  position 
when  the  battle  began  on  Saturday  morning,  the  19th.  Xegley's 
division,  belonging  to  Thomas's  corps,  formed  a  defensive  crochet  at 
Owen's  ford,  farther  to  the  right,  and  the  cavalry  was  thrown  forward 
on  this  flank  to  defend  ^lissionarj'  ridge.  Johnson's  division  of 
McCook's  corps  was  in  reserve  in  rear  of  Thomas,  and  Crittenden's 
right  held  Gordon's  mills.  The  reserve  corps  under  Gordon  Granger 
was  lying  at  Bossville,  four  miles  to  the  left  and  rear.  Bosecrans' 
front  was  parallel  to  Chickamauga  creek,  extending  from  northeast  to 
southwast,  and  lying  diagonally  across  the  Lafayette  road  leading  to 
Chattanooga,  with  the  left  reaching  nearly  to  the  Binggold  road. 

The  night  had  been  one  of  acti\"ity  in  the  federal  army  in  changing 
positions  and  forming  lines.  About  ten  o'clock  the  dropping  fire  of 
the  skirmishers  and  the  deep  bass  of  the  artillery  announced  the  open- 
ing of  the  battle.  Gen.  Thomas  had  ordered  a  recounoissance  on  the 
exti'eme  left  by  Brannan's  division,  and  Ci'oxton's  brigade  encountered 
a  strong  detachment  of  th-e  iH?bel  Gen.  AValker's  c*orps  in  front  and 
flank,  and  drove  it  in  confusion  over  half  a  mile  to  a  massed  body 
conceale^l  in  the  forest.  The  rebels  fjuglit  savagely,  and  being 
reinforced  by  Cheatham's  division,  fell  on  the  union  troops  with  heatl- 
long  weight.  The  whole  division  was  at  once  engaged ;  its  double 
Knes  struggled  heroically  to  keep  their  places,  but  finally  crumbled 
into  disorder.  The  enemy,  still  advamiiig  in  deep  columns,  rolled  u]» 
against  Baird  like  a  huge  wave ;  and  his  deadly  fire,  though  shattering 
their  front  lines,  had  no  visible  eflect  in  checking  the  foe.  Swept  by 
the  remorseless  tempest,  this  division  was  unable  to  stem  its  wrathful 
course,  and  gave  way.  Johnson,  advancing  now  from  his  reserve 
position,  struck  the  enemy  in  flank.  Palmer's  division  came  about 
this  time  to  succor  the  struggling  left,  and  Brannan's  and  Baird's 
divisions  having  been  reformed,  Gen.  Thomas  ordered  the  line  to 
advance.  The  movement  was  as  unexpected  to  the  rebels  as  it  was 
irresistible.  They  tried  in  vain  to  stand ;  they  poured  desolating 
showers  of  bullets,  grape-shot,  and  canister  into  the  daring  columns, 


372  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

but  onward  those  invincible  divisions  went  like  a  billow  of  the  ocean. 
With  frantic  exertions  officers  tried  to  restore  order  and  establish  new 
lines,  but  as  'often  as  that  was  done  the  torrent  of  union  victory  swept 
them  away  like  driftwood.  Thomas'  battalions  stopped  only  when 
satisfied  -with  having  driven  the  exultant  and  confident  foe  nearly  a 
mile  over  the  ground  they  had  lost,  and  taken  cannons,  caissons,  and 
eveiything  else  that  the  enemy  in  his  flight  had  left.  The  account  of 
a  rebel  writer  says  this  "fight  was  one  of  great  desperation,"  that  the 
rebels  "experienced  fearful  sacrifices,"  and  that  the  union  soldiers 
"pushed  close  upon  the  battery  of  the  gallant  Capt.  Carnes  and  slew 
most  of  its  horses  and  men,"  and  the  pieces  "were  therefore  aban- 
doned to  the  enemy."  Opportunely  for  the  rebels,  Cleburn  dashed 
up  to  the  rescue  of  their  endangered  right  and  engaged  Palmer's 
division  with  his  usual  impetuosity.  Now  the  tumult  drifts  along  the 
quaking  earth.  Heavy  flanking  columns  crowd  the  right ;  Palmer 
is  overlapped,  and  his  line  is  in  danger  of  being  doubled  up,  when 
Yan  Cleve  marches  in  to  arrest  the  peril,  but  the  dense  battalions 
with  which  he  grapples  overcome  him.  Bragg  is  practicing  his 
favorite  plan  of  attack  in  commencing  on  one  flank  and  hurling  for- 
ward his  divisions  successively  in  search  for  a  weak  point,  until  the 
whole  line  is  engaged.  The  tide  of  battle  rolled  heavily  to  the  right, 
taking  in  Reynolds,  who  divided  the  pressure  wdth  Van  Cleve,  and 
covered  his  fron'  with  a  terrific  lead-storm ;  but  his  division  was 
shortly  sundered  in  twain  as  if  a  hurricane  had  torn  through  his  ranks. 
Davis  was  ordered  up  at  the  critical  moment;  and  though  his  men 
struggled  with  raging  energy,  he  could  not  long  withstand  the  rebel 
momentum  of  increasing  numbers.  He  gave  back  slowly  till  Wood 
arrived  to  swell  the  furious  combat,  when  the  enemy  recoiled  with 
heavy  loss.  At  three  o'clock  Sheridan  was  ordered  to  leave  Lytle's 
brigade  to  hold  Gordon's  mills,  and  with  the  rest  of  his  division  to 
move  to  the  assistance  of  Wood  and  Davis.  He  was  on  the  ground 
not  too  soon  to  save  the  former  from  disaster.  The  heavy  sound 
which  moves  toward  the  right,  shaking  the  deep  woods,  tells  that  the 
center  has  caught  the  storm.  Gen.  Negley,  who  has  been  lying  at 
Owen's  ford  all  day,  is  ordered  to  march  down  to  the  Widow  Glenn's  to 
be  in  momentary  readiness  for  action.  He  reported  with  his  division 
at  half-past  four ;  and  as  soon  as  it  became  certain  that  the  battle  was 
going  against  the  union  arms  in  that  quarter,  his  fresh  veterans 
rushed  upon  the  foe  with  ardor  and  drove  him  back  steadily  till  dark- 
ness put  an  end  to  the  fighting.  Erannan  had  also  been  sent  from  the 
left,  and  at  night  took  a  position  t(^  the  right  of  Reynolds. 

The  results  of  the  day  were  substantial  success.     The  federal  armv 


PERRYTON   TOWNSUIP.  373 

had  held  its  ground,  and  the  rebel  general  was  foiled.  The  union 
troops,  outnumbered,  luid  all  bci'n  called  into  action  except  two  brig- 
ades. The  rebel  army  was  reinforced  bv  Ihickner,  recently  from 
Knoxville;  by  a  detachment  from  Johnson's  army  in  Mississi])])i  ;  and 
by  another  from  Lee's  army  in  Virginia.  The  battle-ground  was 
heavy  timber,  so  undergrown  as  to  be  an  immense  cop])ice.  This 
was  of  great  advantage  to  the  rebels  in  nuissing  and  attacking,  and  of 
proportionate  disadvantage  to  the  federal  side,  allowing  but  small 
op})ortunity  for  the  use  of  artillery.  Everj^  incli  of  ground  was  con- 
tested with  obstinate  valor.  As  often  as  one  rebel  line  melted  out  of 
sight  a  fresh  one  took  its  place ;  but  the  union  soldiers  Ibught  without 
respite,  without  hope  of  aid,  aware  of  the  momentous  character  of  the 
struggle,  and  that  if  they  won  the  stake  it  must  be  with  a  costly  libation 
of  blood.  So  they  received  the  surge  of  rebel  strength  and  fury  with 
surly  front,  and  when  overwhelmed  and  forced  to  give  ground  did  so 
with  dogged  reluctance. 

By  midnight  the  ])lans  of  the  union  commander  for  the  morrow  had 
been  communicated  to  his  corps  commanders  in  a  counsel  at  the  Widow 
Glenn's  house.  Thomas  was  to  maintain  his  present  line,  assisted  by  the 
divisions  of  Palmer  and  Johnson,  with  which  he  had  been  reinforced, 
and  to  hold  Brannan  in  reserve.  McCook,  with  the  two  divisions  left 
him,  was  to  close  up  to  Thomas,  with  his  right  turned  back  to  a  strong 
position  on  Missionary  ridge ;  while  Crittenden,  with  his  remaining 
divisions,  was  to  be  posted  in  reserve  at  the  junction  of  Thomas  and 
McCook.  On  the  rebel  side  the  army  was  divided  into  two  wings ; 
the  right  was  given  to  Gen.  Polk  and  the  left  to  Gen.  Longstreet,  who 
had  arrived  with  the  rest  of  his  corps  at  eleven  o'clock  that  niglit. 
Polk  was  ordered  to  renew  the  battle  at  daylight,  but  owing  to  a  dis- 
arrangement of  his  line  he  was  prevented  from  making  the  attack  until 
nearly  nine  o'clock.  The  morning  opened  sultry  and  oppressive.  The 
fiery  sky,  as  if  it  might  reflect  the  bloody  field  below,  was  seen  through 
a  hazy,  sulphurous  canopy  of  battle-smoke,  which  enveloped  hill,  forest 
and  glen,  and  the  giants  of  war  that  lay  among  them.  The  union 
troops  reposed  on  their  anus,  waiting  for  the  first  rude  sound  of  con- 
flict to  disturb  the  glory  of  the  Sabbath  day.  Between  sun  and  sun 
what  onsets  shall  rock  the  earth  I  what  valor  amaze  the  world  and 
mark  the  bounds  of  human  courage  and  endurance !  Every  man  in 
those  worn  and  battle-begrimed  legions  says  nuitely  with  his  chieftain, 
this  "day  must  be  for  the  safety  of  the  army  and  the  possession  of 
Chattanooga."  The  first  move  of  the  enemy  was  to  turn  the  left  fiank 
to  secure  Rosecrans'  line  of  retreat.  Palmer  was  in  the  front,  near  the 
center,  and  Grose's  brigade  was  ordered  to  the  left  to  meet  the  enemy, 


374  HISTORY  OF  mp:rcer  axd  iienderson  counties. 

who  was  crawling  around  on  the  flank.     The  S4th  retired  from  their 
barricade  of  logs  and  rails  with  a  feeling  of  reluctance.     Col.  Waters 
had  been  the  first  to  recommend  the  building  of  such  a  protection,  and 
this  regiment  the  first  to  begin  the  parapet.     In  moving  to  its  new 
position  it  was  first  apprized  of  the  presence  of  the  enemy  bv  a  sharp 
volley  from  an  ambuscade,  which  killed  and  wounded  several.     This 
was  followed  by  rapid  discharges,  but  in  spite  of  the  severe  fire  the 
brigade  formed  in  line.     But  being  at  once  charged  upon  by  a  greatly 
superior  force,  it  was  driven  in  such  confusion  that  detachments  were 
separated  and  did  not  find  their  proper  places  during  the  day.     Soon  a 
deafening  shout  rises  along  the  rebel  front,  and  the  line  dashes  forward 
in  a  thundering  charge  that  envelopes  Tliomas'  position.     The  con- 
tending sides  grapple  in  the  herculean  energies  of  despairing  battle. 
An  aid  leaves  Thomas'  side  and  hurries  off"  to  Gen.  Rosecrans,  to  ask 
that  Xeglay  may  be  sent  speedily.     Thomas  had  been  promised  the 
return  of  this  division  early  in  the  morning,  and  the  order  had  been 
given  for  its  transfer,  but  from  some  cause  had  but  just  started  to  move 
when  the  stafi"  ofiicer  galloped  up.      '•  There  it  goes,"  said  Eosecrans, 
as  at  that  instant  it  was  seen  in  motion.     In  a  few  minutes  another  aid 
came  fi,)Tng  from'  the  left,  saying  that  Gen.  Thomas  was  hotly  pressed 
and  needed  Brannan.      '"Tell  Gen.  Thomas  our  line  is  closing  toward 
him,  and  to  hold  his  ground  at  all  hazards,  and  I  will  reinforce  him,  if 
necessary,  with  the  entire  army.     Tell  Gen.  Brannan  to  obey  Gen. 
Thomas'  orders. "     Gen.  Yan  Cleve,  who  has  been  lying  behind  AVood, 
is  despatched  in  the  same  direction.     The  battle  is  increasmg  in  fury. 
jSTegley,  with  his  veterans  at  a  swinging  pace,  is  hurrying  to  the  relief 
of  the  suffering  left.     Yan  Qeve  follows  rapidly.     A  cloud  of  smoke 
and  perpetual  fire  roll  from  Thomas'  solid  front.     lioaring  batteries, 
double-shotted,  pour  the  desolating  iron  into  the  frenzied  foe,  who  is 
constantly  re])laeing  his  dissolving  ranks  with  fresh  troops.     Closer 
and  more  stubbornly  they  press,  and  deadlier  grows  the  union  fire. 
The  line  of  conflict  extends  to  the  center.     It  is  now  eleven  o'clock, 
and  Longstreet  assails  the  right  fiercely.     The  rebels  on  Thomas'  front, 
exhausted  by  their  own  tremendous  exertions  and  frightful  losses,  fall 
back,  at  length,  demoralized,  out  of  the  reach  of  the  field  guns.     Smart- 
ing under  this  bloody  and  signal  repulse,  they  close  up  their  bleeding, 
ghastly  ranks,  revise  their  lines,  strengthen  them  with  reinforcements, 
and  then  the   massive   column   is   launched    once   more  against  the 
weakened  line.     In  the  meantime  Gen.  Thomas  has  ridden  along  the 
ranks,  so  that  if  it  were  necessary  his  presence  should  infuse  new  con- 
fidence, and  his  troops  catch  some  of  his  own  steadiness  of  character 
and  loftv  heroism.     Maddened  bv  the  memory  of  their  defeat,  and 


/ 


l^»^ 


THOMAS     CANDOR 

foECBASED] 


EiGHTv-Fouirnr  kkgiment.  377 

thirsting  to  avenge  it,  tliey  advance  witli  remorseless  vigor  under  cover 
of  a  terrific  cannonade  from  tlieir  batteries.  Tliev  meet  ag-ain  the  same 
stern  resistance  and  devouring  fire  whicli  before  .strewed  tlie  ground 
with  tlieir  dead.  Tiight  up  they  come  till  foeman  looks  foeman  in  eye, 
and  the  stormy  lines  interlock  and  and  writhe  in  mortal  embrace.  The 
union  troops,  according  to  rebel  authority,  "withstood  as  long  as 
human  powers  of  endurance  could  bear  up  against  such  a  pressure, 
then  yielded  and  fell  back."  But  not  till  two  hours  of  raging  slaughter 
told  the  story  of  their  heroism.  Ketiring  a  little  way  a  stand  would  be 
made  till  the  courageous  foe  came  and  received  full  in  his  face  that 
relentless  fire  whicli  shriveled  his  wasting  ranks.  Tlie  batteries, 
changing  from  place  to  place,  were  served  with  great  animation  and 
accuracy.  The  enemy  paused  finally,  and  Gen.  Thomas  rested  his 
right  on  Missionary  ridge,  covering  the  gap,  his  left  on  the  Lafayette 
road,  his  center  advanced,  the  line  describing  an  arc  of  a  circle,  AVliile 
tliis  had  been  occurring,  terrible  work  had  been  done  on  the  right. 
The  commanding  general  had  guarded  carefully  against  a  gap  in  his 
front,  but  was  notified  that  Brannan  was  out  of  line,  leaving  Reynolds' 
right  exposed.  Tlie  situation  was  not  comprehended  by  Gen.  Thomas' 
aid  who  brought  the  information.  Brannan  was  in  echelon,  that  is,  in 
rear,  with  his  right  extending  beyond  Reynolds'  right.  Gen.  Rose- 
crans  promptly  sent  an  order  to  Wood  to  close  up  on  Reynolds.  As 
Wood's  left  connected  with  Brannan  he  understood  the  order  was  for 
him  to  support  Reynolds  by  withdrawing  from  the  line  and  marching 
by  the  flank  to  liis  rear.  Acting  on  this  fatal  mistake,  without  report- 
ing to  the  commanding  general  for  further  instructions,  he  moved  to 
the  left,  and  so  opened  a  wide  breach.  lie  was  savagely  attacked 
while  executing  this  disastrous  change,  and  his  right  brigade  was 
severely  handled.  It  is  like  a  break  in  a  levee.  There  is  a  wild  rush 
of  rebels  into  this  gap.  Then  twelve  cannon  enter.  Brannan's  right 
is  hurled  back.  Van  (yleve,  at  this  juncture,  marching  to  the  left,  i» 
struck  full  and  fair  in  flank ;  two  batteries  at  the  same  time  moving 
the  same  wav  are  driven  throuo;h  two  of  his  brigades.  Half  of  the 
division  instantly  crumbles  to  atoms  and  goes  like  chaff  to  Rossville. 
On  the  right  of  the  gap  are  Davis  and  Sheridan.  The  division  of  the 
former,  taken  in  front,  flank  and  rear,  completely  disintegrates.  The 
latter  is  overlapped  on  the  right  by  Longstreet's  mammoth  line,  now 
sweeping  forward  in  a  grand  onslaught.  Laibold's  brigade  is  carried 
awa}^  with  Davis.  Scorning  to  fly,  Sheridan,  with  his  two  remaining 
brigades  moving  toward  Reynolds,  hurls  a  forlorn  column  with  con- 
vulsive desperation  against  the  massive  front  of  the  shouting  foe. 
One  trial  is  enough  ;  he  is  caught  in  flank ;  then  his  troops  hurry  past 
22 


•B78  HISTORY   OF   MERCER   A]SD   HENDERSON   COUNTfES, 

the  Dry  vallej,  and  by  a  circuit  arrive  at  Eossville,  from  whence,  at 
night,  he  leads  them  to  the  support  of  Thomas.  Between  the  wreck- 
ing of  Davis'  and  Sheridan's  divisions,  Lytle's  brigade  was  shivered ; 
the  brave  leader  fell  dead  in  the  arms  of  an  aid,  and  his  horse  dashed 
away  with  the  straggling,  panic-stricken  throng.  Generals  McCook 
and  Ci'ittenden  search  in  vain  for  the  remnants  of  their  commands, 
which  are  scattered  in  twos  and  threes,  scarcely  the  semblance  of  a 
formation  anywhere.  Guns,  caissons,  horses,  wagons,  and  a  bewil- 
dered, cursing  multitude  of  fugitives  obstruct  the  j^ass  through  Mission- 
ary ridge.  These  brave  officers  sicken  at  the  tumult,  but  cannot  stay 
the  refluent  tide,  and  are  borne  along  by  it  till  they  arrive  in  Chatta- 
nooga. The  commanding  general,  ignorant  of  the  extent  of  the  dis- 
aster, issued  a  few  necessary  orders,  and  despatched  his  chief-of-stafi, 
Gen.  Garfield,  to  Gen.  Thomas,  to  ascertain  the  situation  of  his  com- 
mand, and  to  communicate  with  him  by  telegraph  at  Chattanooga. 
Garfield  performed  the  perilous  journey  over  hills,  through  valleys  and 
wild  forests,  heedless  of  lurking  dangers,  reached  Thomas,  and  sent 
the  grateful  intelligence  to  his  chief  that  the  left  wing  was  holding  its 
ground,  and  would  do  so  to  the  last.  Rosecrans  in  the  meantime 
returned  to  Chattanooga,  ''to  give  orders  for  the  security  of  the 
])ontoon-brigade  at  Battle  creek  and  Bridgeport,  and  to  make  prelimin- 
ary dispositions  either  to  foi-ward  ammunition  and  supplies,  should  we 
hold  our  ground,  or  to  withdraw  the  troops  into  good  position." 

Having  routed  the  right  of  the  union  army,  the  eager  foe,  elated 
with  that  success,  and  confident  of  dashing  the  remainder  in  pieces, 
about  one  o'clock  fell  upon  Thomas  with  remarkable  force.  The  divi- 
sions of  Baird,  Johnson,  Palmer,  Reynolds,  Brannan,  and  Wood,  two 
brigades  oi  Negley's  division,  and  one  of  Van  Cleve's  were  the  troops 
left  to  hold  the  rebel  army  in  check.  The  devoted  union  army  was 
now  assailed  by  more  than  three  times  its  numbers.  Kershaw  assaulted 
Missionary  Bidge  in  front  and  was  fearfully  repulsed.  Finding  this 
part  of  the  line  impregnable,  heavy  columns  were  projected  against  the 
flanks.  The  fierceness  of  the  onsets,  combined  with  the  overwhelming 
weight  of  numbers,  carried  them  back.  Thomas'  lines  after  that 
described  nearly  a  complete  circle,  and  Longstreet  was  in  control  of  the 
main  road  to  Chattanooga.  An  immense  toil  was  closing  around  the 
stalwart  hero.  A  sheet  of  deadly  flame  and  fiery  sleet  encircled  this 
last  stronghold,  while  his  own  lines  blazed  with  withering  volleys  that 
bespoke,  under  the  circumstances,  the  loftiest  moral  defiance  and 
grandeur.  Undaunted,  the  union  troops  received  the  repeated  and 
staggerhig  assaults  of  the  exasperated  foe.  It  was  not  dismay  that 
lilhMl  their  hearts,  but  calm  desperation.     They  stood  witli  their  backs 


EIGHTY-FOURTH   REGEMENT.  379 

to  the  wall,  and  that  wall  was  "the  Rock  of  Chickamaiiga."  The 
enemy,  determined  upon  destroying  the  army,  at  lialf-past  three  found 
a  low  gap  in  the  ridge,  flanking  Thomas'  right  and  directly  in  his  rear. 
Sanguine  of  a  swift  and  crushing  factory,  they  hurried  into  it  in  great 
numbers.  "The  moment  was  critical,'"'  says  Rosecrans.  Twenty 
minutes  more,  ^nd  our  right  would  have  been  turned,  our  position 
taken  in  reverse,  and,  i)robably,  the  army  routed.  Struggling  with 
grim  valor  at  all  points  to  beat  back  the  rami)ant  foe,  Thomas  could 
spare  no  troops  for  this  new  and  appalling  danger.  For  the  first  time 
in  his  life  his  countenance  and  manner  betray  emotions  of  distressing 
anxiety.  lie  knows  that  Granger  is  at  Rossville,  three  miles  away  ; 
no  time  to  send  word ;  at  best,  three  miles  against  twenty  minutes. 
Xothing  but  the  providence  of  God  can  save  the  army.  Nervously, 
painfully  liis  eye  sweeps  the  horizon.  A  cloud  of  dust  is  rising. 
Doubtfiil  whether  it  can  be  fiiend  or  foe,  he  exclains  to  Capt.  Johnson, 
of  Negley's  staff:  "Find  out  what  troops  those  are,  moving  upon 
me.''  Bringing  his  glass  to  his  eye,  he  watches  intently  the  approach- 
ing column.  On  that  hangs  the  fate  of  the  army.  Who  can  tell  how 
hope  and  fear  fluctuate  in  that  heart  that  is  almost  still  (  The  seconds 
throb  with  conscious  importance.  A  small  object  comes  into  view. 
His  lips  almost  break  out  with  thanksgiving;  it  is  the  battle-flag  of 
Granger.  One  more  chance  for  hope.  All  day  long  Granger  had 
listened  to  the  thunder  on  the  left,  and  had  marked  its  ebb  and  flow  as 

it  grew 

"Nearer,  clearer,  deadlier  than  before"; 

had  paced  up  and  down  uneasily,  wondering  why  orders  to  march  did 
not  come,  every  minute  straining  his  eye  for  the  sight  of  a  stafi"  oflicer. 
It  was  an  heroic  occasion,  and  a  hero  was  there.  Something  said : 
push  for  the  front.  ' '  The  God  of  batttles  held  that  forlorn  hope  of  the 
union  army  in  his  hand."  "With  the  instinct  of  a  true  soldier  and 
general,"  he  ordered  his  trained  but  mostly  new  soldiers  to  move 
instantly.  Two  miles  down  the  road  he  came  upon  a  small  body  of 
the  enemy,  but  he  "well  knew  that  at  that  stage  of  the  conflict  the 
battle  was  not  there."  Leaving  Col.  Dan.  C.  McCook's  brigade  to  take 
care  of  any  force  in  that  vicinity,  he  urged  forward  with  i)ressing  earn- 
estness and  reported  to  Gen.  Thomas.  ' '  The  Rock  of  Chickamauga " 
sim})ly  pointed  out  the  right.  The  soldierly  eye  of  Granger  took  in 
the  i)erilous  and  astounding  situation  at  a  glance,  "and  quick  as 
thought  he  directed  his  advance  brigade  upon  the  enemy."  Gen. 
Steadman.  inspired  no  less  than  Gi-anger,  with  an  enthusiastic  coy/p  d"* 
a'/7,  and  M-orth  at  that  moment  a  thousand  men, 'seized  a  regimental 
color,   and  dashing  to  the  head  of  the  colunm,   shouted  the  charge. 


380  HISTORY   OF   HrERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

Language  fails  to  describe  the  onslaught.  As  well  as  the  leaders, 
every  man  is  a  giant.  ' '  Right  on  into  the  desolating  fire  they  pressed, 
reckless  of  numbers  and  of  death,  with  a  loud  and  thrilling  shout. 
Over  the  batteries,  over  the  astounded  battalions  of  Hindman  they 
went  in  a  wild  wave.  It  was  marvelous,  the  charge  of  those  two 
immortal  brigades,"  and  not  less  glorious  than  the  charge  of  the  light 
brigade  at  Bahiklava.  The  trampled  earth  is  strewed  with  the  harvest 
of  war ;  the  enemy  is  routed  with  great  slaughter,  and  the  stars  and 
stripes  are  on  the  ridge.  Renowned  victory  was  wrung  from  the  hands 
of  the  rebels,  and,  stung  with  disappointment,  Longstreefs  veterans 
returned  in  successive  charges  riglit  up  to  the  six  guns  planted  in  the 
gorge,  fighting  with  the  ferocity  of  desjjair.  This  was  borne  with  firm 
courage  by  Granger's  shouting  soldiers,  who  sent  them  reeling  back 
each  time,  torn  and  bleeding,  with  a  wild  slogan  that  vied  with  the 
sanguinary  uproar.  It  was  madness  to  lavish  their  superb  battalions 
in  hopeless  frenzy  and  onset,  and  in  vain  the  rebel  generals  broke  col- 
umn after  column  to  pieces  on  this  granite  front.  As  the  sun  went 
down  the  last  attempt  was  made  on  the  invincible  band.  They  had 
exhausted  all  their  ammunition,  even  all  that  could  be  gathered  from 
their  fallen  comrades,  and  it  was  with  much  solicitude  that  the  prepara- 
tions for  the  last  vigorous  assault  were  watched  by  these  fearless  men 
who  had  stood  in  the  deadly  breach  for  hours.  Should  the  triumphant 
reward  for  all  their  bloody  sacrifice  be  torn  away  at  the  last  moment? 
They  are  coming  now,  and  are  so  near  that  their  muffled  tread 
is  plainly  heard.  The  ringing  command  comes  :  ' '  Give  them  the 
cold  steel!"  Springing  forward  "with  fixed  bayonets  and  a  piercing 
yell,  they  rush  upon  the  heels  of  the  foe,  who,  struck  with  conster- 
nation, has  broken  and  is  fleeing  in  the  wildest  disorder.  Weak- 
ened by  their  desperate  endeavors,  the  rebels  give  up  this  hope- 
less point  after  frightful  carnage,  and  thankful  relief  comes  to 
Granger's  men,  of  whom  a  thousand,  nearly  a  third  of  the  number 
that  went  into  the  fight,  either  dead  or  wounded,  lie  stretched  upon  the 
field.  Believing  that  the  left  had  been  weakened  to  reinforce  the  right, 
Bragg  sent  a  column  to  attack  in  that  quarter.  Being  informed  of  its 
approach.  Gen.  Thomas  ordered  Reynolds  to  move  with  his  division  to 
meet  it,  and  pointing  out  the  rebels,  bade  him  "go  in  there."  Facing 
about  to  save  time,  and  moving  by  the  rear  rank,  the  battle-smoked 
and  blood-stained  warriors  were  given  the  order  to  charge.  With 
bayonets  lowered,  they  struck  the  double-quick,  while  a  wild  battle- 
shout  sprang  from  their  hoarse  throats,  and  they  pushed  on  over  the 
enemy,  taking  more  than  a  regiment  prisoners.  During  the  progress 
of  all  these  exciting  and  decisive  struggles  a  continuous  battle  had 


EIGHTY-FOURTH   REGIMENT.  381 

raged  from  Hank  to  flank,  the  enemy  crowding  with  billowy  front 
against  the  union  line,  assailing  Wood  and-Breiman  with  scarcely  less 
vehemence  than  Granger,  but  remitting  his  fury  somewhat  toward  the 
left.  Tlie  pc^sition  was  girdled  by  two  lines ;  as  often  as  one  delivered 
its  Are  it  would  step  back  a  few  paces,  lie  down  and  load,  then  rising, 
step  again  to  the  front  and  Are.     So  ended  the  battle  of  Chickamauga. 

The  20th  of  September  had.given  us  a  Wellington  in  Gen.  Thomas. 
In  gratitude  the  people  with  one  voice  said  of  the  modest  warrior : 
"This  is  the  rock  of  Chickamauga.''  Henceforth  he  ranked  among 
the  greatest  generals  of  the  war.  It  had  been  a  day,  too,  when 
heroes  sprang  from  the  ground.  Let  it  ever  be  heroes'  d<iy.  Illus- 
trious Granger !  Gallant  Steadman  !  JN^ames  forever  bright  on  the 
scroll  of  their  country's  history. 

The  union  loss  in  men  was  15,851,  one-third  of  the  army;  tliirty- 
six  guns,  twenty  caissons,  8,450  small  arms,  and  5,831  infantry  accou- 
terments.  The  loss  in  prisoners  was  about  5,500,  of  whom  nearly 
one-half  were  wounded  ;  against  2,003  captured.  There  were  expended 
in  the  battle  2,650,000  rounds  of  musket  cartridges  and  7,325  rounds 
of  cannon  ammunition,  being  12,675  rounds  less  of  artillery,  and 
650,000  rounds  more  of  musketry  than  at  Stone  River.  Two  divi- 
sions were  routed  and  left  the  battlefield  ;  seven  held  their  ground 
with  the  final  assistance  of  Granger. 

During  the  night  of  the  20th  Gen.  Thomas  having  been  directed 
by  Gen.  Kosecrans  to  act  according  to  his  judgment,  withdrew  to 
Rossville,  where  he  offered  the  enemy  battle  all  the  following  day, 
which  was  declined,  and  the  next  night  he  retired  to  Chattanooga. 

We  now  allude  briefly  to  the  individual  part  of  the  81th  in  this 
battle.  On  Saturday  morning  Grose's  brigade  was  ordered  to  make  a 
reconnoissance  forward,  but  being  outflanked,  escaped  capture  by  the 
slightest  chance.  Very  soon  it  went  to  the  left,  when  Palmer's  divi- 
sion was  transferred.  There  it  fought  that  day,  and  the  next  morning 
built  breastworks,  as  i>reviously  mentioned.  When  the  brigade  was 
sent  out  to  reconnoiter  on  the  flank  and  ran  ujjon  the  enemy  in 
ambush,  the  81th,  being  driven  into  a  heavy  thicket,  was  separated 
into  three  pieces  which  were  lost  from  one  another  until  night. 
Capt.  Ervin  commanded  one  detachment  and  succeeded  in  joining 
the  brigade  ;  Capt.  lliggins  had  another,  and  Col.  AVaters  the  third. 
Each  bore  its  full  share  of  the  hard  fighting.  The  loss  was  11  killed, 
77  severely  wounded,  and  12  missing.  About  fifty  were  slightly 
wounded  and  remained  with  the  regiment.  Company  G  lost  fourteen 
out  of  thirty  that  went  to  battle. 

The  81th  continued  its  career  of  valiant  service  till  the  close  of  the 


382  HISTORY    OF   FIERCER    AKD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

war,  but  space  will  not  permit  more  tlian  a  cm*sorj  relation  of  its 
subsequently  brilliant  record.  The  reigment  was  shut  up  with  the 
rest  of  the  army  in  Chattanooga  during  the  investment  by  Bragg. 
When  the  army  was  re-organized  there,  the  third  brigade,  second 
division,  twenty-first  army  corps,  to  which  the  84th  belonged, 
became  the  third  brigade,  first  division,  fourth  corps,  and  so  con- 
tinued during  the  remainder  of  its  active  service.  Gen.  Palmer  was 
soon  called  to  the  command  of  the  14th'  corps,  and  was  succeeded  by 
Gen.  Cruft  in  command  of  the  division. 

On  October  25th,  just  prior  to  the  change  of  commanders,  the 
division  was  ordered  to  cross  the  Tennessee,  and  moving  over  the 
mountains  to  Shellmound,  re-ci'ossed  the  river,  when  the  third  brigade 
was  sent  to  "Wliiteside.  On  ISTovember  24th  this  division,  with  Geary's, 
of  the  12th  corps,  fresh  fi-om  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  Oster- 
hous',  from  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  assaulted  Lookout  Mountain 
and  drove  the  enemy  in  handsome  style  from  that  eternal  stronghold. 
The  84th  was  on  the  extreme  left  of  the  line,  and  it  was  due  to  this 
fact  that  its  loss  was  only  three  wounded,  all  of  whom  recovered. 
When  the  enemy's  main  line  gave  way  the  regiment  swung  rapidly 
foi*ward,  and  in  twenty  minutes  took  more  prisoners  than  there  were 
men  in  its  ranks,  and  for  this  success  received  the  thanks  of  Gen. 
Hooker  on  the  spot.  Next  day  the  stars  and  stripes  floated  from  the 
summit  of  the  mountain  which  had  been  a  blazing  citadel  for  weeks. 
The  same  day  Hooker  pushed  across  Chattanooga  valley  and  ascended 
Missionary  ridge  at  Poss^nlle,  striking  the  rebel  left  and  rear,  while 
Sherman  was  battering  their  right,  and  at  the  same  hour  that  Thomas 
made  the  splendid  assault  on  the  center,  and  the  entire  rebel  army 
was  routed  with  immense  loss  of  men  and  munitions  of  war.  Having 
pursued  to  Pinggold,  on  the  29th  the  regiment,  on  its  way  back  to 
camp  at  Wliiteside,  stopped  on  the  battle-ground  of  Chickamauga 
and  assisted  in  the  sad  but  christian  work  of  burrying  the  remains  of 
the  union  dead,  which  the  rebels,  with  characteristic  inhumanity,  had 
left  in  large  numbers  to  decompose  above  the  soil. 

A  period  of  ordinary  service  followed  until  the  Atlanta  campaign. 
On  May  4,  1864,  the  4th  corps  concentrated  at  Catoosa  Springs  and 
awaited  the  arrival  of  the  23d  corps,  which  formed  on  its  left.  On  the 
Tth  the  two  marched  south,  when  the  right  of  the  4th  connected  with 
the  left  of  the  14th  at  Tunnell  hill,  from  which  the  rebels  had  been 
dislodged  that  morning.  From  this  time  till  the  13th  the  regiment 
was  before  Eocky  Face  ridge,  an  impregnable  natural  stronghold, 
skirmishing  most  of  the  while,  and  once  making  a  charge  and  driving 
the  rebels  out  of  their  rifle  pits.     The  loss  on  the  9th  was  eleven  killed 


EIGHTY-FOURTH   REGIlVrENT.  383 

and  woimded.  The  flank  movement  tlirougli  Snake  Creek  gap,  a 
pass  tlirongli  tliis  ridge  fifteen  miles  south,  compelled  the  rebel  anny 
to  fall  back.  The  84th  advanced  through  Buzzard  Roost  gap,  and 
passing  Dalton,  skirmished  forward  to  Resacca,  where  it  took  part  in 
the  fighting  on  the  14th  and  loth.  On  the  16tli,  the  rebel  army  having 
retreated,  the  command  went  forward,  skirmishing  desultorily,  some- 
times severely,  down  as  far  as  Cassville,  which  was  reached  on  the 
19th.  The  army  rested  till. the  23d,  then  moved  on  Dallas.  On  the 
25th  Thomas'  army  found  the  enemy  in  strong  force  at  New  Hope 
Church  ;  the  following  day  it  was  arrayed  for  steady  work,  and  fi-om 
this  time  the  regiment  was  in  constant  fighting  for  ten  days.  From 
the  7th  to  the  10th,  the  84th  was  encamped  three  miles  south  of  Ack- 
worth ;  on  the  latter  date  the  army  moved  forward  to  confront 
Johnson's  intrenched  line  from  Pine  mountain  to.Kenesaw,  and  until 
the  18th  the  men  were  working  their  way  up  close  to  the  enemy's 
breastworks  by  building  successive  lines  of  their  own,  under  heavy 
fire,  which  did  not  relax  day  or  night.  After  the  15th  the  contending 
sides  were  so  close  that  all  the  firing  was  done  from  the  main  parapets. 
On  the  night  of  the  18th  Johnson  retired  the  fianks  of  his  army,  and 
next  day  the  brigade  was  in  advance  feeling  for  the  enemy.  A  part 
of  the  84th  was  on  the  skirmish  line  and  suffered  severely,  especially 
company  G,  which  had  two  men  killed  and  seven  wounded.  On  the 
21st  the  regiment  had  another  killed  and  several  more  wounded.  The 
rebel  army  retreated  to  the  Chattahoocliee  on  the  night  of  July  2d, 
and  the  84th  followed  in  pursuit  on  the  3d,  overtaking  the  enemy  in 
the  neighborhood  of  Smyrna  camp-ground,  when  ' '  they  celebrated 
their  fourth  of  July  by  a  noisy  but  not  desperate  battle."  On  the 
10th  the  4th  corps  crossed  the  Chattahoochee,  and  after  throwing  up 
breastworks  for  use  in  case  of  need,  rested  till  the  18th.  Crossing 
Peach  Tree  creek  on  the  20th,  the  regiment  advanced  on  the  skirmish 
line,  charged  the  rebel  skirmishers  and  took  all  in  their  front  pris- 
oners. They  moved  their  line  forward  200  yards  on  the  21st,  and 
were  engaged  nearly  all  day  in  sharp  fighting.  On  the  22d,  while 
the  battle  of  Atlanta  was  in  progress  on  the  left,  the  4th,  20th  and 
14tli  corps  swung  in  upon  Atlanta,  closely  investing  the  city  on  the 
north  and  northwest.  On  August  3d  Capt.  Dilworth,  of  company  F, 
with  sixty-five  men  from  the  regiment,  one-third  belonging  to  com- 
pany K,  made  a  brilliant  sortie  and  captured  all  the  skirmish  posts  in 
front  of  the  brigade,  including  twenty-six  prisoners,  witliout  the  loss  of 
a  man.  On  tlie  5th  a  simihir  affair  was  planned  by  the  brigade  com- 
mander, and  the  skirmish  line  made  an  attempt  to  advance,  but  with 
ill  success,  and  the  84th  lost  one  killed  and  two  severely  wounded. 


384  HISTOKY    OF    FIERCER   AJND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES.    ' 

On  tlie  niglit  of  the  25tli  Gen.  Sheraian  began  his  movement  with 
the  bulk  of  the  army  to  strike  and  sever  the  West  Point  raih-oad  south 
of  Athmta.  This  was  reached  on  the  28th,  and  the  next  day  was 
spent  in  destroying  several  miles  of  it ;  then  on  the  31st  the  Macon 
railroad  was  seized  all  the  way  from  Rough  and  Ready  to  Jonesboro. 
At  the  last  place  Hardee's  corps  was  fortified  and  made  a  sally  against 
the  loth  corps  which  was  easily  repulsed.  The  following  day  the 
destruction  of  the  railroad  was  continued,  and  in  the  afternoon  the 
14th  corps  stormed  Hardee's  defenses  and  carried  them  with  slight 
resistance,  capturing  a  brigade  and  ten  pieces.  The  setting  in  of 
night  prevented  the  4th  corps  from  reaching  the  enemy's  reai-,  which 
would  have  compelled  his  surrender.  As  it  was  he  escaped  that 
night,  simultaneously  with  the  evacuation  of  Atlanta  by  Hood.  The 
84th  had  one  man  killed  and  five  wounded  on  this  expedition  ;  and 
from  the  beginning  of  the  campaign  twelve  were  killed  and  seventy 
wounded.  Six  of  the  latter  died  in  hospital.  It  was  estimated  that 
the  regiment  built,  ii'om  the  time  it  encountered  the  enemy  at  Tunnel 
Hill,  ten  miles  of  breastworks. 

The  84th  encamped  at  the  close  of  the  campaign  witli  the  rest  of 
the  corps  three  miles  southeast  of  Atlanta.  When  Hood  started  north 
to  invade  Tennessee,  all  the  army  except  the  20tli  corps  which  was  left 
to  garrison  the  city  and  guard  the  bridges  on  the  Chattahoochee,  started 
in  pursuit  in  the  first  week  of  October.  The  4tli  corps  marched  to 
Chattanooga;  from  there  it  Was  transported  by  raib'oad  to  Athens, 
Alabama,  where  it  awaited  orders  two  days,  and  then  marched  north 
to  Pulaski,  Tennnessee.  Gen.  Sherman,  about  this  time,  turned  from 
the  pursuit  of  Hood  back  to  Atlanta  to  set  out  on  the  march  to  the  sea 
coast,  and  Gen.  Thomas  was  left  to  watch  and  oppose  his  old  antagonist. 
In  the  latter  ])art  of  November  the  rebel  army  was  in  motion  directly 
for  Kashville,  and  the"  4tli  and  23d  coq^s  began  immediately  to  fall 
back,  either  not  able  or  not  designing  to  keep  much  in  advance  of  the 
enemy.  On  the  29tli  Columbia  was  abandoned,  and  while  three  divis- 
ions were  moving  toward  Spring  Hill,  the  rebels,  by  a  forced  march  to 
cut  them  off",  attacked  the  place  which  was  defended  by  one  division, 
but  were  repulsed.  The  heavy  supply  trains  narrowly  escaped  capture. 
On  the  30th  tlie  retiring  army  was  concentrated  at  Franklin,  ])osted 
behind  hastily  constructed  breastworks  on  the  south  side  of  the  town, 
the  line  in  the  form  of  a  crescent,  the  flanks  resting  on  the  Ilarpeth 
river.  About  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  Hood  threw  his  army  u})on 
this  position,  the  chief  weight  against  the  center,  with  terrific  energy. 
His  men  went  over  the  first  line  of  works  in  a  furious  charge,  and 


EIGHTY-FOURTH    REGEVIKXT,  385 

•  pausing  under  a  destructive  fire  long  enough  to  organize  for  an  assault 
on  the  second  line,  they  advanced  with  blind  impetuosity;  but  the 
reserves  having  been  brought  up  they  tailed  to  make  a  lodgment.  At ' 
five  o'clock  the  union  troops  advanced  to  retake  the  works,  and  now 
occurred  one  of  the  most  desperate  encounters  of  the  war.  The 
soldiers  stood  up  within  arm's  length  of  one  another  and  fought  like 
nuidnien  with  bayonets  and  clubbed  muskets.  This  was  continued  till 
darkness  ended  the  frightful  combat,  when  Hood,  having  failed  of  his 
purpose  to  break  the  center,  which  would  have  been  fatal  to  the  whole, 
withdrew.  Union  loss,  1,500;  rebel  loss,  6,250.  The  first  division 
was  in  a  comparatively  unexposed  position,  and  not  till  the  end  of  the 
fighting  was  the  84th  on  the  front  line,  then  it  was  deployed  as  skirmish- 
ers. Col.  Waters  and  Adjutant  Caswell  were  severely  wounded,  but 
afterward  recovered ;  these  were  the  only  ])ersons  serving  with  the 
regiment  who  were  injured.  At  night  the  march  was  continued  toward 
xsashville,  and  early  next  morning  the  head  of  the  weary,  bloody 
column  reached  that  city. 

After  two  weeks  of  preparation  Gen.  Thomas  was  ready  for  the 
ofiensive,  and  on  December  15th,  moved  as^ainst  the  enemv,  turn- 
ing  his  left  and  forcing  back  his  whole  line.  The  battle  was  continued 
next  day,  and  the  rebel  army  disastrously  routed.  Pursuit  was  made 
by  Wilson's  cavalry  and  the  4th  corps.  The  23d  corps  also  went  as 
far  as  Columbia.  When  the  shattered  and  demoralized  army  was 
across  the  Tennessee,  the  end  of  the  campaign  was  announced,  and  the 
troops  went  into  winter  quarters.  This  was  the  completest  union  vic- 
tory of  the  war,  not  involving  a  surrender,  for  it  practically  destroyed 
the  rebel  army.  In  all  these  O])erations  the  84th  was  with  the  fore- 
most actors,  and  sliared  the  honors  of  the  striking  achievements. 

The  4th  corps  was  cantoned  near  Iluntsville,  and  this  regiment  was 
put  on  provost  duty  in  the  city.  In  March  the  corps  was  ordered  to 
Knoxville,  and  on  the  13th  the  first  division  was  transferred  by  rail, 
the  others  following  soon  after.  From  there  the  command  marched  to 
Bull's  gap,  and  was  stationed  six  miles  beyond,  lying  there  till  April 
18th.  On  that  day  the  troops  were  put  on  board  the  cars  and  sent  to 
Nashville,  where,  on  June  8,  1865,  this  war-worn  regiment  was  mus- 
tered out  of  the  service  with  346  men  out  of  932  who  had  gone  to  the 
"greedy  front  of  war"  only  thirty-two  months  before. 

Company  G  had  thirty  men ;  all  but  five  of  these  had  been 
wounded.  On  the  Uth  the  regiment  started  for  Illinois,  and  arrived  at 
Camp  Butler,  on  the  12th.     On  the  16th  it  was  paid  oft'  and  disbanded. 


386  HISTORY   OF   MERCER   AND   HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

THE  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  SECOND  REGIMENT  ILLINOIS  INFANTRY. 

"  'Tis  midnight  in  the  camp, 
The  tired  soldiers  sleep,  and  dream,  perchance 
Of  home,  perchance  of  conflicts  past,  and  others 
Coming  on  the  morrow.     Braves,  sleep  on  ! 
Let  the  cool  night  winds  soothe  yoiir  slumbers  deej). 
That  you  may  rise  refreshed.     Your  country  looks 
To  you,  and  such  as  you,  to  guard  her  honor 
From  traitors'  foul  contaminating  touch. 

Yet,  one  is  vigilant ; 
With  measured  tread  he  paces  on  his  beat  — 
The  midnight  sentinel.    The  moonbeams  play 
Upon  his  burnished  bayonet,  and  its  rays 
Fall  gently  on  a  calm,  sweet,  upturned  face. 
That  smiles  upon  the  soldier  from  its  frame." 

E.  H.  N.  Patterson,  1862. 

The  war  of  the  rebellion  had  been  in  progress  something  over  a 
year  when  recruiting  for  the  102d  regiment  began ;  but  as  more  men 
enlisted  from  Mercer  county  in  that  organization  than  in  any  other,  we 
assign  it  the  largest  space. 

Company  C. — Frank  Shedd  commenced  enlisting  men  on  August 
5,  1862,  and  on  the  21st  had  eighty-nine  enrolled.  The  company 
assembled  at  Berlin  (Swedona)  on  the  26th,  and  taking  wagons, 
went  by  the  way  of  Oxford  and  Galesburg  to  Knoxville,  and  were 
assigned  quarters  in  Camp  McMurtry  on  tlie  fair  grounds.  Ninety-six 
men  went  into  camp,  but  ninety-two,  including  officers,  were  all  that 
were  mustered  in.  Shedd  was  elected  captain,  Almond  Shaw,  first  lieu- 
tenant, and  Watson  C.  Trego,  second  lieutenant.  Alfred  H.  Trego  was 
appointed  first  or  orderly  sergeant,  Byron  Jordan,  second  sergeant, 
George  "W.  Gregg,  third  sergeant,  George  W.  Allen,  fourth  sergeant, 
and  Sampson  M.  Tenny,  fifth  sergeant.  The  corporals  were  Isaac  N. 
Roberts,  S.  F.  Fleharty,  Rodney  C.  Manning,  Henry  Bridgford,  Jacob 
Clause,  Brainard  Vance,  Phoenix  R.  Briggs,  and  John  Lippincott. 

Company  E. — On  August  7  a  meeting  was  held  at  Brown's  school- 
house  in  North  Henderson  township,  at  which  Dan.  W.  Sedwick  en- 
listed eighteen  men.  Thomas  Likely,  of  the  same  township  (now  of 
Norwood),  was  present  and  stated  that  he  had  enrolled  eight  men, 
and  proposed  to  unite  with  Sedwick,  which  was  done.  By  the  14th 
they  had  eighty-four.  On  that  day  the  men  met  at  the  same  place  and 
organized  by  electing  Likely  captain,  Sedwick,  first  lieutenant,  and 
T.  G.  Brown,  second  lieutenant.  The  following  were  the  non-com- 
missioned officers  appointed :  Sam])le  B.  Moore,  first  or  orderly  ser- 
geant; John  Allison,  William  J.  Abdill,  Jonathan  E.  Lafferty,  and 


ONE   HUNDRED    AND    SECOND   REGIMENT.  387 

Albert  Bridger,  sergeants;  Thomas  Simpson,  Henry  M.  Carmicliael, 
Jolm  Tidball,  Lyman  Bryant,  Allen  Dunn,  Henry  W.  Maiick,  Robert 
Godfrey,  and  John  T.  Morford,  corporals.  Some  time  in  the  last 
week  of  August  Lieut.  Sedwick  started  from  Bridger's  corners  (now 
Suez)  with  thii'ty-two  men,  and  going  through  Scott's  grove,  met  Capt. 
Likely  one  mile  south  of  that  place  with  about  the  same  number,  from 
whence  they  proceeded  in  wagons  through  Galesburg  to  Knoxville, 
arriving  there  in  the  evening,  where  the  rest  of  the  company  joined 
them. 

Company  G. — This  company  was  raised  by  Joseph  P.  Wycoff, 
assisted  by  Isaac  McManus.  David  Lloyd  had  begun  a  com])any, 
but  as  he  did  not  make  it  up  his  i*ecruits,  eight  or  ten  in  number,  came 
into  Wycoffs.  Enlistments  for  this  company  were  commenced  in 
Keithsburg  on  the  6th  of  August;  on  the  15th  over  one  hundred  were 
enrolled,  and  runners  were  sent  out  to  notify  the  men  to  meet  on  the 
ITth  to  organize.  One  hundred  and  twenty  assembled  at  the  0])era 
house  and  AYycoff  was  elected  captain.  On  the  19tli  the  comi)any 
embarked  on  a  steamer  for  Burlington,  where  it  arrived  at  midnight. 
The  hotels  were  full  and  the  men  slept  that  night  in  a  livery  stable. 
Next  day  they  took  the  cars  and  reached  Knoxville,  going  into  bar- 
racks on  the  north  side  of  the  fair  ground.  The  organization  of  the 
company  was  next  completed,  the  choice  for  first  lieutenant  falling  on 
Isaac  McManus,  and  that  of  second  lieutenant  on  William  II.  Bridg- 
ford.  The  non-commissioned  officers  were  also  elected  by  the  com- 
pany, Caj^t.  AVycotf  promising  to  appoint  whomsoever  the  men  should 
declare  were  their  preference.  They  were  Luke  P.  Blackburn,  Aaron 
G.  Henry,  John  C.  Reynolds,  John  McIIard,  and  Robert  B.  Seaton, 
sergeants ;  and  Wesley  Hunt,  Lemuel  S.  Gruffy,  Elislia  J.  Grandstaff, 
Andrew  J.  Douglas,  Richard  H.  Cabeen,  Jolm  G.  Poague;  George  W. 
Thomas,  and  Andrew  J.  Campbell,  corporals.  Company  G  went  into 
camp  with  120,  rank  and  file;  but  101  was  the  maximum  number 
allowed,  and  the  excess  were  distributed  among  other  companies. 

Company  K. — James  M.  Mannon,  Sanderson  H.  Rodgers,  and 
William  A.  Wilson  raised  this  company  in  the  month  of  August,  and 
it  was  composed  of  men  from  the  north  part  of  the  county,  and  chiefly 
from  those  residing  in  Eliza  and  Millersburg  townships.  It  was 
oi-ganizfed  in  Aledo  by  the  election  of  Mannon,  captain,  Rodgers,  first 
lieutenant,  and  Wilson,  second  lieutenant.  Late  in  the  month  the 
company  went  across  the  country  by  private  conveyances  to  Knoxville, 
where  the  regiment  was  assembled  and  about  ready  to  be  organized. 
The  original  non-commissioned  officers  were :  James  Y.  Merritt, 
orderly  sergeant ;  L.   Volney  Willits,  second  sergeant  (names  of  the 


388  HISTORY   OF   IMERCER   AND   HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

other  sergeants  unknown) ;  and  the  following  coi'porals :  Peter  Griffith, 
B.  F.  H.  Reynolds,  William  Winders,  J.  E.  Huston,  Leander  Officer, 
Eli  Gook,  AValter  Smethers,  and  Allen  Wilson. 

Other  Companies. — The  foregoing  companies  belonged  exclusively 
to  Mercer  county,  if  we  except  a  very  few  in  company  C  from  Kock 
Island  county.  Company  A  was  enlisted  in  the  corners  of  Knox,  Mer- 
cer, and  Warren,  and  was  credited  to  Knox,  although  of  the  eighty- 
eight  enlisted  soldiers  forty-three  were  ft'om  j^orth  Henderson  and  six 
from  Rivoli  townships  in  this  county.  Capt.  Roderick  R.  Harding,  of 
Galesburg,  who  had  served  in  the  17th  111.  reg.  from  Ma}',  1861,  to 
May,  1862,  associated  Levi  F.  Gentry,  of  Kortli  Henderson,  with 
himself,  and  the  two  together  raised  the  company.  Harding  became 
captain  on  the  organization  of  the  company.  Gentry,  first  lieutenant, 
and  Charles  M.  Barnett,  of  Korth  Henderson,  second  lieutenant.  The 
non-commissioned  officers  were :  Robert  W.  Callaghan,  Theodore  H. 
Andrews,  John  Morrison,  AVilliam  Brown,  and  Adam  jST.  Tate,  ser- 
geants; and  William  H.  Black,  Hugh  French,  Daniel  B.  Randall, 
Fielding  E.  Scott,  John  R.  Holmes,  Albert  Talbot,  Xealy  Daggett, 
and  George  W.  Miller,  corj^orals. 

Company  B  was  raised  in  Knox  and  Warren;  two  enlistments 
were  from  Mercer. 

Company  D  was  raised  and  organized  in  Knox  county,  to  which 
one-half  of  the  men  belonged.  Sixteen  were  from  Fulton  county, 
fourteen  from  Warren,  seven  from  Henry,  six  from  Mercer,  and  a  few 
from  other  places. 

Company  F  was  made  up  of  Knox  county  men,  with  two  from 
Mercer.  Companies  H  and  I  belonged  to  the  same  county,  but  the 
latter  had  eight  men  from  Henry. 

The  Beyiinent. — The  102d  regiment  was  raised  by  Col.  William 
McMurtry,  of  Knox  county,  and  the  companies,  as  fast  as  they  arrived 
at  Knoxville,  were  rendezvoused  on  the  fair  grounds,  where  there 
were  ample  and  convenient  barracks.  This  camp  of  organization  was 
named  McMurtry  in  honor  of  the  venerable  and  enthusiastic  colonel. 
The  several  companies  assembled  between  the  20th  of  August  and  the 
close  of  the  month,  and  when  the  organization  took  place  Franklin  C. 
Smith,  captain  of  company  I,  was  elected  lieutenant-colonel,  and 
James  M.  Mannon,  captain  of  company  K,  major.  On  the  2d  of 
September  the  regiment  was  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United 
States  931  strong.  The  men  were  uniformed,  furnished  with  blankets, 
and  regularly  drilled ;  and  the  transition  to  camp  life  had  all  the 
features  of  novelty  until  the  rudiments  of  soldierly  training  were  in 
coin"se  of  easy  mastery. 


ONE    IIUNDEED   AND    SECOND   REGIMENT.  389 

.  On  the  22d  tlie  riii;lit  wing  was  tr<ansfeiTed  by  rail  to  Peoria,  and 
next  day  the  left  followed.  The  regiment  remained  one  week  en- 
camped on  the  beautiful  plateau  overlooking  Peoria  lake  from  the 
north,  when  orders  came  tr>  move  to  the  seat  of  war  in  Kentucky. 
Buell's  army  was  intrenched  around  Louisville  and  Bragg  was  knock- 
ing at  the  gates  of  the  city.  Public  apprehension  was  high,  and  the 
raw  levies  from  Illinois,  Indiana,  and  Ohio,  were  poured  upon  the 
"Kentucky  shore"  in  immense  numbers.  The  30th  of  September 
dawned  gloomily,  but  it  found  the  regiment  lively  with  hope  and  ardor, 
and  before  the  morning  was  hardly  passed  it  was  in  motion  through 
the  streets  in  a  drizzling  rain  toward  the  depot  of  the  Logansport, 
Peoria  A:  Burlington  railroad.  AVindows  and  balconies  were  ci'owded 
with  old  and  young  to  get  a  view  of  the  troops.  Matronly  women, 
total  strangers,  wiped  their  dimmed  eyes  as  they  watched  the  flower  of 
the  country's  youth  going  to  fields  of  blood  and  death.  Next  morning 
the  regiment  was  in  Logansport ;  in  the  course  of  the  day  it  passed 
through  Lafayette,  and  toward  evening  reached  Indianap<jlis,  where 
were  seen  the  first  warlike  signs :  artillery  in  park  and  paroled  pris- 
oners in  squads.  A  night  ride  brought  the  command  to  Jefliersonville, 
where  it  disembarked  before  the  beams  of  morning  streaked  the  east- 
ern sky.  Arms  for  the  men,  French  rifled  muskets,  which  had  been 
brought  unboxed  from  Peoria,  were  distributed  during  the  day,  and 
inferior  as  they  were  it  cannot  be  said  the  soldiers  were  not  as  proud 
of  their  guns  as  the  traditional  small  boy  of  his  new  jacknife.  Rumors 
of  fighting  across  the  river  were  soon  afloat,  and  this  was  the  first 
acquaintance  with  the  "grapevine  telegraph  ""— camp  reports. 

At  one  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  3d,  the  long  roll  aroused  the 
camp,  and  the  men  were  ordered  to  prepare  to  march  with  three  days' 
cooked  rations.  Very  early  the  Ohio  was  crossed  on  an  immense 
bridge  'constructed  of  flatboats^  and  the  regiment  marched  into  Louis- 
ville. Amidst  the  interested  spectators  on  the  street  leading  up  from 
the  river  stood  a  tottering  old  man,  whose  thin  white  locks  were  the 
toys  of  the  morning  air.  "With  uncovered  head,  and  bony  arms  up- 
lifted to  hea^•en,  he  appeared  like  a  silent  supernatural  prophet  of  the 
union.  Without  a  spoken  word,  but  in  the  most  solemn  and  patri- 
archal manner  did  this  patriotic  Elijah  call  down  upon  the  men  press- 
ing forward  to  the  defense  of  the  government  God's  blessing  and  pro- 
tection. 

The  regiment  was  brigaded  with  the  105th  Illinois  and  the  79th 
C)hio,  and  placed  under  the  command  of  Brig.  Gen.  William  T.  AVard, 
of  Kentucky,  and  attached  to  Gen.  Dumont's  divisi(m.  Not  long 
afterward  the  TOth  Indiana  and  the  129tli  Illinois  were  added. 


390  HISTORY   OF    ifERCER    iVND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

At  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  this  new  command  began  the  march 
to  Frankfort,  a  march  whose  toils  and  pains  will  never  fade  from  the 
memories  of  the  jaded  and  exhausted  men  who  pei'formed  it.  Only 
for  the  conditions  was  the  distance  great  or  the  marching  excessive. 
The  weather  was  hot,  the  soldiers  were  overloaded,  the  country  was 
suffering  from  extreme  drouth,  water  was  scarce,  and  parts  of  the  pike 
were  covered  with  a  fine  limestone  dust  that  enveloped  the  column  in 
a  thick  cloud.  Haversacks  were  crowded  with  rations,  cartridge  boxes 
carried  forty  rounds,  knapsacks  contained  extra  clothing  and  blankets 
and  other  dispensable  effects.  Add  to  these  a  heavy  musket,  and  the 
weight  borne  was  too  much  for  the  endurance  of  nine-tenths  of  the 
soldiers  in  the  field,  old  or  new.  To  keep  in  ranks  and  march  at  a 
brisk  pace  encumbered  with  an  unusual,  ill-fitting,  fretful  load,  was  no 
ordinary  hardship  to  raw  recruits ;  and  long  afterward  when  the  men 
had  become  enured  to  war-like  service,  they  reviewed  the  trials  of  this 
first  march  with  a  shudder.  Inhalations  of  the  finely-powdered  dust 
excited  and  greatly  jiggravated  thirst,  and  under  the  circumstances 
these  sufferings  of  the  men  were  the  most  painfnl  of  the  whole  service, 
and  were  the  entering  wedge  to  subsequent  disabilities  which  sent 
many  a  poor  fellow  home  a  miserable  wreck  and  many  another  to  his 
long  account. 

About  midnight  a  small  remnant  of  the  command  filed  off"  into 
a  swarded  field  fifteen  miles  from  Louisville,  and  were  told  to  encamp. 
The  brigade  was  disorganized,  and  the  soldiers,  prostrated  with  fatigue, 
were  scattered  along  the  line  of  march  for  a  distance  of  ten  miles. 
The  road  was  strewn  with  blankets  and  clothing  thrown  away  with 
indifference  and  relief.  We  believe  it  was  never  explained  why  our 
commanders  forged  ahead  with  such  folly ;  but  the  boys  often  jokingly 
charged  it  to  that  ever  present  factor,  the  double-barreled  canteen. 
Probably  orders  had  been  given  in  Louisville  for  the  brigade  to  march 
to  a  certain  place  that  night.  The  102d  had  not  forgotten  yet  that  Col. 
McMurtry  declared  at  Knoxville  his  intention  to  "march  us  to  glory  or 
to  death,"  and  they  could  testify  now  that  the  promise  was  being  relig- 
iously fulfilled,  with  the  chances  very  much  in  favor  of  the  alternative. 

About  all  the  men  had  straggled  into  camp  by  eleven  o'clock  next 
day,  and  then  the  march  was  renewed.  Fifteen  more  tedious  miles 
were  drawn  out  and  we  encamped  late  at  night  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Shelbyville,  where  we  lay  in  a  plowed  fi^'ld  under  the  burning  sun 
until  the  afternoon  of  the  6th.  In  ra[)id  time  we  marched  to  a  new 
camp,  two  miles,  east  of  Shelbyville.  Ou  the  8th  we  were  again  in 
motion,  and  the  day  Avas  marked  with  the  petty  annoyances  of  starting 
and  halting,  and  waiting  in  suspense,  not  knoAving  whether  to  sit  or  lie 


ONE    HUNDRED   AND    SECOND   REGEMENT.  391 

down  by  the  roadside  or  to  stand  and  hold  our  heavy  kjads.  Through 
it  all  the  sun  poured  down  his  blistering  rays.  This  was  the  worst  day 
of  any  for  dust ;  fine  as  fiour,  in  places  it  was  two  inches  deep,  and 
verily  we  had  "  a  cloud  by  day,''  which  veiled  evei-y  object  from  view  a 
few  yards  in  front.  To  get  drinking  water  the  soldiers  were  glad  to 
brush  away  the  heavy,  green  scum  with  which  stagnant  pools  were 
mantled,  and  thousands  of  canteens  were  supplied  with  filthier  water, 
but  a  little  pennyroyal  introduced  through  the  nozzle  overcame  the 
unfragrant  odor ;  and  doubtless  others  were  moved  to  the  same  thank- 
fulness as  the  soldier  who  expressed  his  satisfaction  with  the  water 
hecause  it  was  wet !  At  nine  at  night,  being  suffered  to  bi^•ouac,  we 
gave  ourselves  up  to  the  welcome  embrace  of  mother  earth,  and 
stretched  our  aching  limbs  upon  the  soft  soil.  The  hour  of  midnight 
made  its  hasty  round,  and  brought  with  it  orders  to  resume  the 
advance.  A  march  of  six  miles,  and  then  we  were  in  Frankfort,  at 
the  bridge  across  the  Kentucky  river,  where  our  cavalry  had  a 
skirmish  and  a  few  of  the  men  were  on  guard.  Toiling  three-fourths 
of  a  mile,  perhaps  a  mile,  up  the  long,  weary  ascent  east  of  the  town, 
we  at  last  reached  the  top- and  threw  ourselves  u})on  the  naked  sward 
for  rest,  just  as  the  gleams  of  dayspring  began  to  gild  the  eastern 
horizon.  At  nine  o'clock  orders  came  to  prepare  for  a  forced  march  of 
forty-eight  hours  without  knapsacks,  and  two  days'  rations  were  issued. 
What  more  ''''forced^''  than  the  experience .  of  the  last  few  days  was 
needed?  Happily,  the  order  that  would  have  ])ut  us  in  motion  never 
came. 

With  the  end  of  this,  our  first  march,  we  droj)  the  mass  of  details 
lest  our  space  should  be  taken  up  before  we  discover  the  spires  of 
Atlanta,  or  the  music  of  tlie  ocean  falls  upon  our  ears  at  Savannah. 

At  Frankfort  the  regiment  was  furnished  with  bell  tents,  drilling 
was  continued,  and  standing  at  arms  an  hour  or  two  in  the  morning 
before  daybreak  was  practiced.  On  the  evening  of  the  18th  prepara- 
tions were  made  for  a  forced  march,  and  at  midnight  the  brigade  was 
called  out  and  started  for  Lawi-enceburg,  sixteen  miles  distant.  The 
object  was  to  intercept  the  partisan  John  Morgan,  who  was  retreating 
from  Lexington  before  a  federal  force.  The  command  halted  by  the 
way  an  hour  and  did  not  reach  the  destination  till  daylight,  when  it 
was  found  that  the  rebel  chieftain  had  j^assed  an  liour  and  a  half 
before.  Marching  back  leisurely  the  troops  readied  their  old  quarters 
at  seven  in  the  evening,  tired  and  foot-sore. 

A  painful  incident  of  history  followed.  Dissatisfaction  with  Col. 
Mc]\[urtiy  was  gaining  ra[)i(lly,  and  the  demand  for  his  retirement  was 
strong.      We  remember  the  hollow  square,   the  stiri'ing  speech  from 


392  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

Gen.  Ward  counseling  liarmonj  and  subordination,  t'le  demand  of  the 
colonel  for  a  vote  to  ascertain  the  feeling  of  the  regiment  towards  him, 
and  we  see  the  large  majority  stej)  out  of  ranks,  whereupon  he 
announces  his  intention  to  resign.  Whatever  defects  he  may  have 
had  they  were  those  of  old  age.  He  had  served  in  the  Black  Hawk  war 
and  was  familiar  with  the  obsolete  tactics.  He  did  not  address  himself 
with  the  alacrity  of  a  young  man  to  mastering  the  new,  and  this  may 
have  detracted  from  his  popularity.  Perhaps  he  was  regarded  as 
responsible  for  the  hard  marching  that  had  been  done ;  if  so,  it  was 
unjust.  He  was  honest  and  terribly  in  earnest.  In  his  care  for  the 
men  and  his  intercourse  with  them  he  was  less  remote  and  more  alive 
to  their  welfare  than  any  other  who  ever  commanded  them.  His  influ- 
ence went  lar  in  raising  the  regiment,  and  to  this  length,  if  no  further, 
he  served  his  country  well.  Sickness  obliged  him  to  go  to  the  hospital, 
and  from  there  he  repaired  to  his  home.  The  regiment  saw  no  more 
of  him  except  when  he  paid  it  a  brief  visit  at  Gallatin  in  February. 

On  the  26th  of  October  the  brigade  broke  camp  and  began  the 
march  to  Bowling  Green.  The  distance  of  150  miles'  was  accomplished 
in  ten  days.  Toward  the  last  the  dust  was  veiy  troublesome  again, 
scarcely  less  so  than  on  the  first  march,  and  when  the  soldiers  camped 
at  night  they  were  unrecognizable.  At  Bacon  Creek  numbers  were 
sent  back  to  Louisville  sick,  while  others  were  left  to  come  on  by  rail. 

While  at  Bowling  Green  Lieut. -Col.  Smith  was  elected  by  the 
officers  to  the  colonelcy,  and  Major  Mannon  rose  to  the  next  grade. 

Gen.  Kosecrans  reviewed  our  division  there,  and  on  the  11th  of 
November  the  brigade  left  its  camp  at  Lost  river,  and  on  the  second 
day  arrived  at  Scottsville,  county  seat  of  Allen  county.  Continuing 
southward  on  the  25tli  the  division  marched  in  the  direction  of  Gallatin, 
Tennessee,  and  camped  that  night  at  the  Rock  House.  Arriving  there 
the  next  evening  a  camp  was  laid  out  for  the  102d  west  of  the  town. 
On  the  12th  of  December  the  regiment  moved  into  winter  quarters  at 
Fort  Thomas,  which  was  situated  close  to  the  depot,  and  which  the 
brigade,  working  in  reliefs  by  regiments,  had  been  throwing  up  since 
its  arrival.  On  the  13th  companies  I,  K  and  G  were  detailed  for 
patrol  and  provost  duty  in  the  town,  and  the  next  day  were  cantoned 
in  brick  buildings  on  the  public  square.  Company  C  was  put  on  duty 
at  Station  creek,  three  miles  below  Gallatin,  where  they  spent  the 
winter  guarding  the  railroad  bridge.  On  the  11th  of  February  com- 
panies D  and  F  and  a  part  of  A  were  ordered  into  the  town  to  increase 
the  provost  force.  About  New  Year  a  mounted  squad,  composed  of 
a  detail  of  two  men  from  each  company,  was  organized,  and  placed 
under  the  command  of  Sergeant  Edward  Courtney,   of  company  I, 


/ 


./0-- 
/. 


CAPT.  DAN,  W.  SEDWICK 


ONE    HUNDRED    AND    SECOND   REGIMENT.  395, 

making  twenty-one  altogether.  Tliis  was  kept  scouting  until  spring, 
and  did  much  hard,  etlicient  service.  On  the  14th  of  March  the 
several  companies  were  relieved  by  a  detail  from  the  105th  Illinois, 
and  were  reunited  in  the  old  camp  to  finish  and  garrison  Fort  Thomas. 
The  rainy,  gloomy  winter  was  over,  the  darkest  period  of  the  war 
passed.  With  the  fresh  breath  of  spring  came  new  life  and  gladness^ 
Drilling  was  resumed  with  great  energy,  and  most  encouraging  im- 
provements were  made  in  the  health,  and  spirits,  and  skill,  and  tactical 
knowledge  of  the  men. 

April  27  a  detachment  of  150  frcjm  the  regiment  was  embarked  on 
board  the  regular  morning  express  train  for  Louisville,  under  the  chief 
command  of  Col.  B.  J.  Sweet,  seconded  by  Col.  Smith.  Rebels  were 
hovering  near  Franklin,  twenty-seven  miles  above,  and  when  that  place 
was  reached  fifty  soldiers  were  put  off  there  in  the  belief  that  a  skir- 
mish would  ensue.  The  train  proceeded  three  or  four  miles  farther, 
when  it  was  stopped  by  a  breach  in  the  track,  and  a  volley  was  received 
from  a  lot  of  rebel  horsemen.  The  fire  was  instantly  returned  with 
deadly  effect,  and  then  the  men  sprang  from  the  cars  in  pursuit,  but  the 
assailants  disappeared  in  hot  haste.  Theii*  loss  was  five  killed  and  six 
wounded.  Five  of  the  102d  were  wounded,  two  mortally.  A  little 
drummer  boy  on  the  train  was  wounded  in  the  leg,  which  had  to  be 
amputated.     This  was  the  first  baptism  of  fire. 

June  1  the  brigade  left  its  encampment  at  Gallatin  and  was  trans- 
ported on  the  cars  to  Lavergne,  fifteen  miles  south  of  Nashville ;  and 
next  day  the  102d  marched  to  Stewart's  creek,  six  miles  farther 
south,  and  nine  miles  north  of  Murf'reesboro.  Companies  E,  K,  and 
G  were  posted  on  the  creek  at  the  railroad  crossing ;  company  H  was 
stationed  at  OveralPs  creek,  adjacent  to  the  Stone  river  battlefield ;  and 
comjiany  B  at  Smyrna.  The  right  wing  was  encamped  at  a  small 
earthwork  surmounting  an  eminence  on  Stewart's  creek  and  overlook- 
ing the  crossing  of  the  Nashville  and  Murfi-eesboro  turnpike.  When 
Gen.  Rosecrans  organized  the  Tullahoma  camj^aign  the  dispersed 
forces  at  Nashville  and  elsewhere  in  the  rear  were  formed  into  the 
reserve  corps,  under  the  command  of  Gen.  Gordon  Granger,  who,  at 
an  earlv  dav,  entrusted  the  protection  of  the  railroad  between  Nash- 
ville  and  Murfresboro  exclusively  to  the  102d.  Col.  Smith  was  ordered 
to  Lavergne  with  four  companies,  and,  on  August  19,  companies  C,  E, 
G,  and  I  marched  to  that  place,  while  the  other  six  were  stationed  at 
stockades  along  the  railroad.  Thus  disposed  the  regiment  was  required 
to  do  mucli  hai-d  duty,  and  it  could  not  have  been  more  satisfactorily 
performed.  Li  addition  to  furnishing  patrols,  and  men  for  a  great 
variety  of  service  besides,  the  comi)anies  at  Lavergne  began  in  October 
28 


396  HISTORY   OF   MERCER   AND   HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

to  press  horses  from  tlie  disloyal  for  the  purpose  of  mounting  them- 
••selves.  Companies  G  and  E  were  first  mounted  and  equipped,  next  I, 
•and  then  C;  all  of  which  was  accomplished  by  the  first  week  in 
Kovember.  A  great  deal  of  scouting  was  done  in  actjoining  counties, 
and  the  service  was  fraught  with  just  enough  risk  to  make  it  fasci- 
nating. Exj^loits  of  these  commands  when  hunting  and  chasing  gue- 
rillas increased  the  zest  and  excitement,  and  furnished  not  a  little 
material  for  anecdote,  and  not  a  few  thrilling  personal  adventures.  By 
Christmas  company  B  was  mounted ;  aiid  another  was  partly  so,  when 
i-emoval  of  the  regiment  stopped  the  impressment  of  horses.  Skillful 
management  on  the  part  of  Col.  Smith  procured  225  of  the  breech- 
loading  Spencer  repeating  rifles  for  these  companies,  and  each  man 
was  provided  besides  with  a  Colt's  navy  revolver. 

The  inclement  winter  of  1863-4  was  hardly  passed  when  final 
orders  came  to  march  to  the  front.  February  26  the  102d  left  its  can- 
tonements  and  fell  in  with  the  rest  of  the  brigade  which  had  moved 
out  from  Nashville  on  the  2-itli.  The  weather  was  warm  and  balmy 
until  the  evening  of  the  third  day,  when  it  began  to  rain ;  throligh  the 
fourth  day  it  rained  moderately,  and  was  cold,  and  that  night  our  camp 
was  established  on  the  naked  creek  bottom  at  Tullahoma.  The  tem- 
perature lowered,  the  stream  rose  and  overspread  a  part  of  the  ground; 
blankets  and  equipments  were  submerged ;  and  the  men  were  driven 
out  of  their  tents.  About  one  o'clock  in  the  morning  the  writer  started 
a  fire,  using  a  cracker  box,  and  by  the  light  was  enabled  to  pick  up  the 
tiniest  parts  of  tree  tops.  Piling  on  these  twigs  the  flames  leaped  up 
and  danced  a  cheering  and  grateful  invitation  to  the  men  who  flocked 
from  all  parts  of  the  brigade.  It  poured  down  the  next  forenoon,  and 
3,000  soldiers,  wet,  cold  and  hungry,  stood  shivering  in  the  rainy- 
camp.  In  the  afternoon  removal  to  high  ground  and  timber  was  taken, 
and  by  liight,  with  the  aid  of  huge  fires,  reasonable  comfort  and  good 
feeling  were  restored.  Trees  groaned  beneath  the  weight  of  ice  and 
the  gi'ound  froze  hard.  Long  will  the  first  brigade  remember  its 
sojourn  at  Tullahoma.  On  the  eighth  day  the  column  crossed  the 
Raccoon  moimtains,  a  spur  of  the  Cumberland  range,  from  Cowan, 
over  the  rockiest  and  roughest  road  in  America,  and  camped  on  the 
other  side  at  a  place  on  the  Nashville  &  Chattanooga  railroad  called 
Tantelon.  The  wagon  train  lay  on  the  mountain  all  night  and  did  not 
finish  the  passage  till  noon  the  next  day.  Stevenson  was  passed  and 
Bridgeport  reached  March  7;  the  8th  we  rested;  the  9th  we  moved 
again ;  and  the  10th,  being  the  fourteenth  day  from  Lavergne,  the 
command  reached  the  Wauhatchie  valley,  at  the  foot  of  the  frowning 
western  encampment  of  Lookout  mountain. 


ONE   HUNDRED   AND    SECOND   REGIMENT.  397 

Here  was  made  the  most  pleasant  and  beautiful  camp  the  regiment 
ever  had.  Snugly  concealed  by  an  environment  of  towering  eminences, 
and  washed  in  rear  by  Lookout  creek,  it  hicked  nothing  in  natural 
scenery  and  surroundings  to  give  it  an  air  of  the  most  quiet  pictur- 
esqueness.  Its  elaborate  and  tasteful  decoration  was  due  mainly  to  the 
efforts  of  Lieut.  A.  IL  Trego  and  Adjutant  J.  It.  Snyder,  gentlemen 
of  the  highest  aesthetic  endowment  and  culture.  Space  does  not  admit 
a  description  of  the  tall  arches,  elegant  devices,  military  legends,  the 
ornamented  speaker's  stand,  and  the  chapel  for  religious  worship. 
Camp  life  was  not  more  agreeable  anywhere  than  at  this  place ;  but  the 
stay  of  the  regiment  was  one  of  hardening  activity  and  preparation  for 
the  rigors  of  the  approaching  campaign ;  re^^ews,  inspections,  company 
and  battalion  drills,  and  evolutions  by  brigade  and  division. 

April  10  the  last  horses  held  by  the  mounted  companies  were 
turned  over  at  Cliattanooga.  The  navy  revolvers  were  surrendered, 
and  an  order  came  on  the  29tli  to  exchange  the  Spencer  rifles  for 
Springfleld  rifled  muskets.  This  last  order  produced  a  gloomy  shadow 
on  the  men's  faces ;  but  as  the  time  was  short  the  change  was  never 
made.  We  anticipate  a  little  to  say  that  this  arm  gave  the  102d  great 
reputation  in  the  army.  "  Give  way  for  the  Spencer  regiment,"  "Let 
these  Spencers  up,"  and  the  like,  were  expressions  often  heard  when  the 
regiment  was  going  up  to  relieve  some  other  in  a  hot  place  on  the  front 
line.  The  rebels  recognized  the  regiment  by  its  fire,  and  often  asked 
what  kind  of  anns  it  had ;  several  times  it  was  jocosely  inquired  if  the 
boys  "wound  up  their  guns  on  Monday  morning  and  fired  all  the 
week."  The  slow  fact  never  dawned  upon  the  sleepy  authorities  that 
this  rifle  was  fit  for  anything  but  the  mounted  service,  and  the  idea  pre- 
vailed that  soldiers  armed  with  it  would  become  addicted  to  laxitv  of 
aim  and  waste  ammunition.  The  102d  demonstrated  the  senility  of 
these  fears. 

After  the  11th  and  12th  army  corps  had  been  transfeiTed  from  the 
east,  Ward's  brigade  was  attached  to  the  former  and  numbered  the 
first  brigade  of  the  first  division.  On  the  consolidation  of  those  two 
corps  in  March,  to  form  the  20tli,  it  became  the  first  brigade  of  the 
third  division,  and  ever  after  retained  that  designation. 

On  the  2d  of  May  simultaneous  movements  of  all  parts  of  the  aiTny 
began.  Ward's  brigade  camped  that  night  at  Gordon's  mills.  On  the 
4th  it  moved  from  there  to  the  vicinity  of  Kinggold,  and  on  the  6th  to 
Leed's  farm,  near  Xickajack  Trace.  Next  day  Taylor's  ridge  was 
crossed  at  Gordon's  pass ;  Gordon's  Springs  was  left  behind,  and  the 
command  encamped  near  Yillanow.  On  the  11th,  following  up  the 
movement  through  Snake  Creek  gap,  begun  by  McPherson  on  the  9th, 


398  HISTORY   OF   MERCER   AND   HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

we  halted  for  the  night  in  the  narrow  defile  between  two  of  the 
immense  ridges  of  the  mountains.  After  cutting  a  new  road 
through  the  woods  the  brigade  moved  out  the  next  day  two  miles 
to  Sugar  Valley.  The  advance  was  resumed  early  on  the  morning  of 
the  13th,  and  tlie  command  had  gone  but  a  short  distance  when  it 
found  itself  in  proximity  to  the  enemy.  During  a  brief  halt  here  Gen. 
Kilpatrick,  commanding  the  cavalry,  was  brought  to  the  rear  wounded. 
At  intervals  during  the  forenoon  advances  were  made,  and  in  the 
afternoon  the  brigade  was  formed  in  line  with  a  company  from  each 
regiment  deployed  as  skirmishers.  Then  moving  forward  a  short  dis- 
tance the  line  halted,  the  skmnishers  occupying  the  crest  of  a  ridge  in 
open  timber  in  full  view  of  the  operations  beyond,  including  the 
charge  by  the  15th  corps  and  capture  of  the  enemy's  rifle  pits,  a 
redoubt,  and  two  cannon.  Meantime,  having  moved  some  distance, 
about  eight  in  the  evening  our  division  took  a  position  on  the  right  of 
the  14th  corps  and  on  the  summit  of  the  wooded  ridge  overlooking 
Camp  creek,  on  the  other  side  of  which  about  eighty  rods  was  the 
enemy,  working  with  vigor  to  strengthen  his  position. 

Company  G  was  ordered  out  as  skirmishers  and  posted  at  the  base 
of  the  hill.  Early  next  morning  company  E  was  added,  and  then  a 
bold  advance  was  made  to  the  stream.  An  attempt  to  outflank  the 
line  being  discovered  by  Capt.  Sedwick,  he  returned  through  great 
exposure  to  the  reserve,  and,  advancing  to  the  left,  drove  the  rebels 
back.  In  the  afternoon,  while  neighboring  troops  were  engaged,  our 
line  was  ordered  forward  to  the  brow  of  the  hill  as  a  feint.  The  move- 
ment unmasked  the  left  of  company  I  and  a  tremendous  volley  con- 
centrated upon  it  killed  one,  wounded  two  severely,  and  two  slightly. 
The  day  was  very  hot.  The  skirmishers  in  their  advanced  position 
could  not  move  without  fatal  danger,  and  their  sufferings  from  heat  and 
thirst  were  intense.  The  condition  of  the  wounded,  beyond  the  reach 
of  help  until  darkness,  was  more  aggravated.  The  casualties  in  com- 
pany G  were :  killed,  John  Gibson  and  Watson  W.  Hibbs ;  wounded, 
Frederick  Friebele,  John  Burnett  (mortally),  Lemuel  S.  Gruffy, 
William  P.  Ii-win  (died  in  hospital),  William  S.  Pearson,  William  M. 
Bunting,  John  B.  Felton,-  John  Dunn,  and  William  T.  Todd  (died  in 
hospital).  In  company  E  the  wounded  were :  Michael  Oswalt  (died 
in  hospital),  Jonathan  P.  Morrison,  and  Gilbert  Zend. 

On  the  morning  of  Sunday,  the  15tli,  the  division  was  relieved  and 
marched  four  miles  to  the  left  to  join  the  rest  of  the  corps,  which  had 
been  ordered  round  the  day  before.  A  fortified  hill  on  the  Dalton 
road,  north  of  Ilesacca,  was  selected  for  attack  in  the  hope  of  piercing 
the  line  at  that  point.     The  enemy's  breastworks,  nearly  5U0  yards 


ONE    HUNDRED   AND   SECOND   REGBIENT.  399 

distant  fi-om  wliere  our  troops  could  be  massed  for  assault  without  dis- 
covery, stretched  away  in  the  form  of  an  arc  upon  the  crest  of  a  long, 
high  hill  covered  with  forest  trees,  hiding  the  position  fi-om  view.     A 
spur,  lower  than  the  main  ridge,  jutted  out  in  front,  and  on  this  a 
lunette  had  been  constructed  in  which  were  planted  four  twelve-pound 
brass  cannon.     The  brigade  was  marched  up  under  cover  of  the  hea\y 
and  tangled  woods  to  the  crown  of  the  loftv  ridffe  confrontinor  this 
formidable  position,  and  there  organized  for  the  assault,  with  the  70th 
Indiana  in  frout,  the  102d  next  in  order,  followed  by  the  79th  Ohio,, 
and  the  105th  and  129th  Illinois,  closed  en  masse.     At  noon  a  low 
command  was  given  and  the  column  moved  down  the  hill  without  a 
word,   concealed  by  the  timber  and  the  heavy  undergrowth,   down 
trees  helping  to  obstruct  the  ground,  and  pushed  its  way  through  with 
fixed  bayonets.     Debouching   suddenly  upon  the  open,   plain,   (len. 
Ward  gave   the    short,  shrill    command,    "double    quick,"  and  with 
a  bound  and   a   prolonged   yell  the   brigade    sprang  to  the  assault. 
At  the  same  instant  heavy  skirmishing  along  the  whole  front  and  a 
brisk   cannonade  were  begun  to  confuse  the  enemy  and   cover  the 
charge.     The  rebels  were  taken  by  complete  surprise,  but  responded 
at  once  with  a  terrible  fire  from  the  battery  and  the  infantry  posted 
behind.     The  smoke  from  the  rebel  "jjosition  wrapped  the  hill  in  a 
lurid  mantle,  and  the  refrain  from  the  artillery  on  both  sides  thun- 
dered above  us.     Men  were  dropping  on  every  hand,  but  on  and  on 
with  a  continuous  shout,  like  a  thunderbolt  of  war,  went  the  brigade. 
It  seems  but  a  minute  and  the  broad  valley  is  passed ;  breath  is  short- 
ened and  speed  slackened,  but  the  column  presses  up  the  hillside. 
Some  stoop  beneath  while  others  push  aside  the  boughs.     The  cheer 
has  died  out  and  the  men,  unable  to  see  the  foe,  clench  their  teeth  for 
deadly  work.     A  moment  more  and  the  rebel  guns,  shotted  with  grape 
and  canister,  vomit  their  red  flame  into  the  faces  of  the  advancing 
column.      At  the  last  discharge  the  men  are  so  close  that  the  hot 
breath  of  the  angry  cannon  sways  the  line  for  an  instant.     Then,  on 
our  side  is  the  first  musket  fired.     A  tremendous  roar  convulses  the 
earth.     A  few  of  the  rebel  gunners  flee,  but  the  rest  remain,  like  the 
heroes  that  they  are,  at  their  pieces,  and  with  the  obstinacy  of  despair 
vainly  endeavor  'to  beat  back  our  men  with  their  sponge-stafis !     But 
all  save  five  are  slaughtered ;  these  are  taken  pi-isoners  by  members 
of  companies  E  and  I.     Many  impelled  by  the  boldness  of  ardor  dash 
still  deeper  into  the  woods  that  cover  the  rebel  intrenchments,  and  a 
few  go  quite  up  to  them. 

At  this  juncture  an  unfortunate  circumstance  deprived  us  of  a  com- 
plete triumph  to  this  magnificent  chai-ge.     Gen.  Ward  being  wounded 


400  HISTORY   OF  MERCER   AND   HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

almost  at  tlie  beginning  of  the  action  the  command  devolved  upon 
Col.  Hari-ison  of  the  70th  Indiana.  He  lost  his  coolness  and  ordered 
a  retreat.  Through  misunderstanding  the  second  brigade,  brought  up 
for  support,  fired  into  us  from  the  rear.  These  evil  occurrences  caused 
confusion,  and  some  fell  back  while  others  remained.  The  rebels  had 
retired  from  their  works,  but  rallied  and  returned.  Had  tlie  situation 
of  the  breastworks  been  known  to  the  men,  or  could  thev  have  been 
seen  bj  most  of  them,  the  line  would  have  been  taken.  But  when  the 
lunette  was  captured,  no  other  works  being  in  sight,  it  was  supposed 
by  the  men  generally  that  they  were  in  possession  of  all  the  enemy 
had,  and  that  the  rebel  infantry  had  ingloriously  fled.  This  was  their 
first  battle,  too,  and  they  had  no  fixed  and  common  idea  as  to  what 
might  be  found  on  the  field,  or  what  should  be  expected.  With  their 
experience  a  month  later  they  would  have  carried  the  entire  parapet 
in  handsome  style  and  completely  broken  through  the  enemy's  line. 

The  rebels  having  come  back,  they  opened  with  shar]D  volleys,  and 
our  men,  lying  down  behind  logs  and  ti'ees  and  under  the  redoubt, 
grimly  resolved  to  hold  all  they  had  gained.  The  lines  were  but  a 
few  rods  apart,  and  a  galling  fire  was  kept  i^p  by  both  sides  during  the 
day  and  a  part  of  the  night ;  but  the  foe  was  well  protected,  while  our 
men  were  greatly  exposed  to  raking  shots  from  the  right  and  the  left, 
as  well  as  from  the  front. 

When  at  the  early  stage  the  disorder  was  created,  a  part  of  the 
regiment  was  collected  at  the  foot  of  the  hill  and  marched  to  the  left, 
where  they  took  a  share  in  a  fierce  engagement  with  Hood's  corps, 
which  charged  our  line  and  was  disastrously  repulsed. 

At  ten  o'clock  that  night  we  were  relieved  and  fell  back  a  short 
distance  to  the  rear  for  rest.  The  casualties  in  the  102d  were  IS 
killed,  76  wounded,  and  1  missing.  Six  of  the  wounded  soon  after 
died.  In  this  action  the  gallantry  of  both  ofticers  and  men  received 
flattering  notice  next  day  in  orders  from  Gen.  Buttei-field,  and  later, 
complimentary  credit  from  the  general  of  the  army.  Acts  of  indi- 
vidual heroism  were  numerous.  Orderly  sergeant  John  Morrison,  of 
company  A,  who  had  been  commissioned  lieutenant  but  not  mustered, 
and  was  wounded  and  afterward  died,  was  much  applauded  for  con- 
spicuous bravery.  Color-sergeant  R.  L.  Carver  displayed  most  cour- 
ageous bearing  and  was  seriously  wounded.  The  banner-bearer, 
Corporal  P.  F.  Dillon,  fell  an  instant  later,  pierced  through  the  breast. 
Adjutant  J.  H.  Snyder  caught  up  the  banner  and  bore  it  with  impetu- 
ous gallantry  into  the  earthwork  and  subsequently  planted  it  on  the 
parapet.  Fifty  bulllets  riddled  its  folds  and  two  struck  the  stafl'.  The 
colors  of  the  102d  were  the  first  raised  over  the  works.     Persistent 


ONE    HUNDRED   AMD    SECOND   REGIMENT.  401 

valor  shed  luster  on  our  flag.  The  des})erate  courage  which  held  the 
position  from  noon  until  ten  o'clock  at  night  was  not  sui'passed  by  the 
heroism  which  covered  our  arms  with  glory  at  Buena  Vista  or  Cerro 
Gordo. 

That  night  Johnson  withdrew  his  army  across  the  Oostanaula,  and 
Sherman  followed  close  behind  the  next  day.  Our  brigade  was  left  to 
bury  its  dead.  A  long  trench,  embowered  by  soughing  pines,  was 
dug,  and  the  fifty-one  slain  of  the  brigade  were  given  tender  sepulture 
in  this  common  grave.  A  prayer  was  said,  a  few  remarks  were  made 
by  a  white-haired  chaplain,  the  grave  was  filled,  and  the  brigade,  as 
,  night  was  nearing,  hastened  to  overtake  the  main  army. 

"  We  marched  on  our  wearisome  way, 
And  we  strewed  the  wild  hills  of  Resacca  — 
God  bless  those  who  fell  on  that  day." 

On  the  morning  of  the  27th  we  crossed  the  Coosawattee  river  and 
marched  ten  miles  that  day.  The  18tli  was  hot  and  many  straggled 
along  the  route  of  fifteen  miles.  Toward  the  close  of  the  afternoon 
the  enemy  grew  stubborn  as  he  was  closely  pressed.  Moving  out  very 
early  next  morning,  the  19th,  the  brigade  was  shortly  tlirown  into  line 
of  battle,  with  companies  B  and  G  from  the  102d  in  front  as  skir- 
mishers. The  enemy  was  in  plain  sight,  and  after  taking  a  shelling 
from  a  single  field  piece  an  hour  and  a  half,  and  losing  Samuel  Har- 
vey, of  company  G,  the  brigade  moved  two  miles  to  the  right.  As 
soon  as  this  new  ground  was  reached  the  rebels  emerged  from  a  dense 
woods  on  the  opposite  side  of  an  extensive  field,  and  advanced  toward 
our  line.  AYith  extreme  energy  a  barricade  of  rails  was  made,  while 
a  battery  on  our  right  played  upon  them  so  effectively  as  to  send  them 
hurtling  back  whence  they  came.  At  2  o'clock  the  order  to  advance 
was  given,  and  we  debouched  into  the  cleared  sjiace  and  marched  in 
columns  by  company  up  the  rising  ground.  Banners  were  unfurled 
and  fluttered  proudly  over  the  heads  of  the  men,  as  with  handsome 
precision  they  executed  the  movement.  As  far  as  could  be  seen 
in  either  direction  nothing  met  the  eye  but  this  imposing  pageant. 
Gen.  Hooker  and  his  staff  remained  near  our  brigade  during  the 
afternoon,  and  when  the  highest  ground  was  reached  we  were  halted 
in  that  position  for  some  time,  our  commander  watching  from  this 
favorable  point  the  movements  of  the  enemy.  We  were  close  on  the 
foe  and  there  was  expectation  of  a  battle.  Johnson  had  resolved  to 
risk  a  general  engagement  at  Cassville,  and  had  his  ai-my  strongly 
posted  and  intrenched  for  that  purpose,  but  later  developments  led 
him  to  adopt  a  different  plan.  Our  skirmishers  were  thrown  forward 
to  a  narrow  strip  of  woods  below  us  ;  beyond  this  was  another  field 


4:02  HISTORY   OF   MERGER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

into  wliicli  tlie  rebels  came.  A  battery  in  our  immediate  rear  pitched 
a  few  shells  over  the  ti'ee  tops  where  onr  skirmishers  were  sheltered, 
and  as  we  had  a  view  of  the  open  ground  on  the  other  side,  we  pres- 
ently saw  the  rebels  raising  the  dust  in  retreat.  They  were  followed 
by  the  skirmishers  who  disappeared  in  the  timber  wliich  hid  the  enemy 
at  the  same  time.  At  five  o'clock  we  advanced  over  the  same  ground 
to  the  edge  of  Cassville.  After  a  brief  halt  the  command  fell  back 
and  went  into  camp  near  the  place  from  which  it  last  moved  up.  AVe 
slept  that  night  under  orders  from  the  commanding  general  for  the 
whole  army  to  close  in  upon  Cassville  at  daylight,  and  "to  attack  the 
enemy  wherever  found. "     But  he  was  in  full  retreat  before  that  hour. 

Pausing  a  few  days  till  the  railroad  was  repaired  we  moved  again 
at  four  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  23d  and  crossed  the  Etowah.  On 
the  24th,  continuing  in  the  direction  of  Dallas,  the  command  camped 
at  Burnt  Hickory,  and  at  four  o'clock  on  the  afternoon  of  the  25th  was 
brought  up  to  support  Geary's  division,  which  had  struck  the  enemy  in 
force  at  New  Hope  Church,  and  was  under  fire  some  hours.  At  dark 
the  brigade  was  ordered  to  march  over  the  four  lines  of  our  troops 
lying  in  front,  and  to  attack  the  enemy  vigorously.  The  102d 
instantly  began  the  forward  movement,  which  was  soon  arrested  by  a 
member  of  Gen.  Butterfield's  staff  till  the  70th  Indiana  could  make 
connection  with  it.  When  this  was  •  done  Col.  Smith  renewed  the 
advance  until  we  came  upon  the  skirmishers  belonging  to  the  second 
brigade  (Col.  Coburn),  where  he  halted  the  regiment  and  ordered  the 
men  to  lie  down  while  preparations  were  making  for  the  attack.  It 
was  discovered  that  we  were  separated  from  the  YOth,  and  Col.  Coburn 
at  the  same  moment  gave  information  that  the  enemy  was  not  more 
than  200  yards  in  front,  strongly  posted  and  six  lines  deep.  One  of 
Gen.  Butterfield's  staff  appeared,  and  being  notified  of  the  situation 
directed  Col.  Smith  to  remain  in  that  position,  and,  if  possible,  to  find 
Col.  Harrison.  The  latter  was  discovered  some  distance  in  the  rear, 
and  being  temporarily  in  command  of  the  brigade  ordered  the  102d  to 
return,  which  it  did,  getting  into  position  with  the  rest  of  the  brigade 
about  ten  o'clock.  It  had  begun  to  rain,  the  night  was  very  dark,  and 
the  command  was  hopelessly  mixed  up  in  the  forest.  The  bursting 
rebel  shells  lighted  up  the  woods  with  a  grand  and  weird  appearance. 
Fatigued  and  rationless  the  men  sank  down  upon  the  wet  ground. 

In  his  memoirs,  speaking  of  this  place,  and  events  here.  Gen.  Sher- 
man says:  "The  woods  were  so  dense  and  the  resistance  so  spirited 
that  Hooker  could  not  carry  the  position,  though  the  battle  was  noisy 
and  prolonged  far  into  the  night.  This  point,  '  New  Hope, '  .  .  . 
was  four  miles  northeast  of  Dallas,  and  from  the  bloody  fighting  there 


ONE    HUNDRED    AND    SECOND    REGIMENT.  403 

for  the  next  week  was  called  by  the  soldiers  'Ilell-Hole.'  The  night 
was  pitch-dark,  it  rained  hard,  and  the  convergence  of  our  columns 
toward  Dallas  produced  much  confusion.  I  am  sure  similai-  confusion 
existed  in  the  army  opposed  to  us,  for  we  were  all  mixed  uj).  I  slept 
on  the  ground,  without  cover,  along  side  of  a  log,  got  little  sleep, 
resolved  at  daylight  to  renew  the  battle,  and  to  nuike  a  lodgment  on 
the  Dallas  and  Allatoona  road,  if  possible,  but  the  morning  revealed  a 
strong  line  of  intrenchnicnts  facing  us,  with  a  heavy  force  of  infantry 
and  guns.  The  battle  was  renewed,  and  without  success."  Descri]> 
tive  of  the  style  of  fighting,  he  continues :  "  All  this  time  a  continual 
battle  was  in  })rogress  by  strong  skirmish-lines,  taking  advantage  of 
every  species  of  cover,  and  both  parties  fortifying  each  night  by  rifie- 
trenches,  with  head-logs,  many  of  which  grew  to  be  as  formidable  as 
first-class  works  of  defense.  Occasionally  one  party  or  the  other  would 
make  a  dash  in  the  nature  of  a  sally,  but  usually  it  sustained  a  repulse 
with  great  loss  of  life.  I  visited  personally  all  parts  of  our  lines  nearly 
every  day,  was  constantly  within  musket-range,  and  though  the  fire  of 
musketry  and  cannon  resounded  day  and  night  along  the  whole  line, 
varying  from  six  to  ten  miles,  I  rarely  saw  a  dozen  of  the  enemy  at 
any  one  time,  and  these  were  always  skirmishers,  dodging  from  tree  to 
tree,  or  behind  logs  on  the  ground,  or  who  occasionally  showed  their 
heads  above  the.  hastily-constructed,  but  remarkably  strong,  rifle- 
trenches." 

Companies  A  and  F  were  detailed  to  build  breastworks,  and  before 
daylight  the  regiment  was  brought  to  the  line  and  engaged  with  a  will 
in  the  same  task.  A  thick  fog  obscured  everything;  still  the  enemy's 
sharp-shooters  were  able  to  annoy  severely  the  working  parties,  and 
Capt.  D.  W.  Sedwick  was  ordered  forward  with  company  E  to  drive 
them  away.  He  advanced  to  within  a  few  yards-  of  the  rebel  breast- 
works before  discovering  his  proximity  to  them,  and  before  he  could 
withdraw  had  several  men  wounded.  Posting  his  company  behind 
trees  and  logs  the  rebel  marksmen  could  not  long  endure  the  intense 
and  accurate  fire  of  the  Spencer  rifles.  Company  E  was  relieved  early 
by  company  C,  and  this  at  one  in  the  afternoon  by  company  K.  Capt. 
Sedwick  had  seven  men  wounded  that  morning.  Battery  M,  1st  New 
York  artillery,  had  been  brought  up  to  our  line  and  kept  in  constant 
activity  two  or  three  hours,  and  the  rebels,  to  silence  or  check  its  fii-ing, 
planted  guns  nearly  opposite  in  their  intrenchments.  Information  of 
this,  coming  to  Col.  Smith,  he  strengthened  the  skirmish-line  with  eight 
picked  men,  who  were  instructed  to  cover  the  guns,  which  could  be 
seen  through  the  foliage,  with  a  torrent  of  lead,  to  prevent  their  use  or 
removal.    Gen.  Hooker  approved  this  and  ordered  that  it  be  continued 


404  HISTORY   OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

with  vigor,  and  at  five  o'clock  tlie  skirmisliers  were  reinforced  by 
twenty  more  marksmen*  At  eleven  o'clock  at  night  the  rebels 
attempted  to  remove  them,  but  were  frustrated  by  the  terrible  fire  con- 
centrated on  them  from  the  Spencer  rifles.  The  guns  were  held  by 
occasional  reliefs  until  the  afternoon  of  the  2Tth,  when  the  regiment 
was  relieved  by  the  111th  Pennsylvania.  When  the  Spencers  were 
gone  the  enemy  got  his  battery  off. 

Moving  to  the  right  half  a  mile  and  joining  the  brigade  on  the 
right  of  the  coi-jjs,  we  waited  till  after  dark  for  orders,  and  then  were 
placed  behind  breastworks,  where  we  lay  till  the  next  morning,  and 
were  relieved  by  the  73d  Ohio.  Company  F  had  one  man  wounded 
here  just  as  the  relief  was  taking  place.  The  rebels  opened  on  us 
warmly  as  we  retired,  and  we  had  not  more  than  reached  a  location 
300  yards  in  rear,  for  rest,  when  they  showed  awakened  activity,  and 
' '  several  rounds  of  grape  shot  were  fired  by  them,  and  the  little  iron 
crab  apples  barked  the  trees  and  rattled  around  so  thickly  it  was  mar- 
velous no  one  was  hurt. "  Finally,  dropping  a  little  farther  to  the  rear, 
we  camped  for  the  night.  Loss  during  the  four  days,  4  killed  and  14 
wounded. 

At  ten  at  niffht  on  the  29th  the  102d  was  ordered  half  a  mile  to  the 
right  to  close  a  gap  between  the  15th  and  20th  corps,  and  on  the  morn- 
ing of  the  31st  was  relieved  by  the  129th  Illinois,  Cob  Case.  At  noon 
of  the  1st  of  June,  being  relieved  by  troops  from  the  15th  corps,  we 
moved  with  the  brigade  three  miles  to  the  left.  Thus  had  passed  a 
week  in  the  " Hell-Hole, "  and  thus  ended  our  share  in  "the  di*awn 
battle  of  New  Hope  church,"  so-called  by  Gen.  Sherman.     ' 

At  noon  on  the  2d  a  rainy  period,  which  extended  to  the  last  days 
of  the  month,  began  with  a  descending  torrent.  An  hour  later  the 
brigade  again  took  up  the  movement  to  the  left,  and  proceeding  two 
and  a  half  miles  was  formed  in  order  of  battle  in  support  of  the  2d 
brigade,  before  which  the  enemy  fell  back  stubbornly.  The  other 
regiments  were  more  exposed  and  their  loss  was  considerable.  Brigade 
Surgeon  Potter,  of  the  105th  Illinois,  was  killed  by  a  shell.  The  3d 
was  rainy ;  the  troops  were  out  of  rations ;  another  move  was  taken 
three  miles  to  the  left.  Next  day  another  short  move  was  made.  Then 
on  the  6th  a  march  of  five  miles  brought  us  to  the  Wet  Tortugas^  where 
we  raised  a  breastwork  and  lay  in  the  rain  till  the  15th.  Rations  were 
short,  and  ox-tail  soup  and  damaged  "  hard  tack"  in  request.  At  one 
in  the  afternoon  the  brigade  was  thrown  forward,  with  the  102d  on  the 
skirmish-line,  companies  E,  F,  G  and  I  deployed,  the  rest  in  reserve. 
Crossing  an  ample  field  the  rebel  skirmishers  were  driven  fi*om  their 
outposts  in  the  edge  of  the  woods.     Retreating  to  strong  posts  on 


ONE   HUNDRED    AND   SECOND   REGIMENT.  405 

higher  ground  thev  hekl  out  a  stubborn  resistance,  but  our  men  pressed 
up  under  a  brisk  fire  to  within  fifty  yards,  and  at  tlie  next  advance 
they  drew  off.  The  most  important  casualty  was  tlie  wound  received 
by  Capt.  Isaac  McManus. 

This  phice  was  known  as  Golgotha  cliurch,  and  it  was  here  that 
Col.  Smith  received  a  flesh  wound  on  the  lOtli,  which  sent  him  to  the 
rear  till  the  10th  of  August,  when  he  rejoined  the  regiment  before 
Atlanta.  The  loss  in  the  102d  during  the  two  days'  operations  was 
thirteen  wounded,  including  the  officers  named.  Alluding  to  these 
operations  Gen.  Sherman  says :  ' '  On  the  1 5th  we  advanced  our  gen- 
eral lines,  intending  to  attack  at  any  weak  point  discovered  between 
Kenesaw  and  Pine  Mountain ;  but  Pine  Mountain  was  found  to  be 
abandoned,  and  Johnston  had  contracted  his  front  somewhat,  on  a 
direct  line,  connecting  Kenesaw  with  Lost  Mountain.  ...  On 
the  16th  the  general  movement  was  continued,  when  Lost  Mountain 
was  abandoned  by  the  enemy."" 

We  pause  to  give  the  general's  description  of  how  breastworks  were 
built:  "The  enemy  and  ourselves  used  the  same  form  of  rifle-trench, 
varied  according  to  the  nature  of  the  ground,  viz  :  the  trees  and  bushes 
were  cut  away  for  a  hundred  yards  or  more  in  front,  serving  as  an 
abatis  or  entanglement ;  the  parapets  varied  from  four  to  six  feet  high, 
the  dirt  taken  from  a  ditch  outside  and  from  a  covered  way  inside,  and 
this  parapet  was  surmounted  by  a  '  head-log, '  composed  of  the  trunk  of 
a  tree  from  twelve  to  twenty  inches  at  the  butt,  lying  along  the  interior 
crest  of  the  parapet  and  resting  in  notches  cut  in  other  trunks,  which 
extended  back,  forming  an  inclined  plane,  in  case  the  head-log  should 
be  knocked  inward  by  a  cannon-shot.  The  men  of  both  armies  became 
extremely  skillful  in  the  construction  of  these  works,  because  each  man 
realized  their  value  and  importance  to  himself,  so  that  it  required  no 
orders  for  their  construction.  As  soon  as  a  regiment  or  brigade  gained 
a  position  within  easy  distance  of  a  sally,  it  would  set  to  work  with  a 
will,  and  would  construct  such  a  parapet  in  a  single  night. " 

On  the  17th  the  right  of  the  army,  composed  of  the  20tli  and  23d 
corps,  the  latter  slightly  refused  on  the  flank,  swung  forward  in  a  kind 
of  grand  left  wheel  in  the  direction  of  Marietta.  It  will  not  be  for- 
gotten how  Butterfield's  division  hunted  its  way  through  the  low 
bushes  and  tangled  timber  to  conceal  its  .own  movement;  for,  as  Gen. 
Sherman  explains,  the  enemy's  "position  gave  him  a  perfect  view  over 
our  field,  and  we  had  to  proceed  with  due  caution."  On  reaching  open 
ground  we  formed  our  camp,  and  lay  here  till'the  morning  of  the  10th, 
when  the  bugle  sounded  the  "general,"  to  "pack  up  our  kna])sacks 
and  get  ready  to  go. "  It  was  here  that  we  witnessed  the  shelling  of  a  deep 


406  HISTORY    OF   IVfERCEK   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

forest  by  a  number  of  onr  batteries  occupying  two  tiers  npon  a  lofty 
and  extensive  range,  one  holding  the  crest,  the  other  halfway  down  the 
side  on  a  ledge  or  shelf  For  adaptability  to  the  purpose  and  the  occa- 
sion the  position  was  all  that  nature  could  have  made  it,  and  with  so 
many  guns  in  oi^eration,  all  in  fiill  view,  the  effect  heightened  by  the 
exhibition  beyond,  the  sharp  explosions  of  shells,  and  the  white  puffs 
of  lurid  smoke  rising  above  the  trees,  whose  tops  were  lower  than  our 
feet,  as  we  stood  on  the  summit,  was  such  an  incident  in  war's  realities 
as  is  not  often  seen.  The  enemy  was  sullen,  responding  only  occa- 
sionally with  his  field-pieces,  but  his  sharp-shooters  were  active  and  did 
some  execution. 

On  the  19th  the  enemy,  holding  on  to  Kenesaw  mountain,  con- 
ti'acted  his  flanks  to  cover  more  completely  Marietta  and  the  railroad ; 
and  the  right  wing  moved  foi-ward  in  another  grand  swing  eastwardly, 
our  own  division,  and  perhaps  others,  executing  a  variety  of  pei'plex- 
ing  maneuvers  through  the  dense  pines,  and  under  conflicting  orders. 
The  102d  was  refused  on  the  extreme  right  of  the  coii^s,  and  company 
C  held  the  skirmish  line  this  and  the  following  day.  The  men  worked 
till  midnight  building  breastworks.  To  work  the  whole  night  was  a 
common  occurrence.     Rains  continued  frequent  and  excessive. 

On  the  night  of  the  20th  the  men  had  scarcely  fallen  to  sleep 
when  they  were  roused  up  and  ordered  to  move.  This  time  it  was  but 
a  short  distance  and  only  to  straighten  the  line.  Again  were  the 
soldiers  building  breastworks  until  midnight ;  before  they  were  finished 
orders  came  to  cease  using  the  axes  and  to  be  ready  to  march  at  six 
in  the  morning.  The  forenoon  of  the  21st  was  spent  waiting  in  the 
rain  for  the  order  to  move  ;  finally  Gen,  Hooker  directed  that  the 
men  be  set  to  strengthening  the  works. 

From  eleven  o'clock  of  the  22d  the  day  was  full  of  surprises  and 
lively  operations,  and  tremulous  throughout  with  impending  battle, 
which  fell  just  at  evening  upon  the  first  division  (Williams').  At  the 
former  hour  tlie  brigade  was  formed  for  the  support  of  the  third 
brigade,  Col.  Wood,  and  we  were  under  a  chafing  fire  for  several 
hours  ;  and  in  the  meantime  double-quicking  across  a  plowed  field  to 
the  timber,  where  we  threw  up  a  parapet  of  rails  just  behind  Wood's 
men.  The  afternoon  was  passed  in  moving  short  intervals  to  the 
right  and  making  barricades  .and  traverses  each  time.  The  last  one 
was  finished  at  one  o'clock  next  morning ;  at  four  the  command  was 
relieved  and  soon  moved  a  mile  to  the  right ;  at  noon  it  moved  still 
farther  to  the  immediatevicinity  of  the  Kulp  house,  some  three  miles 
due  west  from  Marietta.  Casualties  in  the  102  on  the  20th  and  the 
22d  were  one  killed  and  four  wounded. 


ONE    HUNDRED   AND    SECOND   REGIlvrENT.  407 

We  lay  here  a  little  retired  from  the  main  line  until  nightfall  of 
the  26th.  At  that  time  the  brigade  relieved  the  front  line  and  held  it 
till  the  evening  of  the  29th,  when  it  M^ithdrew  to  the  third  line  for 
rest,  and  its  place  was  taken  by  Wood's  brigade.  Gen.  Butterfield 
was  relieved  this  day  and  Gen.  Ward  succeeded  to  the  command  of 
the  division.     Col.  Harrison  assumed  command  of  the  brigade. 

We  have  reached  the  end  of  the  month  during  which  copious 
rains  have  scarcely  intermitted  for  twenty-four  hours  at  a  time. 

At  dark  on  the  first  of  July  we  exchanged  places  with  the  second 
brigade,  which  was  on  the  second  line. 

The  rebel  chieftain  having  detected  Gen.  Sherman  in  the  first 
stage  of  a  movement  for  the  possession  of  Kenesaw  mountain  and 
Marietta,  similar  to  the  one  which  gave  him  Atlanta,  fell  back  sud- 
denly during  the  night  of  the  2d  of  July  within  his  defenses  on  the 
north  bank  of  the  Chattahoochee.  The  commanding  general  had  so 
well  calculated  the  effect  of  his  strategy  that  he  was  expecting  the 
retreat  and  had  issued  orders,  which  were  received  that  night,  for  the 
troops  to  be  ready  to  march  at  daylight.  Starting  out  in  the  morning, 
Capt.  Sedwick  in  advance  with  companies  E,  F,  G  and  B,  as  skirm- 
ishers, we  took  the  road  leading  to  Marietta,  and  struck  the  enemy's 
rear-guard  of  cavalry  a  mile  from  the  town.  Capt.  S.  directed  the 
movements  of  his  command  with  his  accustomed  prudence,  and  kept 
up  a  running  attack  until  he  had  driven  them  through  the  town,  which 
he  occupied  an  hour  in  advance  of  any  other  troops.  From  this  time 
till  the  6th  we  moved  leisurly  toward  the  Chattahoochee.  We  stopped 
that  day  within  two  miles  of  the  river,  and  on  the  Sth  began  policing 
our  camp  under  orders  from  brigade  headquarters.  At  this  place  we  • 
got  first  sight  of  the  church  spires  in  Atlanta.  By  climbing  trees  we 
could  see  them  plainly  in  the  distance,  and  we  strained  our  eyes  for 
the  largest  view. 

The  last  of  the  enemy's  forces  crossed  in  the  night  of  the  9th, 
and  thenceforward  the  contending  pickets  were  on  opposite  banks  of 
the  river.  In  front  of  our  division  the  murderous  fire  between  them 
ceased  by  mutual  agreement.  The  foes  basked  within  a  stone's  throw 
of  one  another ;  occasionally  they  talked  across,  and  always  mani- 
fested the  best  of  feeling.  Swimming  across  from  one  to  the  other  got 
to  be  a  practice  ;  papers  were  exchanged,  and  traffic  in  coffee  and 
tobacco  was  carried  on.  The-  "Yanks"  had  the  coft'ee  and  the 
"rebs"  the  "weed.""  Gen.  Ward,  distrustful  of  this  tamiliarity, 
forbade  it  in  a  special  order.  But  the  boys,  tired  of  the  constant 
strain,  did  not  renew  tlie  firing. 

On  the  evening  of  the  ITtli  we  crossed  the  river  at  Paice's  ferry 


408  HISTORY   OF    MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

and  camped  three  miles  on  the  other  side.  Next  day  we  went  two 
and  a  half  miles  farther  south,  and  at  three  on  the  morning  of  the 
19th  threw  up  breastworks.  Having  orders  to  occupy  the  range  of 
hills  south  of  Peach  Tree  creek,  the  brigade  moved  on  the  20th,  and 
a  little  after  noon  it  tiled  along  the  northern  base,  the  line  of  march 
for  some  distance  being  swept  by  the  severe  fire  of  the  rebel  skir- 
mishers. At  length  a  halt  was  made,  and  the  men  threw  themselves 
on  the  side  of  the  hill  under  the  scorching  sun  for  a  rest,  and  the 
cooks  engaged  in  making  colfee  on  the  creek  bottom. 

This  was  our  situation  when,  at  half-past  three,  the  order  was 
given  to  fall  in.  In  a  few  minutes  word  came  from  those  at  the  top 
of  the  hill  that  the  rebels  were  coming.  At  that  instant  a  rider  was 
seen  coming  down  from  the  right,  in  rear  of  the  line,  at  full  speed,' 
brandishing  his  sword.  It  was  discovered  to  be  Col.  Harrison,  and 
in  a  moment  more  was  caught  the  command,  "Forw'ard!"  It  was  a 
magnificent  sight  to  those  who  saw  the  "Old  Iron  Brigade"  go  up 
the  hill  that  day  in  a  counter  onset. 

The  engagement  was  fought  mainly  by  the  20th  corps.  The  forma- 
tion of  the  line  on  which  the  shock  fell  was  in  the  following  order 
beginning  on  the  left :  Newton's  division,  4-th  corps  ;  Ward's,  Geary's, 
and  Williams'  divisions,  20tli  coi-ps  \  and  one  brigade  of  Johnson's 
division,  14th  corps.  The  20th  coi-jds  met  the  enemy  without  protec- 
tion of  any  kind ;  the  other  commands  fought  behind  light  parapets. 
The  former  also  had  not  established  its  line,  and  was  caught  without  a 
premonition  while  in  the  act  of  change ;  tlie  second  (Geary's)  division 
was  but  partly  deployed,  some  of  the  regiments  were  closed  cm  masse, 
drawing  rations  and  cooking.  The  first  (Harrison's)  brigade  was  en- 
tirely on  open  ground,  the  right  and  left  flanks  resting  against  wooded 
eminences.  It  was  on  the  right  of  the  divison  and  was  arranged  with 
the  102d  on  the  right,  and  the  79th  Ohio  and  the  129th  Illinois  in  suc- 
cession toward  the  left.  The  105th  Illinois  and  the  70th  Indiana  were 
in  the  rear,  but  when  the  left  of  the  brigade  was  hotly  engaged  they 
advanced  and  took  part  in  the  hand-to-hand  combat.  On  the  right 
of  the  102d  was  a  battery  which  opened  the  battle  in  our  front  as 
soon  as  the  enemy  debouched  from  the  woods,  and  before  the  main 
line  reached  the  summit.  When  the  column  halted  on  the  ridge  there 
was  a  sudden  and  tumultuous  roar  as  if  it  had  been  the  crack  of  doom. 
The  open  vista  was  swarming  with  the  enemy  advancing  steadily  with- 
out skirmishers,  in  the  Russian  style,  in  deej)  masses,  and  in  easy 
musket  range.  In  front  of  the  102d  was  a  clump  of  trees  and  a  stream  ; 
the  latter  bent  north  across  our  line,  forming  a  ravine  having  long  slop- 
ing sides.     The  brigade  lay  across  this  ravine  with  its  flanks  resting 


ONE    HUNDRED   AND   SECOND   KEGIMENT.  409 

above  and  overlooking  the  center.  The  stream  turned  the  rebels  oif 
from  the  immediate  front  of  the  102d,  and  this  regiment  was  free  to 
take  an  oblique  and  enfilading  fire  which  was  directed  to  the  left  u})on 
the  crowded  columns  pressing  the  brigade  in  that  <juarter.  The  TOth 
Ohio,  on  the  left  and  the  battery  on  the  right,  were  obliged  to  concen- 
trate theirs  on  the  same  ground.  Tlie  effect  of  this  converging  fire 
was  appalling.  The  rebels  went  down  by  scores.  Ragged  gaps  were 
torn  through  their  ranks  faster  than  the  men  could  close  up.  They 
fire  as  they  come  bending  down  to  catch  the  least  of  the  storm  and 
looking  toward  the  torrent  that  comes  from  the  Spencer  rifles.  Their 
flag  bearers  crowd  to  the  front  and  jjress  forward,  waving  their  colors 
defiantly  to  encourage  and  animate  men  who  move  amidst  rampant 
slaughter  as  if  they  had  come  to  die.  As  flags  go  down  they  are 
picked  up  by  new  carriers  who  flaunt  them  and  urge  on  with  marvel- 
ous fortitude.  The  battery,  the  102d  and  the  T9th  have  wrapped  the 
hill  whereon  they  stand  in  lambent  flame.  With  desperate  energy  the 
whole  brigade  is  gathering  the  lai'gest  advantage  on  the  first  equal 
field.  But  what  can  check  that  surging,  resistless  assault?  The  col- 
umn has  passed  the  line  and  the  ordeal  of  our  enfilading  and  plunging 
fire  rolls  on  wildly  to  dash  itself  against  the  unsupported  ranks  of  the 
TOth,  the  105th,  and  the  129th.  Tlie  shock  would  have  overborne 
these  regiments  but  for  the  terrible  reduction  of  the  enemy's  numbers 
before  the  commingled  encounter.  At  length,  forced  to  yield  the  field, 
the  bleeding,  decimated  remnant  returns  in  precipitate  disorder  only 
to  run  again  the  gauntlet  of  that  withering  fire  which  broke  the  rebels' 
strength  but  could  not  daunt  their  corn-age. 

While  the  events  we  have  described  were  taking  place  on  the  left:, 
a  threatening  situation  was  developed  on  our  right.  Geary's  division 
being  unexpectedly  assailed  before  it  was  well  in  position,  the  brigade 
connecting  with  Ward's  division  was  forced  back,  and  the  rebels  came 
upon  our  right  flank,  enfilading  the  line,  momentarily  capturing  the 
batteiy  at  the  head  of  the  102d,  and  firing  one  or  two  ineffectual  shots 
down  our  ranks.  They  were  evidently  about  to  fall  ujjon  our  rear 
when  an  aid  dashed  up  to  Capt.  Wilson  who  was  commanding  the  regi- 
ment (Lieut.  Col.  Mannon  being  sick  but  on  the  field),  and  told  him 
that  if  he  remained  in  that  position  his  connnand  would  be  captured 
in  less  than  five  minutes.  But  no  heed  was  given  to  this,  and  in  a  few 
minutes  more  the  brigade  that  had  given  way  was  rallied  and  recovered 
its  ground.  The  battery  at  one  time  in  the  hands  of  the  foe,  was  taken 
down  the  hill  under  whip  and  spur,  but  was  brought  back  to  remain. 

The  heavy  work  of  this  battle  was  done  in  an  hour.  Hood's  and 
Hardee's  corps  were  the  assailing  force.     The  carnage  was  frightful. 


410  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

Taking  into  account  the  time  and  number  engaged,  and  tlie  number 
authors  de  coimbat^  it  was  tlie  most  sanguinary  battle  of  the  cam|)aign. 
The  iield  on  our  left  front  was  covered  with  the  slain,  and  it  would 
have  been  no  trouble  to  walk  over  it  without  stepping  upon  the  ground. 
Gen.  SheiTnan  reported  500  rebels  dead.  In  the  hospital  of  the  third 
division  were  over  600  wounded  rebels,  and  most  of  them  bore  more 
than  a  single  wound.  The  enemy's  loss  was  estimated  by  Gen. 
Hooker  at  6,000;  our  own  loss  was  1,907.  The  favorable  position  of 
the  102d  shielded  it  from  heavy  loss.  Two  were  killed  and  nine 
wounded.  But  it  had  done  unexampled  execution;  5,000  rounds  of 
Spencer  ammunition  alone  were  estimated  to  have  been  used.  The 
brigade  captured  three  stands  of  colors.  As  soon  as  the  fighting  was 
over.  Gen.  Hooker  sent  word  that  the  third  division  had  saved  the  day, 
and  thanked  the  first  brigade  for  its  gallant  behavior. 

After  the  battle,  when  prisoners  were  taken  and  asked  how  many 
were  left  in  their  army,  their  sad  answer  was  :  ' '  Enough  for  another 
killing." 

Hood  ha\'ing  fallen  back  to  Atlanta,  on  the  22d  our  lines  were 
advanced  and  contracted  around  the  devoted  city,  the  first  brigade 
occupying  a  place  three-fourths  of  a  mile  east  of  the  railroad.  The 
102d  was  warmly  shelled  until  the  evening  of  the  25th,  and  had  two 
wounded.  Advancing  a  hundred  yards  it  was  under  fire  twenty-four 
hours  and  one  severely  wounded.  It  then  moved  to  the  rear  and 
right,  taking  a  place  in  the  second  line,  where  it  was  shelled  more 
vigorously  than  ever.  During  the  progress  of  the  battle  on  the  28th 
the  division  was  ordered  to  the  support  of  those  engaged  ;  but  this 
was  countermanded  and  the  troops  marched  back,  the  first  brigade 
going  into  camp  east  of  the  railroad.  On  the  following  morning  the 
division  marched  to  the  extreme  right  of  the  army  and  formed  a  line 
perpendicular  to  the  rear  to  protect  the  flank.  On  the  2d  of  August, 
being  relieved,  it  marched  back,  and  next  day  was  assigned  a  position 
on  the  left  of  the  14th  corps  and  just  west  of  the  railroad.  The  line 
was  advanced  a  short  distance  on  the  5th  and  the  13th.  Col.  Smith 
rejoined  the  regiment  on  the  10th. 

On  the  25th  orders  looking  to  the  placing  of  the  main  body  of  the 
army  south  of  Atlanta  and  directly  upon  Hood's  communications  were 
received,  the  defense  of  the  Chattahoochee  being  assigned  to  the  20th 
corps.  The  signal  for  withdrawal,  previously  arranged,  was  for  the 
field-bands  t(j  begin  |)laying,  as  usual,  about  twilight,  and  close  the 
evening  ])ertormance  with  Yankee  Doodle  precisely  at  eight,  when 
the  columns  were  to  move  noiselessly  out  of  the  intrechments.  The 
bugles  sounded   "retreat"  at  the  customary  hour,  of  eight,  and  half 


[isft*?"'^. 


'■y/^. 


'1^. 


ASA    W.  RANSOM 


ONE    HUNDRED   AND    SECOND    REGIMENT.  413 

an  lioui*  later  "tattoo.'"  How  iinjn-essive  and  tremulous  those  long 
strains  !  Our  brigade  moved  a  mile  to  the  rear  and  lay  there  till  half 
past  two  in  the  mornino;.  Tlie  pickets  remained  at  their  posts  till 
near  daylight.     We  reached  the  river  just  as  day  broke  forth. 

In  the  afternoon  of  the  27th  our  brigade  crossed  to  the  north  side  of 
the  river,  and  was  separately  disposed,  the  102d  being  stationed  behind 
a  light  parapet  which  the  rebels  once  threw  up  on  the  heights.  On 
the  night  of  the  1st  of  Sejjtember  we  lie  in  our  bunks  listening  to 
the  explosions  in  Atlanta.  They  tell  their  story.  Xext  day  the  city 
is  formally  surrendered  to  Gen.  Ward  ;  and  '  'Atlanta  is  ours  and 
fairly  won.'' 

The  following  from  Gen.  Joseph  E.  Johnston,  the  ablest  com- 
mander in  the  confederacy,  will  be  interesting  to  those  who  toiled  and 
fought  so  valiantly  against  his  consummate  generalship  ;  and  none 
who  were  aiTayed  against  his  own  men  will  doubt  the  justness  of  his 
tribute  to  their  military  virtues.  Alluding  to  the  Atlanta  campaign, 
he  is  reported  to  have  said  :  "  There  is  nothing  in  the  history  of  war 
that  can  equal  many  of  the  maneuvers  of  that  important  campaign. 
History  does  not  record  such  marvelous  ability  to  overcome  obstacles 
and  prepare  the  pathway  for  any  army  as  were  exhibited  on  many 
occasions  by  Gen.  Sherman's  engineers.  It  was  just  four  days  fi"om 
the  time  they  reached  the  Chattahoochee  river  and  pointed  out  the 
standing  timber  to  the  vigorous  axmen,  before  they  had  ti*ains  moving 
across  the  river  over  a  substantial  bridge  several  hundred  feet  long 
[and  nearly  a  hundred  feet  high],  but  of  unhewn  timber.  Again,  in 
Ko]"th  Carolina,  they  marched  nine  miles  a  day  and  corduroyed  every 
foot  of  the  road,  a  feat  never  before  approached  in  the  history  of  army 
movements.  Gen.  Hampton  came  to  me  one  day  and  said  he  had 
obstructed  a  cut  in  the  Xortli  Carolina  railroad  in  such  a  manner  as  to 
prevent  Sherman's  advance  some  week's  ;  but  we  were  never  able  to 
discern  that  it  any  way  intert'ered  with  his  progress.  I  look  upon  the 
ability  of  the  army  under  my  command  with  its  meager  resources  of 
everything  to  make  successftil  warfare,  to  resist  Sherman's  march  as 
well  as  it  did,  as  an  achievement  worthy  of  their  matchless  valor  and 
endurance.  Ko  soldiers  ever  suft'ered  and  endured  more  for  their 
homes  and  country  ;  none  ever  fought  harder  or  with  greater 
bravery. " 

AVe  have  already  exceeded  the  space  allotted  to  this  sketch,  and 
while  aware  that  it  is  only  an  outline  of  the  history  of  the  regiment, 
can  barely  skeletonize  the  remainder. 

On  the  It! til  of  September  the  brigade  marched  to  Atlanta  and 
camped  one  mile  south  of  the  city.     From  here  Col.  Harrison  obtained 

24 


414  HISTORY    OF   2VCERCEK    A2fD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

leave  of  absence  and  Col.  Smith  succeeded  to  the  command  of  the 
brigade.  Lieut.  Col.  Mannon  having  a  short  time  before  resigned  on 
account  of  disability,  Capt.  W.  A.  Wilson,  being  the  ranking  line 
officer,  assumed  command  of  the  regiment  until  he  resigned  in  Octo- 
ber. Capt.  II.  H.  Clav,  of  company  D,  succeeded,  and  was  finally 
commissioned  and  mustered  as  major. 

On  the  1st  of  October  the  brigade  marched  back  to  the  Chatta- 
hoochee, where  it  lay  cantoned  until*  the  14th  of  Xovember.  The 
railroad  north  of  the  river  was  destroyed  on  the  12th,  and  the  next 
day  it  was  torn  up  on  the  south  side.  On  the  evening  of  the  13th  and 
the  moi-ning  of  the  14th  the  brigade  was  pulled  into  the  river.  At 
ten  o'clock  on  the  last  day  the  command  took  up  the  march  for 
Atlanta  to  plunge,  on  the  morrow,  into  the  unknown  destinies. 
The  soldiers  felt  that  the  destination  was  to  be  Savannah  or 
Mobile  ;  but  when  om'  column  pointed  in  the  direction  of  Stone 
mountain  about  noon  of  the  15tli,  "Savannah"  was  the  watchword  ;  . 
though  at  this  time  the  objective,  owing  to  the  contingencies  of  war, 
was  not  certainly  fixed  in  the  mind  of  the  commanding  general. 
There  was  a  magical  fascination  in  it,  for  all  were  sure  that  this  expe- 
dition would  be  one  of  the  renowned  achievements  of  the  war. 

We  marched  almost  continuously  until  after  dark  on  the  16tli,  the 
brigade  being  on  detail  the  fii'st  day  and  night  as  train-guard.  The 
102d  was  in  advance  of  the  division  on  the  17th,  and  moved  at  day- 
light. Impressment  of  stock  and  pro\dsions  began  by  regular  foraging 
parties.  We  marched  on  the  18th  through  the  quiet,  pleasant  country 
village  of  Social  Circle,  and  the  railroad  hamlet  called  Rutledge,  and 
went  into  camp  after  dark.  On  the  19th  Madison,  county  seat  of 
Morgan  county,  was  passed;  and  on  the  20th  the  command  started 
before  daylight,  the  102d  in  the  advance.  We  camped  at  half-past  three 
o'clock  tw<:)  miles  north  of  Eatonton.  We  marched  through  this  place 
next  morning.  It  had  rained  the  two  previous  nights,  and  rained  all 
this  day;  the  roads  were  very  heavy;  still,  no  hardship  in  that;  the 
soldiers  were  living  off*  the  country !  Every  man  is  now  a  traveling 
commissariat,  carrying  flour,  meal,  yams,  preserves,  molasses,  fowls, 
mutton,  choice  cuts  of  undressed  pork,  etc.  The  men  dash  into  houses 
hunting  for  soda,  flour,  meal,  and  choicer  edibles.  It  would  be  an 
error  to  suppose  that  all  the  troops  ran  helter-skelter ;  but  then  there 
were  enough  who  went  in  this  manner  to  get  all  the  provisions  that 
were  needed. 

The  22d  was  a  bleak,  ehillv  dav.  Startino;  at  ten  o'clock,  our 
column,  at  four  in  the  afternoon,  marched  into  the  sleepy  town  of 
Milledgeville.     The  whites  had  mostly  left,  and  the  capital  was  in  the 


ONE    IILNDRKI)    AND    SECOND    REGIMENT.  415 

liands  of  the  colored  people.  Sullen  composure  reigned.  The  army 
rested  here  the  23d.  Officers,  for  a  i)rank,  collected  in  the  hall  of 
representatives,  repealed  the  ordinance  of  secession,  and  solemnly 
declared  the  "sovereign"  State  of  Georgia  back  in  the  union.  Cross- 
ing the  Oconee  river  on  the  morning  of  the  24th,  we  at  once  left  the 
high,  rolling  country  for  the  level,  sandy,  swamjty  region  which  stretclies 
hence  to  the  coast.  Camj*  was  pitched  at  midnight.  The  di\-ision 
guarded  the  wagon-train  on  the  25th.  Roads  were  execrable ;  teams' 
stalled  in  tlie  mire ;  progress  was  very  slow.  A  burned  bridge  caused  the 
train  to  park  and  the  division  to  encamp  only  five  miles  foi-ward  from 
the  bivouac  of  the  night  before.  Skirmishing  in  front  with  "Wheeler's 
cavalry.  Some  skirmishing  on  the  20th.  The  command  halted  early 
at  night  at  Sandersville.  The  following  of  contrabands  was  becoming 
numerous.  At  sundown  on  the  27th  the  column  was  at  Davisboro. 
Some  light  skirmishing  was  done,  and  a  part  of  the  corps  was  engaged 
in  destroving  the  Georgia  Central  railroad.  Soldiers  in  jubilant  spirits. 
The  march  was  resumed  at  eleven  on  the  2Sth.  and  the  troops  went 
into  camp  at  night  near  the  Ogeechee  river.  The  14th  corps  crossed 
that  night  on  our  road.  Lying  in  camp  on  the  29th  till  two  in  the 
afternoon,  the  command  crossed  the  river  on  a  pontoon  bridge ;  march- 
ing five  mOes  it  bivouacked  at  the  countv-town  of  Louisville.  The 
first  and  second  divisions  were  tearing  lip  the  railroad,  and  our  division 
was  with  the  wagon-train.  The  30th  was  passed  in  camp.  December  1 
tlie  column  moved  .five  or  six  miles.  A  party  of  foragers  had  a 
runninff  fiirht  with  the  rebel  cavalrv,  and  three  of  the  102d  were  taken 
prisoners.  On  the  2d  the  first  brigade  was  in  the  rear,  and  the  troops 
had  a  night  march  of  several  hours.  Millen,  one  of  the  rebel  starving- 
pens  for  union  ])risoners.  was  left  to  the  right  on  the  3d.  Tearing  up 
of  the  Savannah  Sc  Augusta  railroad  gave  employment  to  a  number  of 
brigades  this  dav.  The  famous  cypress  swamj)s  are  reached.  The 
4th  passed  without  incident,  the  column  marching  ten  miles  and  halting 
after  dark.  The  third  division  liad  the  advance  on  the  5th,  moved 
eight  miles,  and  camped  early  in  the  afternoon.  Tlie  rebels  amused 
themselves  felling  trees  across  the  road  on  the  6th.  Full  of  the  inspi- 
ration of  our  great  leader,  we  marched  'round  them.  Found  camp  just 
as  the  bugle  was  blowing  "retreat."  On  the  7th  the  column,  with  the 
102d  in  advance,  moved  on  Sj)ringfield.  county  seat  of  Effingham 
county,  which  was  reached  without  other  opposition  than  the  barricad- 
ing of  roads.  The  brigade  halted  in  the  town,  where  it  lay  over  all 
the  next  day.  The  forward  movement  was  resumed  after  dark  the  8th, 
the  brigade  taking  the  rear.  Tlie  command  was  under  motion  during 
the  night  and  the  next  day  until  eight  in  the  evening,  and  proceeded 


416  HISTORY   OF    MERCER    Als^D    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

eighteen  miles.  On  the  10th  the  102d  was  again  the  advance.  A 
little  after  noon  we  came  up  against  the  defenses  of  Savannah,  and 
bivouacked  on  the  line  of  investment  four  and  a  half  miles  from  the 
city.     The  line  was  corrected  and  permanently  located  on  the  11th. 

The  two  things  to  absorb  thought  and  energy  now  were  subsistence 
and  a  passage  for  attack  over  the  swamp  in  front.  Yast  quantities  of 
rice  were  stored  on  the  liver.  Mills  were  put  in  operation,  the  negroes 
set  to  work,  soldiers  takhig  a  hand  with  them.  Company  I  was  sent 
seven  miles  up  the  Savannah  river  to  an  island  called  Tied  Knoll,  where 
several  days  were  spent  grinding  corn  and  threshing  rice.  "Hard- 
tack "  was  issued  on  the  20tli ;  rice  was  almost  the  sole  article  of  diet 
for  ten  days. 

The  experiment  of  bridging  the  swamp  was  engaged  in  day  and 
night,  with  the  water  from  two  to  four  feet  deep,  full  of  every  obstruc- 
tion that  could  accumulate  in  a  forest,  and  all  underlain  witli  a  black, 
sticky  mud.  Working  in  the  water  at  this  season,  and  under  the  rebel 
guns,  which  "went  hunting  "  for  the  boys  with  exasperating  diligence, 
was  hardly  comfortable  employment.  It  is  scarcely  worth  the  while 
to  say  that  this  was  a  practical  failure.  Some  members  of  the  regiment 
waded  the  swamp  in  the  daytime  and  made  an  inspection  of  the  rebel 
breastworks. 

On  the  morning  of  the  2l8t  the  20tli  corps  hoisted  the  stars  and 
stripes  over  the  city  hall  in  Sa^'annah ;  and  the  holidays  were  bright 
and  happy  at  loyal  firesides  when  tidings  of  this  ' '  Christmas  gift " 
thrilled  the  great  heart  of  the  north. 

A  short  rest  at  Savannah,  and  our  eagles  point  northward. 

The  first  foothold  gained  in  South  Carolina  was  obtained  by  cross- 
ing directly  fr5m  the  city.  The  102d  accomplished  the  initial  move- 
ment on  January  1,  1865.  A  halt  was  made  at  Clieves'  plantation 
five  miles  north  of  the  river,  until  the  4th,  when  the  brigade  moved 
forward  a  mile,  establishing  itself  at  the  Hardee  farm,  known  to  some 
as  Black  Mingo.  The  road  ha^^ing  been  corduroyed  out  from  the 
river,  on  the  ITth  the  command  moved  from  Hardeeville,  twelve 
miles,  and  occupied  a  position  on  the  Charleston  &  Savannah  railroad. 
On  the  29th  this  place  in  turn  was  left  behind,  and  on  the  following 
day  we  arrived  at  Robertsville,  twenty-five  miles  farther  inland.  At 
this  place  on  the  2d  of  February,  as  a  part  of  the  great  army,  we 
severed  our  communication  watli  the  outside  world. 

From  this  date  to  our  arrival  at  Goldsboro',  March  24th,  there  is 
a  hiatus  in  our  own  notes,  and  we  depend  exclusively  on  the  reliable 
history  of  the  102d  by  our  old  comrade,  sergeant  major  S.  F.  Fleharty, 
with  what  little  aid  our  recollection  can  furnish. 


ONE    HUNDRED    AND    SECOND   REGIMENT.  417 

On  the  departure  from  Eobertsville  the  first  brigade  had  the 
advance,  the  105th  111.  leading.  On  approaching  Lawtonville  in  the 
afternoon,  and  when  within  a  mile  of  the  town,  the  enemy,  holding  a 
strip  of  timber,  disputed  our  progress.  The  TOtli,  the  102d,  and  the 
105th  were  formed  in  line  of  battle,  while  the  Y9th  and  the  129th  were 
sent  on  a  detour  to  the  left,  when  the  rebels  were  shortly  routed.  The 
102d  lost  one  man  killed  and  two  wounded.  Moving  from  this  place 
next  day,  we  marched  urgently  until  the  morning  of  the  6tli,  when  we 
crossed  the  Salkehatchie  at  Beaufort  bride-e,  which  was  defended  bv  a 
strong  earthwork,  from  which  the  enemy  had  retired  when  routed  by 
the  15th  corps  at  Rivers'  bridge  below.  The  Charleston  <k  Augusta 
railroad  was  the  point  of  junction  for  the  whole  army,  tlie  two  wings 
having  set  out  from  different  bases,  and  our  column  was  urged  forward 
with  spirit  to  make  timely  connection  with  the  anny  of  the  Tennessee. 
The  Ttli  was  cold,  rainy,  cheerless ;  the  troops  corduroyed,  crossed 
swamps,  built  bridges,  and  late  in  the  evening  struck  the  railroad  at 
Graham.  During  the  8th,  9th,  and  10th  we  were  destroying  the  road, 
and  our  brigade  worked  at  different  points  from  Graham  to  Williston, 
fifteen  miles  apart,  Blackville  being  intermediate,  and  the  command 
entering  all  three  of  the  places. 

The  march  was  continued  on  the  11th ;  the  South  Edisto  was 
crossed  the  same  day ;  and  the  pine  barrens  and  level  country  were 
succeeded  by  a  bolder  and  more  rugged  surface.  Camp  that  night 
was  made  on  a  tributarv  of  the  North  Edisto.  The  weather  was 
cold,  and  next  morning  the  air  was  frosty  and  biting.  Just  as  the 
sun  was  up  the  men  plunged  into  the  freezing  current;  it  was  not 
wide,  but  for  a  hundred  rods  they  had  to  splash  through  shallow 
water  before  reaching  the  other  side  of  the  swamp.  Oji  the  morn- 
ing of  the  l.Stli  the  North  Edisto  was  passed,  the  first  brigade 
hax-ing  the  advance.  The  TOth  Ind.,  the  head  of  the  column,  had 
sharp  skirmishing.  Bivouac  was  made  on  the  14th  at  the  junction 
of  the  Lexington  and  the  Columbia  and  Augusta  wagon  roads.  The 
leading  division  encountered  heavy  skirmishing  on  the  15th.  Camp 
was  made  two  miles  south  of  Lexington  and  nine  west  of  Columbia, 
Leaving  the  former  to  the  right,  the  16th  brought  us  within  two  or 
three  miles  of  the  city,  and  from  our  position  on  a  range  of  high 
bluffs  which  confine  the  Congaree,  we  had  a  bird's-eye  view  of  the 
famed  capital. 

At  noon  of  the  17th  we  moved  up  to  the  Saluda  river,  and  the 
brigade  was  sent  out  to  watch  for  Cheatham's  force.  No  enemy 
was  seen,  and  moving  again  in  the  direction  of  the  river,  we  camped 
in  proximity  to  a  wagon  train,  which  was  crossing  all  night.     By  noon 


418  HISTOKY    OF   MERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

of  tlie  IStli  the  last  "white  cover"  was  over  and  we  had  the  right  of 
way,  when  we  marched  to  within  five  miles  of  Broad  river.  On  the 
evening  of  the  19th  camp  was  pitched  on  the  hills  overlooking  that 
stream.  Orders  were  received  here  to  cut  down  baggage,  burn  the 
w^all  tents,  reserving  only  the  "flies,"  and  to  prepare  to  continue  the 
campaign  forty  days.  The  brigade  was  again  in  the  rear  on  the  20th, 
waiting  restlessly  all  day  long  for  the  immense  wagon  train  to  cross, 
and  all  the  troops  to  pass  whose  turn  it  was  to  go  ahead.  Night  fell 
before  we  went  over ;  a  mile  back  from  the  jiver  we  dozed  in  the  cold 
air  by  blazing  fires;  "an  hour  and  a  half  later  the  brigade  refrain, 
'Hail  Columbia,  Happy  Land,'  aroused  us,  and  we  continued  on  after 
the  slow-moving  column."  A  night  march.  'No  intermission  till  the 
night  of  the  21st.  Winnsboro,  in  an  elevated  region,  was  reached  at 
noon ;  the  column  marched  in  review  before  Gens.  Sherman  and 
Slocum,  and  bivouacked  two  miles  beyond  the  town.  Arriving  at 
Rocky  Mount  on  the  22d,  camp  was  made  on  the  south  bank  of  the 
Catawba ;  but  after  many  had  rolled  up  cosily  in  their  blankets 
beneath  the  "dog  tents,"  an  order  was  received  to  cross  the  river. 
Having  got  ready  and  waited  some  hours  for  other  troops  to  make  the 
passage,  our  turn  came  at  midnight,  and  we  found  a  camping  place  a 
mile  the  other  side.  Breakfast  was  omitted  on  the  morning  of  the  23d 
till  the  command  had  moved  three  miles  to  a  place  in  the  dense  woods. 
Heavy  rains  commenced  falling  and  continued  until  the  night  of  the 
25th ;  the  pontoon  bridge  was  swept  away,  leaving  the  14th  corps  on 
the  south  side  of  the  Catawba,  which  rises  ra])idly,  and  is  a  raging 
stream  when  up.  Nearly  a  week's  detention  of  the  army  of  Georgia 
was  the  result.  Gen.  Sherman  says:  "The  roads  were  infamous,  so 
I  halted  the  20th  corps  at  Hanging  Rock  some  days  to  allow  time  for 
the  14th  corps  to  get  over."  Advancing  again  on  the  26th,  and 
corduro}dng,  the  brigade  encamped  before  noon  near  Hanging  Rock,  a 
place  of  natural  curiosity  as  well  as  of  revolutionary  interest.  Lying 
there  during  the  2Tth,  on  the  28th  the  march  was  continued  in  the 
direction  of  Cheraw,  the  soldiers  corduroying  two-thirds  of  the  way. 

This  day  the  regimental  foragers,  under  Capt.  Wooley,  captured 
the  bank  of  Camden,  which  was  secreted  in  the  woods.  It  was  dis- 
covered by  Jesse  McQuade,  of  company  I,  and  Charles  Hartsell,  of 
company  E.  They  were  fired  upon  by  men  guarding  it,  and  McQuade 
was  severely  wounded.  Hartsell  notified  the  detachment  and  the  cap- 
ture was  made.  There  were  four  safes,  and  the  treasure  consisted  of 
$700  in  specie,  $2,. 500  in  bullion,  and  $35,000  in  confederate  bonds, 
besides  the  silver  plate,  jewelry,  horses,  mules,  and  wagons.  The 
property  was    delivered    by    Capt.    Wooley   at    corps   headquarters. 


ONE    HUNDRED   AND   SECOND    REGIMENT.  419 

MeQuade  died  in  1879,  and  is  buried  at  Hoopeston,  Yermillion  county, 
Illinois.     lie  was  one  of  the  most  daring  spirits  in  the  army. 

Until  March  3  the  column  was  advancing  on  Chesterlield.  It  cor- 
duroyed several  miles  of  wretched  road  that  day,  and  passed  through 
and  camped  a  mile  beyond  the  town.  On  the  ith  a  diversion  was 
made  on  the  Wadesboro  road,  and  the  third  division  crossed  into 
JS^ortli  Carolina.  No  further  move  took  place  till  the  6th  ;  then  at  noon 
the  division  headed  for  Clieraw.  Arrived  there,  it  passed  one  of  those 
fatiguing,  comfortless  nights  waiting  to  cross  the  river,  and  when  its 
turn  had  come  it  was  nearlv  morning. 

Tliis  day  Lieut.  T.  G.  Brown,  of  company  E,  went  out  from  the 
regiment  before  it  broke  camp  in  command  of  twenty  men,  and 
secured  a  lot  of  forage  near  Wadesboro,  but  was  furiously  set  upon  by 
150  rebels,  whereupon  his  party  "issued  their  hams  and  meal  quicker 
than  any  commissary  could  have  done  it."  First  a  running,  com- 
mingled fight ;  then  a  stand  was  made,  and  the  Spencers  won.  The 
"  bummers"  not  only  held  the  rebels  at  bay,  but  followed  and  drove 
them.  "  We  saw  four  of  the  poor  devils  that  we  had  shot,  one  of 
them  was  not  quite  dead,"  wrote  the  lieutenant.  Brown's  loss  was 
four  captured  and  one  very  slightly  wounded.  They  had  an  exciting 
and  romantic  time  getting  back  to  our  anny,  as  a  rebel  division  had 
cut  oif  their  direct  return  ;  but  they  found  the  14th  coq^s  at  one  o'clock 
in  the  morning,  and  overtook  the  102d  at  eleven  the  next  night. 

The  command  marched  eighteen  miles  from  Cheraw  and  camped 
at  Laurel  Hill.  Tlie  8th  was  a  rainy  day,  and  the  route  lay  through 
the  solitary  pine  barrens.  Camp  was  made  five  miles  south  of  Lumber 
river.  The  bridge  was  burned,  and  the  brigade,  wet,  cold,  hungry, 
spent  all  the  next  day  in  fruitless  waiting  near  that  stream.  The  10th 
was  passed  on  the  road  from  six  in  the  morning  till  ten  at  night ;  the 
journey  of  seven  miles  was  varied  between  wading  swamps  and  toil- 
ing through  the  mud  in  a  crowded  road.  On  the  morning  of  the  11th 
the  men  made  three  miles  of  corduroy ;  in  the  afternoon  they  struck  a 
plank  road  and  marched  twenty  miles  by  ten  o'clock,  and  arrived  at 
Fayette^^lle. 

Moving  again  on  the  13th  the  column  was  re\aewed  by  Gen.  Sher- 
man and  crossed  the  Cape  Fear  river.  The  102d  was  sent  forward  on 
a  reconnoissance.  Tlie  foragers  drove  the  rebels  before  the  regiment, 
and  the  latter  j^itched  camp  five  miles  in  advance.  Reconnoitering 
was  continued  the  next  day,  two  other  regiments  being  added  to  the 
force.  The  foragers,  with  their  usual  entei-prise  and  boldness,  cleared 
several  barricades  of  the  rebels ;  but  at  Silver  Run,  on  the  Raleigh 
road,  the  enemy  defied  their  irregular,  predatory  attacks.     Companies 


420  HISTORY  OF  :mekc"EE  and  hexdekson  counties. 

A,  I,  C,  and  E,  of  the  102d,  were  deployed  and  had  a  lively  skirmish. 
A  respectable  force  being  developed,  the  party  drew  oiF  at  dark  and 
retumed  to  camp,  a  distance  of  nine  miles. 

On  the  loth  the  left  wing  (army  of  Georgia)  advanced  by  this  road, 
encountering  feeble  resistance  at  Silver  creek,  just  north  of  which  the 
brigade  encamped,  while  the  rain  descended  in  torrents.  There  was 
heavv'  skirmishing  in  the  evening  by  our  cavahy.  Indications  prom- 
ised fighting,  which  came  on  the  16th.  "The  troops  moved  early  and 
soon  found  the  enemy.  When  about  four  miles  south  of  Averysboro 
heavy  firing  commenced  in  front.  The  first  brigade,  except  the  TOth 
Indiana,  which  was  th6  train-guard,  was  formed  on  the  right  of  the 
road  in  line  of  battle,  and  preparations  were  made  for  an  advance. 
Finally  we  moved  by  the  left  flank,  crossed  the  road,  and  made  a 
detour  of  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile  to  the  left.  Then  moved  to  the 
front,  the  skii-mishers  becoming  quickly  engaged.  As  we  advanced 
cautiously  through  the  young  pines  to  the  edge  of  an  open  field,  it  was 
perceived  that  the  brigade  had  completely  flanked  the  rebel  position. 
Not  more  than  a  hundred  and  twenty-five  yards  in  advance  they  were 
visible  in  great  numbers,  running  forward  to  their  front  line  of  works 
to  re-inforce  the  rebels  then-  engaged.  At  that  instant  a  number  of 
our  men  yelled  out,  '  Don't  fii-e,  they  are  om- own  men.'  For  a  mo- 
ment our  line  was  undecided.  It  was  thought  barely  possible  that  we 
had  become  bewildered  and  were  about  to  charge  our  own  troops. 
Many  months  of  active  campaigning  had  rendered  the  uniform  of  the 
opposing  armies  almost  indistinguishable.  Many  of  the  rebels  wore 
blue,  and  many  of  the  federals,  having  worn  out  then-  blue,  were 
dressed  in  citizen's  gray.  The  enemy  in  the  meantime  had  kept  up  a 
galling  skirmish  fire,  and  heavy  artillery  and  infantry  firing  was  going 
on  in  the  fi-ont,  where  the  third  brigade  confronted  their  breastworks. 
Soon  aU  doubts  as  to  the  identity  of  the  rebels  in  our  front  were  dis- 
pelled. .  The  brigade  raised  a  yell,  and,  as  if  by  an  intuitive  percep- 
tion of  the  duty  required,  rushed  forward,  the  102d  on  the  right,  the 
79th  on  our  left,  the  129th  and  the  105th  in  the  second  line.  The 
rebels,  completely  surprised  and  outflanked,  instantly  broke.  Yelling 
like  wild  men,  the  brigade  swept  magnificently  forward,  directly  in 
rear  of  and  parallel  with  the  rebel  line  of  works.  Three  pieces  of 
artillery  fell  into  our  hands  and  many  prisoners,  recumbent  in  a  trench 
behmd  then-  works,  held  up  their  hands  and  handkerchiefs  begging  for 
mercy.  But  the  main  body  of  the  charging  column  rushed  by  them 
and  continued  on  after  the  flying  enemy,  who  abandoned  blankets, 
haversacks,  canteens,  guns,  cartridge  boxes,  everything  that  could 
impede  their  progress.     Reacliing  heavy  timber  the  pursuing  column 


ONE   HUNDRED   AND   SECOND   REGIMENT.  421 

halted,  reformed  the  line  of  battle,  and  rested  for  a  time,  keejnni;  up 
a  sharp  skirmish  lire  with  the  enemy.  ...  At  length,  other 
troops  lla^^ng  moved  forward  to  our  support,  a  general  advance  was 
made.  The  second  line  of  rebel  works  was  found  abandoned,  but  as 
we  approached  the  third,  which  was  very  strong,  we  were  met  by  a 
rapid  lire  of  musketry  and  artillery,  the  enemy  throwing  grape  shot 
and  shells.  .  .  .  Finally  the  brigade  threw  up  breastworks  a 
hundred  and  twentv-five  yards  from  the  enemv's  line.  Xij^ht  came 
on  with  rain.  It  had  been  a  day  of  excitement  and  fatigue.  Cold  and 
wet.  we  passed  a  miserable  night. "" 

The  rebels  retreated  on  Smithtield,  in  the  darkness,  over  bottomless 
roads,  leaving  their  dead  and  wounded  in  the  houses  around  Averys- 
boro.  One  house  contained  sixteen  of  their  dead ;  in  the  town  itself 
were  found  thirty  wounded  men.  Gen.  Sherman's  report  showed  that 
the  division  captm-ed  ''three  guns  and  217  prisoners,  of  which  6S  were 
wounded,"  and  that  "  100  rebel  dead  were  buried  by  us."  The  casual- 
ties in  the  102d  were  two  killed  and  nineteen  wounded. 

The  division  set  out  on  the  morning  of  the  18th  to  follow  the  main 
armv.  and  were  on  the  road  all  nis:lit,  travelintr  only  three  miles 
between  sunset  and  sunrise.  The  whole  country  was  a  quagmire.  In 
the  afternoon  of  the  19th,  when  the  division  was  in  rear  with  the 
wagon-train,  Johnston's  army  assailed  the  14th  corps  at  Bentonville. 
The  command  was  dispatched  to  its  assistance,  and  formed  on  the 
extreme  left  and  erected  breastworks,  but  did  not  become  engaged. 
Johnston  fell  back  on  Smithtield  on  the  night  of  the  21st.  During 
that  day  Gen.  Schofield's  armv  was  arriving  at  Goldsboro  from  New- 
bern ;  and  Gen.  Terry,  coming  up  from  Wilmington,  secured  the 
crossing  of  the  Neuse  river  and  laid  a  pontoon  bridge,  thus  completing 
the  junction  of  the  three  armies.  Our  army  concentrated  at  Golds- 
boro on  the  23d  and  the  24th.  The  102d  marched  into  the  town  with 
the  wagon-train  at  sunrise  on  the  morning  of  the  24th,  and  camped 
two  miles  north  of  the  village  and  constructed  breastworks. 

The  regiment  lost  during  the  cam]iaign  forty-four  killed,  wounded 
and  ca];)tured.  The  march  through  Georgia  extended  over  S(M)  miles 
and  consumed  twenty-six  days ;  the  campaign  of  the  Carolinas,  more 
tedious,  prolonged  and  difficult,  covered  tifty  days  and  425  miles  actu- 
ally marched ! 

On  the  5th  of  April  sjiecial  intelligence  of  the  capture  of  Richmond 
was  received  with  exultant  joy.  On  the  10th  the  army  was  put  in 
motion  for  Raleigh,  and  at  the  end  of  the  second  day  we  were  in 
bivouac  around  Smithtield.  Xext  morning  the  surrender  of  Lee's 
army  was  announced,  and  produced  the  most  extravagant  demonstra- 


422  HISTORY   OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

tions  of  rejoicing.  Raleigh  was  readied  on  tlie  fourtli  day,  and  orders 
were  given  to  move  the  following  moiTiing,  the  14th,  at  six  o'clock,  in 
pursuit  of  Johnston,  who  had  departed  with  his  forces  the  night  before. 
Meantime  the  rebel  general  proposed  an  interview  with  Gen.  Sherman, 
and  the  order  was  countermanded.  While  waiting  for  the  ratification 
or  rejection  by  the  government  at  Washington  of  the  arrangement 
formulated  by  the  two  chiefs,  the  startling  news  of  the  assassination  of 
President  Lincoln  came,  and  after  the  violent  shock  a  sadness  as  tender 
and  noble  as  the  gentle  nature  of  the  stricken  great  man  overspread 
the  stout-hearted  army  and  deepened  into  painful  gloom. 

The  terms  of  the  negotiation  having  been  disapproved,  on  the  25th 
we  moved  out  fifteen  miles  on  the  Holly  Springs  road.  Johnston  sur- 
rendered his  forces,  and  we  lay  there  till  the  2Sth  and  then  returned. 
On  the  30th  the  line  of  march  was  taken  up  for  Washington.  Arriving 
at  Richmond  the  9th  of  May,  we  rested  one  day  and  on  the  11th 
marched  through  the  city,  receiving  from  the  people  many  kind 
attentions. 

On  August  16  Adjutant  J.  H,  Snyder,  and  Private  W.  O.  Jones,  of 
company  I,  mounted  orderly,  left  the  column  to  visit  the  Wilderness 
battle-ground,  and  fell,  it  is  supposed,  into  the  hands  of  bushwhackers, 
as  no  trace  of  them  was  ever  obtained.  The  adjutant  was  a  man  of 
genial  nature,  finely  organized,  of  great  personal  worth  and  courage, 
and  closely  endeared  to  the  regiment.  His  sad,  mysterious  end  was  a 
cruel  shock  to  his  admiring  comrades.  His  companion  was  a  superior 
soldier  and  young  man. 

The  ai-my  arrived  at  Alexandria  on  the  19th,  and  on  the  24th 
entered  Washington,  60,000  under  arms,  in  all  the  panoply  of  war. 
"The  pride  and  strength  of  the  great  west  swept  down  Pennsylvania 
avenue."  All  daylong  did  "Sherman's  army,"  marching  in  column 
by  companies  at  half  distance,  surge  past  the  reviewing  stand  with 
perfect  alignments  and  soldierly  bearing.  The  first  brigade  camped 
that  night  around  the  northeast  corner  stone  of  the  District  of  Colum- 
bia. The  grand  review  was  over ;  the  war  was  over ;  we  were  on  the 
borderland  of  peace,  sweet  peace ;  and  we  rested  in  triumph  from  our 
labors. 

The  regiment  was  discharged  at  Washington  on  the  6th  of  June, 
and  on  that  day  took  the  cars  for  Chicago.  It  was  past  midnight  of 
the  7th  when  we  rolled  into  Pittsburgh,  but  the  wide-awake,  generous, 
patriotic  citizens  of  that  city  had  been  busy  preparing  refreshments  for 
us.  Marching  to  the  city  hall  these  were  partaken  of  with  keen  relish 
and  thankfulness.  Noble  and  generous  Pittsburgh.  How  vivid  is  that 
memory  after  eighteen  years  !     Arriving  at  Chicago  on  the  9tli,  the 


ONE    HUNDRED    AND    SECOND    REGIMENT.  423 

regiment  was  quartered  at  Camp  Fry,  and  tliere,  on  the  14th,  the  mem- 
bers were  paid  oft"  and  disbanded,  and  they  returned  at  once  to  the 
embrace  of  friends  and  tlie  (piiet  walks  of  civil  life. 

Some  notice  of  Cob  Isaac  McManus,  a  brave  and  useful  otticer  of 
the  l()2d,  who  has  died  since  the  disbandmeut  of  the  regiment,  is 
demanded  in  tliis  connection. 

Cob  McManus  was  a  native  of  Indiana,  but  resided  in  Mercer 
county  a  number  of  years.  He  was  a  school-teacher  by  profession, 
and  as  such  will  be  remembered  by  numerous  citizens  of  the  county 
who  are  advanced  to  middle  life.  He  had  traveled  over  a  large  extent 
of  his  native  land  and  had  tilled  his  mind  with  practical  knowledge, 
lie  had  an  aptitude  for  business,  a  liberal  understanding,  and  much 
executive  capacity.  It  was  in  politics  and  war  that  he  made  his  mark 
as  a  public  man,  though  he  was  cut  otf  just  at  the  rising  of  his  power, 
when  his  splendid  strength  of  character  had  laid  the  foundation  for  a 
strong  public  influence.  By  education  a  democrat,  he  followed  the 
fortunes  of  his  party  and  contended  for  its  principles  with  his  char- 
acteristic zeal  and  energy,  up  to  a  time  when  his  partisanship  was  lost 
sight  of  in  the  army  in  the  one  absorbing  consideration  and  employ- 
ment of  patriotism.  In  the  year  1862  his  party,  a  majority  of  which, 
emboldened  by  much  power  in  the  state,  was  outspoken  and  active  in 
opposition  to  the  war,  held  a  state  convention  in  Peoria,  to  which  he 
was  an  accredited  delegate.  The  committee  on  resc^lutions  submitted 
a  majority  and  a  minority  report,  the  former  demanding  a  withdrawal 
of  the  army  to  make  room  for  compromise  negotiations,  while  the 
latter  insisted  upon  no  compromise  with  traitors,  but  instead  a  vigor- 
ous prosecution  of  the  war.  McManus,  with  true  chivalrous  spirit, 
supported  the  latter,  not  having  yet  forgotten  the  recent  sage*  and 
dying  advice  of  his  lamented  party  leader,  Douglas,  that  "the  short- 
est way  now  to  peace  is  the  most  stupendous  and  unanimous  prepara- 
tions for  war."  Returning  home  he  went  to  work,  and  by  personal 
application  and  speeclies  assisted  in  raising  company  G,  102d  reg., 
and  was  elected  first  lieutenant.  He  soon  became  captain  and  served 
with  his  company  until  he  was  wounded,  as  previously  noticed,  at 
Golgotha  church,  in  Georgia,  a  rebel  ball  shattering  the  bone  in  his 
left  arm  and  rendering  that  limb  forever  useless.  He  returned  from 
the  hospital  to  his  home,  and  in  the  autumn  of  1864  did  much  service 
for  the  union  party  in  making  political  speeches.  He  was  kept  on 
detailed  service  awhile  ;  then  he  rejoined  his  regiment  after  the  cam- 
paign of  the  Carolinas,  with  a  commission  as  lieutenant  colonel.  He 
was  never  mustered,  owing  to  the  reduction  of  the  regiment  below  the 


424  HISTORY   OF   MEECEE   AJSTD   HEXDEESON   COUNTIES. 

minimnm  number,  tlie  offices  of  colonel  and  major  being  already 
filled.  After  the  war  lie  entered  with  much  enthusiasm  into  politics  ; 
and  being  both  a  ready  and  forcible  writer  and  sj^eaker,  he  contributed 
largely  to  the  success  of  his  party  in  the  exciting  political  campaigns 
of  1S66  and  1868.  After  an  able  and  thorough  canyass  in  1868  he 
was  elected  by  a  large  majority  of  his  republican  supporters  to  repre- 
sent the  14th  district  in  the  state  senate.  He  was  recognized  in  that 
body  as  a  man  of  independent  conyictions  and  untiring  industry,  and 
was  placed  on  some  of  the  most  important  committees.  He  died  of 
small-pox  January  14,  1870,  aged  forty-three  years.  Col.  McManus 
belonged  to  that  class  of  men  who  make  strong  friends  and  strong 
enemies.  His  superlatiye  energy  made  it  impossible  for  his  nature  to 
consort  with  rest.  He  was  ambitious  and  desired  to  be  in  action. 
Endowed  wath  a  highly  combatiye  organization,  his  tastes  found  their 
legitimate  actiyity  in  conflict.  On  the  sanguinary  field  his  daring 
amounted  almost  to  recklessness.  It  seemed  as  though  the  breath  of 
battle  was  a  soft  relief  to  his  chafing,  fiery  soul.  He  was  at  home  in 
the  tempest ;  his  companions  were  the  thunder  and  the  lightning.  In 
ciyil  life  his  rugged,^  restless  mind  found  a  congenial  theater  in  the 
political  arena. 

[The  Instory  of  the  102d  regiment,  as  above,  was  written  by  Mr. 
E.  S.  Eicker,  a  member  of  that  regiment  who  followed  its  fortunes 
throughout  its  brilliant  career.  He  took  ample  notes  during  the  whole 
time  of  his  service,  and  we  doubt  if  there  is  a  man  living  more  com- 
petent to  write  the  record  of  this  brave  regiment. — Ed.] 


OHIO  GROVE  TOAVXSHIP. 

Long  years  ago  the  Indian  chief,  with  his  face  toward  the  setting 
sun,  chanted  the  death-song  of  his  people  : 

"  We,  the  rightful  lords  of  yore, 
Are  the  rightful  lords  no  more. 
Like  the  silver  mists  we  fail ; 
Like  the  red  leaves  in  the  gale  — 
Fail  like  shadows  when  the  dawning 
Wqves  the  black  flag  of  the  morning." 

Their  history  is  not  written  in  classic  language  ;  it  illumes  no 
scroll  ;  it  lives  on  few  pages  ;  but  in  silent  eloquence  it  speaks  in  a 
myriad  of  forms  in  their  beautiful  and  significant  names  that  still,  and 


OHIO   GROVE   TO^\-XSHIP.  425 

will  tbrever,  linger  upon  mountain  and  in  valley,  lakes,  rivers,  states, 
counties,  cities  and  villages. 

''  Mid  the  forests  Avhere  they  warred, 
There  rings  no  hunter's  shout ; 
But  their  name  is  on  your  waters  — 
Ye  may  not  wash  it  out." 

It  is  astonishing  to  the  children  of  to-day  to  be  reminded  that  on 
the  lawn  on  which  they  play  ;  that  in  yonder  grove  of  hardy  oaks 
that  now  shelter  those  sleek  kine  ;  tliat  on  yonder  expanse  now  bloom- 
ing for  the  coming  harvest ;  that  on  yonder  plat  where  all  is  hurry  and 
bustle,  and  trade  and  music  and  fashion,  a  hundred  years  ago  was 
the  hunting-ground  of  the  Fox,  or  the  Sac,  or  the  Potawatomie,  or 
the  bloody  iield  of  contest  between  ti'ibe  and  tribe  of  savage  men  ; 
that  here,  too,  the  green  sod  drank  the  life-blood  of  the  white  man 
spilled  by  the  tomahawk  of  the  bloodthii-sty  Indian  ;  that  here  the  red 
man,  proud  and  haughty  from  success  in  the  hunt  or  battle,  compelled 
his  women  to  abject  slavery,  treating  them  as  beasts  of  burden,  and 
mere  objects  of  convenience,  never  allowing  them  to  join  in  the 
amusements,  but  permitted  to  sit  with  their  children  as  "spectators 
around  the  fires  of  war-dances  or  the  horrid  orgies  after  a  victor v," 
holding  even  their  lives  at  their  weapons'  points.  Fifty  years  ago  the 
Indian,  somewhat  tamed  by  contact  wdth  pioneer  civilization,  and  by 
an  aggressive  and  overpowering  government,  still  lingered  in  his  hunt- 
ing-grounds, mourned  the  hamlets  of  the  dead  warriors  he  must  leave 
behind,  or  stayed  to  drink  the  "hemlock"  furnished  by  his  treacher- 
ous foemen,  the  wily  and  unprincipled  among  the  pale-faces.  Verily 
the  white  man  kindled  the  lire  that  burned  his  own  home  and  the 
passion  that  slaughtered  his  own  household. 

An  Indian  trail  extended  across  the  northwest  comer  of  Ohio 
Grove  township,  including  sections  5,  6  and  7,  crossing  Pope  creek  in 
section  6.  On  section  5  in  Indian  Grove,  some  forty  or  tifty  of  the 
natives  camped  as  late  as  about  1836  or  1837.  Tliey  disappeared  and 
nothing  more  was  known  of  them  for  several  years  when  a  few 
returned,  but  to  cast  one  long,  lingering,  last  look  upon  the  once  unmo- 
lested spot  they  had  been  wont  to  call  what  we  would  term  "home.'" 
Some  are  yet  living  who  witnessed  the  dusky  faces  as  they  indulged  in 
their  ludicrous  amusements  and  performed  feats  jjeculiar  only  to 
the  race.  The  McBrides,  Cabeens,  Candors,  Browns,  Stei)henses, 
Ilardys,  Dillys  and  McPherrens,  have  watched  their  antics  and  marked 
their  cunning,  Alexander  Brown,  according  to  his  own  story,  gained 
his  amusement  for  the  first  three  winters  of  his  residence  here,  in  the 
camps  of  these  red  men.     Trading  was  carried  on  between  Indiali  and 


426  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   A2^D    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

wliite  man  in  a  way  usually  amicable.  The  women  of  those  days, 
too,  had  their  experiences,  which  were  not  altogether  agreeable.  The 
boldness,  yet  with  cunning,  made  the  Indians  tit  subjects  to  be 
watched,  and  more  than  once  was  a  woman  made  to  tremble  by  their 
audacitv.  But  they  have  gone,  most  of  them,  over  the  hills  to  their 
new  hunting-grounds  from  whence  they  retui-n,  according  to  their  own 
ideas,  in  spirit  only.  Another  race,  and  far  different,  must  fill  with 
events  the  historic  page.  The  march  of  empire  is  westward  in 
America,  as  truly  as  it  was  in  the  orient. 

Tlie  spot  to  which  these  lines  are  limited  was  one  of  inviting  char- 
acter. Its  contents  are  circumscribed  by  an  invisible  boundry.  It 
embraces  what  became  when  surveyed,  all  pf  T.  13  jST,  ,  R.  3  W.  of  the 
4th  P.  M.  It  has  Mercer  township  on  its  north,  Abington  townshij)  on 
its  west,  Warren  county  on  its  south,  and  Suez  township  on  the  east. 
Here  were  thirty-six  square  miles  of  earth,  the  tilling  of  which  was 
destined  to  yield  a  harvest  to  the  toiler.  It  would  seem  that  earth 
had  been  gamboling  and  leaping  at  play  when  all  became  at  once 
stationary,  leaving  the  surface  rolling  and  delectable.  Here  and  there 
the  waters  of  the  ages  have  washed  a  gutter,  a  ditch,  a  creeklet,  a 
creek  which  to-day  forms  nature's  system  of  drainage,  which  rapidly 
carries  the  burden  of  the  element  hurrying  on  to  the  "father  of 
waters."  In  the  north  of  this  plat  is  Pope  creek,  supposed  to  have 
derived  its  name  from  a  man  so  so  called.  It  runs  through  sections  4, 
5  and  6.  It  is  chiefly  along  this  creek  that  the  early  emigrants  hither 
chose  frontier  homes,  for  here  was  a  fair  growth  of  timber  suitable  for 
fuel  and  building  purposes.  In  early  times  about  one-ninth  or  four 
sections  of  the  township  were  timber,  consisting  of  red  oak,  white 
oak,  black  oak,  burr  oak,  black  walnut,  white  walnut,  cherry,  red  elm, 
white  elm,  hickory,  soft  maple,  sugar  maple,  hackberry,  ash,  cotton, 
sycamore,  box-elder,  etc. 

Through  the  cente*  of  the  township  is  the  tortuous  stream,  North 
Henderson  creek.  It  has  a  number  of  small  tributaries  uniting  and 
draining  the  central  part  of  the  township.  It  runs  through  sections 
20  and  30,  where  it  has  on  its  either  side.  Hickory  grove.  In  the 
southern  part  of  the  township  is  Duck  creek.  Not  so  called  because 
any  feathered  flocks,  fond  oi'  water,  frequent  it,  but  from  the  fact  that 
in  1833,  an  early  day,  William  I.  Nevius,  James  H.  Bain  and  others 
made  an  exploring  expedition  from  Warren  county,  Illinois,  through 
this  section  of  country.  Arriving  at  this  stream  they  found  it  coated 
with  ice.  Nothing  of  that  kind  could  turn  a  pioneer's  march  through 
a  new  country,  so  over  the  ice  they  started.  Nature  had  not  intended 
her  cl-ystal  bridge  to  be  completed  and  ready  for  use  quite  so  soon. 


OHIO  GROVE  TOWNSHIP.  427 

The  structure  being  yet  somewhat  weak,  attraction  of  one  })article  for 
another  was  destroyed,  and  the  party  (h-agged  down  by  gravitation  to 
their  waists  in  tlie  cokl  element  beU)w.  In  tlie  ]>opuhir  hinguage  of 
the  day,  they  were  "ducked,"  and  some  one  of  the  party  believing  in 
names,  christened  the  stream  Duck  creek.  The  party  continued  their 
exploration,  and  when  the  country  was  spied  out  returned  to  their 
families  and  cabin  homes. 

The  soil  of  this  part  of  Mercer  county  is  a  rich,  black  loam  of  an 
average  depth  of- about  one  foot.  Coal  and  stone  are  present  in  small 
(piantities,  the  former  of  which  is  inferior  in  quality  and  quantity. 
The  soil  in  early  days  was  very  abundant  in  its  ]>roduction  of  wheat. 
William  I.  Xevius  bought  a  piece  of  land,  and  in  one  crop  ]>aid  for  the 
land,  all  expenses  connected  with  its  cropping,  and  had  a  surplus  fund 
besides.  But  when  we  mention  this  fact  it  should  be  remembered  that 
land  in  those  days  did  not  command  fifty  dollars  per  acre,  as  it  does 
to-day,  hence  that  fact  does  not  indicate  failure  in  the  ability  of  the  soil 
still  to  ])roduce  abundant  harvests.  Says  William  I.  Nevius:  "corn  is 
the  chief  product,  which,  in  a  good  season,  3uelds  seventy  bushels  to  the 
acre.''  He  further  says,  "wheat  is  raised,  but,  from  some  indefinite 
cause,  the  quantity  and  qualit}-  is  inferior  to  that  of  early  years."  Grains, 
cereals,  vegetables  and  fruits  of  great  variety  have  long  been  produced 
from  this  fertile  soil,  and  for  pasturage  it  is  second  to  none.  Water  of  a 
superior,  cold,  jnire  quality  is  secured  b}^  digging  from  twelve  to  forty 
feet.  With  all  these  attractions  and  promises  wisely  did  the  early 
seeker  for  such  advantages  and  fortunes  accept  the  proffered  gifts  of 
nature  and  settle  upon  this  spot.  No  iron  ribs  had  yet  been  supplied 
for  this  part  of  the  old  lady  "Earth."  No  great  massive  ir<^n  UKjnster 
came  puffing  and  rumbling  and  rushing,  hurrying  land  seekers  over 
l)lain,  among  the  hills,  over  stream,  or  through  tunnel  at  the  rate  of 
thirty  or  fifty  miles  an  hour.  Not  so  came  the  sturdy,  slow  plodding, 
sure  ])ioneer  ;  but  with  ox  team  or  horse  team,  big  wagon  filled  witli 
his  family  and  a  very  few  pieces  of  furniture,  home-made  products  of 
genius  and  a  jack  knife  or  an  ax,  he  started  to  wend  his  way  across 
endless  |)rairie,  through  trackless  forest,  over  unbridged  stream,  through 
almost  bottomless  swamp  towards  the  setting  sun,  leaving  here  and 
there  a  camp  fire  burning  or  its  ashes,  and  ni'ter  a  journey  of  four  to 
sev^en  weeks  halting  on  this  spot  for  a  permanent  home  in  the  ''great 
West."  Instead  of  this  journey  many  "drifted"  down  the  Muskingum 
and  Ohio  rivers  on  fiat  boats,  and  slowly  urged  their  way  up  the  Miss- 
issippi river  to  Oquawka,  and  later  to  Keithsburg  where  they  landed 
their  families  and  goods,  then  walked  or  were  hauled  to  their  wild 
homes. 


428  HISTORY   OF   aCERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

The  first  comers  were  from  Ohio.  They  settled  near  Pope  creek, 
in  the  northern  part  of  the  township,  giving  to  tlie  grove  of  that  sec- 
tion tlie  name  of  their  native  state,  Ohio.  In  after  years  the  township 
was  voted  the  combined  appellation,  "Ohio  Grove."  There  were  ex- 
plorations made  by  different  ones  prior  to  any  settlement.  Prior  to 
1835,  a  cabin  had  been  thrown  together  on  the  northwest  corner  of 
Sec.  3,  T.  13  K,  R  3  W.  of  the  1th  P.  M.,  but  its  builder  is  unknown. 
This  rude  hut  gave  sheher  to  those  wlio  had  come  to  stay.  It  also  be- 
came the  seat  of  merchandise  where  William  Mackey  sold  a  few  sim- 
])le  goods  sudi  as  a  pioneer  could  buy.     This  was  the  first  "store.*' 

September  21,  1835,  there  started  from  Muskingum  county,  Ohio, 
George  McPherren,  who  had  buried  his  wife  in  Ohio,  In  his  family 
were :  Mary,  James,  Susanna,  Easter,  Daniel,  Nancy,  Fannie,  Sarah 
and  George  ;  Benjamin  Decker,  the  prospective  husband  of  Miss  Fannie 
McPherren;  John  Walker,  husband  of  Easter  McPherren.  Some  of  the 
family  taking  sick,  a  short  stay  was  made  at  Washington,  Illinois. 
George  McPhen-en,  Sr.,  accompanied  by  George  Long  and  Matthew 
Finley  pushed  on  to  find  a  satisfactory  location.  Mr.  Long  afterward 
located  in  Ivnox  county,  and  Finley  in  Henderson.  The  family  made 
another  stay  at  Little  York,  where  just  previous  Hughy  Martin  liad 
been  killed  by  the  Indians.  Leaving  some  of  the  party  at  the  fort, 
Mr.  McPherren,  John  Walker,  Benjamin  Decker,  and  Daniel  McPher- 
ren came  to  Mercer  county  and  built  a  log  house  on  the  northeast 
quarter  of  section  4,  in  what  is  now  Ohio  Grove  township.  This  "lone 
mansion  "  of  the  country  was  about  16  X 18,  one  story,  one  room.  Some 
rough  boards  were  hauled  fi-om  Ebenezer  Crisweirs  saw  mill,  on  Eliza 
creek,  at  least  fifteen  miles  distant.  This  was  used  for  floor.  The 
roof  was  of  clapboards,  the  window  of  greased  paper.  Nails  had  been 
brought  with  them,  but  were  used  as  sparsely  as  possible.  When 
ready  for  ' '  dobbing "  the  weather  was  so  cold  that  water  had  to  be 
boiled  for  mixing  the  "mud."  The  following  summer  the  mortar 
peeled  oft'  on  account  of  its  having  frozen  when  put  on.  The  new  log 
"castle"  was  occupied  by  the  family  of  eight  on  Christmas  day,  1835. 
This  house  was  furnished  with  the  old  "continental  bedstead"  of  two 
poles,  one  leg  and  two  sides  of  the  house  and  clapboards,  etc.  Stools 
served  as  chairs  for  a  number  of  years.  The  other  furniture,  if  it  ex- 
isted, was  fashioned  to  correspond.  The  house  stood  close  to  the  sec- 
tion line,  one  fourth  of  a  mile  from  the  township  line.  The  small  log 
cabin  before  mentioned,  abc)ut  a  mile  to  the  east,  was  occupied  by  part 
of  the  family  in  order  to  hold  the  claim  to  the  (quarter  on  which  it 
stO(Kl.  Thus  were  the  first  permanent  Settlers  located  after  a  journey 
of  six  weeks  overland,  with  all  the  obstacles  and  hindrances  incident 


^SS*; 


i  V.I 


S-t^^^t^ 


ff/ 


OHIO    GROVE    TOWNSHIP.  431 

to  the  times,  and  their  waitings  at  different  places  ere  a  home  was 
found.  Where  are  the  McPherrens  now  ?  The  father  sleeps  beneath 
the  sod  where  all  nnist  lie.  Benjamin  Decker  is  dead,  but  his  wife^ 
Fannie,  owns  a  farm  in  Ohio  Grove.  James  is  near  Reynolds,  Sarah 
is  in  Iowa,  Susanna  died  in  Iowa,  John  AValker  is  dead,  and  his  wife 
is  Mrs.  Bover,  near  Viola.  George,  son  of  George,  owns  over  400 
acres  of  land  in  Ohio  Grove. 

In  the  same  year,  1835,  it  is  thought  George  Smith,  Richard  Rice, 
James  Moore,  and  William  Moore  made  their  advent.  John  Moore- 
head,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  but  at  that  time  resident  of  Muskingum 
county,  Ohio,  also  settled  in  the  McPherren  neighborhood  in  1835. 
He  died  in  August,  1836,  the  first  instance  of  mortality  in  this  new 
settlement.  He  had  lived  on  section  2.  His  wife  survived  him  till 
1862  or  1863.  In  their  family  were  seven  children,  one  of  whom  was 
buried  in  Warren  county.  The  six  were  pioneers  here.  But  two  are 
living  at  this  writing  (May  12,  1882):  Mrs.  Ashford  Hardy  and  Mrs. 
George  Smith.  Both  are  venerable  ladies,  examples  of  women  of  busy 
lives  from  the  beginning  to  the  present  of  this  township's  history. 

There  may  have  been  one  or  two  otliers  who  came  in  this  yeai", 
but  if  so  they  are  unfortunately  unknown  to  the  writer. 

The  year  1836  witnessed  several  additicms  to  the  little  group  of 
Ohio  Grove.  Ashford  Hardy,  born  in  Muskingum  county,  Ohio,  in 
1802,  moved  to  AVarren  county,  Illinois,  in  1835,  and  in  the  following 
year  bought  the  N.  W.  I  of  Sec.  1,  T.  13,  Mercer  county.  He 
married  Sophia  Moorehead  in  an  early  day.  He  also  early  purchased 
a  quarter  section  in  what  is  now  Mercer  township.  He  lived  on  his 
first  purchase  till  his  death,  July  18,  1871.  His  children  were: 
George,  Sarah,  Elizabeth,  Noah,  and  Delilah. 

James  McBride,  having  heard  of  the  exceeding  rich  land  and 
the  immense  quantities  of  it  in  Illinois,  left  Muskingum  county, 
Ohio,  early  in  April,  1836,  embarking  at  Wheeling.  He  was  attracted 
to  Rock  Island  by  reports  of  the  s<jil,  etc.,  but  upon  arriving  found 
prices  so  high,  and  having  a  friend,  George  Jay,  at  Keithsburg,  he 
determined  to  land  there,  which  he  did.  Mr.  McBride  camped  on  the 
N.  W.  i  Sec.  4,  T.  13,  on  May  10.  He  bought  two  quarters,  the  N. 
W.  i  Sec.  4,  and  the  N.  E.  i  Sec.  5,  T.  13  K,  R.  3  W.  of  the  4th  P.  M. 
A  small  log  square  had  been  thrown  together  by  some  squatter.  Here 
Mr.  McBride  brought  his  family  by  ox  teams  furnished  by  George 
McPherren  and  others  of  the  few  already  here.  In  his  family  were 
wife  and  five  children:  John  H.,  Almeda,  James  C,  Elvira  J.,  and 
Sarah  E.  Mr.  McBride  improved  his  farm,  besides  his  milling  enter- 
prise to  be  hereafter  mentioned.  He  died  November  14,  1847. 
25 


432  HISTORY    OF   MERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

Samuel  Cabeen,  witli  wife  and  six  children,  Tliomas  B.,  J.  W.,  S.  P., 
R.  J.,  R.  B.,  and  Sarah  C,  emigrated  in  1836  overland,  transporting 
themselves  and  goods  in  a  wagon  drawn  bv  a  four-horse  team.  The 
S.  W.  J  Sec.  6,  was  laid  claim  to  and  afterward  bought.  On  this  a 
cabin  1 8  X  22  was  erected.  A  very  low  loft  was  provided  for  a  bed- 
room for  the  "boys."  The  roof  of  clapboards,  iloor  of  puncheon, 
chimney  with  back  wall  and  jambs  of  dirt ;  two  doors.  Also  a  six- 
light  window,  a  rare  expenditure,  glass  lights  being  unfashionable  in 
those  days.  Mr.  Cabeen  and  George  McPherren  each  had  purchased 
a  sash  of  six  lights  at  Jack's  mill,  in  Henderson  county.  This  house  of 
Mr.  Cabeen's  frequently  gave  shelter  to  tifteen  or  twenty  persons,  who 
also  partook  of  the  cookery  of  the  hostess.  The  furniture  of  this  house, 
too,  was  meager.  Two  continental  bed-spreads  down  stairs,  a  bureau 
brought  from  the  ' '  East, "  stools  in  place  of  chairs,  until  the  following 
year,  when  they  were  displaced  by  half  a  dozen  split-bottom  chairs, 
the  luxury  of  that  day,  furnished  for  company  when  present,  thus 
necessitating  the  use  of  the  stools  again.  The  log  cabin  served  for 
four  or  tive  years,  when  it  gave  place  to  a  hewn  log  house  18x18, 
almost  two  stories  high.  This  subsequently  received  a  frame  addition, 
which  stands  to-day,  a  relic  of  the  j3ast.  Samuel  Cabeen  died  May  1, 
1856,  his  wife  surviving  him  till  December  G,  1874.  The  children 
are  spoken  of  elsewhere.  Richard  B.  owns  part  of  the  homestead, 
his  residence  being  somewhat  of  a  contrast  to  the  iirst  cabin. 

Joshua  W.  and  Samuel  P.  improved  large  farms,  becoming  promi- 
nent in  the  county's  welfare. 

William  Dilley,  now  hale  and  hearty  at  the  date  of  this  writing,  a 
wool  carder  by  trade,  shipped  his  carding  machine  from  Ohio  in  1836 
to  Oquawka,  Illinois,  by  river,  and  in  May  of  that  year  came,  a  young 
man,  to  blend  his  future  with  that  of  Mercer  county.  He  remained 
for  some  time  in  the  McPherren  neighborhood,  "boarding  and  work- 
ing around."  In  that  summer  he  raised  a  cabin  on  a  piece  of  land  in 
what  became  Green  township,  and  there  brought  his  machine.  He 
married  in  1837.  He  followed  wool  carding  in  Green  township  till 
1848,  when  he  sold  and  settled  in  what  became  Ohio  Grove  township. 
Here  he  has  imi^roved  his  farm  in  sections  1  and  2. 

John  Wall  and  wife,  a  sister  of  the  elder  McPherren,  were  also 
very  early  settlers,  living  in  a  cabin  on  Pope  creek.  Both  died  in  the 
neighborhood. 

Another  sturdy  pioneer  of  1836  was  John  II.  Brown,  who  emi- 
grated with  the  Cabeens,  bringing  wife,  Mary  (McPherren)  and  six 
cliildren:  Alexander,  George,  John,  Sarah  J.,  James  M.,  William. 
He  bought  no  land  for  about  eighteen  months,  living  the  first  year 


OHIO   GROVE   TOWNSHIP.  433 

near  New  Boston,  then  near  McClure's  bridge,  then  entered  eighty 
acres  in  Ohio  Grove  in  1838.  He  was  a  poor  man,  but  by  his  won- 
derful energy  iinally  became  the  possessor  of  about  a  thousand  acres.  A 
small  piece  of  the  land  now  owned  by  William  Brown  was  broken  in 
1836,  on  which  stood  a  small  log  cabin.  Says  William  Brown  in  that 
year,  1830,  the  nearest  hog  to  our  house  was  twenty-three  miles  dis- 
tant, so  that  pork  was  not  a  common  dish  for  the  iirst  3'ear's  table. 
Alexander  Brown  kept  a  bachelor's  hall  for  several  years.  He  was 
the  great  ox  driver  of  his  day.  Like  his  father,  he  has  amassed  a  large 
farm. 

"A  rolling  stone  gathers  no  moss."  So  thought  the  nucleus  of 
pioneers  who  settled  Ohio  Grove.  They  had  come  to  stay,  and  stay- 
ing attracted  others.  "In  union  there  is  strength."  All  put  their 
hands  to  the  wheel  of  industry,  all  aided  one  another.  In  trouble 
sympathy  was  universal ;  in  pleasure  all  participated. 

The  year  1837  brought  new  neighbors  and  good  citizens.  In  the 
fall  of  1836  Thomas  Candor  and  his  brother,  liobert  Candor,  made  the 
trip  from  Pennsylvania  to  Rock  Island,  then  into  Mercer  county  on 
horse  back.  Thomas  laid  claim  to  the  N.  W.  J  of  Sec.  6,  T.  13  N., 
R.  3  AY.,  also  the  S.  W.  ^  of  Sec.  7,  and  cut  his  name  in  a  large  oak 
standing  near  what  are  known  as  Candor  Spnngs.  He  then  left  orders 
with  William  Sheriff,  of  Keithsburg,  for  the  building  of  a  cabin  on  his 
farm.  The  Candors  then  sold  their  horses  and  returned  by  water  to 
Pennsylvania.  Robert  died  in  his  native  state.  In  the  following  year 
Thomas  sold  his  tannery  in  Pennsylvania  and  moved  his  family  of 
wife  and  live  children,  John  M.,  Robert,  Josiah,  Mary  H.,  and  Daniel 
M.,  with  goods,  by  one  big  wagon  and  a  spring  wagon  with  two  teams. 
A  j)art  of  his  goods  he  shipped  by  river.  East  of  the  Illinois  river  he 
bought  some  stock  which  was  driven  through.  Amved  in  Mercer 
county,  after  a  short  stay  in  Keithsburg,  the  family  rendezvoused  in 
the  log  cabin  ordered  built  by  Thomas  Candor  the  preceding  year. 
The  cabin  was  18x18,  two-story,  the  first  built  in  the  N.  W.  of  T.  13, 
and  it  still  stands  a  relic  of  bygone  times.  Could  it  speak  it  could 
tell  of  many  pleasant  family  circles,  friendly  hospitalities,  merry 
]>arties,  sacred  meetings,  as  well  as  burdens  and  disappointments,  and 
pain  and  death,  followed  by  tears  of  bereavement  and  loss.  Mrs. 
Candor  succumbed  to  the  toils  of  frontier  life,  dying  September  30, 
1841,  aged  forty-two  years.  Thomas  Candor,  after  a  busy  life  devoted 
to  the  good  of  others  as  well  as  himself,  died  March  13,  1871.  The 
old  homestead,  owned  by  Robert  Candor,  wears  a  far  different  aspect 
from  that  of  forty  years  ago. 

In  1832  William  I.  Nevius  emigrated  to  Warren  county,  Illinois, 


434  HISTORY   OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

via  the  rivers  from  Oliio.  He  brought  a  wife  and  joung  children, 
also  some  goods  with  about  ten  barrels  of  flour.  Flour  was  a  scarce 
article  on  the  way,  and  many  applications  to  buy  were  made  but 
refused.  For  some  reason  the  party  was  landed  on  the  Iowa  side  of 
the  river,  near  where  Keokuk  is,  by  reason  of  the  rapids  being  so  shal- 
low, being  told  they  would  be  transferred  by  a  special  craft.  No  craft 
appeared.  Finally  leaving  the  family  in  the  wilderness  alone,  Mr. 
Nevius  secured  passage  in  a  skiff"  and  started  in  search  of  some  one  to 
haul  the  family  and  goods  to  Monmouth,  where  his  brothers-in-law 
resided,  expecting  that  by  his  return  all  would  be  conveyed  over  the 
river.  Finding  no  settlers  he  gave  word  to  a  man,  owner  of  an  infe- 
rior river  craft,  that  he  would  push  on  to  Monmouth  if  necessary  to 
get  conveyances.  This  man  delivered  the  word  to  Mrs.  Nevius,  who 
had  taken  shelter  in  a  shanty  with  her  four  sick  children.  Imagine 
yourself,  good  woman  of  this  decade,  in  such  circumstances !  The 
only  cabin  within  miles.  All  weird  and  wild  without,  and  lonely  and 
desolate  within,  the  shadow  of  night  falling  as  a  cloak  over  all.  The 
real  or  fancied  noise  of  the  approach  of  wild  and  savage  beasts,  or 
more  savage  men  !  The  voice  at  the  door  calling  for  admittance  and 
lodging,  but  sternly  and  resolutely  refused  by  the  heroine  within. 
Anxious  to  cross  the  river  Mrs.  Nevius  secured  transportation  of  her 
goods.  She  first  sent  the  flour  over  by  the  craftsman,  who,  going  home 
for  the  night,  refused  to  convey  more  that  day.  Next  day  another 
load  of  goods  was  taken  across  with  the  oldest  child,  small  indeed 
then,  to  stay  with  the  goods,  and  a  similar  postponement  of  the  bal- 
ance of  the  work.  The  mother  could  see  her  goods  and  her  child 
across  the  water,  and  must  the  child  remain  alone  through  night 
in  such  a  place  ?  So  said  the  craftsman.  Finally  the  woman  prevailed 
and  the  family  united  on  this  side  the  river. 

In  time  Mr.  Nevius  returned  with  ox  teams  and  all  were  taken  to 
Monmouth.  Settlement  was  first  made  near  Atchison's  church,  on 
Cedar  creek,  in  Warren  county.  In  1835  removal  near  New  Boston 
was  had  in  time  to  vote  for  the  organization  of  Mercer  county.  In 
1837  Mr.  Nevius  secured  the  W.  ^  of  N.  E.  i,  and  the  E.  i  of  N.  W. 
^  of  Sec.  16,  T.  3,  and  permanently  located  it.  This  he  improved. 
lie  also  bought  land  north  of  where  Sunbeam  is  now.  Here  Mr. 
Nevius  became  identified  with  all  the  interests  of  Ohio  Grove  township. 
He  was  very  handy  with  tools.  Did  general  repairing  for  self  and 
neighbors,  whether  carpentry,  blacksmithing,  or  other  repairing.  He 
was  a  harness  and  shoemaker  also.  Mr.  Nevius  hauled  the  first  apple 
trees  of  Mercer  county  from  Hennepin,  Bureau  county,  Illinois,  with 
an  ox  team.     He  divided  with  the  Cabeens  and  McPherrens.     This 


OHIO    OKOVE    TOWNSHIP.  435 

was  in  1837.  Mr.  Kevins'  liouse  was  the  first  on  the  prairie.  Mrs. 
Nevius  still  lives,  tlie  heroine  of  many  a  pioneer's  struggle  and  a  faith- 
ful helper  in  woman's  work  in  Mercer  countv. 

Immigration  continued  steadily  year  by  year.  In  1838  William  C. 
Brownlee  came  from  New  York,  settling  near  Viola,  Mercer  county, 
and  in  the  following  year  located  in  Ohio  Grove  township,  buying  240 
acres  on  North  Henderson  creek.  Here  he  still  lives,  one  of  the  few 
survivors  of  those  early  pioneers.  The  Burnets  must  have  arrived 
about  this  time  or  little  later ;  they  owned  land  in  the  southern  part  of 
the  township.  In  this  year  also  came  John  Stephens,  wife  and  six 
children:  Edward,  now  of  Keithsburg;  Peter,  in  Ohio  Grove;  Han- 
nah, then  Mrs.  James  Trusler,  now  of  Iowa ;  James  W.  (died  about 
1840);  William  J.,  of  Iowa;  Catharine  (Mrs.  James  Walters).  Mr. 
Stephens  purchased  the  Vernon  interest  in  the  mill ;  also  160  acres  of 
land.  He  sold  and  in  1846  settled  on  the  prairie,  where  his  death 
occurred.  His  wife  survived  him,  but  is  now  dead.  1839  seems  to 
have  been  a  blank  year.  1840,  more  fortunate,  brought  William  T. 
Patterson.  He  had  purchased  a  few  simple  goods,  as  linen  shirt- 
bosoms,  jewelry,  etc.,  which  he  sold  as  he  traveled  to  such  as  would 
buy,  or  would  pay  his  lodging  and  board  with  his  wares.  He  worked 
awhile  for  Capt.  Bain  in  the  distillery.  The  captain  failing,  he 
received  nothing  for  his  work.  Before  doing  this  he  dug  a  cellar  for 
Henry  Kimel.  Thus  "he  worked  around."  He  soon  purchased 
eighty  acres  of  land,  for  which  he  largely  paid  by  building  a  sod  fence. 
He  farmed  four  or  five  years  where  Norwood  is.  It  was  not  till  1847 
that  he  bought  and  located  permanently  in  Ohio  Grove  township, 
where  he  became  owner  of  the  E.  ^  of  Sec.  24.  In  1842  Joseph 
Robinson  came  from  Quincy,  Illinois,  and  is  yet  a  resident.  In  1843 
Hammond  Webster  settled  the  S.  E.  ^  of  Sec.  28.  He  died  in  1845. 
In  this  year  (1843)  James  Calhoun  emigrated  from  Ohio.  He  brought 
his  wife  and  nine  children:  David,  William,  John  K,,  James  H., 
Joseph  C,  Samuel  C,  Elizabeth,  Franklin,  and  Alexander  T.  The 
family  came  via  the  river  to  Oquawka.  Mr.  Calhoun  died  July  15, 
1847.  James  Emery  and  sons,  James  and  Robert,  must  have  come 
about  this  time.  In  1845  came  Nathaniel  Partridge,  a  carpenter,  and 
probably  Levi  Butterfield.  James  Graham  had  settled  in  Warren 
county  in  1842,  but  in  1845  he  located  on  N.  W.  ^  of  Sec.  35,  T.  13, 
Mercer  county.  This  place  he  improved,  and  here  he  was  identified 
with  township  affairs  till  his  death,  November  25,  1879. 

In  1848  John  Seaton  laid  claim  to  the  N.  W.  -J-  of  Sec.  19,  first 
"  squatting  on  it,''  and  then  pre-empting  and  finally  buying  it.  He  had 
lived  the  two  years  previous  in  Warren  county.    Mr.  Seaton  improved 


436  HISTOKY    OF   MERCER    A^T)    HENDERSON    COUN^TIES. 

his  farm  building,  the  present  residence,  in  1861.  He  died  Julv  21, 
1881.  The  farm  is  now  the  property  of  George  Seaton.  1849  brought 
William  Pepper  and  Samuel  Lafterty.  The  latter  came  to  Mercer 
county  in  1842,  but  returned  to  Ohio  till  1846,  when  he  settled  in 
!N^orth  Henderson,  then  in  Suez,  and  finally  Ohio  Grove  township, 
Mercer  county,  Illinois.  He  is  now  old  and  feeble;  he,  too,  looks 
back  to  the  time  when  he  shot  deer,  and  wolves  howled  about  the  place. 

In  1850,  Thomas,  Francis,  and  John  McClellan  made  their  advent. 
Thomas  and  John  bought  the  Butterfield  place,  which  afterward 
became  the  property  of  John  alone.  Jesse  Mounts  and  family,  John 
Smith  and  family,  and  others  were  early  settlers ;  all  cannot  be  found. 
Settlement  became  more  rapid.  The  advent  of  another  ceased  to  be  a 
noveltv.  Some  began  to  feel  crowded  and  moved  awav.  Several 
went  to  Oregon ;  some  to  California.  In  1851  James  Robb,  Jacob  and 
Barnet  Unangst  became  residents.  Barnet  Unangst  moved  his  familv 
of  wife  and  eight  children  from  Xew  Jersey,  a  distance  of  1,100  or 
1,200  miles,  over  the  country,  one  team  doing  the  work.  They  arrived 
after  a  journey  of  fifty-two  days.  They  settled  the  jS".  E.  ^  of  Sec.  13, 
entered  for  them  a  little  before  by  Jacob  Unangst,  who  had  preceded 
them.  A  shanty,  12x16,  rough  fencing  lumber,  one  story,  which  was 
occupied  January  2,  1852.  The  frame-work  of  this  residence  con- 
sisted of  poles  sunk  in  the  ground  in  shed  style.  The  furniture  was : 
bedsteads  of  home  make,  blocks  of  saw-logs  for  stools,  dry-goods  box 
for  table,  and  soon  a  table  made  of  rough  boards.  Thus,  even  in 
1851,  did  emigrants  live  and  endure.  The  country  at  that  time  was 
thinly  settled,  there  being  but  one  house  between  Ohio  Grove  township 
and  Keithsburg.  It  must  have  been  about  this  time  that  John  Cameron 
settled  in  the  southwest  of  section  19,  where  he  improved  a  farm.  He 
died  about  1858.  His  daughter,  Mrs.  Mary  Seaton,  now  occupies  the 
place.  James  Cameron  is  in  DeKalb  county ;  John  died  about  1865  ; 
Sarah  became  Mrs.  Samuel  Criswell :  Peter  is  in  Mercer  countv.  In 
this  year  also  came  William  R.  McCreight.  He  purchased  a  farm  of 
six  acres  of  William  M.  Hayes.  AVilliam  M.  Hayes  became  a  resident 
here  prior  to  this  time,  but  the  exact  date  cannot  now  be  given.  A 
biography  of  him  may  be  found  in  the  appropriate  place.  In  1852 
came  Thomas  S.  Robb  and  others.  In  1853  Samuel  M.  Creighton, 
Joseph  Lafterty,  Col.  Jonathan  Duncan,  the  Kelloggs  and  Torbets 
arrived.  Others,  as  the  Findleys,  Gilmores,  Mclntires,  McCutchans, 
Sprowls,  Garrets,  Shrulls,  Chandlers,  Shoemakers,  Dittos,  Nolands, 
Gustin,  M.  M.  Cross,  the  Browns,  Milligans,  and  a  few  others,  may  be 
considered  as  having  become  tolerably  old  settlers. 

It  is  impossible  to  find  every  one.    Space  will  not  admit  of  extended 


OHIO   GROVE   TOWNSHIP.  437 

notices  of  later  settlers.  Could  those  of  to-day  see  those  of  fifty  years 
ago  at  their  work  the  fact  of  progress  would  be  more  evident  to  them 
by  far  than  these  lines  can  show.  Tlie  ox-teams,  slow  but  sure,  were 
the  stand-bys.  The  people  of  this  section  did  their  milling  at  Jack's 
mills,  or  Criswell's  mills,  or  sometimes  hauled  their  grain  above 
Moline  or  to  Rockweirs  mills.  George  McPherren  and  James  McBride 
made  the  trip,  twenty-one  miles  above  Moline,  to  Cox's  mills.  Their 
load  was  thirty  bushels  of  grain.  Each  furnished  a  horse.  Arrived  at 
Eock  river,  McPherren  proposed  to  take  the  ferry.  McBride,  a  jolly 
young  fellow  of  high  life,  jocosely  replied,  "  No  ;  let's  ford  the  stream 
and  save  our  money  for  whisky."  McPherren  then  proposed  that 
James  should  ride  the  off  horse,  to  which  the  latter  assented,  and  with 
which  he  immediately  complied.  In  the  bed  of  the  stream  lay  the 
rocks,  covered  with  their  slippery  film,  which  McPherren  feared,  but 
which  McBride  dared.  Amved  in  deep  water  the  "oft"'  horse  slipped, 
lost  his  balance,  his  foot  over  the  tongue  of  the  wagon,  horse  and  rider 
down  in  the  water.  It  required  lively  work  for  a  few  moments  to 
right  rider  and  horse,  both  of  whom  were  in  a  dangerous  position. 
The  day  was  cold  and  freezing,  and  gladly  would  James  McBride  have 
warmed  by  a  big  fire  place,  with  a  bowl  of  bread  and  milk,  instead  of 
traveling  in  a  robe  of  ice.  After  that  he  preferred  the  ferry.  The 
distance  was  not  often  considered  in  a  journey.  George  McPherren 
and  Ephraim  Johnson  had  made  the  trip  to  Oquawka.  They  were  on 
their  return  with  their  ox-team.  The  winter  storm  began.  The  earth 
was  soon  mantled  in  her  nightlv  gown.  The  air  was  full  of  the  downv 
snow.  Iri^ense  cold  obtained.  The  party  reached  Bald  bluft'.  Still 
the  team  pushed  on  as  oxen  did  push,  and  hour  after  hour  was 
traveled.  Home  surely  could  not  be  far,  when,  to  their  surprise  and 
disappointment  and  danger,  they  found  themselves  agaip  at  Bald  bluft'. 
By  this  time  McPherren's  feet  had  somewhat  frozen.  Johnson  opened 
the  bosom  of  his  shirt,  and  McPherren,  placing  one  foot  on  each  breast, 
gradually  abstracted  heat  sufticient  to  warm  the  frozen  members. 
Again  the  route  homeward  was  resumed.  They  arrived  after  much 
suffering.  These  incidents  but  illustrate  the  journeys  and  experiences 
of  manv  others. 

The  elder  George  McPherren  and  AVilliam  Diliev  visited  their 
old  home  in  Ohio.  They  returned  by  way  of  the  lakes  to  Chicago, 
from  which  place  they  walked  a  distance  of  180  miles  home.  In  six 
days  the  feat  was  accomplished.  Similar  trips  have  been  made  to 
Galena  to  the  land  sales. 

"Occasionally  a  farmer  hauled  his  wheat  to  Qiicago,"  says  William 
I.  Nevius,  "bringing  back  a  load  of  salt  and  other  articles  needed  by 


438  HISTORY    OF   MEECEE   AND    HENDEESON    COUNTIES. 

tlic  families.  Thej  plodded  on  and  on  day  after  day  tlirougli  the 
prairie  grass,  fording  creeks,  some  ha*ang  their  clothes  so  badly  cut  to 
pieces  by  the  grass  that  they  were  compelled  to  change  their  iininen- 
tionahles  'hind-side  before  to  appear  decent  in  their  own  crowd,  not 
caring  for  the  outside  world,  as  the  face  of  a  human  save  one  of  their 
own  crowd  was  seldom  seen  on  the  way."  Some  of  the  present  might 
say  the  expenses  of  those  trips  must  have  equaled  the  profits,  but  not 
so.  Food  was  carried  from  home  for  the  journey.  It  was  that  or 
starve,  for  there  was  only  here  and  there  a  house  (or  one  here  and 
none  there).  But  little  chance  offered  for  expenditure  of  money. 
Their  wheat  was  sold  for  forty-five  or  fifty  cents  per  bushel,  then  all 
returned  as  happy  as  lords. 

Long  trips  to  mill  soon  became  unnecessary.  In  the  fall  and 
winter  of  1836  James  McBride  and  Joseph  Vernon  built  a  saw-mill  on 
Pope  creek.  This  did  the  sawing  for  many  years,  but  not  the  grinding. 
Vernon  sold  his  share  to  John  Stephens,  who  in  turn  sold  it  to  Van- 
scook.  The  site  finally  became  the  property  of  Henry  Kimel,  who 
erected  a  good  flouring-mill.  This  has  given  place  to  a  far  inore  exten- 
sive building  and  apparatus,  now  owned  by  James  Kimel,  although 
not  on  the  same  site  as  the  old  mill. 

The  trades  were  represented  by  the  elder  George  McPherren 
as  cooper.  His  work  was  scattered  far  and  near,  and  many  pieces 
still  remain  in  use  to  testify  to  the  workmanship.  William  Nevius 
was  carpenter,  shoemaker,  and  blacksmith.  His  work,  too,  was  made 
to  last  and  not  for  repairs.  The  works  of  these  two  men  live  after 
them.  Since  the  war  George  Werts  has  been  the  village  blacksmith. 
William  Mackey  kept  the  first  store  in  1836.  John  Stephens  became 
the  merchant  in  1839.  Since  that  day  C.  S.  Richey  and  James  Feather 
have  sold  goods,  while  the  present  firm  is  JVIcCreight  &  Co.  The  first 
postmaster  at  Sunbeam  was  Samuel  M.  Dihel.  Mary  J.  Williams, 
afterward  Mrs.  George  McPherren,  kept  the  postoffice  for  many  years. 
Moses  Mclntyre  has  been  postmaster  of  Duck  Creek  since  its  estab- 
lishment. 

The  first  secular  school  kept  in  the  township  was  taught  in  a  barn 
belonging  to  Capt.  Pichard  Rice.  The  teacher  to  whom  this  honor 
is  due  was  Miss  Ruth  Conner.  The  time  was  1839,  hence  it  is  evi- 
dent the  early  pioneers  understood  the  necessity  of  education  even  for 
frontier  life.  It  is  said  Miss  Conner  used  to  punish  the  children  by 
putting  them  in  the  mangers  of  the  stable  when  they  desired  other 
treatment  than  whipping.  The  first  school-house  was  built  on  the 
S.  W.  \  of  Sec.  4,  in  1841.  This  was  built  by  subscription  and  so  sup- 
ported.    It  was  not  long  before  Thomas  Candor  and  Samuel  Cabeen 


OHIO    GROVE    TOWNSHIP. 


439 


erected  a  log  school  edifice  on  the  S.  W.  J  of  Sec.  7.  As  the  popula- 
tion increased  other  schools  were  established.  As  circumstances  im- 
]iroved  the  log  building  with  its  slab  benches,  etc.,  gave  place  to  frame 
buildings.  To-daj  nine  good  edifices  give  shelter  to  the  bodies  of 
many  children,  while  their  minds  are  instructed  by  as  many  able 
teachers.  The  enumeration  of  1881  showed  447  persons  under  twenty- 
one  years  of  age.  Besides  the  nine  districts  there  are  some  partial  dis- 
tricts. Emily  Paine,  now  the  widow  of  Nathaniel  Brownlee,  was  the 
first  teacher  at  the  Candor  school.  S.  llogan  was  a  very  early  teacher. 
Perhaps  no  man  has  taught  so  long  as  E.  Forsyth,  who  has  been 
a  teacher  for  over  twenty  years.  He  also  taught  for  twenty  years 
before  coming  to  Illinois. 

ELECTIONS. 

The  first  election  was  held  at  the  house  of  George  McPherren,  in 
the  fall  of  1836.  For  several  years  afterward  voting  was  done  at 
William  I.  Nevius'  residence.  The  following  is  a  list  of  the  princi- 
pal officers  of  the  township  since  its  organization : 


So 


1855 
1&^.6 

18.^7 
18.='>S 

1860 
18«)1 
1862 
1863 
1864 
1865 
18r>6 
1867 
1868 
1869 
1870 
1871 
1872 
1S7S 
1874 
1875 
1876 
1877 
1878 
1879 
]880 
1881 
1882 


Supervisor. 


James  Burnet 

Samuel  Cabeen 

Ashford  Hardy 

William  M.  Hayes 

William  M.  Hayes 

William  M.  Haves 

William  M.  Hayes 

William  M.  Hayes 

William  M.  Hayes 

William  M.  Hayes 

William  M.  Hayes 

William  M.  Hayes 

William  M.  Hayes 

William  M.  Hayes 

Horace  N.  <  'handler. . . . 

Horaee  N.  Chandler 

Robert  Candor 

Horace  N.  Chandler 

T.  S.  Robb 

Horace  N.  Chandler 

T.  S.  Robb 

Horace  N.  Chandler 

Horace  N.  Chaudler 

Horace  N.  Chandler 

Horace  X.  Chandler 

Horace  N.  Chandler 

Horace  N.  Chandler 

T.S.Robb 


Clerk. 


T.  S.  Robb 
Samuel  Mi 
Samuel  Mi 
E.  Forsyth 
E.  Forsyth 
E.  Foi-syth 
E.  Forsvth 
E.  Forsyth 
E.  Forsvth 
E.  Forsvth 
E.  Forsvth 
E.  Forsvth 
E.  Forsyth 
E.  Forsyth 
E.  Forsyth 
E.  Forsyth 
E.  Forsyth 
E.  Forsyth 
E.  Forsvth 
J.  W.  Sidw 
.1.  W.  Sidw 
E.  Forsyth 
E.  Forsvth 
E.  Forsvtli 
E.  Forsyth 
E.  Forsvth 
E.  Forsvth 
E.  Forsyth 


Her. 
Her. 


ASSE-SSOR. 


ell 

ell 


John  W.Dihel 

J.  W.  Cabeen 

Horace  Williams 

J.  P.  Gilmore 

J.  P.  Gilmore 

J.  P.  Gilmore 

J.  B.  (Jilmore 

William  I  Xevius 

J.  N.  Mark4e 

J.  P.  Gilmore 

William  I.  Xevius 

E.  Forsvth 

E.  Forsyth 

E.  Forsyth 

Alexander  Pollock  . . . 

E.  Forsyth 

E.  Forsvth 

E.  ForsVth 

T.  R.  Gourley 

E.  Forsvth 

M.  M.  ('ross 

J.  W.  Dillev 

J.  W.  Dillev 

J.  W.  Dillev 

J.  S.  Hamilton 

J.  S.  Hamilton 

D.J.  B.  Ross 

N.  H.  Guthrie 


Collector. 


Horace  Williams. 
John  H.  McBridc. 
Horace  Williams. 
A.  P.  Brown. 
A.  P.  Brown. 
John  H.McBride. 
John  H.  McBride. 
J.  B.  Gilmore. 
J.  1'.  Gilmore. 
J.  M.  Hamilton. 
J.  S.  McCreight. 
J.  S.  McCreight. 
S.  D.  Pax  ton. 
S.  D.  Paxton. 
S.  D.  Paxton. 
S.  D.  Paxton. 
Joseph  Cams. 
Josefih  Cams. 
Joseph  Cams. 
Jeseph  Cams. 
.Joseph  Cams. 
Josrph  Cams. 
J.  S.  Hamilton. 
J.  S.  McCreiKht. 
J.  S.  McCreight. 
J.  S.  McCreight. 
J.  S.  McCreight. 
J.  S.  McCreight. 


The  justices  of  the  peace  have  been  T.  S.  Robb,  Levi  Butterfield, 
John  W.  Dihel,  Andrew  Cams,  C.  S.  Ilichey,  E.  Forsyth,  James  Gra- 
ham, H.  M.  Chandler,  AVilliain  S.  McCormick.  The  present  are  E. 
Forsyth,  and  William  S.  McCormick. 


440  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

The  population  of  Ohio  Grove  township,  according  to  the  census 
of  1880,  is  :  Male,  562  ;  female,  494 ;  total,  1,056.  Assessed  valua- 
tion of  property,  1881,  $442,275  ;  real  estate,  $337,085  ;  personal, 
$95,190.  Equalized  by  state  board  :  Keal  estate,  $335,691 ;  personal, 
$94,883  ;  total,  $430,57-1.  The  taxes  for  1881  were  :  State,  $2,284.23  ; 
county,  $1,078.26;  town,  $260.13;  road  and  bridge,  $798.37;  road, 
$617.93;  bond,  $2,004.01;  coupon,  $231.55;  district  school,  $1,956.89; 
district  road,  $245.42  ;  dog,  $157.00.  It  must  be  remembsred  that 
tax  valuation  is  far  below  real  valuation  of  property. 

Although  Ohio  Grove  has  no  railroad,  she  has  aided  the  county  in 

securing  such  a  valuable  convenience.     In  1870  the  township  voted 

$7,000  toward  building  the  American  Central,  since  a  branch  of  the 

Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy.     Bonds  were  issued   at  ten  per  cent, 

payable  in  three  payments.     About  1880  the  bonds  were  refunded  at 

eight  per  cent.     In  1881  one-third  the  debt  was  paid.     At  present 

writing  there  is  in  the  hands  of  supervisor  Robb  sufficient  to  meet  the 

second  payment.     This  indicates  the  early  liquidation  of  the  whole 

debt. 

"Away  back  in  bygone  times, 
Buried  mid  the  rubbish  of  forgotten  things," 

are  many  incidents  which  cannot  be  recorded.  Some  are  not  forgot- 
ten. In  those  days,  as  to-day,  there  was  marriage  and  giving  in  mar- 
riage. No  bell  sounded  the  hour,  no  wedding  march  pealed  from  a 
hundred  pipes  ;  but  nature  was  full  of  music  everywhere  with  cupid  as 
chorister. 

Benjamin  Decker  was  born  in  Muskingum  county,  Ohio.  There 
he  was  raised  to  the  «toil  of  a  farm  and  scenes  rustic  as  himself. 
Fannie  McPherren  also  grew  to  blooming  and  blushing  womanhood 
under  similar  circumstances.  That  sprite,  ever  casting  glances  from 
one  to  another,  sought  to  do  his  wiley  work  as  usual.  When  the 
removal  was  talked  of  the  maid  wondered  how  it  would  be  with  Ben- 
jamin. Benjamin  decided  to  accompany,  instead  of  follow,  his  be- 
trothed ;  hence  we  find  him  assisting  in  building  the  first  permanent 
house  in  Ohio  Grove.  He  made  his  home  with  the  McPherrens. 
Spring  of  1837  came,  with  its  verdure  and  flowers  and  music  from 
a  thousand  throats.  As  cooed  the  doves,  so  wooed  Benjamin  and 
Fannie.  No  nuptial  knot  had  yet  been  tied  in  Ohio  Grove.  Such  was 
actually  to  take  place  June  15,  1837,  about  11  a.m.,  at  the  residence 
of  the  bride's  father,  George  McPlierren.  Invitations  were  extended 
and  answered  by  Ashford  Hardy  and  wife,  James  Moorehead  and 
wife  Matilda,  James  McBride  and  wife  Polly,  Kichard  Pice  and  wife 
Jane,   Eliza  Moorehead,  aftei"ward  wife  of  William  Dilley,  John  H. 


OHIO   GROVE   TOWNSHIP.  -iril 

McBride  and  his  sister  Almeda  (Jolin  isn't  married  yet),  Thomas  B. 
Cabeen,  George  and  Sarah  McPherren,  and  perliaps  a  few  others. 
Rev.  John  Porter,  of  the  United  Presbyterian  church,  was  present. 
The  bride  was  dressed  in  white.  No  orange  blossoms  decked  her 
hair  ;  slie  needed  none.  The  groom  was  chad  in  brown.  Eev.  Porter 
pronounced  the  service  that  made  these  two  hearts  beat  in  unison,  and 
the  chords  of  whose  lives  vibrated  harmony  for  so  many  years.  The 
service  over,  some  of  the  guests  retired  to  their  homes,  while  others 
remained  to  partake  of  the  wedding  dinner  prepared  by  the  bride's 
own  labor.  The  patron  had  prepared  a  long,  narrow  table  made  of 
slabs.  The  table  was  spread  with  the  best  the  country  would  afford. 
White  bread  and  butter,  pork,  pickles  from  New  York,  fumislied  by  a 
neighbor,  fish  caught  in  Pope  creek,  dried  apples  and  peaches  brought 
from  Ohio,  dried  apple  pie  and  dried  peach  pie,  home-made  maple 
syrup  and  coffee ;  no  cakes  and  custards  were  indulged  in.  The  style 
was  simple,  the  couple  were  happy,  and  the  guests  retired  to  their 
homes  to  reflect  and  talk  of  the  wedding,  the  "match"  and  the  pros- 
pects. The  paternal  roof  ga\'e  shelter  till  the  following  fall,  when 
housekeeping  was  begun  at  Bridgers  corner.  The  log  cabin  stood  in 
the  brush,  was  very  small,  meagerly  furnished  with  home-made  furni- 
ture. The  nearest  neighbors  were  Indians,  who  numbered  from  three 
to  five  hundred.  For  two  years  this  brave  couple  lived  in  such  a 
wilderness,  when  they  erected  a  log  cabin  of  their  own.  In  four  years 
more  they  removed  to  their  parent's  home  to  keep  house  for  him. 
Mr.  Decker  became  an  independent  farmer.  Death  ended  his  career 
March  20,  1875.  His  faithful  bride  and  wife  survives  him.  She  is 
the  mother  of  ten  children.  James  lived  to  manhood,  then  died  ; 
Mary,  Ester,  Lucinda,  Silas,  Sarah  A.,  Eva  M.,  William  L.,  George 
(dead). 

Spring  seems  to  have  been  a  favorable  time  for  beginning  a  new 
life  ;  appropriately  so,  too.  It  was  an  April  evening  of  1840,  when 
William  C.  Brownlee  dropped  into  esquire  Nevius'  house  and  inquired 
for  the  squire.  The  squire  was  away,  but  would  be  back  at  dusk  ;  so, 
also,  would  this  young  man.  A  short  journey  was  made  by  the  young 
man.  When  he  returned  the  squire  was  at  su])per.  The  young  man 
was  accompanied  by  a  young  lady.  Miss  Mary  A.  Brownlee,  a  very 
distant  relative.  Conversation  of  a  liv^ely  style  was  indulged  in.  As 
the  squire  finished  his  meal,  young  Brownlee  i)roduced  a  suspicious 
looking  document,  whicli  soon  explained  itself.  Ceremony  was  actu- 
ally called  for.  The  comi)any  was  then  gathered  in  the  squire's 
sraoke-houite.  The  squire,  with  all  the  dignity  of  his  office,  adminis- 
tered the  service.     It  was  dark.     The  squire  suggested   the  couple 


442  HISTOKY   OF    FIERCER   AND   HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

remain  till  the  mormng.  The  good  wife  of  the  squire  then  performed 
her  part  of  the  ceremony,  and  the  twain  were  safely  couched  for  the 
night.  Thus  occurred  the  smoke-house  services,  which  have  ever  been 
a  reminiscence  of  merriment  to  old  and  young. 

RELIGIOUS. 

Says  William  I.  Ne^'ius  in  his  notes:  "The  first  public  worship 
in  Ohio  Grove  was  enjoyed  in  the  cabin  of  the  elder  George  McPherren, 
and  conducted  by  Rev.  John  Wallace,  an  Associate  Reformed  Presby- 
terian. The  McPherrens  were  Methodists,  but  his  door  was  open  to 
all  religious  teachers.  In  1837  Rev.  John  Montgomery,  a  mission- 
ary of  the  Old  School  Presbyterian  denomination,  visited  the  settle- 
ment, and  held  public  worship  at  Mr.  McPherren's  for  some  time,  then 
at  the  house  of  William  I.  Nevius,  and  little  later  at  Thomas  Candor's. 
The  congregation  in  1837  numbered  about  twenty  persons.  There 
were  the  McPherrens,  George  Smith  and  family,  Ashford  Hardy  and 
family,  Richard  Rice  and  family,  in  1836 ;  William  Moore  and  family, 
the  Candors,  Cabeens,  McBrides,  and  Neviuses,  in  1837.  Rev.  Wal- 
lace preached  till  as  late  as  1841."" 

According  to  the  researches  of  Elijah  Forsyth,  an  Associate  Re- 
formed (now  U.  P.)  congregation  was  organized  in  1842,  consisting 
of  Jane  Rice,  Elenor  Moorehead,  Phebe  Smith,  Sophia  Hardy,  William 
Moore,  William  McMichael,  Ella  McMichael,  Josiah  Moor,  Samuel 
Moor,  of  Ohio  Grove ;  George  Jay  and  Agnes  Jay,  of  Keithsburg ; 
John,  Elizabeth,  Ann,  Jane  and  Elenor  Collins,  of  Twin  grove.  Ser- 
vices were  held  in  the  groves,  at  school-houses  or  in  the  barn  of  Wm. 
I.  Nevius.  For  some  time  immediately  previous  to  1852,  J.  C.  Porter 
ministered  to  this  congregation  one-fourth  of  the  time.  D.  C.  Cochran 
and  Revs.  Fulton,  Morrow  and  Finley  also  labored  here.  May  5, 
1852,  the  congregation  was  reorganized.  Robert  Miller  and  William 
M.  Hayes  were  elected  ruling  elders ;  Rev.  J.  C.  Porter  officiating. 
William  M.  Hayes,  Robert  M.  Miller  and  George  Smith,  trustees. 
At  a  meeting  of  the  session,  William  M.  Hayes  was  elected  clerk, 
which  office  he  held  till  1869.  At  that  time  the  membership  was  forty- 
five.  In  1853  sixteen  joined  by  certificate  and  two  on  examination. 
From  1853  to  1859,  Rev.  M.  Bigger  labored  as  stated  supply.  In 
1854  twenty-two  joined  on  certificate  and  fourteen  on  examination ; 
in  1855,  thirty-seven  by  certificate  and  eight  on  examination.  In  1853 
to  1855  a  house  of  worship  was  erected  at  Sunbeam,  40x60  and  twenty 
feet  from  floor  to  ceiling.  This  was  largely  the  result  of  the  liberality, 
untiring  energy  and  perseverance  of  William  M.  Hayes,  an  honored 
member.     In  1860  Rev.  J.  H.  Nash  became  pastor.     In  1877  Rev. 


OHIO   GROVE    TOWNSHIP.  443 

D.  F.  Mustard  began  his  labors.  The  church  numbered  at  one  time 
163  persons.  Its  present  membership  is  about  100.  The  ruling  elders 
have  been,  besides  those  named,  J.  II.  McCreight,  Elijah  Forsyth, 
Samuel  Wright,  John  Torbit,  M.  M.  Cross,  Alex  Pollock,  David 
Milligan,  N.  Reasoner,  J.  P.  Finley,  and  K.  11.  Giiilinger.  David 
Milligan,  Elijah  Forsyth  and  J.  P.  Finley  are  now  in  the  congregation 
of  Sunbeam.  In  1848-9,  Thomas  Candor  built  the  Candor  Presbyter- 
ian church.  Rev.  Montgomery  remained  its  minister  till  his  death. 
This  church  is  further  noticed  in  the  history  of  Abingtcm  township. 

The  iirst  Methodist  serv^ices  were  held  at  McBride's  by  Rev.  Burr. 
The  school-house  was  next  used  as  a  church.  In  1844  a  great  revival 
was  conducted  in  George  McPherren's  barn.  People  came  thirty 
miles,  camping  out.  The  McPherrens,  McBrides,  Browns,  Mo(jre- 
heads  and  others  were  members  of  the  church.  Horace  Williams  was 
class-leader,  and  able  in  his  duty.  George  Williams  also  occupied  the 
position  early.  An  effort  was  made  to  build  a  church,  but  failed. 
Finally  George  McPherren  proposed  to  advance  the  money  and  build 
the  church.  His  offer  was  accepted  and  the  church,  35x45,  built 
about  18G0,  at  a  cost  of  $1,400,  without  much  of  the  labor  reckoned. 
The  house  was  dedicated  by  Elder  Frank  Smith,  for  years  a  laborer  in 
the  neighborhood.  Other  early  preachers  were  William  Ilanly,  Elder 
Cullis  and  others.  Other  early  class-leaders  were  Peter  Stephens  and 
Abraham  Crabtree.  Just  after  the  dedication  the  church  enjoyed  a 
great  revival,  receiving  about  sixty  additions.  The  present  board  of 
stewards  consists  of  George  McPherren,  Peter  Stephens,  George  Wil- 
liams, Solomon  Guthrie,  William  Frankleberry.  Rev.  Ayers  is  in 
charge. 

CEMETERIES. 

Three  spots  are  especially  dear  to  the  early  settlers  of  Ohio  Grove. 
When  the  toils  and  hardships  were  over  the  pioneer  was  at  rest.  There 
was  no  "Cavendish  Duke  <->f  Devonshire"  with  his  five  thousand  ten- 
ants to  follow  a  son  to  the  grave.  But  family  and  neighbors  equally 
royal  followed  their  loved  and  respected  to  burial.  The  plat  known 
as  McClure's  Cemetery,  formerly  McPherren's,  was  donated  for  the 
purpose  by  the  elder  George  McPherren.  How  sad  and  tearful  were 
they  who  followed  the  remains  of  John  ^loorehead,  deceased  August 
8,  1836,  to  the  dedication  of  that  sacred  spot.  This  was  the  first 
funeral  service  in  Ohio  Grove.  The  first  death  of  a  pioneer;  the 
beginning  of  that  funeral  march  that  has  so  oft  been  resumed  in  subse- 
quent years.  The  yard  is  dotted  with  graves.  Here  lie  Ashford 
Hardy,  George   McPherren,  George  W.  Ste})hens,  John  M.  Walker, 


444  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AKD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

Tliomas  Moorehead,  Dorcas  Mooreliead,  Barnet  Unangst  and  wife, 
AYm.  Smith,  Mrs.  Win.  Dillev ;  the  Browns,  Calhoims,  Benjamin 
Decker,  Bentleys,  McKees,  Guthries  and  others.  The  Candor  grave- 
yard was  dedicated  by  the  burial  of  Mrs.  Thomas  Candor.  The 
ground  was  set  apart  for  a  cemetery  by  Thomas  Candor.  He  now  rests 
near  his  loved  companion.  Here  too  lie  Samuel,  and  Joshua  TV.,  and 
Samuel  P.  Cabeen,  and  others  of  the  families  of  tliat  name.  Judge 
TYm.  G.  Hayes,  so  long  an  honor  to  himself  and  his  people,  'found  a 
resting  place  here.  Wm.  I.  Nevius,  Henry  Kimel,  Capt.  James  Bur- 
net, John  Seaton  and  wife,  Wm.  R.  McCreight,  James  H.  McCi'eight, 
James  McBride,  Dennis  Conner  and  wife  Mary,  Dr.  A.  B.  Campbell, 
John  Cameron ;  the  W^bsters,  Williamses,  Dittos,  Joneses  and  others. 
The  United  Presbyterian  cemetery  was  so  called  fi'om  the  donor 
of  the  ground,  William  Miller,  a  prominent  member  of  the  United 
Presbyterian  church.  Its  sod  covers  the  bodies  of  Eobert  and  Samuel 
Miller,  Nancy  Miller,  T.  E.  Home  and  Wm.  G.  Paxton.  Thomas  B. 
More  of  company  A,  30th  111.  Vols.,  to  whose  memory  is  inscribed: 

"  Death  has  been  here,  and  borne  away, 
A  brother  from  our  side, 
Just  in  the  memory  of  his  day 
A  brave  young  soldier  died." 

Here  too  rest  J.  P.  Paxton,  James  L.  Paxton,  Catharine  Paxton,  Wm, 
H.  Pyan,  Dorcas,  wife  of  M.  M.  Cross,  James  G.  Walker  and  others. 
Many  a  grave  is  unmarked  by  marble,  therefore  ye  visitors 

Tread  lightly,  this  is  hallowed  ground  ; 

Tread  reverently  here ; 
Beneath  this  sod  in  silence  sleeps  the  brave  old  pioneer: 

Who  never  quailed  in  darkest  hour, 
"Whose  heart  ne'er  felt  a  fear. 

Tread  lightly  then,  and  now  bestow  a  tribute  of  a  tear. 
Forever  in  the  fiercest  and  the  thickest  of  the  fight 

The  dusk  and  swarthy  foeman  felt  the  terror  of  his  might. 

Bidding  good-bye  to  the  honored  dead,  we  introduce  the  reader  to  the 
living,  whose  brief  sketches  following  will  grow  of  more  importance  as 
the  years  shall  hnish  their  probation. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Sa^iuel  p.  Caijeen  (deceased),  was  among  the  old  settlers  of  Mer- 
cer county,  and  among  those  men  who  have  developed  its  -resources 
and  })ropagated  within  its  boundaries  pn^gressive  institutions.  He 
came  when  the  country  was  new  ;  when  patience,  industry  and  energy 
were  required  as  (pialities  of  the  man  whose  life  should  eventually  be 


OHIO   GROVE   TOWNSHIP.  4:45 

marked  a  "success."  That  Mr.  Cabeen  was  successful  iiuiiiy  yet  live 
to  testify.  Mr.  Cabeen  was  born  in  Muskingum  county,  Ohio,  Jan- 
uary 18,  1820.  lie  came  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  with  his  parents, 
Samuel  and  Elizabeth  (Wright)  Cabeen.  He  was  a  young  man  fitted 
for  his  future  by  former  training.  He  j)urchased  land  from  time  to 
time  till  he  owned  about  600  acres,  the  most  of  which  he  im})roved. 
In  politics  Mr.  Cabeen  was  always  strongly  democratic,  yet  lie  never 
craved  office.  His  religion  was  of  the  Universalist  doctrine.  He  was 
a  good  citizen,  a  kind  father  and  a  faithful  husband.  Mr.  Cabeen  died 
February  10,  1880,  and  is  buried  at  the  Candor  graveyard.  Mr.  Cabeen 
was  first  married  to  Catherine  Spencer,  who  died,  leaving  one  child,  Sarah 
E.  He  was  next  married  August  17,  1854,  to  Catharine  J.  Thomas, 
daughter  of  Solomon  and  Matilda  (Gabrel)  Thomas.  Mrs.  Cabeen  was 
born  in  Muskingum  county,  Ohio,  February  13,  1827.  Three  children 
have  been  bora  to  tliem :  Emma  J.,  now  Mrs.  Jerred  Irwin;  Arthur, 
and  Samuel  G. 

Joshua  W,  Cabeen  (deceased),  son  of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth  Cabeen, 
was  born  in  Muskingum  county,  Ohio,  January  4,  1818,  and  emigrated 
west  with  his  people.  He  was  married  February  8, 1872,  to  liebecca  N. 
Frick,  daughter  of  Frederick  and  Xancy  (Wilson)  Frick,  who  have 
figured  prominently  in  Abington  townshi})  and  in  county  affairs.  Both 
were  natives  of  Danville,  Columbia  (now  Montour)  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania. They  are  fully  noticed  elsewhere.  Mrs.  Cabeen  was  born  in 
Pennsylvania  January  2,  1833,  and  came  west  with  her  parents.  Mr. 
Cabeen  settled  where  Mrs.  Cabeen  now  lives.  He  secured  a  fine  farm, 
and  in  1873  erected  a  good,  substantial  dwelling.  He  died  June  1, 
1878,  leaving  wife  and  two  children  (Fred  E.  and  Joshua  D.)  to  mourn 
his  loss.     He  is  buried  at  Candor  graveyard. 

Samuel  Cabeen  (deceased),  another  of  Mercer  county's  very  early 
settlers.  He  was  born  in  county  Antrim,  Ireland,  1788.  He  emi- 
grated to  Philadelphia  in  1808.  His  people  were  farmers  and  weavers. 
He  was  a  general  workman.  He  clerked  in  Bristol,  Pennsylvania,  for 
liis  brother.  He  was  married  to  Elizabeth  P.  Wright,  a  native  of 
Bucks  county,  Pennsylvania.  In  that  year  (1815)  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Cabeen  moved  to  Muskingum  county,  Ohio.  In  1836  he  emigrated  to 
Mercer  county,  Illinois,  His  subsequent  history  is  in  the  general 
history  of  Ohio  Grove  township.  He  died  May  1,  1856,  leaving  liis 
wife  to  survive  him  till  December  6,  1874.  He  was  a  democrat,  and 
loved  to  argue  politics.  He  was  county  school  commissioner  several 
years  ;  was  justice  of  the  peace  in  Ohio.  He  served  in  the  war  of  1812, 
in  Gen.  Izzard's  division.  Si.x  children  were  born  in  Ohio :  Thomas  B., 
J.  AV.,  S.  P.,  R.  J.,  11.  B.,  and  Sarah  C.     Sarah  C.  died,  aged  fourteen 


446  HISTORY    OF    atERCER    AJS'D    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

years.  Ricliard  B.  Cabeen  was  born  May  31,  1826,  in  Muskingum 
county,  Ohio.  His  educational  advantages  were  limited.  His  life  lias 
been  one  of  farm  toil.  When  twenty-four  years  of  age  he  visited  Cali- 
fornia two  years  and  four  months.  He  returned  to  the  farm.  He  was 
married  December  29,  1853,  to  Miss  Jane  G.  Pinkerton,  daughter  of 
Joseph  and  Yiolet  Pinkerton,  jof  Green  township.  Mrs.  Cabeen  was 
born  in  Trumbull  county,  Ohio,  October  22,  1835.  They  settled  on 
their  present  farm.  In  1878  he  built  the  present  handsome  dwelling. 
Childi'en  number  nine  :  Joshua,  Ella  V.,  Alice  J.,  Margaret  P.,  Scott, 
Sarah  E.,  and  Richard  F.  Mr.  Cabeen  is  democratic  in  politics.  He 
is  a  successful  farmer. 

Thomas  Candor  (deceased)  was  a  type  of  the  men  who  braved  so 
much  that  this  western  wild  might  grow  to  usefulness.  He  was  plain, 
honest,  and  progressive,  looking  not  only  to  the  rescue  of  the  soil  from 
its  wild  state,  but  also  the  upbuilding  of  the  minds  and  souls  of  the 
rising  generation,  wlio  now  follow  his  teachings,  both  precept  and 
example.  He  was  born  in  Union  county,  Pennsylvania,  February  29, 
1796.  His  father  was  a  Scotchman,  and  his  mother  Irish.  Farming 
was  their  occupation.  Thomas  was  meagerly  educated.  In  his  youth 
he  learned  the  tanning  trade,  which  he  afterward  followed  for  some 
time.  He  was  married  to  Margaret  Montgomery,  daughter  of  John 
Montgomery,  whose  brother  was  proprietor  of  Danville,  Pennsylvania. 
Her  brother.  Rev.  John  Montgomery,  was  the  first  preacher  in  Mercer 
county,  and  Hopkins  Boone,  an  old  settler  here,  was  a  brother-in-law. 
Tlie  fall  of  1836  Thomas  and  Robert  Candor  (brothers)  made  the  trip 
from  Pennsylvania  to  Mercer  county  on  horseback.  Having  secured  a 
land  claim  for  the  K.  W.  J  Sec.  6,  also  S.  W.  J  Sec.  7,  he,  in  company 
with  his  brother  Robert,  sold  their  horses  and  returned  to  Pennsyl- 
vania by  river.  He  sold  his  tannery,  and  in  the  fall  of  1837  moved 
westward  overland,  bringing  family  of  wife  and  five  children  :  John  M., 
Robert,  Josiali,  Mary  H.,  and  Daniel  M.,  and  leaving  one  (Elizabeth) 
buried  in  Pennsylvania.  Having  arrived  in  Mercer  county,  after  a  short 
stay  in  Keithsburg  the  family  moved  into  the  little  log  house  on  their 
farm  formerly  entered.  "  The  house  was  partly  built  by  William  Sheriff, 
by  order  of  Mr.  Candor.  Ere  few  years  had  passed  Mrs.  Candor  died 
(September  30,  1841),  leaving  a  family  and  friends  to  mourn  their  loss. 
Her  burial  was  a  dedication  of  the  Candor  graveyard.  Mr.  Candor 
was  next  married  to  Mary  L.  Boardman,  who  died  May  27,  1874. 
Mr.  Candor  died  March  13,  1871,  and  was  buried  near  his  partner. 
From  the  laying  out  of  Aledo  he  lived  in  town.  He  was  a  man  fore- 
most in  good  works,  yet  a  quiet,  careful,  non-speculative  man.  He 
never  liad  a  lawsuit  with  any  man.     He  was  an  elder  in  the  Presby- 


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SAMUEL   P.  CABEEN 

(     DECEASED    ^ 


OHIO   GROVE   TOWNSinP.  449 

terian  churcli,  and  foremost  in  biiildini::  the  Candor  church.  His 
politics  were  whig  and  republican.  Of  his  family,  John  N.  graduated 
at  Princeton  College,  and,  in  the  third  3'ear  of  his  theological  course  at 
Princeton  Theological  Seminary,  died  in  the  twenty-fourth  year  of  his 
age.  He  is  buried  at  Danville,  Pennsylvania.  Josiali,  Mary  (the 
first  wife  of  Graham  Lee),  Daniel  M.,  and  Robert.  Robert  Candor 
was  born  May  4,  1828,  in  Columbia  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  married 
Rebecca  J.,  daughter  of  John  and  Anna  (McGaughey)  Linn.  Her 
father  was  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  her  mother  of  Pennsylvania.  Both 
came  to  Mercer  county  in  1839  and  settled  near  Yiola.  He  died 
August  27,  1851.  He  was  in  the  war  of  1812.  Mrs.  Candor  was  born 
in  Trumbull  county,  Ohio,  April  2,  1829.  After  marriage  Mr.  Candor 
farmed  in  Rock  Island  county  fourteen  years,  and  was  there  justice  of 
the  peace.  He  sold  and  moved  to  Mercer  county.  In  1872  he  built  a 
fine  residence,  32x56,  two-story.  Both  belong  to  the  Presbyterian 
church,  in  which  he  is  an  elder.  They  have  six  children :  John  M. , 
Thomas  H.,  Ward  L.*,  Sarah  (now  Mrs.  A.  AV.  Hill),  Maggie  (now 
Mrs.  W.  S.  Ross),  and  Mary  L. 

George  McPherren  (deceased)  was  born  in  County  Down,  Ireland, 
Pebruary  1,  1781.  He  emigrated  when  eighteen  years  of  age  on 
account  of  the  military  commotion  of  those  times.  He  settled  in  New 
Jersey,  near  the  western  line.  There  he  learned  the  cooper  trade, 
wliich  he  followed  most  of  his  life.  He  was  married  to  Susannah 
AValker,  by  whom  he  became  the  father  of  ten  children :  Mary,  James, 
Susannah,  Easter,  Daniel,  ISTancy,  Fannie,  Sarah,  George,  Jr.,  and 
Andrew.  He  enlisted  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  while  in  the  campaign 
viewed  different  parts  of  the  country.  He  determined  to  locate  in 
Ohio,  and  moved  to  Muskingum  county  about  1814.  There  he 
followed  his  trade  for  about  twenty-one  years,  also  overseeing  his 
farming  interest,  but  is  believed  never  to  have  plowed  a  furrow  him- 
self. In  Ohio,  June  8,  1824,  he  buried  his  wife :  a  severe  stroke  to 
him.  She  lies  in  the  cemetery  at  Rich  Hill  church.  Mr.  McPherren 
moved  his  family  westward  in  1835,  starting  September  21st,  and 
settled  in  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  in  that  part  that  afterward  became 
Ohio  Grove  township.  He  died  June  23,  1848,  and  was  buried  in  the 
McClure  graveyard.  He  forms  a  })rominent  figure  in  the  history  of 
the  township ;  hence  we  dismiss  him  here  by  saying  that  in  ])olitic8  he 
was  a  strong  whig,  in  religion  a  Methodist,  at  his  trade  a  good  work- 
man, and  at  heart  a  true  man.  His  namesake  and  ninth  child,  George 
McPherren,  was  born  in  Muskingum  county,  Ohio,  August  22,  1820, 
hence  was  a  pioneer  youth  of  Mercer  county,  and  still  lives  to  aid  in 
chronicling  the  events  that  go  to  nuike  the  history  of  Mercer  county. 
2(> 


■< 


450  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AXD    HEXDERSON    COU>mES. 

His  life  since  his  fifteenth  year  has  been  synchronous  with  the  pulse 
of  the  country.  His  hand  has  done  its  share  toward  making  the 
county  what  it  is,  but  will  soon  leaye  his  children  to  carry  on  the  work 
he  has  so  well  impelled  thus  far.  Mr.  McPherren  has  460  acres  of 
land,  well  improved,  and  has  given  farms  to  his  sons.  He  was  first 
mamed  October  1,  1844.  to  Harriet  O.  Williams,  who  died  February  11, 
1870,  leaving  seven  children  :  Oliver,  Xancy  J.,  Hem-y,  Sophia,  Emma, 
Hannah,  and  Anna.  He  was  next  married  April  5,  1871,  to  Mary  J. 
Williams,  a  sister  to  his  former  wife.  She  was  the  first  postmistress  of 
Sunbeam,  and  held  the  position  many  years,  thus  supporting  her 
invalid  parents.  She  died  March  31,  1882.  Both  she  and  her  sister, 
together  with  ]VIi'.  McPherren,  have  been  for  many  years  members  of 
the  Methodist  climx-h,  uniting  with  that  church  about  1844.  George  H., 
son  of  George  and  Harriet  McPheiTen,  was  born  in  Mercer  county, 
Illinois,  June  19.  18.53.  His  life  has  been  spent  in  Mercer  county, 
mostly  on  the  farm.  He  received  a  common  school  education.  In 
1877  he  became  a  resident  of  Aledo.     In  1882  he  engaged  in  the  meat 

*  business.  May  1st  of  same  year  he  associated  himself  with  Samuel 
Brown,  but  has  since  sold  to  his  partner.  Mr.  McPherren  also  has  a 
fai*m  of  160  acres  of  land,  which  he  oversees.  He  was  married 
December  24,  1871.  to  Miss  Eliza  A.,  daughter  of  Samuel  Price.  She 
was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  September  9,  1851.  Her  mother  is  now 
Mrs.  E.  J.  Moore,  but  whose  maiden  name  was  Emily  Klinefelter. 
Mr.  McPheiTen  has   four   children   livino- :    Emily  O.,   William  H., 

>  Maggie  M.,  Frank  and  Freddie  E.  (twins),  Freddie  E.  having  diect  at 
the  age  of  seventeen  months. 

James  McBride  (deceased)  was  one  of  the  earliest  and  most  honored 
of  Mercer  county's  pioneers.  His  ancestry  was  Scotch,  Irish,  AVelch 
and  German.  He  was  born  in  Westmoreland  county,  Pennsylvania, 
and  was  there  raised.  The  war  of  1812  found  him  a  member  of  the 
light  horse  company.  He  was  engaged  at  Fort  Meigs.  There  was  a 
ditch  before  the  fort,  and  into  this  bombs  were  rolled  for  the  puqDOse 
of  blowing  up  the  fort.  Mr.  McBride  accidently  fell  into  the  ditch, 
and  a  bomb  was  precipitated  on  him.  Fortunately  the  captain  rescued 
him  just  previous  to  the  explosion,  but  he  suffered  afterward  from  the 
accident.  He  returned  to  Pennsylvania  and  married  Mary  Houseman, 
then  sixteen  years  of  age,  also  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  of  Dutch 
descent.  In  1816  they  settled  in  Muskingum  county,  Ohio,  ten  miles 
east  of  Zanesville.  His  chief  business  was  flat-boating,  and  he  made 
six  trips  to  New  Orleans.  He  was  captain  for  some  time.  In  1836  he 
emigrated  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  coming  from  Wlieeling,  Yu-ginia, 
to  Bock  Island,  via  Ohio  and  Mississippi  rivers,  on  flat-boats.     He 


OHIO   GEOVE   TOWNSHIP.  451 

arrived  in  Mercer  countv  May  10th,  and  camped  on  the  X.  "W.  ^  of 
Sec.  4,  T.  13  X.,  R.  3.  He  bought  two  claims.  $175  being  the  price 
paid  for  lialf  a  section  with  a  little  log  house  on  it.  His  family  con- 
sisted of  wife  and  live  children :  John  H.,  Almeda,  James  C,  Elvira  J., 
and  Sarah  E.  He  died  November  14,  1847.  leaving  his  wife  to  survive 
him  till  March  17.  1879.  Both  were  members  of  the  Methodist  church. 
In  Illinois  he  confined  himself  to  milling  and  fanning.  His  life  was 
quiet  and  unostentatious,  loved  by  those  who  knew  him.  little  educa- 
tion, but  with  a  wonderftil  memory,  careftil  and  successful  in  business, 
democratic  in  politics.  Of  his  children,  James  C.  is  in  Colorado,  but 
has  his  home  in  Aledo.  John  H.,  bom  April  8,  1821,  has  spent  his 
life  on  the  farm,  mostlv  in  Mercer  countv.  He  owns  the  old  home- 
stead  of  486  acres,  on  which  he  erected  a  handsome  residence,  and  is  a 
thrifty  farmer.  He  is  democratic  and  a  single  man.  Ehira  J.  was 
born  September  20,  1828.  She  was  married  June  27,  1850,  to  Dr.  A.  B. 
Campbell,  a  native  of  Ohio  and  a  graduate  of  Columbia  Medical  College, 
where  his  brother  was"  professor  of  surgery.  He  settled  in  Keithsburg, 
being  the  second  doctor  of  that  place.  He  practiced  fifteen  years,  and 
died  June  4,  1860,  leaving  wife  and  two  children :  Maud,  and  Jake  H., 
who  live  with  her  brother,  John  H. 

JoHX  H.  Bro\\'x  (deceased)  was  one  of  the  most  sturdy  pioneers  of 
Mercer  countv.  He  was  born  in  Seneca  countv,  Xew  York.  Januarv 
3,  1797.  He  is  said  to  have  aided  in  tlie  battle  of  Xiagara  in  the  war 
of  1812,  assisting  in  guarding  the  bridge  over  Xiagara  river.  He 
received  a  recompense  for  these  services.  His  father  was  a  revolu- 
tionary soldier,  receiving  a  land  warrant  for  liis  services.  The  Browns 
were  early  settlers  of  Oliio.  John  H.  was  raised  on  the  farm,  but  for 
some  time  was  a  brick  moulder  with  his  brothers.  In  1815  he  was 
married  to  Mary  McPherren.  In  1836  he  moved  to  Mercer  county, 
Illinois,  where  he  became  well  known  before  his  death,  which  occurred 
August  11,  1871.  He  was  warm  in  the  advocacy  of  his  p>litical  doc- 
trine, always  ready  to  talk  whig  and,  later,  republican  principles.  He 
came  to  Mercer  county  a  poor  man,  but  before  liis  death  he  owned  at 
one  time  a  thousand  acres  of  land.  His  wife  Mary  (McPherren) 
was  bom  in  Mercer  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  lives  with  her  daughter, 
Mrs.  McCaw.  Mr.  and  ^Ii'S.  Brown  were  long  members  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  church.  Mrs.  Brown  is  now  connected  with  the  Chris- 
tain  church.  In  their  family  are  thirteen  children  :  Alexander, 
George,  John,  Sarah  J.,  James  M.,  "William,  Daniel,  all  born  in 
Muskingum  county,  Ohio ;  and,  born  in  Mercer  ci^»unty,  Illin<^is,  viz : 
Huijh,  Benjamin  L.,  Josoas  P.,  Prancis  ^I.,  Mtu-v,  Johannah.  "William 
Brown  was  born  in  Muskingum  county,  Ohio,  May  6,  1832.     He  has 


i52  HISTORY    OF    MERCER    ^V2v'D    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

spent  liis  life  on  the  farm,  having  risen  from  poverty  in  a  log  cabin  to 
a  farmer  and  owner  of  265  acres  of  land.  He  was  married  June  29, 
1854,  to  Drusilla  Libbv,  daughter  of  Rev.  Thomas  Libby,  of  Maine. 
She  was  born  in  Maine,  June  3,  1832,- and  came  to  Mercer  countv, 
Illinois,  about  18-43.  Her  parents  died  here,  and  are  buried  in  Suez 
township.  Her  fatlier  was  a  Baptist  minister.  After  marriage  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Brown  settled  on  forty  acres  in  section  1,  Ohio  Grove  town- 
shi]).  This  Mr.  Brown  sold,  then  bought  200  acres  in  Suez  township, 
which  he  also  sold,  and  bought  his  ]3resent  farm.  They  have  had  ten 
children,  nine  of  whom  are  living  :  Warren,  George,  Hiram  L.  (dead), 
Alva  C,  AVilliam  F.,  Joseph  F.  S.,  Marion  W.,  Josiah  F.,  Freddie  M., 
and  Thomas  J.  Alexander  Brown,  one  of  the  wealthiest  farmers  of 
Ohio  Grove  township  and  the  oldest  son  of  John  H.  and  Mary  Brown, 
was  born  in  Muskingum  countv,  Ohio,  June  23,  1821.  AYhen  a  youth 
of  lifteen  he  came  to  Mercer  countv.  His  labor  was  such  as  general 
farm  work,  but  especially  in  driving  ox-team,  hauling  saw  logs  in  an 
early  dav,  etc.  That  hard  toil  has  proven  a  success  is  evident  from  the 
fact  that  he  now  owns  591  acres  of  Mercer  countv  land,  well  improved. 
In  181:7  he  visited  his  native  place,  and  later  Indiana,  returning  in 
181:9.  For  many  years  he  kept  bachelor's  hall,  not  marrying  till  1855, 
when  Lucinda  Saunders  became  his  wife.  She  is  a  daughter  of  George 
Saunders,  of  Knox  county,  Illinois,  and  a  native  of  Ohio.  After 
marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brown  lived  in  a  hewn  log  cabin  on  the  eighty 
acres  on  which  his  present  house  stands.  They  have  ten  children, 
living. 

AVilliam  I.  Nevius  (deceased)  was  so  identitied  with  the  history  of 
Mercer  county  and  is  so  often  mentioned  in  connection  with  its  history 
that.it  is  necessary  to  give  but  few  facts  in  a  special  sketch.  His 
father,  John  AV.,  and  his  mother,  Mary  (Roland)  Xevius,  were  natives 
of  Xew  Brunswick,  I^ew  Jersey,  and  were  there  married.  They  made 
their  homes  in  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  in  1837,  living  with  their  son 
AVilliam  I.  till  the  following  year.  In  1838  Mr.  Xevius  bought  prop- 
erty in  Millersburg,  where  he  buried  his  wife,  her  death  occurring 
April  14,  1847.  He  then  made  his  home  with  his  son  til!  his  death, 
October  12,  1854.  Both  rest  in  Millersburg  cemetery.  Mr.  ISTevius 
was  for  several  years  probate  judge.  His  daughter,  Mrs.  Eliza  Brady, 
resides  in  Millersburg.  His  son  A/Villiam  I.  was  born  August  9,  1801, 
in  New  Brunswick,  New  Jersey.  AA'licn  young  his  i)arents  moved  to 
Greene  county,  Ohio,  1818.  December  12,  1822,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Mary  A.  Currie,  who  died,  leaving  four  daughters  and  one  son. 
He  was  next  married  March  1, 1830,  to  Mary  A.  Pierce.  She  was  born 
i!i  (rreene  county,  Ohio,  April  25,  1807.     AA^illiam  I.  Nevius  was  but 


OHIO   GROVE   TOWNSIIII'.  453 

meagerly  educated  in  books,  but  his  hands  were  tauglit  to  do  what 
mind  might  dictate.  With  tools  he  was  lumdy.  lie  learned  the  car- 
])enter's  trade,  and  this  furnished  him  em])lovment  when  not  otherwise 
engaged.  In  1832  he  moved  to  Warren  county,  Illinois.  In  1S35  he 
settled  in  New  Boston  township,  Mercer  county,  Illinois.  In  1S37  he 
changed  his  location  to  Ohio  Grove  township,  where  he  improved  land 
and  lived  till  his  death,  June  10,  1877.  "Peace  hath  her  victories  no 
less  than  war."  In  the  conflict  of  life,  as  a  man,  as  a  pioneer,  Mr. 
Nevius  closed  his  life  in  victory.  He  was  active  in  the  welfara  of  his 
county.  During  the  war  he  was  deputy  provost  marshal.  In  politics 
he  was  whig  and  repul)lican.  He  was  a  member  of  the  United  Presby- 
terian church  at  his  death,  but  in  earlier  years  was  connected  with  the 
old  school  Presbyterian  church.  His  sons  Henry,  John,  and  David  M. 
served  their  country  in  the  civil  war,  and  William  D.  gave  his  life  at 
Shiloh  that  his  country  might  live,  while  David  was  drowned  while 
crossing  the  Cumberland  river  at  Clarksville,  Tennessee.  ]\lr.  Xevius 
was  the  father  of  five  children  in  his  first  family  and  nine  children  in 
his  second  famil}'.  Mrs.  ]S^e^'ius  lives,  an  active,  strong-minded 
woman,  and  interesting  to  all  around  her. 

William  T.  Patterson,  fiirmer,  was  born  April  13,  1808,  in  parish 
of  Pay,  county  Donegal,  Ireland,  nine  miles  from  Londonderry. 
His  father,  Joseph  Patterson,  was  owner  of  some  of  the  Glebe  land. 
He  died  there,  aged  eighty-seven  years.  Mr.  Patterson's  mother, 
Eleanor  (Teas),  was  a  native  of  parish  of  Teboyne,  county  Donegal, 
and  her  father,  William  Teas,  was  a  tenant  of  ]\Iarquis  of  Ebercorn. 
William  Teas  Patterson  left  Ireland  March  8,  1840,  via  London  and 
Liverpool  to  New  York,  in  the  Robert  Fulton  steamboat  and  vessel 
Sheridan.  He  was  four  weeks  on  the  journey.  He  came  to  Chicago, 
there  hired  a  teamster  for  Henry  county,  Illinois,  and  then  went  to 
Nauvoo,  where  he  staid  over  Sunday.  He  visited  Joseph  Smith,  the 
Mormon,  at  his  home,  and  heard  Sydney  Rigdon  ])reach,  and  saw  the 
sacrament  administered.  He  peddled  some  time  through  this  section. 
After  remaining  about  two  years  in  this  section,  he  bought  eighty 
acres  of  land,  which  he  paid  for  largely  in  building  sod  fences.  He 
subsequently  sold  and  bought  and  improved  a  number  of  forms.  July 
19,  1846,  he  was  married  to  Mrs.  Sarah  M.  PrOwnlee,  widow  of 
Samuel  L.  Brownlee.  Mrs.  Brownlee  had  a  family  of  four  children 
by  her  first  husband  :  Lemon,  dead  ;  Oliver  F.,  in  Iowa  ;  Samantha, 
now  !Mrs.  J.  L.  Henderson,  of  Kansas  ;  and  Agnes  M.,  now  Mrs. 
John  Lawton,  of  Pennsylvania.  Since  her  last  marriage  three  child- 
ren have  been  born  :  Jose])h  IL,  dead  ;  David  B.,  in  Iowa  ;  Mary  M., 
now  Mrs.  William  Maxwell,  of  Kansas;  Letitia  E.,  now  Mrs.  James 


454  HISTORY    OF   MERCER    AjS'D    HENDERSOX    COUXTIES. 

C.  Spicer,  of  Mercer  county.  Mr.  Patterson  lias  given  each  cliild  of 
age,  eighty  acres  of  land,  or  its  equivalent,  and  owns  150  acres  well 
improved  himself.  He  is  a  republican,  and  was  first  a  freesoiler.  He 
and  wife  are  connected  with  the  United  Presbyterian  church. 

Jonathan  Duncan  (deceased)  was  born  near  Baltimore,  Maryland, 
November  19,  1791,  and  was  a  son  of  Andrew  and  Ann  (Smith)  Dun- 
can. He  received  a  liberal  education  for  his  time,  supplemented  by 
healthy  toil  of  the  farm.  He  thus  became  vigorous  in  both  mind  and 
body.  He  became  a  carpenter  by  trade,  and  was  the  builder  of  the 
large  hotel  of  fifty  rooms  at  Mineral  Springs,  Pennsylvania.  He  also 
became  extensively  engaged  in  the  wool  business.  He  was  at  one 
time  a  large  stockholder  in  a  number  of  stage  lines  in  Pennsylvania, 
owning  a  large  farm  where  he  fed  his  horses  for  the  line.  It  was  in 
1815  when  he  moved  to  "Washington  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  is 
familiarly  known  as  Col.  Duncan,  ha\"ing  enlisted  in  the  war  of  1812, 
as  lieutenant,  and  later,  being  promoted  colonel.  Very  many  of  the 
colonel's  best  years  were  actively  spent  in  Pennsylvania.  There  he 
lived  till  the  year  1854.  He  had  made  a  trip  to  Illinois  in  1853, 
purchasing  260  acres  in  sections  26  and  27,  Ohio  Grove  township, 
Mercer  county,  Illinois.  In  1854  he  moved  his  family  via  the  river  to 
Keithsburg  and  thence  to  his  farm.  Here  he  lived  till  1874.  He 
improved  his  farm  and  became  a  factor  in  the  county\s  progress.  He 
was  on  intimate  terms  watli  the  lamented  Judge  William  M.  Hayes, 
and  made  many  friends  by  his  good  nature  and  industry.  In  politics 
he  w^as  always  democratic,  but  sought  no  political  emolument.  In 
religion  he  was  of  the  United  Presbyterian  faith.  He  aided  in  build- 
ing Sunbeam  church.  Mr.  Duncan  moved  to  Monmouth  in  1874,  to 
live  in  retirement.  On  September  10,  1876,  while  visiting  his  son, 
Dr.  J.  K.  Duncan,  at  Des  Moines,  Iowa,  death  claimed  him.  He  w^as 
buried  at  Monmouth,  Illinois.  Mr.  Duncan  was  first  married  to  Miss 
Letha  Swearengen.  She  died,  leaving  four  children.  He  was  next 
married  June  29,  1835,  to  Miss  Agnes  Leeper,  daughter  of  Robert 
and  Xancy  Leeper,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  York  county,  and  died 
in  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania.  Mrs.  Duncan  was  born  in 
Washington  county,  Pennsylvania,  June  10,  1815.  She  now  resides 
with  her  son  in  Mercer  county.  Mr.  Duncan's  first  family  are  :  Wil- 
liam Duncan,  of  Mercer  county  ;  Thomas,  of  Des  Moines,  Iowa  ; 
Sarah,  now  Mrs.  William  McCanless,  of  Crescent,  Iowa.  Mr.  McCan- 
less  was  a  prominent  man  of  Mercer  county,  having  owned  the 
land  on  which  Aledo  is  built ;  also,  laid  out  the  town.  He  was 
lieutenant  in  company  A,  84th  111.  Vol.,  and  was  killed  at  the  battle 
of  Chattanooga.     Dr.  Bazil  Duncan  was  army  surgeon  one  year.     He 


OHIO    GROVE   TOWNSHIP.  455 

is  now  dead.  In  the  second  family  are  :  Robert,  who  served  in  the 
civil  war  in  company  F,  17th  111.  Vol.,  and  was  promoted  second  lieu- 
tenant ;  Dr.  J.  K.  Duncan,  who  was  in  the  naval  service  ;  he  was  cap- 
tain of  a  gun  on  the  gunboat  ' '  Fort  Ilyman  ;"  seizing  an  enemy's  hot 
shell,  thrown  on  board  and  endangering  the  lives  of  his  men,  he  threw 
it  into  the  river,  suffering  his  hands  and  arms  to  be  severely  burned  by 
the  operation.  For  this  feat  he  was  promoted  captain  of  the  gun-boat. 
He  took  sick  and  was  sent  to  Pensacola  hospital,  Florida.  Being  there 
at  the  time  of  the  yellow  fever  scourge,  and  having  studied  medicine, 
he  was  retained  as  surgeon  and  physician  three  years,  on  a  salary  of 
$2,000.  He  is  now  of  IS^ebraska.  The  other  children  are  :  Isophena, 
James,  Andrew  (dead),  Nettie,  Arnett,  Charles,  Frank  and  Ida. 
Arnett  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania,  January  28, 
1850.  He  was  married  to  Carrie,  daughter  of  J.  B.  Gilmore.  She 
was  born  near  Oxford,  Ohio.  Arnett  now  owns  100  acres  of  the  old 
homestead  ;  also,  160  acres  besides,  well  improved. 

Thomas  S.  Robb,  farmer,  is  a  son  of  William  and  Mary  (Livingston) 
Robb,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  county  Tyrone,  Ireland,  1775, 
and  emigrated  to  America  when  a  young  man ;  and  the  latter  a  native 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  whose  parents  were  Scotch.  Both  died  in  Penn- 
sylvania in  1845.  In  their  family  were  nine  children,  who  are  now 
widely  scattered.  James  and  Thomas  became  identified  with  Mercer 
county,  Illinois,  interests  in  1851  and  1852  respectively,  and  are 
to-day  among  the  well  to  do.  Thomas  S.  was  born  in  Pennsylvania, 
August  16,  1825,  and  there  married  Martha  A.  Campbell,  daughter  of 
James  Campbell.  She  is  also  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  the  date  of 
her  birth  being  May  10,  1830.  In  1851  Mr.  Robb  was  appointed  by 
Gov.  Johnson,  of  Pennsylvania,  as  commissioner  to  the  World's  Fair, 
held  in  London,  England,  in  the  year  1851.  Besides  performing  his 
duties  in  London,  Mr.  Robb  visited  the  principal  cities  of  England, 
Scotland  and  France,  before  returning  to  his  own  country.  Mr.  Robb 
has  served  Ohio  Grove  township,  as  supervisor,  for  four  different 
terms. 

John  McClellan  was  born  December  20,  1826,  in  Washington 
county,  Pennsylvania.  His  father  was  Francis  McClellan,  also  a  native 
of  Washington  county,  but  whose  father  came  from  Donegal  county, 
L-eland,  about  1813,  and  died  in  Pennsylvania  at  the  age  of  ninety- 
eight  years.  Margaret  Brownlee,  the  mother  of  John,  was  also  a 
native  of  Pennsylvania,  but  her  parents  were  from  Scotland.  In  the 
family  of  Francis  and  Margaret  McClellan  were  eight  children,  all 
Pennsylvanians,  of  whom  but  three  are  living  in  Mercer  county,  viz.  : 
Thomas,    Francis   and   John.      John  emigrated  to   Illinois  in  1850, 


456  HISTOKT    OF   MERGER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

bnving  100  acres  of  the  land  on  which  he  now  Kves,  being  in  sections 
33  and  34,  Ohio  Grove  township,  Mercer  connty,  Illinois.  Mr.  McClel- 
lan  has  improved  the  farm  mostly  himself,  and  owns  150  acres  of  land. 
He  was  married  Januarv  12,  1854,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Brownlee, 
daughter  of  AYilliam  and  Catharine  (Hntchison)  Brownlee,  both  Penn- 
sylvanians,  but  of  Scotch  descent.  The  BrowTilees  came  to  Mercer 
connty  in  1852.  Mrs.  McClellan  was  born  in  Washington  county, 
Pennsylvania,  December  15,  1831.  They  have  had  five  children  : 
Francis,  died  August  22,  1866 ;  Margaret,  Renorick,  Clara  and 
Lawrence. 

'  WiLLiAii  McCreight  (deceased)  was  born  IN^ovember  27,  1818,  in 
Adams  county,  Ohio,  and  was  a  son  of  Ephraim  and  Sarah  (Cummins) 
McCreight,  both  from  South  Carolina.  Mr.  McCreight  was  raised  on 
the  farm.  He  acquired  a  very  good  education  for  his  time  and  taught 
to  some  extent.  He  was  somewhat  a  genius,  able  to  use  many  tools 
and  execute.  In  Ohio  he  was  captain  of  a  company  of  state  militia. 
He  drilled  for  the  JVIexican  war,  but  was  not  called  out.  In  the  spring 
of  1851  he  emigrated  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  landing  at  Keiths- 
burg,  April  1.  Ho  first  rented  from  his  brother-in4aw,  Judge  William 
M.  Hayes.  About  1856  he  purchased  sixty  acres  of  land  which  he 
improved.  He  afterward  added  another  eighty  acres.  Mr.  McCreight 
died  July  11,  1869,  and  is  buried  in  Candor  graveyard.  He  had 
taught  school  here.  He  was  a  leading  member  of  the  United  Presby- 
terian church  from  youth.  In  politics  he  was  whig,  abolitionist,  and 
republican.  He  cast  the  only  abolition  vote  cast  in  Ohio  Grove  town- 
ship at  one  election.  He  was  honest,  straightforward  and  of  strong 
convictions.  This  made  him  perhaps  second  to  none  in  influence 
among  men.  Mr.  McCreight  was  married  in  1843  to  Polly  Hayes, 
daughter  of  John  and  Martha  Hayes,  both  natives  of  South  Caro- 
lina. Mrs.  McCreight  was  born  in  Adams  county,  Ohio,  March  2, 
1822.  Three  children  were  born  in  Ohio  :  Ira  S.,  Leslie  D.,  and  Sel- 
don  J.  The  family  own  the  old  homestead.  Mr.  McCreight's  broth- 
ers, E.  P.  and  Samuel,  served  in  the  civil  war  in  company  A,  30th  111. 
Vol.  John  S.  in  company  G,  30th  111.  Yol.,  and  A.  O.  in  company  D, 
83d  111.  Vol. 

WiLLi^vjvi  Pepper  is  a  son  of  Charles  and  Susan  Pepper ;  was  born 
in  Cambridgeshire,  England,  IVIay  2,  1822.  His  grandfather  was 
butler  to  Pembrook  College,  Cambridge,  and  his  father  was  also  en- 
gaged in  the  same  institution,  and  William  Pepper  spent  many  days 
with  his  father  at  the  college.  In  1832  the  family  set  sail  from  St. 
Catharine  docks,  London,  in  the  ship  Thames,  and  after  five  weeks 
and  three  days,  arrived  in  New  York.     They  spent  six  weeks  in  New 


OHIO   GROVE   T0^VNS1IIP.  457 

York  city  and  six  weeks  in  Utica,  New  York,  then  settled  in  Oswego 
county,  New  York,  where  they  resided  eighteen  or  nineteen  years  and 
cleared  a  farm  of  fortv  acres  from  the  bier  timber.  In  IS-il)  William 
Pepper  came  West  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  but  sj^ent  the  following 
year  in  AVisconsin.  He  then  retui-ned  to«Mercer  county  and  worked 
for  Samuel  Cabeen.  March  3,  1852,  he  was  married  to  Jane  Martin, 
daughter  of  William  and  Susan  (McClellan)  Martin.  The  ]\rartins 
were  very  early  settlers  and  are  noticed  elsewhere.  Mrs.  Pepper  was 
born  in  Ohio,  near  Goshen,  Indiana.  After  marriage  Mr.  Pepper 
lived  one  year  in  Keithsburg,  then  settled  his  present  home  farm  of 
eighty-nine  acres,  March  1,  1853.  He  has  improved  his  place,  ])uild- 
ing  and  re-building  till  he  owns  a  pleasant  i)lace.  ^Ir.  and  Mrs.  Pep- 
per are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  lie  is  a  free  voter, 
voting  for  Lincoln's  second  term. 

William  Henderson  (deceased)  was  born  in  Greene  count}'',  Penn- 
sylvania, April  IS,  1811.  His  parents,  John  and  Margaret  (^[oore) 
Henderson,  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  They  moved  to  Guernsey 
county,  Ohio,  in  the  fall  of  1811.  John  Henderson  died  about  18-45, 
and  his  wife  in  1859.  They  are  buried  in  Pleasant  Hill  cemetery. 
Mr.  H.  was  justice  of  the  peace  for  twenty-one  years,  witli  the  excej)- 
tion  of  two  odd  years.  He  was  in  the  war  of  1812.  William  Hen- 
derson, the  subject  of  tliese  memoirs,  was  the  third  child  in  a  family 
of  seven.  He  was  but  a  few  months  old  when  his  parents  settled  in 
Ohio.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  his  time,  but  the 
farm  occupied  largely  his  life.  As*  an  additional  means  for  gaining  an 
honest  and  competent  livelihood,  he  learned  the  shoemakers  trade, 
which  busied  him  when  other  labor  was  wanting.  In  183-1  he  was 
married  to  Amelia  M.  Henderson.  His  wife  died  in  1810,  leaving 
two  children :  Susannah  C.  and  Margaret  A.  He  was  next  married 
December  29,  1842,  to  Rose  A.  Dool,  daughter  of  Robert  and  Mar- 
garet Dool.  Her  parents  were  natives  of  county  Antrim,  Ireland. 
Mrs.  Henderson's  birth  occurred  on  board  vessel  in  Belfast  Bay  May 
3,  1819,  before  the  vessel  set  sail  that  was  to  bring  the  family  to 
America.  Robert  Dool  died  in  Ilari-ison  county,  Ohio.  His  wife 
lives  at  the  age  of  ninety  years.  ^Ir.  Plenderson  emigrated  to  Mercer 
county,  Illinois,  in  1860,  renting  a  farm  between  ISTew  Boston  and 
Aledo.  In  ]\Iarch,  1862,  he  ])urchased  the  farm  in  Ohio  Grove  town- 
ship of  160  acres,  being  the  S.  W.  I  of  Sec.  10.  This  he  improved 
somewhat.  He  died  March  20,  1877.  He  was  buried  in  the  United 
Presbyterian  graveyard.  Mr.  Henderson  was  a  man  of  life  and  good 
will  to  men.  In  politics  he  was  whig,  in  whig  times,  then  became 
a  northern  democrat.     In  Ohio  he  was  several   vears  deacon  in  the 


458  HISTORY   OF   ArERCER   AJsT)    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

United  Presbyterian  churcli.  In  his  second  family  are  nine  children : 
Robert  enlisted  in  company  A.,  30tli  reg.  111.  Yol.  Inf.,  and  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  engineer  corps.  He  served  the  last  sixteen  months  of 
the  war.  He  was  not  nineteen  years  old  when  he  enlisted.  John  and 
Jane  received  their  educations  at  Monmonth  Academy,  and  hold  first 
grade  ceitificates  and  command  highest  wages  in  teaching.  William  R. 
owns  forty  acres  of  the  home  farm.  The  other  children  are :  Mattie, 
Bell  (dead),  Elizabeth,  Henry  and  Mary. 

William  Dilley,  farmer,  is  one  of  the  very  few  pioneers  left  to 
tell  the  story  of  the  county's  young  days.  Mr.  Dilley  was  born 
October  4,  1801,  in  Sussex  county.  New  Jersey.  He  is  the  third  in  a 
family  of  nine  children.  His  father  and  mother,  Aaron  and  Jane 
(Storey)  Dilley,  were  natives  of  New  Jersey,  and  resided  there  till 
about  1818,  when  they  removed  to  Trumbull  county,  Ohio,  where  they 
died.  William  Dilley  worked  on  the  farm  till  grown.  He  then 
worked  in  a  woolen  factory,  carding,  spinning,  fulling,  etc.  May,  of 
1836,  a  desire  for  the  west  attracted  him  hither,  and  in  that  vear  he 
arrived  in  Mercer  county,  Illinois.  He  had  shipped  a  carding  machine 
to  Oquawka  via  the  river  for  his  future  use.  He  lived  in  Green  town- 
ship till  1848,  when  he  removed  to  his  present  home  in  Ohio  Grove. 
Mr.  Dilley  was  married  in  1837  to  Eliza  Moorehead,  daughter  of  John 
and  Elenor  Moorehead,  early  settlers  of  Mercer  county.  She  was  born 
November  24,  1816.  Mr.  Dilley  owned  120  acres  in  Green  township, 
which  he  sold.  He  bought  320  acres  in  Ohio  Grove.  He  now  owns 
165  acres.  Mrs.  Dilley  died  April  18,  1877.  She  was  the  mother  of 
nine  children:  Aaron  S.,  John  W.  (dead),  Celesia,  Mary,  Samtha, 
Cyrus,  Setli,  Nellie,  (infant  dead).  Cyrus  left  home  several  years  ago 
and  has  not  been  heard  of  since.  Aaron  S.  enlisted  in  the  9th  111. 
Vol.,  and  John  W.  enlisted  in  the  84th  111.  Yol.  Each  served  about 
three  years  in  the  civil  war.  Mr.  Dilley  has  been  whig,  abolitionist, 
and  republican  in  politics. 

Hamisiont)  Webster  (deceased)  was  born,  raised  and  married  in 
Massachusetts.  Both  he  and  his  wife,  Louisa  Richardson,  also  a 
native  of  Massachusetts,  were  engaged  in  the  famous  Girard  factories 
of  Massachusetts.  They  moved  to  New  York  state.  In  1843  they 
emigrated  to  Ohio  Grove  township,  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  and  pur- 
chased the  S.  E.  ^  Sec.  28,  and  afterward  added  N.  E.  I  Sec.  28.  Mr. 
Webster  died  in  1845  and  is  buried  in  the  Candor  graveyard.  His 
wife,  at  present  writing  (1882),  survives  him.  He  was  justice  of  the 
peace  several  years.  He  was  an  old  line  whig.  The  children  were : 
Albert,  Theodore  L.,  William,  and  Mariah  (now  Mrs.  Robert  Parkison). 
William  Webster  was  born  in  New  York,  Alleghany  county,  June  1, 


OHIO    GROVE   TOWNSHIP.  459 

1831,  and  came  west  with  his  people.  His  father  dying,  left  William 
to  work  and  do  for  himself  at  fourteen  years  of  age.  lie  spent  till 
twenty-five  years  of  age  working  round  and  renting  a  farm.  lie  was 
married  in  1858  to  Julia  A.  Wing,  daughter  of  Oliver  and  Julina 
(Harrington)  Wing,  both  natives  of  Massachusetts  but  who  died  in 
Ohio.  Mrs.  Webster  was  born  in  Springfield,  Pennsylvania,  Novem- 
ber 29,  1821.  When  twelve  years  old  moved  to  Ohio,  then  came  west 
to  Mercer  county.  After  marriage  Mr.  Webster  ])urchased  his  present 
farm,  S.  E.  j^  Sec.  80,  which  he  has  earned  with  toil  and  so  well  im- 
proved. He  has  two  children  :  Edith  and  Harriet  L.  In  })<)litics  he  is 
democratic.     He  has  been  ten  years  a  school  director. 

James  Graham  (deceased),  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, June  26,  1809,  and  was  a  son  of  John  and  Martha  (Hutchi- 
son) Oraham,  both  natives  of  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania.  The 
Grahams  were  Pennsylvania  fi-ontier  pioneers.  James  Graham  was 
married  Merch  4,  1835,  to  Mary  Stewart,  daughter  of  Thomas  and 
Mary  (Welsh)  Stewart.  She  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, May  10,  1814.  Her  father  was  born  in  county  Armagh, 
Ireland,  and  emigrated  when  nine  years  old.  He  died  in  Virginia  and 
is  buried  in  Elizabethtown.  He  was  an  elder  in  the  Presbyterian 
church.  His  wife  died  in  Mercer  county,  and  lies  in  Norwood  ceme- 
tery, James  Graham  moved  to  Illinois  in  1842,  spending  two  years 
in  Warren  county.  In  1845  he  settled  in  Ohio  Grove  township,  Mer- 
cer county,  where  he  bought  the  N.  W.  ^  of  Sec.  35.  This  he  improved. 
He  died  November  25,  1879.  He  was  an  elder  in  the  United  Presby- 
terian church.  In  politics  he  had  been  free-soiler,  whig  and  republi- 
can. He  at  one  time  cast  the  only  free-soil  vote  cast  in  Ohio  Grove 
township.  He  was  foremost  in  temperance  work.  His  education  was 
good,  having  taught  in  Pennsylvania  and  in  Mercer  county.  He  left 
a  wife  and  six  children  to  mourn  his  loss.  Mrs.  Graham  resides  at 
Alexis.  Her  children  are:  Calvin  W.,  of  Kansas;  Lenora  J.,  now 
Mrs.  A.  L.  Brownlee,  of  Iowa;  Mary  M.  E.,  now  Mrs.  J.  C.  Graham, 
of  Monmouth  ;  R.  M.,  of  Nebraska ;  Emmet  S.,  at  home ;  and  Eva  A., 
with  her  mother.  Emmet  S.  was  married  October  19,  1876,  to  Miss 
Ella  C.  Boggs ;  she  was  born  in  Warren  county,  Illinois,  April  25, 
1856. 

John  Seaton  (deceased)  was  born  in  Perthshire,  Scotland,  March  15, 
1795,  and  was  a  son  of  Duncan  and  Margaret  (Cameron)  Seaton.  His 
birthplace  is  the  country  village  of  Killiekrankie,  famous  as  a  field  of 
battle  in  times  gone  by,  and  made  immortal  by  the  lines  of  Walter 
Scott.  Mr.  Seaton's  grandfather  and  his  wife's  grandfather  fought  in 
the  battle  of  Culloden.     IVIr.   Seaton  spent  about  forty-five  years  in 


460  HISTORY    OF   MEECER    A>'D    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

Scotland.  He  was  educated  in  tlie  common  schools  of  his  conntry. 
He  learned  the  trade  of  carpentry  and  masonry,  which  he  followed 
somewhat,  as  well  as  farming.  He  became  anxious  to  try  a  new 
country;  hence  in  1843  he  left  the  land  of  Scott  and  Burns  for  Amer- 
ica. He  sailed  from  Livei-pool  May  21  and  landed  in  New  York  July 
14.  He  settled  first  in  Mifllin  countv,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  farmed 
two  years.  In  1845  he  determined  to  emigrate  still  westward;  accord- 
ingly he  started  for  Galena,  Illinois,  via  the  river,  but  being  taken 
sick  he  concluded  to  hind  at  Oquawka,  which  he  did  in  November  of  • 
1845.  He  spent  the  first  winter  in  Mercer  county  ;  then  two  years  he 
farmed  in  Warren  county.  In  1848  he  "  squatted  "  on  the  N.  W.  J  of 
Sec.  19,  T.  13  N.,  E.  3  W.,  Mercer  county,  which  he  bought  when  it 
came  into  market.  This  he  improved,  and  here  he  lived  till  his  death, 
July  21,  1881.  Mr.  Seaton  was  a  quiet,  honest,  plodding  farmer, 
friendly  to  all  and  esteemed  by  all.  He  was  a  Presbyterian  in  reli- 
gious faith.  In  politics  he  cast  his  first  vote  for  Henry  Clay,  and  later 
was  a  strong  republican.  The  country  needs  more  such  men.  Mr. 
Seaton  was  first  married  in  1821  to  Isabell  McDonald,  who  died  in 
1824,  leaving  two  children :  Margaret,  born  June  22,  1822 ;  and 
Duncan,  born  October  27i  1823.  Mr.  Seaton  next  married  (1826)  Miss 
Christian  Seaton,  probably  a  very  distant  relative.  She  was  born 
January  10,  1800.  She  shared  the  toils  of  emigration  and  life  in  the 
new  country,  dying  in  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  December  20,  1878. 
She  was  a  consistent  Christian,  and  a  queen  in  her  own  house.  She 
was  the  mother  of  six  children :  Eliza,  born  October  4,  1828,  died 
July,  1847;  John,  born  February  6,  1831;  Robert,  born  March  25, 
1834,  enlisted  in  company  G,  102d  reg.  111.  Vol.  Inf ,  was  second 
lieutenant,  and  died  at  Nashville,  October  10,  1864,  from  a  wound 
received  July  22,  1864,  at  Atlanta ;  he  was  a  brave  boy ;  Daniel,  born 
February  3,  1836,  died  May  14,  1866 ;'  George ;  Susan,  died  in  infancy. 
George  Seaton,  son  of  John  Seaton,  was  born  February  14,  1839,  on 
the  same  farm  as  his  father.  He  grew  to  be  his  father's  constant  help, 
as  he  took  charge  of  his  father's  business  for  about  twenty  years. 
Pie  was  married  February  26,  1874,  to  Miss  Mary  J.  Brown,  daughter 
of  James  Brown,  of  Warren  county.  She  was  born  in  Ireland,  county 
Antrim,  July  26,  1851,  and  is  lineally  descended  from  the  Campbells, 
of  Argyleshire,  Scotland.  They  have  four  children.  ^Ir.  Seaton  owns 
the  old  homestead  and  other  land  to  the  amount  of  about  500  acres. 
The  new  town  of  Seaton  is  laid  out  on  his  land,  and  he  has  built  the 
first  store. 

Samuel  M.  Ckeighton,  farmer,  was  born  January  18,  1831,  in  Ohio 
county.  West  Virginia.     His   father,   John  Creigliton,   was  born  in 


OHIO    GROVK    TOWNSHIP.  401 

17i)7,  ill  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania.  While  yet  a  boy  he  was  a  teamster 
in  the  revolution,  and  was  drilled  for  a  soldier.  He  was  present  at 
the  battle  of  the  Brandvwine.  lie  died  in  1849,  having  buried  his 
wife  (Samuers  mother)  in  1830.  Both  are  buried  at  the  church  at  the 
Forks  of  Wheeling.  She  was  born  about  1780.  In  the  family  were 
eleven  children,  of  whom  Samuel  is  the  youngest.  He,  in  company 
with  his  sister  Elizabeth,  emigrated  to  Brown  county,  Ohio ;  then  to 
Warren  county,  Illinois ;  and  in  the  fall  of  1853  settled  on  section  35, 
Ohio  Grove  township,  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  on  the  James  Graham 
place,  one  year;  then  in  1854  he  bought  the  ^N".  W.  ^  of  Sec.  33.  This 
he  has  iini)roved.  In  1875  he  built  his  present  house  at  an  expense  of 
$2,100.  Mr.  Creighton  is  a  radical  republican;  he  cast  his  first  vote 
for  John  P.  Hale.  He  is  a  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
church. 

William  C.  Brownlee,  farmer,  is  the  namesake  of  his  father,  the 
Eev.  W.  C.  Brownlee,  D.D.,  of  New  York  city.  Dr.  W.  C.  Brownlee 
was  born  in  Lanarkshire,  Scotland.  He  was  educated  at  the  universitv 
of  Glasgow,  and  was  licensed  to  preach  in  Scotland  in  the  faith  of  the 
covenanters.  He  was  married  in  Scotland  to  Mariah  McDougall,  a 
native  of  Glasgow.  He  emigrated  to  America  about  1804,  and  became 
a  minister  to  a  Seceder  congregation  in  Washington  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania. He  soon  received  a  call  to  a  Philadelphia  Scotch-Presbyterian 
congregation,  which  he  accepted  about  1812.  He  afterward  became 
Professor  of  Languages  and  Mathematics  in  Rutgers  College,  Xew 
Brunswick,  jSTew  Jersey.  Later  he  became  collegiate  pastor  of  the 
Dutch  Reformed  church,  at  the  corner  of  Kassau  and  Liberty  streets, 
JSTew  York  city.  He  died  in  1860,  in  his  eighty-second  year,  having 
suffered  many  years  from  a  stroke  of  the  palsy.  His  wife  died  about 
1850.  In  the  fsimily  were  nine  children:  Dr.  J.  J.  Brownlee  (dead) 
was  surgeon  in  the  late  war;  John  A.  (dead)  was  of  the  firm  of 
Brownlee,  Homer  tt  Co.,  St.  Louis;  David,  a  merchant  of  St.  Louis; 
the  girls,  Mariah,  Margaret,  Jane,  and  Catharine,  married  jM'ominent 
merchants  in  the  east.  William  (\  was  born  in  Lancaster,  Pennsyl- 
vania, September  3,  1815,  and  is  the  third  child  in  the  family.  He 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Pennsvlvania  and  hie-li  school 
of  jS^ew  York  city.  In  the  spring  of  1838  he  left  home  and  stayed 
with  his  relatives  in  Ohio  a  time,  emigrating  with  them  still  westwanl. 
He  came  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  and  settled  near  Viola,  taking  a 
claim  of  160  acres.  In  1840  he  bought  240  acres  in  Ohio  Grove  town- 
shij),  which  he  has  improved.  In  that  year  he  was  married  to  Mary  A. 
Brownlee.  She  was  born  in  Richland  county,  Ohio.  She  died  A]ii-il 
3,  1876.  and  is  buried  at  Norwood.      She  was  the  mother  of  six  chil- 


462  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AiTD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

dren :  William  C,  Jr.,  Francis,  Mariali,  Samuel,  Alexander,  and 
Harriet  N.  Mr.  Brownlee  was  a  whig,  voted  awhile  for  the  democ- 
racy, but  the  war  made  him  a  republican. 

James  Calhoun  (deceased)  was  a  native  of  Allegheny  county, 
Pennsylvania.  He  made  a  trip  to  Muskingum  county  about  1814,  pur- 
chasing, and  in  part  clearing,  a  farm.  About  1816  he  settled  with  his 
wife,  Elizabeth  (Carnahan)  on  his  Ohio  farm.  His  father  haWng  been 
in  the  revolutionary  war,  he  was  not  afraid  of  the  frontier.  There 
nine  chidren  were  born  to  them  :  David,  William,  John  K.,  James 
H.,  Joseph  C,  Samuel  C,  Elizabeth,  Franklin,  and  Alexander  T.  Mr. 
Calhoun,  besides  farming  in  Ohio,  was  proprietor  of  a  store  and  a 
steam  mill.  In  1843  the  family  emigrated  via  the  Muskingum,  Ohio 
and  Mississippi  rivers  to  Oquawka  and  thence  to  Mercer  county, 
where  he  farmed  a  short  time  in  Suez  township,  then  removed  to  Xew 
Boston,  where  he  kept  hotel  for  a  number  of  years.  He  died  July 
15,  1847.  His  wife  lived  till  Xovember  22,  1878.  Both  were  mem- 
bers of  the  United  Presbyterian  church.  Mr.  Calhoun  is  a  distant 
relative  of  the  great  John  C.  Calhoun.  The  children  are  scattered. 
David  and  William  moved  to  Kansas  ;  the  latter  is  dead.  Josej^h  and 
Alexander  live  in  Taylor  county,  Iowa  ;  James  K. ,  is  of  Aledo  ;  Sam- 
uel and  James  H.,  in  Ohio  Grove  township.  Samuel  and  Alexander 
served  three  years  in  company  H.,  84tli  111.  Vol..  in  the  civil  war. 
James  H.  was  born  August  5,  1826  ;  has  spent  a  life  on  the  farm, 
owning  80  acres  in  Ohio  Grove  township.  The  family  are,  and  have 
been,  warm  republicans.  John  K.  was  born  February  24,  1824 ;  was 
raised  on  the  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  his  day. 
He  came  to  Mercer  county  in  1843,  with  the  family.  In  1846  he 
returned  to  Ohio,  where  he  lived  till  the  fall  of  1854,  when  he  was 
married  to  Miss McClelland,  native  of  Ohio  ;  and  on  the  fol- 
lowing day  started  for  his  home  in  Mercer  county,  Illinois.  He  set- 
tled in  section  5,  Suez  township,  where  he  lived,  raised  his  family  and 
buried  his  wife,  her  death  occurring  in  1872.  In  spring  of  1882  he 
retired  from  active  labor  and  moved  to  Aledo,  Illinois.  He  is  owner 
of  500  acres  of  good  land.  His  children  are:  Elizabeth  J.,  Martha 
A.  (now  Mrs.  Robert  Hudleston),  Mary  B.,  William  (deceased). 

Barnet  Un ANGST  (dcccascd)  was  born  in  Warren  county,  Xew 
Jersey,  March  28,  1810.  His  father,  Jacob  Fnangst,  was  a  native  of 
Northampton  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  his  mother,  Elizabeth  (Wil- 
son), was  born  in  New  Jersey.  The  family  is  of  German  descent. 
June  15,  1833,  Barnet  Unganst  was  married  to  Charity  Smith,  daugh- 
ter of  Isaac  and  Jemima  (Wheaton)  Smith.  She  was  born  in  Hunt- 
ington county,  New  Jersey,  ■  August  30,   1815.      An  extract  from  a 


OHIO   GROVE   TOWNSHIP.  463 

New  Jersey  paper  is  as  follows:  "The  annual  re-union  of  the  great 
Smith  family  of  Kew  Jersey,  held  on  Wednesday,  in  a  beautiful  grove 
of  appletrees  on  the  site  of  the  old  homestead  of  Zachariah  Smith,  of 
Peapack,  was,  perliaps,  the  biggest  family  gathering  that  has  ever 
yet  taken  place.  There  were  fully  3,000  persons  present,  all  supposed 
to  be  lineally  descended  from,  or  connected  with,  the  original  flohn 
Schmidt,  of  Holland,  who  settled  in  Stanton,  Huntington  county, 
New  Jersey,  over  125  years  ago,  and  changed  his  name  to  Smith, 
after  he  understood  the  ways  of  the  country.  He  was  a  genial  Dutch- 
man ;  slow  plodding,  industrious,  honest ;  and  the  impress  of  his 
character  is  left  on  a  good  portion  of  his  vast  progeny  to  this  day." 
After  marriage  Barnet  and  Charity  Unangst  lived  in  New  Jersey  till 
1851,  having  eight  children  born  to  them  :  Pheby,  born  May  12,  1834, 
died  April  19,  1836  ;  John  S.,  born  September  12,  1836,  died  August 
20,  1838  ;  Godfrey  H.,  born  January  12,  1839  ;  Ann  E.,  born  Novem- 
ber 21,  1840  ;  Mary  J.,  born  November  30,  1842  ;  Margaret,  born 
July  13,  1845;  Christiana,  born  September  3,  1847;  Sarah  C,  born 
March  26,  1850.  Two  were  bom  in  Illinois  :  Jacob,  born  February 
16,  1852,  died  December  14,  1854;  and  William  H.,  born  July  27, 
1854.  In  1851  the  family  sought  a  home  in  Illinois,  and  bought  land 
in  Ohio  Grove  township,  Mercer  county,  coming  overland  1,200  or 
1,300  miles,  occupying  about  seven  weeks  in  the  journey.  Here  the 
Unangsts  made  their  farm.  Mr.  Unangst  was  a  quiet,  congenial  citi- 
zen. He  died  November  23,  1876,  leaving  his  wife  to  survive  him 
till  August  12,  1881.  Both  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church, 
and  are  buried  at  Norwood.  Godfrey  H.,  the  third  child,  enlisted  in 
company  E,  102d  111.,  Yol.,  August  18,  1862.  He  was  detached  at 
Gallatin,  Tennessee,  for  pioneer  ser\ace,  December  1,  1862,  and  trans- 
ferred to  company  Iv,  1st  Reg.  U.  S.  Vet.  Eng,  Vol.,  about  Sej)tem- 
ber  1,  1864.  He  was  through  the  campaign  from  Nashville  to  Mur- 
freesboro,  Chickamauga,  Missionary  Pidge,  and  in  front  of  Nashville. 
He  was  discharged  June  30,  1865,  and  returned  to  his  home,  where 
he  resumed  farm  labor.  He  became  manager  of  the  farm  on  his 
father's  disability,  and  now  owns  the  old  homestead  in  section  13. 

Ebp:^'kzer  Graham,  farmer,  was  born  May  12,  1816,  in  Washing- 
ton county,  Pennsylvania.  His  parents,  John  and  ]\Iartha  (Hutchi- 
son) Graham,  were  natives  of  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania,  but  died  in 
Washington  count}'.  John  Graham  emigrated  from  Ireland  when  a 
young  man.  He  lived  on  the  frontier  of  Pennsylvania,  at  night 
resting  in  a  fort.  He  was  in  the  Indian  wars.  Ebenezer,  the  tenth 
and  youngest  child,  lived  in  Pennsylvania  till  1857.  He  was  raised 
on  a  farm.     His  schooling  is  limited,  yet  such  as  was  common  to  his 


464  HISTORY    OF   aiERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

da}-.  He  was  married  to  Sarah  A.  McDowell,  wlio  was  born  in 
Washington  county,  Pennsylvania,  December  21,  1837.  In  1857  Mr. 
Graham  sold  his  farm  and  moved  west,  settling  in  Ohio  Grove  town- 
ship, Mercer  county,  where  he  has  improved  a  good  farm.  He  and 
wife  have  been  members  of  the  United  Presbyterian  church  over 
forty-five  years.  He  is  a  strong  republican.  In  the  family  are  two 
children:  J.  L.,  born  in  Pennsylvania;  and  Martha  J.  S.,  now 
Mrs.  Dr.  J.  T.  JVlcCutchan,  of  Norwood. 

M.  M.  Cross,  farmer,  was  born  in  Adams  county,  Ohio,  November 
16,  1820,  and  is  a  son  of  AVilliam  and  Ann  (Morrow)  Cross.  William 
Morrow  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  He  became  a  soldier  in  the 
war  of  1812.  In  1811  he  moved  to  Adams  county,  Ohio.  He  was  a 
farmer  and  miller  and  had  learned  the  tanning  business  in  his  yoimg 
days.  He  died  in  Ohio  in  1848.  His  wife  was  a  native  of  county 
Do^YH,  Ireland,  and  came  when  young  to  America;  she  died  in  Ohio 
in  1856.  In  the  family  were  three  girls  and  three  boys.  M.  M.  Cross 
was  reared  on  the  farm.  He  was  married  to  Dorcas  Finley,  daughter 
of  William  Finley,  in  1856.  In  that  same  year  Mr.  Cross  came  to 
Mercer  county,  Illinois,  and  settled  in  Ohio  Grove  township.  He 
bought  eighty  acres  of  land ;  to  this  he  added  more,  then  sold,  but 
now  owns  160  acres  of  fine  land,  with  good  improvements.  Mr.  Cross 
was  raised  a  democrat  but  has  long  been  a  good  republican.  He  was 
assessor  some  time  and  was  road  commissioner  about  fifteen  years. 
His  wife  died  March  2,  1856,  leaving  a  family  of  five  children :  Lewis 
A.,  McDill  L,  Emma  A.,  Craton  P.,  and  Stewart  E.  Mr.  Cross  was 
next  married  to  Paulina  J.  Walker,  a  native  of  Adams  county,  Ohio, 
and  who  came  with  her  parents  to  Peoria  county,  Illinois,  in  an  early 
day.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cross  are  connected  with  the  United  Presbyterian 
church.  McDill  P.,  son  of  M.  M.  Cross,  was  born  in  Adams  county, 
Ohio,  February  25,  1856.  He  lived  with  his  parents  till  marriage ; 
he  was  married  March  8,  1882,  to  Miss  Abbie  M.  Kimel,  daughter  of 
J.  W.  and  Mary  (Burnet)  Kimel.  She  was  born  in  Mercer  county, 
Ohio  Grove  township,  March  12,  1863. 

Horace  Nye  Chandler  is  a  son  of  Zachariah  and  Fannie  (Bingham) 
Chandler.  The  Chandlers  have  been  prominent  figures  in  America  for 
several  generations.  Benjamin  C-handler  was  killed  in  the  battle  of 
Bennington  in  the  revolution,  as  a  "Green  Mountain  boy,"  and  his 
sons,  John,  Joseph,  Jesse,  Benjamin,  and  Setli  were  in  the  same  battte. 
Joseph  was  in  the  regular  army  under  Gates,  and  afterward  settled  in 
Morgan  county,  Ohio.  Dr.  Jesse  Chandler  settled  in  Putnam  county, 
Ohio,  and  his  son,  Dr.  Ero  Chandlei',  is  now  of  Hancock  county,  Illinois. 
Benjamin  died  in  PhiladeliJiia.     John  raised  six  sons;  he  died  and  is 


.  ;€v-^ 


f^  P/'x^^^-^' 


■^*■ 


OHIO    GROVE    TOWNSHIK  467 

buried  at  Cluindlersville,  Oliio.  His  sons  were:  Zacliariah,  Martin, 
John,  Samuel,  Guv,  and  Steplien.  Zachariali  was  born  in  Rutland 
county,  A^ermont ;  lie  died  in  INfuskingum  county,  Ohio,  and  is  buried 
by  his  father.  His  wife,  Fannie  Bingham,  was  a  native  of  New  Hamp- 
shire ;  she  rests  near  her  husband  in  Ohio.  She  was  related  to  con- 
gressman Bingham,  so  long  an  Ohio  statesman.  She  was  a  descendant 
of  Miles  Standish  of  the  May  Flower  fame.  She  was  a  very  intel- 
ligent woman,  not  only  understanding,  but  able  to  teach.  Her  children 
received  the  larger  part  of  their  education  from  her  wonderful  fund  of 
knowledge.  Her  children  are  :  Seth,  who  died  in  California ;  Horace 
N.,  of  Mercer  county;  Mary  (dead),  Harriott  (dead),  Abigail  (dead), 
Abigail  (living),  Fannie  (dead),  Eliza,  and  Nira.  Horace  N. 
Chandler  was  born  in  Muskingum  county,  Ohio,  November  8,  1817. 
He  was  was  raised  to  the  toil  of  the  farm.  He  attended  the  common 
schools,  but  received  the  larger  part  of  his  knowledge  of  government 
and  public  men  from  his  mother.  Being  the  only  son  at  home,  the 
duties  of  the  house  fell  somewhat  upon  him,  so  that  he  lived  with  his 
parents  and  they  with  him  till  they  died.  He  became  the  proprietor 
of  the  Ohio  homestead.  Mr.  Chandler  was  married  June  1,  1843,  to 
Miss  Anne  E.  Bevan,  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  (Blackburn)  Bevan. 
,Her  father  was  a  native  of  Monroe  county,  Ohio,  and  her  mother  ot 
Mai-yland.  Mrs.  Chandler  was  born  in  Monroe  county,  Ohio,  October 
8,  1822.  After  marriage  Mr.  Chandler  resided  in  Ohio  till  1865,  when 
he  came  west,  arriving  at  Monmouth  on  the  day  on  which  the  news  ot 
Lincoln's  assassination  stung  the  heart  of  every  true  American.  He 
bought,  June  12,  1865,  the  James  Kellogg  farm,  the  S.  W.  ^  of  Sec.  27 
and  W.  ^  of  S.  E.  ^  Sec.  27,  Ohio  Grove  township,  Mercer  county,  Illinois, 
Avhere  he  has  since  lived.  He  has  improved  the  farm  very  materially. 
He  has  been  supervisor  for  many  terms.  In  politics  he  has  been 
whig  and  republican,  being  a  charter  member  of  the  latter  party.  The 
children  of  this  union  are:  Darwin,  Mary,  Seth,  John  B.,  Harriott, 
and  Homer.  Darwin  enlisted  in  the  naval  service  under  Com. 
Leroy  Fisk,  serving  one  year,  till  the  war  closed.  Mary  is  now  Mrs. 
J.  K.  Porter. 

Dr.  C.  C.  Smith,  son  of  Andrew  and  Jane  (Craig)  Smith,  was  born  in 
Guernsey  county,  Ohio,  April  1,  1825.  Jane  Craig  was  born  in  county 
Monohon,  Ireland,  in  1790,  and  emigrated  with  her  parents  in  1704  to 
Pennsylvania.  She  died  in  Ohio,  July  12,  1864.  Andrew  Smith  was 
born  in  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  died  in  Ohio,  August 
31,  1875.  His  grandfather  Smith  was  from  Germany.  Andrew  Smith 
and  wife  were  many  years  in  the  Associate  Presbyterian  church.  In 
their  family  were  six  children:  Anne,  Lydia,  C.  C,  Sarah  J.  (dead), 


468  HISTORY    OF   AIEECEE   AJSD    HEXDEESON    COrJsTIES. 

John,  and  "Walter.  The  life  of  Dr.  C.  C.  Smith  has  been  one  of 
unusual  activitT,  from  the  fact  that  he  has  been  obliged  to  light  his 
own  battles  in  life.  His  education,  liberal  as  it  is,  he  acquired  bj  his 
own  eiforts.  His  early  years  were  spent  in  country  air  and  his  hands 
were  inured  to  farm  labor.  He  desired  a  professional  life,  and  to  fit 
him  for  this  he  was  resolved  fii'st  to  be  well  read  in  general  knowledge. 
He  accordingly  attended  the  common  schools.  He  began  teaching, 
which  he  followed  at  different  times  for  a  number  of  years.  He 
attended  Madison  College  at  Antrim,  Ohio,  where  he  completed  the 
course  in  mathematics,  except  sm'veying.  He  also  pursued  the  Latin 
language  to  some  extent.  In  1848  he  began  to  read  medicine  with  a 
Dr.  Davis.  His  preceptor  dying  he  then  read  with  Dr.  R.  G.  Stephen- 
son. After  reading  more  or  less  for  four  years  he  attended  medical 
lectures  at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  in  1852.  He  began  the  practice  of  medi- 
cine in  Antrim,  his  home,  first  in  partnership  with  his  preceptor,  but 
Dr.  Stephenson  dying  Dr.  Smith  continued  his  profession  alone.  In 
1856  he  located  at  Viola,  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  remaining  two  years 
or  little  more.  He  then  practiced  as  long  in  Preemption.  In  the  fall 
of  1861  he  bought  out  Dr.  Gilmore,  of  Sunbeam,  and  has  since  prac- 
ticed here.  That  he  has  been  a  successful  practitioner  is  evident  from 
the  fact  that  he  now  owns  seventy-two  acres,  with  good  house,  etc.,  a§ 
his  home  place,  eighty  acres  in  section  10,  and  160  acres  in  Iowa,  aU 
the  reward  of  his  practice.  During  the  war  the  doctor  was  busy,  doing 
much  for  the  families  of  soldiers.  The  wounds  he  dressed  without 
charge,  and  thus  he  did  his  duty  at  home.  Late  years  he  has  circum- 
scribed his  practice,  on  account  of  overwork.  He  has  been  an  active 
worker  in  temperance  work,  also  a  member  and  an  oflicer  in  the  L^nited 
Presbyterian  church.  He  is  a  very  strong  republican.  His  first  vote 
was  for  John  P.  Hale.  Dr.  Smith  was  married  Februarv  22,  1855,  to 
Cordelia,  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Elizabeth  (Work)  Downerd.  She 
was  born  in  Guernsey  county,  Ohio.  Her  fether  was  a  German,  her 
mother  from  county  Donegal,  Ireland.  Dr.  Smith  has  a  family  of  six 
children  li\'ing  and  two  dead. 

Cheistiax  Siiaree  (deceased)  was  born  on  ]^ew  Year  day  about 
1800,  in  Herkimer  county,  Xew  York.  His  people  were  of  Dutch 
descent.  His  father  was  killed  in  the  revolutionary  war.  Mr.  Sharer 
was  raised  on  a  farm,  but  became  interested  in  dairying,  merchandis- 
ing, distilling  and  banking  business,  becoming  quite  wealthy.  The 
panic  of  183Y  crippled  him  financially.  He  was  married  in  Xew  York 
to  Catharine  Rasbach,  by  whom  he  had  three  children  :  John,  George, 
and  Edward  M.  In  1844  they  moved  to  Licking  county,  Ohio.  In 
1854  they  located  in  Moultrie  county,  Illinois,  and  a  year  afterward  in 


OHIO    GROVE   TOWNSHIP.  469 

Stark  county.  In  1858  tliev  moved  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  where 
Mr.  Sharer  bought  land  in  Suez  township,  and  lived  till  his  death,  in 
June,  18(51.  His  wife  lives  on  the  homestead.  Edward  M.,  the  third 
child,  was  born  May  3,  1841,  remained  with  his  parents,  and  moved 
with  them.  He  enlisted  August  26,  1862,  in  company  E,  102d  El.  Vol., 
and  served  in  service  of  his  country  nearly  three  years,  enduring  all 
the  hardships  and  enjoying  the  few  pleasures  incident  to  the  career  of 
his  regiment.  In  the  fall  of  1868  he  purchased  100  acres  of  land  in 
the  northeast  part  of  section  24,  Ohio  Grove  township.  In  1876  or 
1877  he  built  his  present  commodious  house.  He  now  has  180  acres 
in  his  farm,  well  improved.  He  was  married  February  23,  1869,  to 
Martha  Simpson,  daughter  of  James  and  Anna  (Goodman)  Simpson, 
the  former  a  native  of  Ireland  and  the  latter  of  Pennsvlvania.  Mrs. 
Shai-er  was  born  in  Pennsylvania.  Three  of  her  brothers  were  in  the 
civil  war,  David  K.  being  in  company  E,  102d  Illinois,  the  others  in 
Pennsylvania  regiments.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sharer  have  live  children : 
Alva,  Willie,  Edward,  Charlie,  and  the  babe. 

George  W.  Werts,  blacksmith,  was  born  in  Muskingum  county, 
Ohio,  April  4,  1841,  and  is  a  son  of  George  and  Margaret  (Maple) 
Werts.  His  father  was  a  native  of  Loudoun  county,  Virginia,  and  his 
mother  of  Ohio.  Mr.  Werts  was  raised  on  a  farm,  and  when  sixteen 
years  old  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade,  so  that  when  Sumpter's  cry  of 
distress  belched  from  mouths  of  cannon  and  called  for  America's 
yeomanry  to  relieve  her  he  was  used  to  toil  and  prepared  to  do  his 
country's  service.  He  enlisted  August  22,  1862,  in  company  I,  122d 
Ohio  Vol.,  under  Capt.  Gary.  He  was  mustered  in  at  Zanesville,  Ohio, 
as  a  private.  For  two  years,  more  or  less  constantly,  he  bugled  for  his 
company.  He  became  engaged  in  battle  at  Winchester ;  Millroy, 
where  his  company  became  surrounded  by  the  enemy ;  Harper's 
Ferry;  went  into  line  at  Williamsport,  near  Gettysburg,  where  he 
assisted  in  taking  1,500  prisoners.  He  was  then  in  the  effort  to  cut 
through  Manassas  gap  to  intercept  Lee ;  was  then  sent  to  New  York 
to  aid  in  quelling  the  riot.  He  fought  at  Locust  Grove,  then  started 
with  Grant  for  Pichmond.  May  4,  1864,  he  went  into  the  battle  of  the 
Wilderness,  where  his  company  lost  heavily ;  took  part  at  Spottsyl- 
vania  Court-house,  Cold  Harbor,  where  his  division  received  a  compli- 
mentary order  for  taking  the  works  of  the  enemy.  He  was  then  sent 
to  the  south  side  of  Richmond  to  Butler's  department,  and  was  drawn 
in  line  to  make  a  charge,  but  word  came  countermanding  the  order. 
He  then  united  with  the  main  army  at  Petersburg,  and  fought  on  the 
south  side  of  the  river.  He  accompanied  Sheridan  in  the  Shenandoah 
valley  to  protect  Washington  ;  went  through  that  campaign,  and  was 


470  HISTORY    OF    FIERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

with  Sheridan  in  his  famous  ride,  and  aided  in  "licking  them  out  of 
their  boots"'  at  Cedar  creek,  where  victory  depended  hirgely  on  the 
corps  of  which  he  was  a  member,  the  army  liaving  been  generally 
routed  by  Early's  forces  when  Sheridan  arrived  from  Winchester. 
This  corps  was  called  by  the  rebels  the  Catholic  cross  corps.  Mr. 
Werts  assisted  in  the  charge  and  taking  of  the  works  at  Kichmond ; 
followed  the  enemy  to  Sailors'  run,  taking  1,100  wagons  and  many 
jjrisoners ;  then  on  to  Lee's  surrender  at  Appomattox  Court-house.  Mr. 
Werts'  army  career  was  one  of  unusual  activity.  He  was  mustered 
out  at  Washington.  But  twelve  of  his  company  remained  able  for 
duty.  In  1865  he  located  at  Sunbeam,  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  where 
he  has  since  been  the  "  village  blacksmith.""  He  was  married  October 
»^,  1865,  to  Miss  Mary  Decker,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Decker,  and  a 
native  of  Mercer  county.  He  has  six  children:  Alpha  M.,  Susie  E., 
Clarence  B.,  George  W.,  Jr.;  xilonzo  E.,  and  Everet  L. 

Pktek  Peterson,  farmer,  was  born  in  Sweden  June  27,  1826.  In 
June,  1865,  Mr.  Peterson  sailed  for  America,  landing  at  Kew  York 
city.  He  soon  arrived  at  Kock  Island.  He  spent  eighteen  months 
with  the  Bishop  Hill  colony  in  Henry  county,  Illinois,  working  at  his 
trade  of  carpentering.  He  continued  his  trade  in  Fulton  county,  then 
one  vear  at  Galva.  Beina;  out  of  work,  he  overheard  some  persons 
talking  of  moving  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  and  he  proposed  to 
accompany  them,  which  he  did  in  1859.  Here  he  lived  vdth  the 
Sharers  for  four  years,  working  at  his  trade.  August  18,  1862,  he 
enlisted  in  company  E.,  102d  reg.  111.  A^oL,  under  Capt.  Likely  and 
Col.  McMurtrie.  He  served  sixteen  months.  He  was  on  detached 
duty  mostly.  At  Chattanooga  he  stood  in  the  river  up  to  his  ears  in 
cold  water  for  thirty-six  hours  continuously,  which  disabled  him  for 
duty  and  has  crippled  him  for  life.  He  returned  to  Mercer  county, 
not  being  able  to  walk  for  some  time.  He  managed  to  buy  a  small 
farm,  and  now  has  140  acres  and  a  good  liouse.  He  was  married  first 
to  Betsy  Johnson,  who  died  in  Henry  county,  Illinois,  leaving  one 
child,  Cathrina,  now  Mrs.  Henry  Crosby,  of  Viola.  He  was  next 
married  to  Catharine  Johnson,  January  26,  1869,  and  by  her  he  has 
five  children  :  Eddie,  Maggie,  John,  Julia  A.,  and  Charlie.  Mr.  Peter- 
son is  a  thrifty  farmer. 

Robert  Hamilton,  farmer,  was  born  in  Kentucky,  October  8,  1811. 
His  parents,  Samuel   and   Jane  (Smith)  Hamilton,  were  natives  of 
South  Carolina.    They  moved  to  Kentucky  early,  and  thence  to  Preble 
county,  Ohio,  where  Samuel  Hamilton  died.     His  wife  died  in  Indiana. 
Robert  was  raised  in  the  stern  schools  of  toil.     When  twenty  years  of 
age  he  learned  the  carpenter  trade,  which  he  has  followed  more  or  less 


OHIO    GROVK    TOWNSHIP.  471 

since.  He  also  worked  as  a  millwriglit  for  some  years.  In  the  fall  of 
1830  he  located  in  Clinton  county,  Indiana,  near  Madison.  He  was 
tliere  married  to  Miss  Deborah  Talbort.  In  1855  he  moved  to  Mercer 
county,  Illinois.  Here  he  bought  150  acres?  of  land,  his  present  farm. 
This  he  has  improved.  In  politics  Mr.  Hamilton  was  whig,  in  the 
days  of  that  party.  He  is  a  strong  republican.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  United  Presbyterian  church.  He  has  a  family  of  four  children 
living  and  one  dead:  William  H.,  when  under  age,  went  to  the  war, 
and  was  out  about  two  months ;  Perry  S.,  Mary  E.,  and  Rose  E. 

Moses  PArrERSox,  farmer,  was  born  in  Knox  county,  Illinois,  June 
13,  181-1.  His  father,  John  M.  Patterson,  was  born  in  Washington 
county,  Pennsylvania,  November  22,  1799,  and  was  of  Scotch-Irish 
descent.  His  mother,  Sarah  A.  (Bell),  was  born  in  Delaware,  Kent 
county,  January  15,  1818.  The  grandfather  of  Moses  was  Col.  Patterson 
of  Pennsylvania  militia,  and  the  father  was  in  both  the  Pennsylvania 
and  Ohio  militia.  John  M.  Patterson  became  a  resident  of  Ohio  about 
1815,  and  there  married  Margaret  Stephens,  who  died  leaving  three 
children.  He  next  married  Sarah  A.  Bell,  In  1836  he  settled  in  Knox 
county,  Illinois.  He  lived  two  years  near  Viola,  Mercer  county,  then 
went  to  Rock  Island  county,  thence  to  Henry  county,  where  he  buried 
his  wife.  She  died  March  25,  1865.  He  died  in  "Warren  county,  June 
IS,  1873.  He  was  a  strictly  moral  man  ;  swearing  was  extremely 
odious  to  him.  His  religion  was  as  he  called  it,  "homespun."  His 
wife  was  a  Methodist.  Moses  Patterson  left  home  at  the  age  of  seven- 
teen years,  going  to  Pike's  Peak,  Colorado,  in  1857.  He  returned  to 
Illinois  and  joined  some  of  his  schoolmates  for  the  civil  war.  He 
enlisted  at  Rock  Island  March  12,  1862,  in  company  B.  65th  111.  Vol; 
Capt.  R.  S.  Montgomery  and  Col.  Daniel  Cameron,  knt)wn  as  the 
"Montgomery  guards."  In  March,  1864,  he  was  transferred  to  engi- 
neer bat.  23d  army  corps,  army  of  Ohio,  in  which  he  served  till  A])ril 
5,  1865.  He  took  part  in  the  battles  on  the  Potomac  the  iirst  summer 
and  was  taken  prisoner  at  Harper's  Ferry  together  with  the  whole 
command  of  1,100  men;  was  paroled  and  sent  to  Chicago.  In  March, 
1863,  he  was  sent  to  Lexington,  Kentucky,  and  over  to  West  Virginia. 
There  he  took  part  in  the  battles  of  that  campaign,  and  assisted  in  tak- 
ing Ben.  Coddle,  the  famous  guei*illa,  and  in  breaking  u]>  his  band, 
capturing  400  of  his  men.  He  tlien  crossed  the  Cumberland  moun- 
tains with  Burnside,  and  experienced  the  twenty -two  daj's'  siege  of 
Knoxville  ;  was  twice  at  Zollicoffer,  then  with  Sherman  at  Chattanoogo 
and  through  to  Atlanta.  He  returned  with  Thomas  in  pursuit  of 
Hood;  was  at  Nashville  and  from  there  followed  Hood  to  Corinth. 
He  was  engaged  at  Fort  Fisher,  Fort  Anderson,  and  Wilmington,  Xorth 


472  HISTORY    OF   MERCER    AJSTD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

Carolina,  and  was  there  relieved  and  sent  home.  He  returned  to  Knox 
county,  Illinois.  September  7,  1869,  he  located  where  he  lives,  in 
Mercer  county.  lie  owns  240  acres  of  land  well  improved.  Mr.  Pat- 
terson was  married  December  26,  1869,  to  Alice  Hawkins,  daughter  of 
Augustus  Hawkins,  of  Cameron,  Warren  county,  Illinois.  She  was 
born  April  19,  1851.  They  have  three  children:  Edwin  A.,  Mary, 
and  a  babe. 

Nicholas  Shearer,  farmer,  was  born  in  Guernsey  county,  Ohio, 
March  29,  1881.  His  parents,  John  and  Mary  Ann  (Walters)  Shearer 
were  natives  of  Ohio.  They  moved  to  Indiana,  and  about  1855  came 
to  Mercer  county,  Illinois.  They  subsequently  moved  to  Madison 
county,  Iowa,  where  they  died.  Their  family  numbered  thirteen  chil- 
dren: James  (dead),  Mcholas,  Jeremiah,  Francis  M.,  William  D., 
JIugh  P.,  Lucinda,  Mary  E.,  Martha,  Melissa,  John,  Noah.  Francis 
M.  served  in  the  late  war  in  the  102d  111.  Vol.,  and  died  of  measles  at 
Fort  Donelson.  Hugh  P.  and  William  D.  enlisted  in  the  36th  111.  Vol., 
and  died  of  measles  at  Raleigh,  Missouri.  Nicholas  was  raised  on  the 
farm;  in  1851  he  came  to  Illinois  ;  here  he  worked  for  Wm.  Stephens 
and  esquire  Nevius.  In  1852  he  returned  to  Indiana,  and  September 
7,  1852,  was  married  to  Elizabeth  McPherren,  daughter  of  James  and 
Jane  (Shaw)  McPherren.  She  was  born  in  Muskingum  county,  Ohio. 
Her  father  and  five  brothers  served  in  the  civil  war.  One,  George, 
was  killed  at  Stone  river.  After  marriage  Mr.  Shearer  returned  to 
Mercer  county.  For  three  or  four  years  he  rented  a  farm ;  he  then 
bought  forty  acres  and  began  farming  his  own  land.  He  now  has 
160  acres  free  from  debt,  and  has  made  it  all  himself.  He  paid  for  the 
first  forty  acres  by  woi;king  by  the  month.  He  has  four  children  living : 
Sarah  J.,  Margaret  A.,  Mary  C,  and  Fannie.     John  is  dead. 

Beard  Church,  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  was  born  in  Mercer  county, 
Illinois,  December  20,  1812.  His  father,  Thomas  Church,  was  a  native 
of  Virginia.  He  moved  to  Wayne  county,  Indiana,  in  an  early  day. 
He  married  Rachel  A.  Beard,  a  relative  of  the  Hon.  John  Beard,  of 
Indiana.  About  1835,  or  a  little  later,  Mr.  Church  moved  to  Mercer 
county,  Illinois,  and  lived  a  short  time  in  Duncan  township.  He  then 
moved  to  Eliza  township,  and  finally  to  New  Boston,  where  he  died 
about  1857.  He  was  well  known  and  highly  regarded.  He  owned, 
at  his  death,  about  400  acres  of  land,  indicative  of  his  success  as  a 
farmer.  His  wife  survived  till  1881,  when  she  joined  the  departed. 
Six  children  were  born  to  them  :  John  L.,  born  in  Indiana,  and  died 
in  Mercer  county.  Those  born  here  are :  Elizabeth,  Hannah,  Heard, 
Thomas,  William  AV.,  and  Rachel  A.  Beard  is  one  of  Mercer  couiity's 
own   chiklren  raised  together"  with  his  home.     A  farmer,  yet  he  spent 


OraO    GROVE   TOWNSHIP.  473 

one  year  in  Aledo  as  a  grocery  merchant.  After  this  Ije  bought  a  farm 
west  of  Aledo,  but  soon  sold  this  and  in  1877  bought  in  Ohio  Grove 
to-svnship,  where  he  owns  200  acres  well  im])roved  ;  his  farm  being  the 
S.  E.  1  and  N.  E.  }  of  S.  W.  i  Sec.  11.  He  was  married  October  20, 
1864,  to  Miss  Mary  E.  McGinnis,  daughter  of  the  Hon.  John  T. 
McGinnis,  of  Mercer  county.  She  was  born  October  25,  1846.  They 
have  two  children:  Everett  W.,  born  September  24,  1865;  and  Frank 
M.,  born  May  10,  1868.     Mr.  Church  is  republican  in  politics. 

Moses  McIntire  was  born  in  county  Donegal,  parish  of  Kay,  seven 
miles  southwest  of  Londondei-ry,  Ireland,  in  1830.  His  lather,  Jere- 
miah McIntire,  was  born  in  Ireland,  and  died  about  1839 ;  and  his 
mother,  Sarah  (Ross),  also  a  native  of  Ireland,  died  (1841)  in  Ireland. 
They  were  of  the  Protestant  faith,  belonging  to  the  Seceder  church. 
Jeremiah  was  a  millwright  by  trade,  but  followed  farming  mostly. 
They  were  parents  of  nine  children :  James  sailed  for  (Quebec  and 
probably  died  there  from  ship  fever  ;  Mathew  died  in  Ireland ;  John  B. 
died  in  Warren  coiinty,  Illinois ;  William  is  in  Iowa ;  Jeremiah  died 
in  Abington  township,  Mercer  county ;  Sarah  (now  Mrs.  James  Friell), 
and  Moses.  William  was  here  about  1835,  while  the  Indians  were 
bad.  Moses  McIntire  emigrated  from  Ireland  in  1848.  He  came  to 
New  York,  where  he  became  porter  in  Brooks'  dry  goods  establishment ; 
then  was  engaged  in  a  white-lead  factory.  In  1852  he  came  to  AVarren 
county,  Illinois.  Here  he  followed  carpentering  several  years  in  part, 
ai^d  ran  a  threshing  machine  in  thresliing  season.  He  bought  160 
acres  of  land  in  Warren  county.  This  he  sold,  and  purchased  in  1862 
eighty  acres,  the  S.  ^  of  N.  E.  ^  of  Sec.  32,  Ohio  Grove  townsnip.  This 
farm  he  has  well  improved.  He  also  has  some  timber.  Mr.  McIntire 
was  married,  September  3,  1863,  to  Miss  Matilda  Watt,  daughter  of 
John  and  Jane  Watt,  of  Pennsylvania.  She  was  born  in  ^litHin 
county,  Pennsylvania,  January  11,  1842.  They  have  eight  children 
living  and  two  dead.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McIntire  are  connected  with  the 
United  Presbyterian  church.  Mr.  McIntire  is  a  republican.  He  has 
been  postmaster  of  Duck  Creek  othce  since  1862.  He  takes  an  inter- 
est in  school  affairs  and  all  ijrosrressive  movements  for  the  countv's 
good. 

Jonx  B.  McIntire  was  born  in  county  Donegal,  Ireland,  Mannor- 
Cunningham  parish,  twelve  miles  from  Londonderry,  in  1816.  He  is 
one  of  the  progressive  Protestants  of  Irish  blood.  He  was  married  to 
Eleanor  McElheney,  also  a  native  of  the  same  place.  They  sailed  for 
America  in  1847,  settling  on  a  farm  near  Brighton,  Canada.  In  1851 
they  moved  to  Warren  county,  Illinois,  Sumner  to\vnship,  where  they 
became  land  owners  and  are  thrifty  farmers.    Both  are  members  of  the 


474  HISTORY   OF   AEEROER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

United  Presbyterian  cliurdi.  In  the  family  are  six  children  living  and 
live  dead:  Sarah  and  Bessie,  born  in  Ireland;  Bessie  died  on  the 
ocean,  and  Sarah  died  in  Canada ;  Moses  died  in  Warren  county, 
Illinois ;  Margaret,  also  ;  Ellen,  Minnie,  and  William  J.  William  J. 
Mclntire  was  born  July  30,  1848,  near  Brighton,  Canada.  He  lived  at 
home  till  about  twenty-five  years  of  age.  When  twenty-iive  years  old, 
his  father  gave  him  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Ohio  Grove  township.  He 
sold  his  eighty  and  bought  110  acres  of  the  S.  W.  ^  of  Sec.  28,  paying 
$4,500.  He  has  improved  his  place  very  much.  He  is  naturally 
handy  with  tools,  doing  his  own  carpenter  work,  blacksmithing,  etc. 
Mr.  Mclntire  was  married,  February  26,  1874,  to  Miss  Bellzora 
Bullock,  daughter  of  William  Bullock.  She  was  born  in  Mercer 
county,  October  28,  1853.  The  children  are :  Guy,  and  Glenn.  Yida 
is  dead. 

Jacob  Guthrie  (deceased)  was  a  native  of  Greene  county,  Penns^'l- 
vania.  He  came  to  Warren  county,  Illinois,  in  1863,  and  the  following 
year  bought  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  in  section  10,  Ohio  Grove  township, 
Mercer  county.  He  died  October  7,  1871.  He  was  justice  of  the 
peace  and  held  other  offices  in  Pennsylvania.  Plis  politics  were  demo- 
cratic. His  wife  died  April  17,  1875,  In  the  family  were  eleven 
children.  jSToah  H.  Guthrie,  the  fifth  child  of  the  above,  was  born  in 
Pennsylvania,  March  6,  1842.  His  life  was  spent  on  the  farm  till  the 
war.  September,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  his  country's  service,  in  company 
F,  7th  reg.  West  Yirginia  Vol.  Inf ,  under  Lieut. -Col.  Kelley  and  Capjt. 
Ben.  Morris.  Mr.  Guthrie  fought  in  eleven  battles,  the  chief  of  which 
were  Antietam,  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  Gettysburg,  Bull 
Kun,  The  Wilderness,  and  Spotsylvania  Court-House.  At  the  last- 
named  battle  he  was  shot  in  the  right  leg,  necessitating  the  removal  of 
eight  inches  of  the  tibia.  He  was  six  months  at  Chester  (Pa.)  hospital. 
He  was  discharged  December  17,  1864.  Leaving  the  hospital,  he  came 
direct  to  Sunbeam,  Mercer  county,  Blinois,  to  his  parents.  He  subse- 
quently spent  three  years  at  the  Soldiers'  College,  at  Fulton,  Illinois. 
In  1870  he  took  the  census  of  eight  townships  of  Mercer  county.  In 
the  fall  of  1870  he  was  elected  sheriff  of  Mercer  county,  which  office 
he  filled  two  terms.  In  1880  he  took  the  census  of  Ohio  Grove  town- 
ship. He  is  a  re})ublican.  Mr.  Guthrie  was  married  July  4,  1870,  to 
Miss  Delila  Hardy,  daughter  of  Ashford  and  Sophia  Hardy.  She 
was  born  in  Mercer  county,  February  11,  1848.  They  have  three 
children :  Freddie,  Edmund,  and  Grace.  Mr.  Guthrie  owns  a  beauti- 
ful farm  of  240  acres,  well  improved. 

William  R.  Yance,  farmer,  is  a  son  of  James  and  Sarah  (Pearson) 
Yance,   of  Abington  township,   elsewhere  noticed.      William  P.  was 


OHIO    GROVK    TOWNSHIP,  4(0 

born  in  New  Boston  township,  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  September  20, 
1847.  He  has  spent  all  his  time  in  Mercer  county,  except  a  short 
time  in  Iowa.  He  remained  at  home  until  twenty-two  years  of  age, 
when  he  bought  a  farm  in  Abington  township.  In  1876  he  moved  to 
Ohio  Grove  townshij),  where  he  bought  160  acres  of  the  N.  W.  ^  of 
section  27.  He  was  married  January  7,  1875,  to  Jennie  Brown, 
daughter  of  John  Brown,  of  Mercer  county,  Illinois.  She  is  a  native 
of  this  county.     They  have  one  child,  Olive  B. 

Samuel  Sprowl,  farmer,  was  born  in  Rockbridge  county,  Virginia, 
June  29,  1822,  and  is  a  son  of  William  and  Rebecca  (Baker)  Sprowl, 
both  natives  of  Virginia,  and  of  Scotch  descent.  Rebecca  Baker's 
grandfather  was  a  wealthy  Londoner.  William  and  Rebecca  Sprowl 
moved  to  Fayette  county,  Ohio,  about  1842,  where  she  died  about 
1845.  She  was  born  March  17,  1782.  William  was  born  January  8, 
1775,  and  died  November  17,  1872.  He  spent  his  aged  years  with 
his  son  Samuel.  He  was  for  many  years  a  member  of  the  United 
Presbyterian  church.  In  the  fomily  were:  William,  born  June  11, 
1801  ;  Elizabeth,  born  March  14,  1803  ;  Polly,  born  March  7,  1805, 
died  January  27,  1869  ;  Rebecca,  born  October  21,  1807  ;  John,  born 
May  15,  isio  ;  Martha,  born  May  27,  1812,  died  November  17,  1873  ; 
Anna  P.,  born  January  11,  1817  ;  Sarah,  born  December  2,.  1819,  died 
January  4,  1874  ;  Samuel ;  Christiana,  born  February  8,  1825.  Sam- 
uel Sprowl  was  raised  on  the  farm  in  Ohio,  in  the  log  fcabin,  the  forest 
and  the  tield.  ]\Iany  a  day  has  he  worked  with  ax  to  clear  the  land 
for  crops.  The  school  was  three  miles  away,  so  that  his  advantages 
were  very  limited.  In  1855  he  emigrated  to  Illinois.  He  farmed  a 
rented  place  one  year.  In  1856  he  bought  the  S.  E.  J  of  section  22, 
at  $12.50  per  acre.  This  he  has  improved  into  a  good  farm.  He  now 
has  172  acres  and  house,  and  three  lots  in  Aledo,  where  he  lived  for 
three  years.  He  was  married  September  14,  1869,  to  Maggie  Dixon, 
daughter  of  Samuel  and  Hannah  (Shaw)  Dixon,  both  natives  of  Vir- 
ginia. Her  father  died  May  29,  1879.*  Mrs.  Sprowl  was  born  in 
Rockbridge  county,  Virginia,  September  9,  1848.  She  was  in  Vir- 
ginia during  the  late  war,  and  witnessed  both  northern  and  southern 
armies  frequently,  and  heard  the  roar  of  battle.  Two  brothers  were 
in  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  and  her  youngest  brother  was  a  guard  at 
Libby  i)rison.  Mr.  Sprowl  has  three  children  :  John  W.,  Samuel  B. 
and  Olive  L. 

John  Parks  (deceased)  was  born  in  county  Armagh,  Ireland.  He 
owned  a  small  piece  of  land  there,  which  he  farmed.  He  was  an 
Orangeman,  and  was  engaged  in  the  war  of  the  Protestants  against 
the  Catholics.     He  was  then  married  to  Jane  Brown,  also  a  native  of 


476  HISTORY    OF   HEERCER    AJSTD    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

that  green  isle.  About  1848  they  sailed  for  America,  and  made  their 
home  in  Adams  county,  Ohio.  In  1855  thev  moved  to  Warren 
county,  Illinois,  and  fiye  years  later  to  Mercer  county,  and  settled  the 
place  now  owned  by  Alexander  Parks.  He  was  a  republican,  casting 
his  lirst  vote  for  John  C.  Fremont.  lie  died  December  11,  1873, 
leaving  a  wife  who  survives  him.  His  children  are  six  :  John,  James, 
Saniudl  (dead),  Alexander,  Lizzie  and  Sarah.  Samuel  was  a  member  of 
company  G.,  J02d  111.  Vol.,  under  Capt.  Wycoff;  contracted  con- 
sumption in  the  army,  and  died  after  his  discharge.  Alexander  was 
born  in  Ireland,  March  17,  1842.  He  has  spent  his  life  on  the  farm, 
and  owns  the  old  homestead,  which  he  has  improved.  He  was 
married  to  Miss  Jane  Murphy,  also  a  native  of  Ireland.  Their  farm 
is  the  S.  \  of  S.  W.  \  of  Sec.  32,  T.  13  K,  E.  3.  He  and.  all  his 
brothers  are  republicans. 

David  Milligan  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania, 
December  7,  1806.  His  father,  John  Milligan,  was  born  in  county 
Donegal,  Ireland,  in  1754,  and  his  mother,  Jane  (Kincaid),  in  Ches- 
ter county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1764.  John  Milligan  left  Ireland  August 
6,  1790,  and  after  thirteen  weeks'  voyage  landed  at  Newcastle.  So 
nearly  did  the  provisions  give  out  that  each  man's  allowance  was  but 
one  pint  of  water  and  two  'tablespoonfuls  of  oat  meal  every  twenty-four 
hours.  When  they  landed  all  were  like  skeletons  and  some  ate  till 
they  died.  John  died  August  2,  1839.  His  wife  died  in  1850.  One 
son  (Kobert)  served  in  the  war  of  1812.  David  Milligan  was  raised  on 
the  farm  in  Pennsylvania.  He  was  married  December  1,  1836,  to  Miss 
Rebecca  Rollstin.  She  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Pennsylyania, 
IN'ovember  18,  1818.  Her  father,  James  Rollstin,  was  from  Ireland. 
Mr.  Milligan  remained  in  Pennsylvania  till  1866,  when  he  emigrated 
to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  arriving  October  19th.  He  had  learned  to 
farm  among  the  rocks,  so  found  land  here  easy  to  cultivate.  He 
became  the  owner  of  479  acres  of  land  in  sections  28,  13,  and  3,  Ohio 
Grove  township.  He  built  three  diflterent  hT)uses.  Thus  he  has  aided 
in  adding  wealth  to  Mercer  county.  His  wife  died  .October  19,  1880, 
leaving  him  to  mourn  the  loss  of  a  dear  companion.  She  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  United  Presbyterian  church  for  forty-four  years.  She  was 
the  mother  of  eight  children  :  Nancy,  Jane  (dead),  John  F.,  James  P., 
Warren  (dead),  Rebecca  M.,  Rachel  M.  (dead),  tmd  Elizabeth  E.  Mr. 
Milligan  is  a  republican.  He  used  to  be  democrat,  whig  and  anti- 
mason.  He  has  been  connected  with  the  United  Presbyterian  church 
since  1836.  He  sent  one  son  to  the  civil  war  when  the  boy  was  nine- 
teen years  old,  viz.,  John  F.,  who  enlisted  August  18,  1862,  in  com- 
pany i\  22d  Penn.  Cav.,  under  Oapt.  G.  T.  Work  and  Col.  Higgins. 


OHIO    GROVE    TOWNSHIP.  4  (  « 

He  fought  at  Moorefield,  Virginia,  Fredericksburg-,  second  battle  of 
"Winchester,  Fisher's  Hill,  Laurel  Hill,  Cedar  Creek,  and  many  skir- 
mishes.    He  was  discliarged  June  1,  1865. 

Alexander  McBriue.  farmer,  was  born  near  Belfast,  Ireland,  May 
28,  1831.  His  parents,  AVilliam  and  Margery  (McXeil),  were  natives 
of  county  Down,  Ireland.  They  owned  a  piece  of  the  land  known  as 
the  "land  forever.''  Failure  on  account  of  beinff  surety  for  his  brother 
caused  William  McBride  to  emigrate  to  America,  which  he  did  about 
1850,  sailing  from  Belfast  May  1st,  and  landing  in  New  York  June  1st ; 
soon  settled  in  Muskingum  county,  Ohio.  He  died  there  June  11, 
1861.  In  Ireland  he  was  grand  master  of  the  Orange  society  many 
years.  He  was  a  quiet,  inoifensive  man,  minding  his  own  business, 
and  respected  by  the  community.  He  is  buried  at  Bloomlield,  Ohio. 
There  were  eight  children :  Jane,  born  in  Ireland,  Sarah  (dead),  Mary, 
Eliza  A..  Margery,  Rachel,  Xancy,  and  Alexander.  They  were  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  faith.  Alexander  (the  fourth  child)  was  general 
manager  of  home  affairs.  He  was  married  December  25,  1857,  to 
Sarah  J.  "VYilson,  daughter  of  Hugh  Wilson.  She  was  born  in  Alle- 
gheny county,  Pennsylvania,  September  10,  1830.  Alexander  McBride 
was  a  hundred-day  man  in  the  late  war ;  was  in  sevei"al  skirmishes 
and  at  the  battle  of  Harper's  Ferry,  in  com})any  B,  160th  Ohio  home 
guards.  February  4,  1867,  he  left  Ohio  for  Mercer  county,  Illinois. 
He  lived  a  while  in  Suez  township.  In  1871  he  bought  160  acres,  the 
N,  AV,  ^  of  Sec.  36,  in. Ohio  Grove  township,  on  which  he  lives.  He 
was  pathmaster  five  years.  He  has  a  family  of  five  children  :  Hugh  W., 
Mary  L.,  William  T.,  Samuel  H.,  and  David  L.  He  always  votes  for 
republican  ])rinci})les.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  United  Pres- 
byterian church. 

James  A.  Kelloog  was  born  in  Crawford  county,  Pennsylvania, 
November  23,  1848,  He  emigrated  with  his  people  to  Bureau  county, 
Illinois,  in  1852,  and  in  the  following  year  his  father  purchased  160 
acres  of  land  now  owned  by  H.  X.  Chandler.  Here  James  was  raised. 
His  people  moved  to  Abington  township,  where  they  now  i-eside. 
James  is  fairly  educated,  having  lived  handy  to  the  school  and  enjoyed 
its  advantasces.  He  was  married  in  1873  to  Miss  Mary  A.  Vance, 
daughter  of  James  and  Sarah  Vance,  now  of  Abington  township.  Mrs. 
Kellogg  is  a  native  of  Mercer  county.  Mr.  Kellogg  farmed  some  time 
in  Abington  township.  In  1874  he  occupied  his  present  farm  of  eighty 
acres,  being  the  E.  ^  of  N.  W.  J,  Sec.  28,  Ohio  Grove  township.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Kellogg  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  They  have 
three  children:  Arthur  L.,  Frank  P.,  and  Inis  L. 

Wm.  II.  II.  Smith,  farmer,  a  son  of  William  Smith,  noticed  in  the 


478  HISTORY    OF    irEKCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

history  of  Ohio  Grove  township,  was  bom  July  2,  1840,  in  Muskingum 
county,  Oliio.  He  came  with  his  people  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  in 
1847.  His  father  dying  William  went  to  live  with  his  cousin,  George 
A.  Smith,  till  ten  years  of  age.  He  was  then  bound  out  to  W.  M. 
Miller,  with  whom  he  staid  till  the  war  broke  out.  He  enlisted 
August  9,  1861,  in  company  E,  9th  111.  Yol.  Inf ,  and  took  part  in  the 
battles  of  Fort  Donelson,  Sliiloh,  Corinth,  Atlanta ;  was  taken  sick 
and  sent  to  Marietta,  Georgia,  and  thence  to  Nashville,  where  he 
remained  till  the  spring  of  1865.  He  tlien  rejoined  his  command  at 
Pocataligo,  iS^orth  Carolina.  He  then  followed  Johnston  till  the  latter 
surrendered.  Mr.  Smith  then  went  to  "Washington,  and  thence  to 
Louisville,  Kentucky,  and  was  mustered  out  at  Springfield,  Illinois, 
July  25,  1865.  He  has  since  spent  five  years  in  the  west.  In  1870  he 
made  his  home  in  Mercer  county.  In  1881  he  bought  forty -eight  acres 
of  land,  and  is  now  settled  on  it.  Mr.  Smith  was  considerably  injured 
in  health  in  the  war  service.  He  was  married  November  30,  1878,  to 
Nancy  E.,  daughter  of  Stephen  Noland.  They  have  two  children: 
Stephen  A.,  and  Lura  M.     Mr.  Smith  is  entirely  republican. 

John  McGee  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania. 
When  five  years  old  he  accompanied  his  parents  to  Muskingum  county, 
Ohio.  He  was  there  raised  and  educated.  He  married  Miss  Margaret 
Irwin.  In  1852  he  emigrated  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  settling  for  a 
time  in  Suez  township.  In  1869  he  went  to  Iowa,  then  to  Oregon,  in 
the  3'ears  1874  and  1875.  He  returned  to  Iowa,  and  in  the  spring  of 
1881  he  made  his  home  in  Kansas,  with  his  son,  David  C.  His  wife 
died  August  20,  1858,  and  is  buried  in  the  Candor  graveyard.  She 
was  a  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian  church.  In  the  family  are 
seven  children:  Richard  H.,  D.  C,  B.  W.,  Martha  J.  (died  in  Ohio), 
Harriet,  Mary  Ann,  and  Sarah  E.  Richard  H.  was  born  in  Muskingum 
county,  Ohio,  July  12,  1834.  He  enlisted  August  13,  1862,  in  company 
E,  102d  111.  Yol.  He  was  sergeant  for  ten  months.  He  was  mostly 
detailed  at  headquarters.  He  was  at  the  battle  of  Nashville.  His 
time  was  largely  occupied  in  looking  after  the  trains  in  the  rear.  He 
was  discharged  June  15,  1865,  when  he  returned  to  Mercer  county. 
His  brother,  D.  C.  McGee,  was  a  member  of  company  C,  50th  111.  Yol., 
and  was  wounded  severel}'  at  Altoona  Pass.  Also  B.  W.  McGee  spent  a 
year  in  the  service.  Richard  II.  was  married  February  14, 1860,  to  Jessie 
C  Spence,  of  Howard  county,  Missouri.  They  have  four  children : ' 
Frank,  Lizzie,  John,  and  Clara. 

Robert  C.  Parkinson,  farmer,  was  born  in  Guernsey  county,  Ohio, 
November  16, 1837,  and  is  the  son  of  Edward  and  Margaret  (Clements) 
Parkinson,  the  former  a  native  of  Maryland  and  the  latter  of  Ohio. 


OlHl)    GROVE    TC)W>;S1III'.  479 

Mr.  Parkinson''s  parents  moved  to  Warren  county,  Illinois,  in  1856, 
and  in  1859  settled  in  Mercer  county.  Edward  Parkinson  died  Febru- 
ary 13,  1860.  He  was  born  April  1,  1791.  His  wife  was  born  March 
5, 1796,  and  died  September  9,  1866.  Tie  was  in  the  war  of  1812.  His 
father  was  an  Englishman  and  his  mother  of  Germany.  Her  father 
was  a  native  of  Ireland  and  her  mother  of  America.  Both  are  buried 
at  the  Porter  graveyard  in  AA'^arren  county,  Illinois.  Robert  C. 
remained  with  his  parents  till  they  died.  He  received  but  little  educa- 
tion except  that  afforded  by  the  farm.  He  was  married  June  25,  1868, 
to  Mariah  Webster,  daughter  of  Hammond  and  Louisa  Webster.  She 
was  born  in  New  York  state  February  28,  1840.  After  marriage  Mr. 
Parkinson  secured  100  acres  of  section  28,  which  he  now  owns,  together 
with  the  N.  E.  j^  of  Sec.  28.  He  was  for  three  years  road  commis- 
sioner. They  have  had  seven  children,  six  of  whom  are  living.  Mrs. 
AVebster's  parents  are  noticed  in  connection  with  the  sketch  of  Ham- 
mond AVebster.  Her  mother,  Mrs.  Louisa  AA^ebster,  after  the  death  of 
her  husband,  was  married  (Jctober  12,  1845,  to  Joseph  Robinson.  Mr. 
Robinson  was  born  in  Alleghany  county,  New  York,  April  7,  1812. 
He  left  home  when  twenty-two  years  old,  going  to  Weaver  county, 
Pennsylvania,  in  1834,  and  the  same  year  to  Quincy,  Illinois.  In  1842 
he  came  to  Mercer  county.  He  has  improved  a  good  farm,  and  is  now 
one  of  the  county's  oldest  citizens.  He  has  been  school  trustee  and 
road  commissioner. 

Lemuel  Gitstin,  farmer,  son  of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth  (Diltz)  Gus- 
tin,  was  born  July  29,  1823.  His  parents  settled  in  Madison  couhty, 
Indiana,  about  1845,  and  there  died.  Lemuel  was  raised  on  the  farm 
and  inured  to  all  the  toils  and  pleasures  incident  thereto.  He  is  the 
oldest  of  eight  children.  In  1847  he  was  married  to  Catharine  Noland, 
daughter  of  Stephen  Noland.  Her  father,  Stephen  Noland,  was  born 
in  1801,  and  raised  in  Kentucky  near  Cumberland  mountain.  He 
moved  in  a  very  early  day  to  AA^ayne  county,  Indiana,  where  he  lived 
on  the  twelve  mile  purchase  when  the  Indians  were  bad.  He  was  on 
the  frontier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  lived  partly  in  a  fort  or  block- 
house, traded  with  the  Indians,  etc.  There  is  a  stream  in  Indiana 
called  Noland's  fork,  the  name  deriving  from  the  Nolands.  Mr. 
Noland  and  wife,  Nancy  E.  (Adams),  a  native  of  Ohio,  lived  in  Madi- 
son county,  Indiana,  from  1823  to  1856,  wdien  they  settled  in  Mercer 
county,  Illinois.  Mrs.  Noland  died  July  20,  1877.  In  1856  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Gustin  came  with  the  Nolands  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  settling 
for  a  time  in  Eliza  township.  In  1868  they  purchased  sixty  acres  in 
section  2,  Ohio  (rrove  township,  and  have  lived  on  it  since.    Mr.  Gustin 


480  HISTORY    OF   MERCER    AXD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

lias  been  justice  of  the  peace ;  he  has  been  school  director  six  years. 
He  has  six  children  living  and  two  dead. 

James  Feather,  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  is  a  son  of  Jacob  and 
Mary  (Siggens)  Feather.  Jacob  Feather  spoke  the  German  tongue, 
his  father  beine;  a  native  of  Germanv,  who  emii^jrated  earlv  and  foiio-ht 
in  the  revolution ;  his  wife  receiving  a  pension  for  his  services.  Jacob 
died  about  1851  in  West  Virginia.  His  wife  is  living  at  an  advanced 
age.  The  family  are :  Susan,  Mary  (dead),  Ezekiel  (dead),  Jane, 
James,  Sarah  E.,  Sophia  (dead).  James,  the  subject  of  these  notes, 
was  born  in  West  Virginia,  October  17,  1839.  There  he  was  reared 
in  the  country  and  educated  in  the  schools  of  his  day.  In  1856, 
he  made  his  home  in  Iowa ;  remaining  there  three  years.  He  worked 
around  by  the  month  in  Warren  county,  Illinois ;  was  in  the  mercan- 
tile business  in  Monmouth  four  years.  In  1868  he  went  to  Missouri. 
In  the  meantime  he  owned  the  store  at  Sunbeam  for  two  years.  In 
1869  he  located  permanently  in  Mercer  county.  Mr.  Feather  was  first 
married,  December  7,  1865,  to  Miss  Martha  C.  Hayes,  daughter  of  the 
late  Judge  Wm.  M.  Hayes.  She  died  in  187-1.  Mr.  Feather  was  next 
married  December  26,  1878,  to  Katy  M.  Gourley,  daughter  of  Robert 
Gourley.  She  is  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Feather  has  one 
child  by  his  first  wife,  Aurie  L. 

Elijah  Forsyth,  son  of  William  and  Eleanor  Forsj'th,  was  born 
August  6,  1810,  in  Indiana  coimty,  Pennsylvania.  When  he  was  four 
years  of  age  his  parents  settled  in  Ohio.  There  Elijah  was  educated  in 
the  common  schools  and  became  a  schoolmaster  at  the  age  of  nineteen 
years,  teaching  twenty-two  years  in  Ohio.  He  was  married  in  Mus- 
kingum county,  to  Ann  Dawson,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Catharine 
Dawson,  and  a  native  of  Ohio.  In  1855,  Mr.  Forsyth  emigi-ated  over- 
land to  Mercer  county,  bringing  his  family  of  seven  children :  John, 
William,  Elijah  Jr.,  David,  Mary,  Eleanor,  and  Nancy  J.  He  settled 
on  the  S.  4^  of  S.  E.  ^  Sec.  7,  Ohio  Grove  township,  which  he  purchased. 
He  has  since  added  some  timber.  For  eighteen  years  he  has  taught, 
part  of  each  year,  in  Mercer  county.  Reference  to  the  official  table 
will  show  his  interest  in  public  affairs  and  the  trust  placed  in  him  by 
the  people.  He  has  been  an  elder  in  the  United  Presbyterian  church 
for  over  twenty  years.  His  father  was  a  native  of  Rockbridge  county, 
Virginia;  was  in  the  war  of  1812  ;  died  in  Ohio  in  1827.  His  mother 
died  in  1835.  Mr.  Forsyth's  son,  John,  was  a  member  of  the  102d 
reg.  111.  Vol.  in  the  civil  war,  and  was  promoted  captain  of  a  colored 
company.  He  served  two  years  when  he  was  discharged  on  account 
of  sickness. 


MERCER  COUNTY  IH)()R  FARM    AXD  IXFIRMARY.  481 

MERCER  COUNTY  POOR  FARM  AND  INFIRMARY. 

CONTRIBUTED    15Y    L.    B.    DOUGHTY. 

Among  the  public  institutions  of  the  county,  tlie  Poor  Farm  and 
Intirmarv  are  specially  worthy  of  mention,  for  they  are  a  standing 
monument,  evincing  the  practical  generosity  of  our  citizens.  But  in 
our  search  for  material  for  this  chapter,  we  have  found  the  records  so 
vague,  incomplete  and  unsatisfactory,  that  we  almost  despaired  of 
finding  suthcient  data  to  make  our  history  of  this  institution  complete 
or  interesting. 

From  William  Wilmerton,  Esq.,  of  Preemption  township,  and 
Tyler  McA\^iorter,  of  Mercer,  we  have  obtained  some  interesting 
facts,  which  will  help  us  to,  in  some  measure,  fill  the  gaps  we  find  in 
the  public  records. 

For  years  after  the  organization  of  our  county,  those  unable  to 
support  themselves,  and  whose  families  or  friends  were  unable  to  sup- 
port them,  were  cared  for  by  the  overseers  of  the  poor  of  the  several 
townships,  who  were  appointed  by  the  county  commissioners.  Some- 
times they  were  kept  hj  contract  ;  sometimes  they  did  what  they  could 
for  themselves,  and  were  partially  provided  for  by  the  overseers.  In 
many  cases  merchants  provided  them  with  the  necessaries  of  life, 
taking  their  chances  of  having  the  bills  allowed  by  the  board.  In  all 
cases  the  county  was  expected  to  pay  the  bills  for  their  maintenance, 
whether  kept  on  contract,  furnished  by  order  of  the  overseer,  or 
through  pity  (or  cupidity)  of  the  merchant. 

At  each  recurring  session  of  the  commissioners'  court,  pauper  bills 
inci'eased  in  number  and  grew  in  magnitude,  and  more  and  more  care 
was  necessary,  and  was  exercised,  to  sift  out  and  pay  only  those  which 
were  for  the  necessaries  of  life,  cutting  ofi"  and  rejecting  any  and  all 
which  bear  the  least  taint  of  suspicion.  For  instance,  some  bills  pre- 
sented would,  perlia})S,  show  that  sugar  enough  had  been  furnished  to 
a  pauper  in  three  months'  time,  to  have  lasted  him  or  his  family,  for  a 
year,  and  this  would  raise  a  suspicion  in  the  minds  of  the  commis- 
sioners, that  perhaps  something  else  than  sugar  had  been  furnished  — 
an  article  for  wliich  it  was  known  payment  would  be  refused.  Investi- 
gation would  follow,  which  would  generally  result  in  the  rejection  of 
a  part  of  the  bill. 

We  do  not  wish  to  make  any  invidious  references,  but  esquire 
Wilmerton  related  a  story  to  us,  the  other  day,  which  comes  to  our 
mind  in  recording  the  above.  Some  years  ago  he  received  a  large 
number  of  bills  from  a  house  in  Rock  Island,   for  collection,   upon 


482  HISTOKY    OF   MERCEK   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

parties  living  in  Pre-emption  and  adjoining  townships.  One  of  these 
particularly  attracted  his  attention,  owing  to  the  frequent  charges  for 
''headache  medicine"  by  the  quart,  half  gallon  and  gallon  ;  this  item 
occurring  with  alarming  regularity,  showing  each  and  every  visit  to 
the  city  of  the  good  old  farmer  against  whom  it  was  made.  The 
'squire  was  well  acquainted  with  him,  and  had  never  known  of  his 
being  subject  to  severe  attacks  of  this  disease,  and  his  curiosity  was 
aroused  to  know  what  this  remedy  was,  and  on  his  first  visit  to  Rock 
Island  he  asked  the  maker  of  the  bill  to  enlighten  him.  The  dealer 
laughed,  and  for  answer  beckoned  him  into  a  back  room  and  silently 
pointed  to  a  barrel  labeled  "whisky."  "Headache  medicine  "  looked 
better  on  the  bills  ;  but  like  the  "  sugar"  on  the  pauj)er  bills,  it  looked 
suspicious. 

Again,  most  of  the  adjoining  counties  had  provided  poor-houses, 
and  refused  longer  to  support  indigent  persons  unless  they  would 
become  inmates  thereof;  and  while  there  were  many  who  were  not  too 
proud  to  receive  their  entire  subsistence  from  the  county,  there  were 
few  who  would  willingly  "go  to  the  poor-house,"  as  they  had  a  false 
idea  that  this  course  was  degrading.  Rather  than  go  where  they  could 
not  only  be  better  cared  for,  but  would  have  an  opportunity  to  do  what 
they  could  for  their  own  maintenance,  they  prepared  to  emigrate  to 
some  county  not  possessed  of  this  bugbear,  and  not  a  few  crossed  the 
borders  into  our  county  and  soon  became  a  county  charge. 

Under  these  circumstances,  the  commissioners  in  1853  (E.  Gilmore, 
Jr.,  county  judge,  and  William  Wilmerton  and  John  Glancey,  asso- 
ciate county  justices  of  the  peace),  after  much  deliberation,  decided  to 
purchase  a  farm  for  the  county,  upon  which  might  be  erected  suitable 
buildings  for  an  infirmary.  Mr.  Wilmerton  soon  found  what  he 
thought  would  be  a  suitable  farm,  and  a  special  meeting  of  the  com- 
missioners was  held  at  the  court-house  in  Keithsburg,  September  20, 
1853,  which  is  the  first  record  we  can  find  relating  to  the  subject  of  a 
poor-house.  At  this  meeting  they  ratified  a  provisional  contract  made 
by  Mr.  AVilmerton  with  John  I.  Clark  and  Gersham  Yannatta,  whereby 
the  latter  sold  to  the  county  110  acres  of  land  lying  in  the  S.  ^  of  Sec. 
33,  T.  15,  and  in  the  N.  i  of  Sec.  4,  T.  14,  both  in  Range  3,  W.  of  the 
4tli  P.M.,  the  latter  being  timber  land.  The  consideration  w^as  $1,400, 
and  two  orders  were  drawn  at  this  meeting,  for  $700  each,  in  favor  of 
Clark  and  Vannatta.  The  deed  was  made  September  23,  1853,  and 
acknowledged  before  W.  A.  Bridgford,*J.P,,  of  Millersburg,  and  was 
recorded  January  12,  1854,  by  T.  B.  Cabeen,  Recorder,  in  Book  M  of 
Deeds,  pages  307  and  308. 

March  8,  1854,  the  county  farm  was  leased  to  Joseph  G.  Gilmore 


MKUCEK    COUNTY    VOVli    KAUM    AND    IMTKMARY.  485 

lor  one  year,  but  the  terms  of  the  lease  are  not  given  in  tlie  record.  A 
part  of  the  contract,  liowever,  was  that  lie  should  keej)  a  paujjcr  and 
his  wife,  named  Golden ;  and  we*lind  that  at  the  March  session  (1855) 
o+'  the  board  of  supervisors  he  was  allowed  $8.50  as  balance  due  him 
on  the  contract. 

From  the  minutes  of  the  June  session  of  the  board  of  supervisors 
(1854),  the  first  session  after  the  ado})tion  of  township  organization,  we 
cop3'  the  following  order  : 

"It  is  ordered  by  the  board,  that  Graham  Lee,  Elisha  ]\Iiles,  and 
Tyler  McWhoiter  be  and  are  appointed  a  ccnnmittee  to  examine  the 
condition  of  the  county  farm  and  its  requirements,  with  ]-espect  to 
accommodating  all  the  paupers  of  the  county." 

In  September  of  the  same  year,  Graham  Lee  was  appointed  agent 
for  the  county  to  lease  the  farm,  etc. 

In  March,  1856,  Mr.  Gilmore  was  ])aid  $58.50  as  balance  due  him 
on  contract  or  lease.  At  the  same  term  the  board  unanimously  })ass 
a  resolution  recommending  to  their  successors  the  urgent  necessity  of 
improving  the  farm,  so  that  it  would  "accommodate  all  the  paujjers  in 
the  county,"  this  action  being  suggested  by  the  large  number  of  pauper 
claims  presented  at  that  session. 

At  a  special  tenn  in  June,  1856,  Graham  Lee,  Thomas  Likely,  and 
Tyler  McAVhorter  were  apjjointed  a  committee  to  i)repare  and  report  a 
])lan  for  a  poor-house,  and  as  nearly  as  possible  the  cost  of  the  same. 
They  made  their  report  at  the  same  session,  which  was  accepted,  and 
McAVhorter,  Lee,  and  N.  P.  Partridge  were  ap])ointed  to  make  a  design, 
advertise  for  and  receive  bids,  and  contract  for  the  erection  of  the 
house. 

Said  commissioners  reported  at  the  September  meeting  that  they 
had  received,  oii  the  28th  of  August,  live  bids :  two  for  brick  and  three 
for  stone  buildings;  that  four  of  the  bids  had  ranged  from  $4,200,  to 
$4,600;  that  the  lifth  was  for  $3,400  for  a  stone  building;  that  this 
latter  figure  was  deemed  reasonable,  but  the  bidder,  Mr.  Ralph  Growe, 
required  ])artial  payment  in  advance,  and  it  was  necessary  to  provide 
funds  before  closing  the  contract.  Accordingly  an  arrangement  was 
made  with  the  drainage  commissioner  to  borrow  money  from  the 
swamp  land  fund.  That  the  lirst  payment  had  been  made,  and  the 
work  of  excavating  the  cellar  commenced  ;  that  owing  to  the  failure  of 
the  drainage  commissioner  to  iruike  collections,  they  were  unable  to  get 
money  for  the  second  i)ayment,  whereby  the  work  had  been  greatly 
hindered  and  delaye<l.  They  request  the  board  to  sanction  their  action, 
and  to  decide  upon  some  definite  system  of  managing  the  farm  in 
future ;  both  of  which  requests  we  presume  were  granted,  but  we  can 
28 


486  HISTORY    OF   MERCER    AJfD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

find  no  record  of  any  action  beyond  receiving  and  recording  their 
report.  This,  liowever,  was  the  last  year  the  farm  was  leased,  as  a 
whole,  a  steward  or  superintendent  liaving  since  been  employed. 

In  March,  1857,  Mr.  J.  G.  Gilmore's  lease  terminated,  and  this 
time  he  owed  the  county  S124.50.  The  county  bought  of  him  fourteen 
acres  of  land  adjoining  the  poor-farm  for  S324.50,  getting  one  year's 
time  on  the  $200  balance,  at  ten  per  cent.  They  also  appropriated 
$11,300  for  prosecuting  the  work  on  the  infirmary ;  authorized  the  com- 
missioners to  borrow  $800  of  the  swamj)  land  fund,  and  made  provis- 
ions for  the  repayment  of  all  sums  heretofore  borrowed  from  the  fund. 

In  September,  1858,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  visit  the  poor- 
farm  and  report.  They  suggested  that  the  "steward"  system  be  abol- 
ished, and  that  a  competent  man  be  employed  to  superintend  the  farm, 
under  the  direction  of  a  standing  committee  in  regard  to  improvements, 
purchase  of  stock,  etc.  This  report  was  adopted,  and  a  committee 
appointed  who  made  a  contract  with  Humphrey  Riddell,  at  S350  per 
year,  his  term  commencing  March  8,  1859.  Mr.  Riddell  was  re-em- 
ployed from,  year  to  year  for  nine  successive  years,  which  fact  attests 
his  eminent  fitness  for  the  position,  which  was  recognized  by  the  board 
in  an  increase  of  his  salary  from  time  to  time  until  instead  of  $350  they 
paid  him  $500  per  year.  This  was,  of  course,  in  addition  to  the  board 
and  keeping  of  himself  and  family. 

While  upon  the  subject  we  will  give  the  list  of  stewards  and  super- 
intendents in  their  order,  so  far  as  can  be  ascertained:  Joseph  G. 
Gilmore  leased  and  manao;ed  the  farm  the  first  three  vears.  It  was 
then  placed  under  the  charge  of  committees,  as  before  mentioned,  who 
employed  stewards  to  care  for  the  inmates,  etc.  AYhile  the  building 
was  in  progress,  Tyler  McWliorter,  as  chairman  of  the  building  com- 
mittee, had  the  oversight  of  the  farm,  and  Justus  Southwell  and  AYm. 
Clark  held  the  stewardship  under  his  administration.  Then  came  Mr. 
Riddell  for  nine  years;  Samuel  H.  Darby  shire  from  1868  to  1875; 
John  W.  Dihel  from  1875  to  1880 ;  and  from  February,  1880,  to  the 
present  time,  Mr.  J.  McAVillis,  who  is  now  holding  the  position  for 
the  third  term.  His  salary  is  $600,  which  is  at  least  $400  less  than 
should  be  paid. 

Tlie  building  is  well  arranged  and  will  accommodate  comfortably 
about  thirty  inmates.  A  commodious  wing  accommodates  the  superin- 
tendent's family,  and  a  frame  kitchen  was  added  to  the  building  some 
years  ago.  What  is  known  as  the  "old  house*''  was  put  in  tolerably 
decent  repair,  and  is  used  for  sleeping  apartments  when  the  main 
building  is  overcrowded,  but  it  cannot  be  so  used  in  extreme  cold 
weather. 


MERCER   COUNTY   POOR    FARM    AND   INFIRMARY.  487 

The  farm  is  provided  with  ample  barns,  granaries  and  tool  houses ; 
is  well  stocked  with  horses,  cattle  and  hogs;  has  a  large  orchard  and 
an  abundance  of  small  fruits. 

The  inmates  are  all  required  to  perform  such  labor  as  they  are  able 
or  litted  for;  the  women  doing  their  own  cooking,  washing,  ironing 
and  chamber  work,  and  a  part  of  their  own  sewing ;  while  the  men 
work  in  the  fields  or  about  the  barns.  Discipline  is  necessarily  very 
strict,  but  is  seldom  severe.  Among  them  are  the  weak-minded, 
idiotic  and  insane ;  and  for  the  latter  special  provisions  in  the  way  of 
cages  or  barred  windows  and  doors  are  a  necessity. 

The  position  of  superintendent  is  one  of  great  responsibility  and  of 
constant  trials,  vexations  and  watchfulness,  and  it  is  to  the  honor  of 
each  and  all  who  have  held  the  position  that  they  have  served  year 
after  year  in  that  capacity.  That  any  one  of  them  has  sei-ved  one  or 
more  years  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  everybody  could  not  be 
expected ;  that  each  has  left  the  farm  in  better  condition  than  he  found 
it  is  most  highly  commendable. 

Since  the  completion  of  the  building  the  number  of  inmates  has 
averaged  about  thirty  ])er  year.  The  largest  number  ever  upon  the 
books  at  one  time  was  fifty-four,  during  the  administration  of  S.  H. 
Darbyshire ;  and  every  available  resource  of  tlie  farm  and  infirmary 
were  then  taxed  to  the  utmost. 

Among  the  present  inmates  are  the  following,  who  have  been  there 
for  eight  years  or  more,  with  date  of  entry :  Dedimus  Black,  April  5, 
1859;  Mrs.  King,  December  19,  1861;  Logan  Smithers,  June  7,  1864 
John  Hall,  December  .30,  1865; 'Norman  Powers,  May  12,  1866 
Sarah  Albee,  August  17,  1869 ;  Elizabeth  Krouse,  October  2,  1871 
Eieliard  Bell,  May  24,  1874. 

Whenever  children  are  admitted  it  is  the  rule  to  advertise  at  once 
for  homes  for  them,  and  where  possible  secure  their  adoption  by  good 
families.  Where  this  is  not  possible  they  are  allowed  to  go  and  work 
for  their  board,  or  board  and  clothing,  owing  to  their  ca])abilities. 

Febniary  1,  1865,  forty  acres  adjoining  the  farm  were  jjurchased  of 
John  Dellett,  and  on  March  1,  1882,  200  acres  were  purchased  of 
Peter  Blue,  being  the  N.  E.  i,  and  the  S.  E.  J  of  the  N.  W.  i  of  Sec. 
33,  T.  15  N.,  K.  3  W.  of  the  4tli  P.  M.,  for  which  they  paid  the  sum 
of  $10,000  cash.  Small  timber  lots  in  Sec.  4,  T.  14,  R.  3,  have  been 
purchased  at  different  times,  and  the  fiirm  now  comprises  395  acres. 
One  man  is  hired  by  the  county,  in  addition  to  the  superintendent, 
and  what  he  cannot  work  advantaa-eouslv  with  the  resources  at  his 
command,  is  leased  on  good  terms  to  resi)onsible  tenants. 


48S  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

The  farm  is  becoming  nearer  sulf-supjjoi-ting  year  hy  year,  and  has 
proven  from  the  first  a  paying  investment,  to  leave  out  all  other  con- 
siderations. It  is  true  that  it  has  not  put  an  end  to  a  deluge  of  pauper 
bills  from  the  several  townships  at  each  recurring  session  of  the  board, 
but  it  has  largely  reduced  them  in  number  and  amounts  asked  for,  and 
the  bills  receive  a  close  scriitin}^  and  thorough  investigation  before 
being  allowed.  But  so  long  as  supervisors  are  allowed  to  assist  i)au- 
pers  in  their  respective  townships,  at  public  expense,  these  bills  must 
be  paid  ;  and  some  of  our  supervisors  seem  to  think  their  townships 
will  be  disgraced  if  they  are  represented  by  an  inmate  in  the  infirmary, 
and  to  prevent  this  will  issue  orders  and  indorse  bills  that  aggregate 
much  more  than  it  would  cost  to  keep  the  pauper  where  he  or  she 
most  properly  belong,  at  the  county  farm. 

The  visitor  to  our  county  farm  and  infirmary  will  see  no  grand  pile 
of  masonry,  erected  with  a  view  mainly  for  architectural  effect,  but  a 
large  and  substantial  building,  well  adapted  for  the  purpose  erected. 
That  improvements  might  now  be  added,  or  that  a  dift'erent  plan  might 
embody  them  if  a  building  was  now  to  be  built,  which  would  better 
the  accommodations  and  lessen  the  labor,  is  readily  conceded ;  but  it 
has  and  will  for  some  years  to  come  furnish  ample  accommodation  for 
all  who  have  been  or  may  be  consigned  to  its  friendly  shelter. 

It  is  situated  three  and  one-half  miles  due  north  of  Aledo.  A 
beautiful  di-ive  leads  to  the  house,  the  site  for  which  was  selected  by 
an  artistic  eye.  Inviting  shade  trees,  the  lawn,  the  orchard,  the  fruit, 
the  waving  grain  on  eitliei*  side  in  summer,  the  well-filled  granai'ies  in 
winter,  all  present  an  inviting  appearance  ;  nothing  repulsive  meets 
the  eye.  It  is  a  home  for  the  unfortunate  and  the  imbecile  :  an  insti- 
tution that  is  a  credit  to  the  generosity  and  liberality  of  the  citizens  of 
Mercer  county. 

In  addition  to  the  gentlemen  mentioned  as  furnishing  data  for  the 
foregoing,  we  are  indebted  to  county  clerk  C.  C.  Wordin  for  kind 
assistance  in  examining  the  records  in  his  office,  and  a  long,  though 
fruitless,  search  for  some  reports  which  would  have  proven  valuable 
could  tliey  have  been  found ;  to  superintendent  J.  McWillis  for  like 
assistance,  and  to  numerous  others  for  the  pains  taken  in  answering 
our  numerous  inquiries.  In  the  name  of  the  readers  of  this  history 
we  earnestly  thaiik  each  and  all. 


MERCKK    COUNTY    AGRICULTUKAL    I50AKI).  489 


MERCEH  COUNTY  AGRICULTUIIAL  BOAED. 

CONTRinUTEl)    ItV    I,.    H.    DOUCiltTY. 

In  starting  out  for  datu  for  this  sketch  we  were  confronted  witli  the 
to  us  startling  fact  tluit  the  tirst  record  book  of  tlie  society,  embracing 
the  records  from  its  tirst  organization  up  to  1873,  was  missing.  Secre- 
tary and  ex-secretaries  were  appealed  to,  but  no  trace  of  the  missing 
record  has  as  yet  been  discovered.  Here  was  a  dilemma  for  which  we 
were  not  prepared,  and  one  that  necessitates  a  mere  sketch,  which, 
while  generally  correct,  is  so  incomplete  and  barren  in  detail  as  to  be, 
to  us,  at  least,  very  unsatisfactory.  An  ap})eal  to  those  who  were 
prominent  in  the  organization  and  during  the  tirst  years  of  the  society 
was  made,  and  while  all  were  willing  to  render  assistance,  not.one  was 
willing  to  trust  his  memory  as  to  details  of  the  beginning.  Three  men 
were  mentioned  as  the  first  secretary  ;  two  of  them  we  have  seen,  and 
each  thinks  the  other  was  the  man,  but  neither  is  sure.  Under  these 
circumstances  the  re^ider  will  pardon  us  for  any  inaccuracies  or  omis- 
sions he  may  discover. 

The  society  was  organized  in  1853,  by  prominent  farmers  in  the 
county,  for  the  encouragement  and  promotion  of  agricultural  and 
mechanical  pursuits.  Among  the  organizers  were  Tyler  ]\[cWhorter, 
Graham  Lee,  Joseph  Trego,  Dudley  AVillits,  J.  E.  Bay,  AValter  Pryne, 
Elbridge  U.  Howe,  William  Green,  Cruser  Gray,  James  and  William  P. 
Strong,  Washington  Wolf,  the  Drurys,  Xobles,  and  many  others.  We 
shall  not  attempt  to  give  the  ofKcers ;  we  cannot  learn  with  certainty 
who  they  were. 

Millersburg  was  chosen  as  the  place  for  holding  the  exhibitions,  and 
tlie  citizens  of  that  village  purchased  three  acres  of  land  of  Elbridge  G. 
Howe ;  cleared  it  of  the  timber  and  undergrowth,  and  built  a  fence 
around  it  (three  sides  being  fenced  with  the  brush  taken  from  the  land, 
the  fi-ont  only  being  a  substantial  board  fence),  and  the  whole  was 
donated  to  the  society.  The  consideration  was  §50,  and  the  deed  was 
made,  September  30,  1854,  to  "the  treasurer  of  the  Mercer  County 
Agricultural  Society  and  his  successor  in  office." 

The  exhibitions  were  held  during  the  last  of  September  or  the  first 
of  October  of  each  year,  and  have  been  a  success  from  the  start,,  the 
society  always  paying  its  premiums  in  full,  and  with  but  few  excei> 
tions  has  had  something  left  after  so  doing  and  meeting  current 
expenses. 

The  three  acres  soon  became,  too  small,  and  two  more  acres  were 
l)urchased  of  Mr.  Howe ;  and  when  it  was  decided  to  add  trotting  to  the 


490  HISTOKY   OF    MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

exliibition,  eight  acres  were  leased  from  H.  W.  Thornton,  upon  which 
a  one-fourth  mile  track  was  prepared. 

Two  features  of  our  early  fairs  will  bear  mention,  although  both 
have  long  since  lost  a  place  on  the  programme.  An  agricultural 
address,  often  delivered  by  a  professional  politician,  who  perhaps  knew 
no  more  about  raising  corn  and  potatoes  than  he  did  of  Greek,  was  for 
awhile  considered  the  main  attraction;  and  the  equestrienne  exhibi- 
tion was  also  relied  upon  as  a  drawing  feature.  It  is  needless  to  say 
that  the  latter  was  of  the  two  the  most  popular,  and  drew  by  far  the 
largest  and  most  enthusiastic  crowd. 

Owing  to  the  excitement  consequent  to  the  breaking  out  of  the  war 
of  the  rebellion  in  1861,  no  fair  was  held  that  year,  but  they  were 
resumed  in  186::^,  and  have  been  held  regularly  ever  since. 

When  the  railroad  was  completed  to  Aledo,  in  1869,  the  society 
decided  to  remove  to  that  point,  owing  to  the  increased  facilities  for 
getting  to  and  from  the  fair,  and  twenty-seven  acres  of  ground  were 
purchased  of  D.  V.  Reed,  situated  about  one  mile  southwest  of  the 
business  center  of  town,  and  the  fair  of  1869  was  held  on  the  new 
grounds. 

During  the  first  years  of  the  society,  membership  tickets  were 
sold  at  $1  each,  and  the  purchaser  was  presented  with  a  badge  which 
not  only  entitled  him  to  admission  during  the  fair,  but  also  admitted 
all  members  of  his  family,  except  children,  who  were  "of  age." 
Under  this  plan  gate  receipts  were  always  small  in  proportion  to  the 
number  in  attendance,  and  it  was  finally  displaced  by  the  regular 
ticket  system,  tlie  purchaser  of  four  twenty-five  cent  tickets  being  enti- 
tled to  a  certificate  of  membership,  which  latter  gives  him  a  vote  in 
society,  but  will  not  admit  him  to  the  grounds. 

When  the  law  was  passed  creating  the  state  board  of  agriculture, 
our  society  reorganized  under  its  provisions,  under  the  name  of  the 
"Mercer  County  Agricultural  Board,"  a  name  it  still  bears.  Substan- 
tial buildings,  stalls,  pens,  etc.,  have  been  erected  as  the  finances 
would  warrant.  The  board  during  the  past  year  paid  the  last  of  its 
indebtedness  for  land,  and  has  kept  other  bills  paid  up.  A  fine  exhi- 
bition hall  is  now  in  course  of  erection,  in  the  sha})e  of  a  Greek  cross, 
which  will  cost  about  $2,000.  On  the  grounds  is  a  splendid  one-third 
mile  track,  and  fronting  it  a  commodious  amphitheater,  built,  how- 
ever, more  for  use  than  ornament.  A  sufficient  number  of  wells 
supply  all  the  water  required,  and  more  hay  is  raised  on  the  ground 
enclosing  the  track  than  is  required  to  feed  the  stock  brought  for 
exhibition. 

Gambling   and   the   sale   of  intoxicants   have   ever  been   rigidlv 


MERCER   COUNTY    AGRICULTURAL   BOARD.  491 

excluded,  and  many  have  favored  the  abolition  of  trotting  or  racing 
of  anv  kind  from  the  grounds. 

There  was  a  time  when  this  feature  threatened  to  overshadow  all 
else,  and  our  fair  became  what  so  many  others  in  the  state  had 
merged  into  —  a  three-days'  horse-race,  with  a  few  implements  and 
farm  products  as  a  kind  of  side-show.  Taking  warning,  however,  by 
the  bankruptcy  of  neigliboring  societies,  resulting  largely  from  this 
course,  our  board  adopted  a  happy  medium,  which  has  so  far  resulted 
to  the  best  interests  of  the  board,  financially,  while  satisfying  all  but 
the  ultra  advocates  of  either  side.  Trials  of  speed  are  reduced  in 
number  and  almost  entirely  confined  to  horses  owned  within  the 
county,  and  the  premiums  are  liberal  without  being  excessive.  Pre- 
miums on  stock  and  farm  products,  together  with  manufactured 
articles  of  all  kinds  of  home  production  have  been  advanced  ;  while 
machinery,  farm  implements,  etc.,  from  foreign  manufactories,  are 
simply  awarded  a  diploma. 

The  ladies'  department,  including  needle  work,  embroideries, 
samples  of  culinary  skill  and  dairy  work,  have  ever  been  an  inter- 
esting, attractive  and  important  feature  of  the  exhibitions,  and  too 
much  praise  cannot  be  accorded  to  the  ladies  for  their  interest  and 
unremitting  efforts  to  make  these  de})artments  attractive,  and  we  can 
say  of  them  what  can  be  said  of  no  other  department  :  the  display 
has  always  been  full  and  large. 

In  the  exhibition  of  fine  horses,  cattle,  hogs,  and  sheep,  our  fairs 
have  never  been  surpassed  in  quality  by  the  state  fair,  and  some  years 
scarcely  equaled  in  quantity ;  while  in  fruits,  farm  })roducts,  and  vege- 
tables, our  average  disi)lav  would  be  creditable  at  any  stjite  exhibition, 
and  in  exceptional  years  is  never  surpassed  anywhere. 

The  board  offer  from  §12,00()  to  $2,500  annually  as  premiums.  All 
articles  and  animals  are  admitted  free,  except  horses,  entries  for  speed, 
and  sweepstakes  on  all  other  stock.  These  pay  an  entrance  fee  of  ten 
per  cent  on  first  premium,  except  entries  for  speed,  which  pay  ten  per 
cent  on  purses  offered.  Sheep,  however,  pay  no  entrance  fee  on  sweei> 
stakes,  as  only  a  diploma  is  awarded  in  that  class. 

We  cannot  give  a  list  of  the  ofticers  of  the  societ}'  from  its  organiza- 
tion, and  must  content  ourselves  with  a  mention  of  a  few  whom  we 
know  to  have  been  prominently  connected  with  it,  while  others  who 
have  perhaps  been  more  prominent  are  necessarily  omitted.  In 
addition  to  those  first  mentioned  are  J.  E.  Ilarroun,  A.  J.  Streeter, 
Henry  Lee,  David  Calhoun,  D.  W.  Sedwick,  E.  B.  David,  Joseph  B. 
Lair,  Samuel  Wharton,  C.  F.  Durston,  J.  V.  David,  A.  P.  Petrie, 
A.  B.  Swisher,  James  Feather,  AVilliam  I.   Nevius,  Robert  Candor, 


492  HISTORY    OF    MERCER   Ai«)   HE^^)ERSON   C0U]S;TIES. 

John  Brady,  O.  A.  Bridgford,  Walter  Lloyd,  L.  B.  Lloyd,  J.  M.  Maniion, 
AVilliam  Doak,  G.  D.  Miller,  John  Whitsett,  John  A.  Gilmore,  D.  T. 
Hindman,  ^Y.  K.  Fulton,  D.  H.  Hayes,  J.  M.  Warwick,  M.  L.  Marsh, 
J.  Taylor  Gilmore,  L.  V.  Willits,  j'.  H.  Purdnm,  R.  J.  Cabeen,  L.  B. 
Ho^ye,  J.  J.  Huston ;  and  right  here  we  will  stop,  for  their  name  is 
legion, 

Robert  Holloway  has  added  much  interest  to  the  liorse  show  for  the 
past  few  years,  by  an  exhibition  of  his  fine  imported  horses,  while 
William  Drury  is  entitled  to  the  same  credit  for  a  much  longer  period. 

As  a  fact  worthy  of  record  the  fail's  of  the  Mercer  county  agricul- 
tural boards  have  been  more  uniformly  successful  in  every  way  than 
any  other  fair  in  the  state,  and  our  exhibitions  deservedly  stand  at  the 
head,  taking  them  as  a  whole,  and  have  so  stood  for  a  number  of 
years.  For  this  proud  position  credit  is  due  to  the  citizens  of  the 
county  generally,  who  have  ever  shown  their  interest  in  its  success  by 
attending  its  exhibitions  and  contributing  in  every  possible  way  toward 
its  advancement.  Wise  selection  of  officers  and  careful  management 
on  their  part  has  insured  a  sound  financial  basis  upon  which  future  im- 
provements may  be  safely  inaugurated. 

The  twenty-ninth  annual  fair  of  the  board  will  be  held  on  Septem- 
ber 19,  20,  21  and  22,  1882,  at  their  grounds  near  Aledo.  The  fol- 
lowing are  the  ofiicers  for  the  current  year :  president,  A.  B.  Swisher, 
Eliza ;  vice-president,  R.  J.  Cabeen,  Keithsburg ;  treasurer,  E.  B. 
David,  Aledo ;  secretary,  J.  F.  Henderson,  Aledo  ;  executive  com- 
mittee. David  Calhovm,  Keithsburg;  J.  B.  Lair,  Aledo;  G.  D.  Mil- 
ler, Aledo ;  D.  W.  Sedwick,  Suez ;  J.  IT.  David,  Xew  Windsor ;  J. 
B.  Chandler,  Sunbeam ;  Mrs.  AV.  D.  Fleharty,  New  Windsor ;  Mrs. 
H.  B.  Frazier,  Yiola ;  Mrs.  W.  A.  Lorimer,  Aledo ;  Mrs.  J.  M.  Man- 
non,  New  Boston  ;  general  superintendent,  Robert  Candor,  Aledo ; 
marshal,  Samuel  Wharton,  Aledo  ;  marshal  of  the  ring,  John  F. 
Harvey,  Aledo.  Capt.  E.  B.  David,  present  treasurer,  was  for  five 
years  secretary  of  the  board,  and  is  now  vice-president  of  the  state 
board  of  agriculture  for  this  district. 


DUNCAN  TOAYNSHIP. 

This  township  was  named  by  the  first  settlers  in  honor  of  Buford 
Duncan,  who  was  himself  the  first  of  all.  The  soil  in  this  township  is 
susceptible  of  a  high  grade  of  cultivation,  being  composed  of  rich,  black 
loam.  Camp  creek,  the  i3rinciple  stream,  runs  through  the  southeast 
portion,  and  Eliza  creek  forms  in  the  northwest  part  of  the  township. 


DUNCAN   TOWNSIIIl'.  493 

and  runs  in  a  soutliwest  course  through  Duncan  and  Eliza  to\vn.shij)s, 
emptying  into  Bald  Eagle  lake,  five  miles  from  New  Boston.  In 
places  Camp  creek  is  skirted  with  heavy  timber  along  its  banks,  to 
which  the  various  wild  climbers  cling  for  suj)port.  All  along  the  banks 
of  Camp,  from  Bald  Eagle  lake  to  its  source,  wherever  shaded  bv  tim- 
ber, was  once  the  fjivorite  camping  ground  of  the  red  man,  and  hence 
the  creek  derives  its  name ;  but  they  have  long  since  disapj)eared 
w4th  the  advent  of  the  few  first  white  settlers.  They  have  gone,  but 
have  not  forgotten  the  place  they  once  controlled,  and  those  of  them 
who  still  survive  in  lamentable  tones  j^ortray  their  recollections  of  the 
home  of  their  childhood ;  that  once  delightful  hunting  ground.  But 
time  has  wTOught  numy  changes  since  then ;  where  once  was  the  site 
of  tlie  wigwam  are  now  fields  of  waving  corn.  The  old  mill  once 
in  active  operation  upon  its  banks  just  west  of  Millersburg,  has 
also  disappeared,  giving  way  to  more  powerful  modern  improvements, 
and  not  a  vestige  of  it  remains  except  the  recollections  of  its  former 
usefulness  in  grinding  out  its  allowance  to  hungry  settlers.  Around  it 
was  a  pleasant  spot  in  summer  time,  when  the  woods  were  green 
around  and  the  pond  like  a  shield  of  polished  silver,  with  the  water 
flying  in  showers  of  spray  over  the  huge,  slowly  turning  wheel.  But 
in  winter,  when  the  trees  were  bare  and  the  snow  lay  piled  in  drifts 
upon  the  ground,  a  weary,  desolate  place  was  the  mill  of  Camp  creek. 

Where  once  could  be  seen  one  vast  sea  of  unbroken  prairie,  well 
cultivated  farms  and  handsome  farm  houses  now  meet  the  eye ;  and 
dotted  here  and  there  with  churches  and  school-houses  on  every  hand, 
which  note  the  progress  that  intellect  and  industry  have  made. 

This  townsjiip  is  comprised  of  No.  15,  R.  4  west  of  the  -ith  P.  M., 
and  is  well  supplied  with  coal  ranging  from  two  and  a  half  to  five 
feet  in  thickness. 

FIRST  SETTLERS. 

The  first  settler  in  what  is  now  Duncan  townshij)  was  Buford 
Duncan,  as  early  as  1834  or  183().  The  township  took  its  name  from 
this  man.  The  next  family  to  come  was  Duncan's  son-in-law,  James 
Vernon.  AVilliam  Epperly  came  also  about  the  same  time.  These 
settled  in  the  same  neighborhood,  on  secticm  16,  school  land.  The 
first  school-house  was  built  on  some  of  this  land,  of  which  Duncan 
donated  one  acre.  It  was  called  the  Duncan  school-house  then. 
Joseph  King  was  another  of  the  early  comers.  He  settled  farther 
south  toward  the  line  between  Duncan  and  JMiilersburg,  on  section  23, 
now  owned  by  J.  C.  Staley.  From  about  1837  arrivals  were  numer- 
ous.    Among  these  later  settlers  were  Ebenezer  Bunting,  Joseph  N., 


494  HISTOKV   OF    MERGER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

Elbridge  G.,  and  Lucian  B.  Howe  (brothers),  Tyler  McAVliorter,  and 
his  brother-in-law,  William  S.  Roe.  They  settled  together.  McWhorter 
started  a  nursery,  made  a  handsome  place,  and  finally  removed  his 
nursery  to  his  present  location  south  of  Aledo. 

[The  following  from  an  early  resident  of  Duncan  township  (Tyler 
McA\niorter,  Esq.)  will  be  read  with  interest. — Ed.] 

The  first  settler  of  this  township  was  Buford  Duncan,  who  located 
on  section  16  in  the  year  1838.  Buford  Duncan  came  fi-om  Indiana. 
He  was  a  man  characterized  for  plainness  of  manners  and  the  strictest 
honesty.  He  was  already  somewluxt  advanced  in  life  and  was  the 
father  of  a  considerable  family  of  children,  most  of  whom  settled  in 
the  same  neighborhood.  Soon  after  Buford  Duncan  had  located  in  the 
townsliip,  his  brother,  Braxton  Duncan,  located  on  section  17.  Brax- 
ton Duncan  was  of  a  slender  constitution  and  only  survived  a  few 
years.  Subsequently  several  persons  connnected  with  the  Duncan 
family  located  in  the  same  neighborhood  and  formed  a  nucleus  of  what 
became  known  as  ' '  Duncan  settlement. "  Among  the  early  settlers  of 
that  neighborhood  should  be  mentioned  William  Epperly  and  James 
Vernon.  Buford  Duncan  has  been  dead  many  years.  Among  the 
early  settlers  of  the  township  of  Duncan  was  also  Luman  Castle,  who 
located  on  the  south  boundary  of  the  township  (section  36)  near  the 
town  of  Millersburg. 

It  was  also  at  an  early  date  that  Joseph  King  located  on  the  south 
side  of  section  33.  It  was  near  the  same  time  that  Robert  Morris 
located  on  section  25.  Robert  Morris  was  from  Scotland.  He  was  a 
man  of  some  mathematical  education.  In  1 844  he  was  elected  county 
surveyor.  He  also  served  as  the  first  township  treasurer  of  Duncan 
township,  and  held  that  position  till  the  spring  of  1846,  when,  being 
attracted  to  an  overland  adventure  to  California,  he  resigned  his  charge 
as  townsliip  treasurer,  and  the  writer  of  this  sketch  became  his  suc- 
cessor. Mr.  Morris  died  in  California.  About  the  spring  of  1844 
Elbridge  G.  Howe  and  Lucian  B.  Howe  made  a  location  on  the  north 
part  of  section  33.  It  was  in  the  summer  of  1845  that  the  writer  of  this 
sketch,  accompanied  by  a  brother-in-law  (William  S.  Rowe),  located  on 
section  31.  It  was  then  the  sole  purpose  of  the  writer,  with  the  limited 
means  at  his  command,  to  start  a  large  experimental  orchard  in  con- 
nection witli  the  nursery  business.  The  name  chosen  for  the  nursery 
was  ^'Pome-Roy  (Royal  Fruit)  Nursery";  and  by  that  name  the  neigh- 
borhood is  still  known.  It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  add  that  "Pome-Roy 
Nursery"  subsequently  produced  the  trees  for  most  of  the  oldest  bearing 
orchards  of  this  county,  and  for  some  of  the  adjoining  counties.  At 
this  early  date  very  few  public  roads  were  yet  laid  out  in  the  townshijD. 


DUNCAN   TOWNSHIP.  495 

Tlie  few  traveled  roads  wound  their  way  over  tlie  prairies,  following 
the  most  favorable  make  of  ground. 

The  small  number  of  domestic  animals  had  very  little  effect  in  sujv 
pressing  the  free  growth  of  the  wild  })rairie  grass  which  on  all  sides 
grew  up  and  waved  to  the  summer  winds.  For  many  years  the  early 
settlers  could  mow  a  full  su])ply  of  hay  on  the  open  prairies,  and  when 
the  frosts  of  autumn  had  killed  the  prairie  grass  it  was  with  watchful 
care  that  the  early  settlers  felt  the  necessity  of  protecting  their  pro]> 
erty  ft'om  the  sweeping  destruction  of  ])rairie  fires.  These  fires  were 
often  started  ten  or  fifteen  miles  distant;  how  or  by  whom  started 
could  seldom  be  ascertained.  On  many  occasions  both  men  and 
women  were  rallied  out  through  the  hours  of  night  to  defend  fields 
and  fences  against  the  approaching  prairie  fires.  Some  very  serious 
losses  occurred  in  the  early  settlement  of  the  country.  It  Was  the  prac- 
tice to  plow  ^''fire  guards"  around  exposed  sides  of  farms. 

At  the  time  the  writer  of  this  sketch  first  settled  no  school-house 
was  built  in  the  township,  and  the  only  religious  services  that  had  yet 
been  held  were  conducted  by  a  branch  of  the  Mormons.  It  was  under 
a  preacher  by  the  name  of  Hinckle  that  these  exercises  were  mainly 
conducted,  but  a  more  noted  revivalist,  by  the  name  of  Ringer,  came 
to  his  assistance.  Considerable  zeal  and  earnestness  were  awakened. 
But  subsequently  this  movement  met  with  some  unfortunate  disasters. 

The  first  school-house  was  built  in  the  Duncan  settlement,  the 
whole  township  being  taxed  as  one  district.  Subsequently  another  dis- 
trict was  set  off  on  the  south  side  of  the  townshi]),  called  the  Pome-Roy 
district.  Several  other  divisions  of  school  districts  have  since  taken 
]3lace.  It  now  has  nine  school-houses  and  three  churches.  It  has 
become  a  prosperous  agricultural  township,  and  sustains  an  able  and 
industrious  population.  But  this  township  is  so  peculiarly  situated 
that  it  is  not  crossed  by  any  of  the  leading  lines  of  travel. 

Tylkr  McWhorter. 

CHURCHES. 

There  are  four  churches  in  the  town.  The  "Wesleyan  Methodist  was 
the  first  to  organize,  December  7,  1855.  In  the  spring  of  1833,  E.  R. 
Powers  and  George  Keneday  moved  with  their  families  from  Ohio  to 
Illinois.  Being  members  of  that  church  in  the  former  state,  they 
brought  their  letters  of  recommendation  with  them.  They  jnirchased 
land  in  Perryton  township.  There  was  no  religious  organization  near 
where  they  settled,  and  they  were  anxious  to  promote  the  cause  of 
Christianity,  and  had  a  ])reference  for  a  church  that  did  not  recognize 
slave-holders  and  which  did  exert  its  influence  against  intemperance, 


496  HISTORY   OF   ]SrERCEK   A^'D    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

war,  and  secret  oath-bound  societies.  They  had  been  in  Illinois  nearly 
a  year  before  they  found  a  member  of  that  order.  Finally  learning 
that  there  were  Wesleyans  at  Millersburg,  they  went  there  to  obtain  a 
preacher,  and  after  a  short  time  the  Rev.  Mr.  Mekpam  came  to  their 
place  and  preached  the  first  sermon  listened  to  in  Perryton,  and 
preached  by  a  Wesleyan.  About  two  weeks  after  this,  a  young  man 
named  B.  F.  Haskins  preached  at  the  same  place.  These  ser- 
mons were  delivered  some  time  in  April,  1854.  In  the  month  of 
July  following,  the  Rev.  J.  M.  Snyder  visited  the  neighborhood,  and 
preached  by  appointment.  His  field  of  labor  included  Perryton,  and 
here  he  made  appointments  to  preach  once  in  four  weeks  on  Sabbath. 
These  exercises  were  held,  alternately,  at  the  houses  of  Mr.  Powers  and 
Keneday.  At  the  beginning  of  the  next  conference  year  the  citizens 
of  Perryton  erected  a  school  house  near  the  Hamlet  postofiice,  where 
the  services  were  then  held.  Tlie  Rev.  Mr.  Snyder  having  dispensed 
with  his  former  field  of  labor,  he  was  now  able  to  preach  to  them  once 
in  two  weeks,  on  Sundav.  Durino-  this  time  a  revival  was  held  and 
twenty-seven  members  were  added  to  the  church.  Mr.  Powers  and 
Keneday,  with  their  families  had,  a  year  previously,  joined  the  church 
at  Millersbusg,  but  by  request  changed  and  joined  the  church  in  their 
own  neighborhood.  The  first  ofiicers  of  the  church  were :  J.  M.  Sny- 
der, ofticiating  elder ;  Levi  Cooper,  clerk.  The  first  members  were : 
Ebenezer  R.  Powers,  Cornelia  Powers,  George  Keneday  and  his  wife, 
Celestia  Keneday,  Levi  Cooper  and  his  wife,  Lucy  Cooper,  Jonas 
Fender,  John  Cooper,  M.  Welch.  On  the  16th  of  December  of  that 
year,  were  added  to  the  church :  Daniel  Bopes,  Henry  Freeman, 
Joseph  F.  Cooper,  D.  H.  Cooper,  Sarah  Cooper,  Sarah  Mclntyre,  Ann 
Asquith.  Up  to  1856  they  had  thirty-one  regular  members  and  twenty- 
one  probationers.  This  church  was  prosperous  from  the  first;  but 
having  no  place  in  the  township  large  enough  to  accommodate  all  who 
thronged  to  the  place  of  worship,  they  accordingly  built  a  church  of 
their  own  on  the  center  of  section  24. 

Antioch  Baptist  church  was  organized  July  22,  1866.  This  church 
owes  its  existence  to  George  Miller,  who,  living  at  Sugar  Grove,  was 
a  prominent  member  of  that  denomination,  and  church  services  were 
held  at  his  house  at  an  early  period.  When  Mr.  Miller  left  this 
county  for  Oregon,  the  place  of  holding  meetings  was  changed  to 
Lunn's  school-house.  This  was  called  the  Sugar  Grove  church.  It 
increased  in  membership  until  finally  they  were  joined  by  a  few  from 
Edgington,  and  a  new  church  formed  at  the  above  place.  The  mem- 
bers most  prominent  in  the  movement  were  :  John  Young,  James 
Young,  L.  II.  Castor,  B.  F.  Miller,  and  Frederick  Yolkel,  At  the  school- 


DUXCAN    TOWXSIIII'.  497 

house  preaching  was  held  until  1870,  at  which  time  a  new  church  was 
erected  on  section  1.  This  edifice  was  built  bj  subscription  at  a  cost 
of  S2,300.  Among  the  first  early  preachers  were:  Henry  D.  Kline, 
John  Young  and  Alexander  Sutton.  A  revival  took  place  in  1807, 
under  the  preaching  of  one  Pickert,  an  e\'angelist,  which  was  the  first 
revival  after  occupying  the  new  church.  The  next  was  under  the  super- 
vision of  James  Young,  in  1803.  The  next,  conducted  by  J.  E.  R. 
Young,  added  fifty-three  new  members  to  the  strength  of  the  church. 
Among  the  early  membership  of  the  church  were  :  Lewis  Landreth 
and  wife,  John  Downing  and  wife,  IVEilton  Elliott  and  wife,  James 
Elliott  and  wife,  L.  C.  Elliott  and  family,  E.  W,  Miller  and  wife, 
B.  F.  Miller  and  wife,  John  McLaughlin  and  wife,  T,  C.  Lewis  and 
wife. 

Among  the  first  organizers  of  the  Buftalo  Prairie  church,  of  Dun- 
can, Jesse  L.  Adams  took  an  active  interest.  He  was  born  in  Bucks 
count}',  Ohio,  March  23,  1808.  He  subsequently  moved  from  that 
state  to  Madison  county,  Indiana,  and  settled  in  the  wilderness.  In 
1822  he  went  to  visit  his  older  brother,  who  was  then  living  on  the 
Wabash  river.  Wliile  sojourning  he  united  with  the  Church  of  Jesus 
Christ,  and  was  called  to  the  oflice  of  elder  in  1835.  In  1835  he 
moved  to  Mercer  county,  settling  near  Glancey's  lake,  in  Eliza  town- 
ship. He  being  enthusiastic  in  the  faith,  immediately  began  the  agi- 
tation of  establishing  a  church,  and  accordingly  in  1802,  the  church 
was  organized  with  eleven  members.  AVinthrop  Holmes  was  called 
to  the  eldership.  The  first  meetings  were  held  at  the  houses  of  the 
different  members.  The  services  were  conducted  by  Elder  J.  W. 
Gillon,  J.  H.  Gurley,  and  AY.  Holmes.  The*  latter  named  dying  in 
1865,  his  place  was  filled  by  J.  F.  Adams.  Up  to  1805  the  church 
had  a  membership  of  twenty-seven.  In  1808  a  revival  took  place,  at 
which  time  103  were  added«to  the  church,  making  in  all  130  members, 
and  they  immediately  set  about  building  a  church  by  subscription. 
This  was  dedicated  September  5,  1808.  In  the  fall  of  1873  J.  F. 
Adams  resigned  the  eldersliij)  of  the  church,  and  David  S.  Holmes 
was  called  ;  he  resigned  in  1875,  and  E.  F.  Bryant  was  called.  Lender 
his  administration  the  church  reached  250  members. 

ORGANIZATION. 

Pursuant  to  notice  given  for  townshij)  organization,  an  election 
was  held  on  April  4,  1854,  at  the  school-house  in  district  Xo.  1.  The 
meeting  was  called  to  order  by  choosing  George  W.  Bennett  clerk, 
AYilliam  E]>perly,  moderator,  and  Tyler  McAVhorter,  clerk,  pro  tern. 
At  this  meeting  it  was  decided  to  elect  four  poundmasters,  and  the 


j:98  HISTORY    OF   ifERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

ones  chosen  were  :  W.  S.  Roe,  Michael  Miller,  Biiford  Duncan  and 
Samuel  Herson.  Tyler  McWhorter  was  chosen  supervisor,  receiving 
thirty-two  votes  ;  Alvah  Sutton,  town  clerk  ;  Caleb  Yernon,  collector  ; 
William  S.  Roe,  assessor ;  Samuel  Ilerson,  G.  W.  Bennett,  John 
Page,  Buford  Duncan,  and  James  Vernon,  overseers  of  poor ;  AVil- 
liam  Summers  and  James  Lloyd,  commissioners  of  highways  ;  Wil- 
liam Ducan,  constable  ;  James  Vernon,  justice  of  the  peace.  At  this 
election  thirty  votes  were  cast.  A  resolution  restraining  swine,  sheep, 
and  cattle  from  running  at  large  was  adopted. 

One  mile  north  of  Millersburg,  on  a  high  ridge  of  ground  covered 
with  oaks,  is  located  the  Millersburg  cemetery.  This  ridge  of  ground 
extends  toward  the  north  and  slopes  gently  to  the  east  and  west.  The 
lettering  on  many  of  the  old  head-stones  still  standing  has  been  obliter- 
ated by  the  elements,  showing  that  the  place  has  been  in  use  for  that 
purpose  for  many  years.  It  is  perhaps  the  first  burial  place  in  the 
county.  Over  two  hundred  are  reposing  beneath  the  shades  of  the 
surrounding  oaks. 

Until  1881  Duncan  township  was  without  a  postolRce.  At  that 
time  Mr.  Leonard  Gorber  built  a  store-house  on  section  2,  and  John 
Ball  was  appointed  postmaster.  He  was  also  the  first  merchant  in  the 
township.  In  the  spring  of  1882  he  sold  his  stock  to  John  Bolting- 
house,  who  was  appointed  in  his  stead.  April  17, 1882,  a  second  post- 
office  was  established  in  Duncan  township,  and  Edward  Cornell  was 
appointed  postmaster.  This  is  situated  in  the  extreme  southwestern 
corner  of  the  township. 

A  mill  was  built  on  Camp  creek  in  1835,  on  the  line  between  Dun- 
can and  Millersburg  townships.  Tliis  was  a  grist  and  saw-mill.  It 
has  long  since  been  numbered  with  the  things  of  the  past,  and  only  a 
few  of  the  old  timbers  remain  to  mark  the  spot  where  the  early 
pioneer  patiently  awaited  his  turn  to  be  accommodated. 

Luman  Castle  was  the  first  discoverer  of  coal  in  Duncan  township. 
This  was  about  1845  or  1846.  One  McDonald  was  the  first  to  mine 
coal.  Until  he  commenced,  people  who  wished  dug  what  they  wanted 
out  of  the  side  of  the  ravine.  There  being  plenty  of  timber  then  there 
was  not  much  demand  for  coal,  but  as  the  population  of  the  township 
increased  they  began  using  coal  in  order  to  save  the  timber  for  making 
rails  and  other  purposes. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Henry  Dunn,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  in  Brown  county, 
Ohio,  in  1831,  where  he  received  the  advantages  of  a  common  school 
education,  and  began  to  assist  about  the  farm  at  the  age  of  sixteen. 


DUNCAN   TOWNSHIP.  499 

On  coming  to  this  county  lie  first  stopped  at  New  Boston,  and  after  a 
six  months'  stay  he  removed  to  Eliza  township,  where  he  remained  ten 
years.  He  afterward  resided  a  year  each  in  Mercer  an^  Millersburg, 
and  in  1863  bought  land  of  James  Yernon  in  section  21,  near  Dunn's 
school-house,  .which  took  its  name  from  him.  He  was  married  to  Miss 
A.  "Waters,  formerly  of  Ohio.  Her  parents  came  out  soon  after,  and 
being  dissatisfied  with  the  country  he  took  them  back  and  returned  with 
his  own  parents.  Mr.  Dunn  possesses  a  rare  combination  of  good 
qualities,  which  fit  him  for  the  business  in  which  he  is  engaged.  He 
is  a  man  of  independent  ideas,  indomitable  energy  and  fine  business 
tact,  all  of  which  has  been  the  secret  of  his  success  in  life. 

David  H.  Livingston  was  born  in  1827  in  Columbiana  county, 
Ohio,  where  he  received  a  common  school  education,  and  after  learned 
the  carpenter's  trade,  at  which  he  worked  until  1851.  At  that  time  he 
came  to  Rock  Island,  where  for  the  first  year  he  followed  the  business. 
He  then  moved  to  Mercer  county,  settling  first  at  Millersburg,  still  con- 
tinuing the  business  there.  Here  he  lived  for  ten  years.  In  1861  he 
bouglit  his  first  land,  on  the  S.  E.  ^  of  Sec.  6,  in  Duncan  township,  and 
in  1863  bought  on  the  S.  W.  ^  of  Sec.  T,  and  other  lands  adjoining, 
until  at  the  present  time  he  owns  225  acres  of  choice  land,  which  is 
the  result  of  hard  labor  and  careful  management.  He  returned  to  Ohio 
in  the  spring  of  1852,  and  was  married  to  Miss  Nancy  McDevitt,  of  his 
native  county.  Four  children  were  the  result  of  this  union,  as  follows : 
Jo.  W.,  Minnie  A.,  J.  G.,  and  Lizzie. 

William  Epperly,  Sr.,  (deceased)  was  born  in  Montgomery  county, 
Virginia,  August  12,  1796,  and  was  married  in  1819  to  Miss  Alley  Wade, 
of  the  same  county.  Somewhere  between  the  years  1831  and  1833 
they  removed  from  Virginia  to  the  State  of  Indiana,  at  which  time  the 
family  consisted  of  seven  children.  After  a  residence  of  thirteen 
years  in  Indiana,  they  removed  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  where  he 
spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  Soon  after  his  arrival  here  he  pur- 
chased 320  acres  of  choice  farming  land,  and  by  industry,  economy, 
and  the  assistance  of  his  faithful  wife,  succeeded  in  obtaining  a  title 
to  the  same,  besides  saving  considerable  money.  While  residing  in 
Indiana  three  children  were  added  to  the  family,  and  six  in  Illinois. 
Mr.  Eppeily  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Duncan  township,  and 
was  widely  and  favorably  'known.  After  having  spent  a  long  and 
useful  life,  he  passed  away,  August  10,  1879,  at  the  good  old  age  of 
eighty-three.  He  was  a  member  of  the  reorganized  chui'ch  of  Jesus 
Christ,  of  Latter  Day  Saints,  having  been  identified  therewith  for  ten 
years  prior.  He  died  in  full  faith  of  the  doctrine  of  the  church.  Afler 
his  decease  his  property  was  divided  among  his  children,  he  having 


500  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSOX   COUNTIES. 

made  the  arrangements  before  his  death  concerning  the  same.  Amj^le 
provisions  were  made  for  his  wife,  who  still  survives  him,  and  for  his 
daughter,  who  will  receive  a  dividend  of  the  remaining  portion  of  the 
estate. 

Samuel  Sheese,  though  not  an  early  settler  of  Duncan  township,  is 
nevertheless  a  good  illustration  of  a  limited  class  of  citizens  who  came 
early  to  this  township  and  learned  to  adapt  themselves  to  the  anoma- 
lous and  changing  circumstances  of  early  settler  life,  and  who  wrung 
success  from  hardship  and  privations  of  an  age  when  financial  derange- 
ments were  common.  He  was  born  in  the  State  of  Ohio  in  1834.  At 
the  age  of  twelve  he  went  with  his  parents  from  his  native  state  to 
Indiana,  where  he  spent  his  youth  in  working  on  a  farm.  His 
financial  condition  of  life  at  that  time  was  a  barrier  against  an  educa- 
tion, there  being  no  fi'ee  schools.  From  Indiana,  at  the  age  of  twenty, 
he  came  to  Clay  county,  Illinois,  whither  he  was  followed  a  short  time 
after  by  his  mother  and  two  sisters.  In  1857  he  came  to  Mercer 
county,  planted  a  crop  and  built  a  house.  He  was  married  to  Miss 
Mary  Fender  about  twenty -eight  yeai's  ago.  By  this  marriage  they 
have  twelve  children  born  to  them.  Barehanded  and  without  even  the 
advantages  of  an  education,  Mr.  Sheese  began  life  for  himself ;  but  his 
550  acres  of  well-improved  land  and  fine  buildings  are  a  proof  of  his 
ability  to  gain  wealth. 

Charles  Elsworth  Lunx,  son  of  John  and  Mildred  Lunn,  was  born 
in  Mercer  county  in  1861.  His  father  was  among  the  oldest  settlers  of 
the  county.  He  died  while  our  subject  was  quite  young,  and  his 
mother  married  a  second  time  and  moved  to  Port  Roval,  where  he 
received  a  part  of  his  education.  On  their  return  he  was  married,  in 
September,  1881,  to  Miss  Eva,  daughter  of  Charles  York,  after  which 
he  moved  up5n  his  father's  farm  which  he  had  made  in  1853. 

Jonas  Fender,  son  of  Lewis  and  Jane  Fender,  was  born  in  North 
Carolina,  May  16,  1834.  His  parents  and  grandparents  were  also  born 
in  that  state.  His  grandfather,  Andrew  Fender,  is  now  living  with  him 
at  the  golden  age  of  100,  and  up  to  the  winter  of  1882  was  active  and 
worked  about  the  farm.  He  has  been  four  times  married.  His  last 
wife  is  still  living  at  an  advanced  age.  Mr.  Fender  is  the  parent  of 
three  generations  of  children,  sixteen  in  numbei".  He  was  twice  en- 
rolled for  the  draft  of  1812  but  was  not  chosen.  He  first  moved  from 
North  Carolina  to  Indiana,  and  to  Illinois  in  1856.  Jonas  Fender, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch,  moved  with  his  parents  from  their  native 
state  to  Indiana,  and  thence  to  Illinois  in  1853,  in  which  year  his 
father's  death  occurred.  Soon  after  his  arrival  in  the  county  he  pur- 
chased a   farm   containing  302   acres   in   section   24,  which   he   has 


^^ 


^s 


*-.    .^ 


%%«^-^?^' 


■^1 


WILLIAM     RETHERFORD. 


( 


DECEASED 


) 


DUNCAN   TOWNSHIP.  503 

improved,  and  erected  upon  the  same  a  handsome  dwelHng-house  with 
all  the  modern  imi)royements.  Ever  since  he  began  the  improvement 
of  his  farm  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  coal  business,  of  which  his  farm 
contains  a  fine  supply.  Mr.  Fender  is  a  member  of  the  Wesleyan 
church,  and  was  one  of  the  founders.  It  stands  just  a  few  rods  from 
his  house.  He  is  also  an  enthusiastic  temj)erance  worker.  The  esteem 
here  placed  upon  his  character  is  the  willing  testimony  of  many  who 
have  knowni  him  for  years. 

Among  the  men  of  progress  in  Duncan  township  there  will  be  found 
no  name  more  distinctly  representative  than  that  of  George  Vater 
(deceased).  From  early  childliood  his  life  had  been  an  active  one.  To 
him  many  owe  the  advantages  of  improvement  in  their  stock.  This 
was  his  study  and  delight  ajid  the  principal  part  of  his  business.  He 
came  to  America  in  company  with  his  brother  in  an  earh^  day,  and  for 
the  first  few  years  rented  land,  until  180.5,  when  he  bought  John 
MitchePs  interest  in  260  acres  of  land,  and  subsequently  added  to  it 
150  acres  in  section  13.  To  this  he  added  substantial  improvements, 
notwithstanding  the  fact  that  when  he  arrived  here  he  had  nothing 
but  his  hands  to  assure  this  success  in  life.  At  the  time  of  his  death, 
in  1879,  he  left  his  widowed  wife  with  this  estate  unincumbered.  Mr. 
Vater  was  born  in  Germany  in  1836.  His  father  having  died  while  he 
was  young  left  our  subject  to  his  own  resources.  He  was  married  in 
1863  to  Miss  Winegard,  of  Rock  Island  county.  The  result  of  the 
marriage  was  seven  children,  five  girls  and  two  boys. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch,  John  Braucht,  who  is  now  passing  his 
declining  years  on  his  farm  in  Duncan  township,  with  all  the  comforts 
of  life  around  him,  was  one  among  the  enterprising  first  settlers  of  that 
township,  at  a  time  when  industry  and  energy  were  requisites  to 
success  in  life.  Mr.  Bi-aught  was  born  in  Dauphin  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, in  1821,  his  parents  ha\^ng  also  been  born  in  Lancaster  county 
in  that  state.  From  there  they  moved  to  Dauphin  county,  and  thence 
to  Ohio.  In  the  fall  of  1852  Mr.  Braucht  came  with  his  parents  to 
Mercer  county,  first  settling  a  few  miles  south  of  Aledo,  where  our  sub- 
ject resided  one  year,  or  until  1853,  when  they  bought  in  Duncan  town- 
ship of  James  Hartman.  On  this  place  he  still  resides.  He  has 
devoted  all  his  energies  to  improvement,  until  he  has  now  one  of  the 
best  improved  farms  in  the  township.  He  was  married  in  Ohio.  His 
wife  died  in  1881. 

The  family  of  James  Lloyd  originated  in  Wales,  but  his  more 

recent  ancestors  were  raised  in  this  country.    His  parents  were  Benijah 

and  Elizabeth  Lloyd,  who  moved  to  Erie  county  in  an  early  day,  where 

James  was  born  September  3,  1827,  and  moved  with  his  parents  to 

29 


504  HISTORY    OF   arERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

Mercer  county  in  1834.  His  father  hired  a  man  and  team  to  bring 
them  to  Mercer  county,  but  on  arriving  at  the  river  jSTile  he  became  dis- 
couraged and  woukl  go  no  farther.  Here  they  took  passage  on  board 
of  a  schooner  for  Chicago,  where  they  happened  to  meet  with  some 
farmers  who  had  brought  wlieat  from  Putnam  county.  With  some  of 
these  teams  they  were  bi'ought  as  far  as  Monmouth,  where,  after  a  few 
days'  stay,  they  engaged  a  man  and  team  to  bring  them  to  Millersburg. 
Tliis  was  an  eventful  trip  for  the  whole  family.  Sliortly  after  leaving 
Monmouth  their  younger  brother  fell  from  the  wagon  in  which  they 
were  riding  and  was  instantly  killed.  On  arriving  at  Millersburg  they 
found  an  Indian  camp  all  along  Camp  creek,  which  sight  did  not  add 
much  pleasure  to  their  mother's  anticipations  of  the  new  country.  The 
Indians  would  come  to  their  house  in  sauads  of  twenty  or  more  in 
quest  of  potatoes  and  such  other  pro\isions  as  they  had  to  spare,  never 
taking  anything,  however,  without  paying  for  it.  They  were  treated 
kindly  by  the  Lloyds,  whom  they  duly  appreciated.  Mr.  Lloyd's 
mother  had  been  in  Mercer  county  for  nearly  a  year  before  she  saw  the 
face  of  a  white  woman.  In  1860  Mr.  Lloyd  made  a  trip  to  Pike's 
Peak,  and  on  this  trip  he  met  an  old  Indian  who  had  many  times  been 
at  his  father's  house  while  they  were  encamped  at  Millersburg.  They 
both  recognized  each  other  at  once.  He  was  quite  aged,  but  still 
remembered  all  that  had  transpired  during  their  encampment  at  Camp 
creek,  at  which  time  Mr.  Lloyd  was  but  a  small  boy.  Mr.  Lloyd 
bought  his  lirst  land  on  S.  AV.  Sec.  32,  in  1849,  of  Dr.  Samuel  West, 
who  had  bought  the  tax  title.  He  did  not  settle  until  1857.  He 
remembers  Capt.  Kinkade  and  a  party  of  twelve  stoppirg  at  his  father's 
house  while  on  their  way  to  Rock  Island  to  make  a  treaty  with  Black 
Hawk.  James  Lloyd's  ancestors  on  his  mother's  side  were  German. 
His  mother  died  in  1879,  at  the  age  of  eighty-one  years.  She  will 
always  be  remembered  by  those  who  knew  her  on  account  of  her 
generous  hospitality. 

Edward  M.  Castle  was  born  in  Tazewell  county,  Illinois,  July  T, 
1838.  His  grandparents  were  born  in  America.  Luman  Castle,  his 
lather,  was  born  in  Ontario  county,  Kew  York,  and  his  mother  in 
Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania.  His  father  came  to  Illinois 
in  1832,  where  he  was  married  to  Miss  Catharine  Murry,  in  Tazewell 
county,  about  1837,  and  moved  to  Mercer  county  in  1842.  He  first 
settled  one  mile  east  of  Millersburg,  which  place  he  sold  to  James 
Wluirton,  and  moved  to  Nebraska,  where  his  wife  died  in  1861.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  entered  the  service  of  the  war  of  the  rebellion 
as  a  private  in  company  G.,  27th  111.  Inf.,  and  during  the  time  which 
he  served  participated  in  all  the  battles  in  which  his  regiment  was 


DUNCAN   TOWNSHIP.  505 

engaged,  Belmont  being  the  iirst.  He  returned  home  after  the  war  and 
bought  hind  in  section  5,  which  liad  been  owned  by  one  Hatch,  of 
Ohio,  and  who  had  traded  a  hotel  property  for  it.  He  also  bought  in 
section  8,  which  was  formerly  owned  by  Kendall,  Specker,  and  Almcn- 
dinger,  who  had  bought  it  of  I.  N.  Bassett.  Mr.  Castle  is  well  and 
favorably  known  throughout  the  section  of  country  in  which  he  lives, 
having  taken  an  active  part  .in  the  affairs  of  the  townshij).  He  was 
several  times  chosen  supervisor,  assessor  and  collector.  He  is  a 
prominent  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  a  deacon  of  the 
same. 

Caleb  Yp:rxon  was  born  thirty  miles  from  Cincinnati,  Warren 
county,  Ohio,  in  1817,  and  when  fourteen  years  of  age  moved  with 
the  family  to  Indiana,  where  he  received  a  common  school  education 
and  learned  to  farm.  Plis  father  was  born  in  England,  and,  while 
young,  was  left  at  home  with  his  motlier,  while  his  father  came  to 
America,  but  after  a  few  years  took  shi})  to  return  home.  The  vessel 
was  wrecked  •  and  he  was  never  after  heard  from.  For  the  first  few 
years  after  Mr.  Yernon's  arrival  in  Illinois  he  followed  mining  in  the 
lead  mines  of  Galena.  He  was  married  in  St.  Louis,  July  6,  1847,  to 
Miss  ]S[ancy  AValston,  whose  motlier  was  a  native  of  Kentucky. 
Vernon's  parents  came  to  Illinois  w^hen  he  was  but  a  small  child,  but 
he  distinctly  remembers  the  wilderness-like  appearance  of  the  country 
at  that  time.  There  were  but  a  few  houses  then  in  the  county.  He 
once  left  Rock  Island  for  Millersburg,  at  which  time  Daniel  Mont- 
gomery's house  w^as  the  only  one  between  the  two  places.  There  he 
took  dinner  and  started  on  his  journey.  Darkness  overtook  him,  and 
when  near  Millersburg  he  lost  himself  on  the  hills  of  Camp  creek. 
He  became  bewildered,  and  made  several  trips  back  and  forth  from 
Camp  creek  to  Eliza.  Wolves  were  plentiful  at  that  time,  and  he 
remembers  of  them  following  him  while  plowing  in  the  fields.  He  is 
engaged  in  farming  a  small  fruit  culture.  His  handsome  residence 
is  shaded  by  large  trees  of  his  own  planting,  consisting  of  chestnut, 
maple,  elm,  ash  and  beech. 

Joseph  Anderson  was  born  September  13,  1845,  his  parents  being 
William  and  Achsah  Anderson.  His  grandparents,  on  his  father's 
side,  were  Americans,  and  on  his  mother's  side,  German.  The  sub- 
ject of  the  sketch  is  the  youngest  child  of  a  family  of  four  children,  and 
the  only  son  of  the  family.  His  oldest  sister,  Louvenia,  married  Wal- 
ter Balfour,  and  resides  in  Pocahontas  county,  Iowa.  Annie  married 
Samuel  Powell,  a  resident  of  Rock  Island  county.  Emmaranda  resides 
in  that  county,  also.  Joseph  Anderson  came  with  his  parents  to  this 
county  in  1857.     Here  he  received  the  benefits  of  a  common  school 


506  HISTOEY    OF   MERCER   AIs^D    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

education,  and  was  raised  to  farming,  at  which  he  was  engaged  until 
the  breaking  out  of  the  war,  when  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  the  Otli 
Iowa  cavalry.  He  served  only  a  few  months  with  his  regiment  and 
was  detached  for  special  duty  as  a  scout  and  dispatch  carrier,  at  wliich 
duty  he  served  three  years,  and  was  mustered  out  at  Little  Rock, 
Arkansas,  after  which  he  immediately  returned  home  to  resume  farm- 
ing and  stock  raising.  He  has  never  sought  office,  but  has  been  several 
times  elected  to  fill  the  various  offices  in  his  town,  and  in  1882  was 
choSen  supervisor.  When  he  tirst  settled  in  the  township  he  bought 
his  tirst  land  of  Jacob  Almendinger,  on  the  X.  ^  of  Sec.  9.  He  resides, 
however,  on  section  4,  land  owned  by  his  father-in-law,  Mr.  Isaac  Rob- 
bins,  whose  daughter,  Carrie,  he  married.  Mr.  Anderson  is  a  repub- 
can,  and  a  member  of  the  iVledo  masonic  lodge. 

Milton  B(  )RrFr,  son  of  Yalentine  and  Louvina  Boruff,  was  born  in 
Eliza  township  in  1843.  His  father  was  born  in  Clay  county,  Tennes- 
see, and  moved  from  there  to  Monroe  county,  Indiana,  and  to  Mercer 
<;'Ounty,  Illinois,  in  1846,  settling  first  on  Pope  creek,  and  later  moved 
to  Eliza  township,  where  he  was  married  to  Miss  Louvina  Epperl}'. 
Milton  Boruff  was  educated  at  a  common  school  in  the  townshi])  in 
wliich  he  was  born,  where  he  was  also  married  in  1865  to  Miss  Emaline, 
daughter  of  Martin  Bear.  By  this  marriage,  Mr.  Boruff  and  wife  have 
had  six  children  born  to  them,  all  of  whom  are  now  living  at  home. 
Mr.  Boruff  bought  his  first  land  in  section  31,  in  1865,  which  he  has 
largely  improved  by  commodious  residences  and  other  fine  buildings. 

Michael  MjVeuock  was  born  in  Tennessee  in  1813,  and  at  the  age 
of  eight  years  moved  with  his  parents  to  the  state  of  Ohio,  and  from 
that  state  to  Indiana.  Here  he  received  a  liberal  education  and  learned 
the  carpenter  trade,  which  he  followed  until  his  removal  to  this  state. 
His  first  settlement  was  in  Eliza  township  where  he  improved  a  farm 
and  resided  until  his  removal  to  section  6,  Duncan  township.  He  was 
joined  in  marriage  in  1839  to  Miss  Xancy  Miller,  which  happy  union 
was  blessed  by  the  birth  of  five  children.  From  humble  beginnings, 
by  industry  and  good  management,  Mr.  Mardock  has  acquired  a  hand- 
some estate  which  he  lives  to  enjoy,  as  well  as  the  respect  of  his  friends 
about  him.  He  is  a  democrat  in  politics,  and  an  honored  member  of 
the  masonic  order. 

Michael  Mader,  son  of  Adam,  and  Barbara  Mader,  was  born  in 
Cermany  in  1832.  In  his  father's  family  were  four  boys,  among  whom 
Michael  was  the  youngest.  He  came  to  America  in  1859,  in  company 
with  Michael  Vater's  family  and  sister.  At  this  time  our  subject  had 
barely  enough  money  to  pay  his  passage  to  New  York  and  Chicago, 
where  he  borrowed  six  dollars  of  his  friend  Vater,  to  bring  him  to 


DUNCAN   TOWNSHIP.  507 

Rock  Island.  Irnmedijitely  cal'ter  his  arrival  lie  soui^dit  and  obtained 
employment  as  a  farm  hand,  at  which  he  worked  taithfnlly  for  eight 
years,  at'  which  time  he  invested  the  money  that  he  had  saved  in  160 
acres  of  land  in  the  northeast  of  section  11.  He  snbsequently  bought 
eighty  acres  more  just  across  tlie  road  in  section  2.  lie  has  made 
some  handsome  buihlings  upon  his  place,  all  of  which  he  has  done  by 
hard  labor  and  good  cultivation.  Mr.  Mader  is  a  social  gentleman, 
free  in  his  Iiabits  and  opinions,  and  liberally  su[)ports  the  cause  of 
education,  good  morals  and  })ublic  progress. 

Leoxaki)  Garber  was  born  in  Baden,  Germany,  in  1832,  a  country 
which  has  furnished  many  of  our  most  prosperous  emigrants,  as  may 
be  seen  by  viewing  their  handsome  improved  farms  throughout  the 
township  and  elsewhere  within  the  borders  of  Mercer  county.  Mr. 
Garber  came  with  his  ])arents  to  this  country  at  the  age  of  fourteen. 
The  family  landed  in  Xew  York,  from  wliich  place  they  immediately 
proceeded  to  St.  Louis,  where  for  two  years  our  subject  worked  by 
days'  wages  in  a  brick-yard.  He  managed  to  lay  up  some  money  in 
the  hands  of  the  conn)any,  but  the  fii*m  failing  he  lost  all.  Tliey  then 
moved  westward,  locating  in  Rock  Island  count}',  near  Illinois  city, 
where  his  father  bought  a  farm  and  where  Mr.  Garber  spent  his  youth 
at  work.  He  here  received  a  liberal  education.  In  1856  he  was 
married  in  Rock  Island  county  to  Miss  Mai'garet  Bower,  of  tlie  same 
county.  Soon  after  his  marriage  he  began  business  for  himself.  He 
first  bought  land  in  Rock  Island  county,  M-hich  in  1862  he  sold  to 
George  Wise  and  moved  to  Mercer  county,  where  he  bought  120  acres 
of  partly  improved  land  in  section  1.  He  next  bought  eighty  acres 
adjoining,  of  Nicholas  Leuze.  He  next  bought  eighty  acres  adjoining, 
of  Owens  Tolbert.  This  he  afterward  sold.  He  then  bought  eightv  acres 
of  Mr.  Cline,  and  next  160  acres  of  William  Xeff,  in  section  14,  and 
besides  another  thirty  acres,  making  in  all  470  acres.  His  farm  is  well 
improved  and  contains  more  barns  and  outbuildings  than  any  other  farm 
in  the  township.  His  farm  is  also  well  adapted  to  stock-raising,  which 
business  occupies  his  attention.  His  pleasant  home  is  shaded  by  large 
trees  of  his  own  planting,  and  he  lives  in  ease  and  ])leasure  among  his 
family  of  five  children :  Barbara,  ]\Iaggie,  Emma,  Sadie,  and  John. 

G?:oRGE  Leuze  was  born  in  Baden,  Germany,  December  26,  1813. 
His  parents  were  Peter  and  ]\Iargaret  Leuze.  His  father  was  born  on 
the  river  Rhine  in  the  year  the  Russians  crossed  the  river  during  the 
Napoleon  war.  In  his  father's  family  there  were  nine  children,  live 
boys  and  four  girls.  His  father  lived  to  the  age  of  eighty-two  and  his 
mother  eighty-iive.  Our  subject  was  married  in  Germany,  in  1841,  to 
Miss  Mary  Ghist,  by  which  marriage  they  had  four  cliildren  born  to 


508  HISTORY    OF   MERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COtTNTIES. 

til  em,  two  of  whom  are  dead.  John  is  superintending  his  father's 
farm  and  Nicholas  resides  in  Rock  Island  county.  In  Germany  our 
subject  followed  weaving  in  the  winter  and  farming  in  the  summer. 
He  came  to  this  country  May  10,  1857,  on  board  the  Palestina,  which 
took  tire  twice  while  on  the  way.  During  the  voyage  the  provisions 
ran  short,  and  they  were  three  days  without  a  morsel  to  eat.  They 
landed  in  New  York,  and  went  direct  from  there  to  Rock  Island,  where 
he  obtained  work  at  fifty  cents  per  day.  He  soon  after  bought  150 
acres  of  land,  where  he  now  resides  at  an  advanced  age.  Mr,  Leuze 
stands  high  among  the  people  of  the  neighborhood  in  which  he  lives  as 
an  honest,  upright  and  free-spirited  gentleman. 

D.  S.  Mayhew  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania,  in 
1834.  He  devoted  the  first  years  of  his  life  after  obtaining  his  majority 
to  working  on  a  farm.  After  leaving  his  father's  house  he  moved 
to  Washington  county,  where  his  parents  had  formerly  resided.  There 
he  worked  ten  months  on  a  farm.  In  1856  he  came  to  Mercer  county, 
where  he  worked  by  the  month,  and  afterward  rented  land  for  two 
years,  after  which  he  was  married  to  Miss  Betsie  E.  Cooper,  daughter 
of  Levi  Cooper.  They  have  had  ten  children  born  to  them :  Emma 
(who  is  now  married  to  George  Close,  a  farmer,  residing  near  his 
father-in-law's  place),  Levi,  Lester,  George,  Effie,  Tunis,  John,  Alex- 
ander, Bertie,  Ira,  and  Eddie.  Mr.  Mayhew  began  life  empty  handed, 
but  by  industry  and  good  management  had  accumulated  a  capital  of 
$300,  with  which  he  made  the  first  payment  on  160  acres  of  choice 
land  in  section  15,  which  he  bought  in  1866.  This  he  has  improved 
with  good  fences  and  a  commodious  house  and  barn.  His  door-yard 
is  shaded  by  large  trees  planted  by  his  own  hands.  Mr.  Mayhew's 
beginning  in  life,  contrasted  with  the  condition  of  liis  affairs  twenty 
years  later,  when  living  in  affluence  and  comfort,  with  a  well  stocked 
farm,  is  a  striking  illustration  of  the  results  of  well  directed  energy. 

Fred  Yolkel  emigrated  from  Germany  with  his  parents  to  America 
at  the  age  of  seven.  The  family  first  landed  in  New  York,  and 
after  a  short  stay,  they  went  to  Ohio,  and  thence  to  Springfield,  Illi- 
nois, in  18-12,  where  he  remained  with  his  j^arents  until  1845,  when  he 
moved  to  Mercer  county.  His  father  died  at  Johnstown,  Ohio,  in  1879, 
and  his  mother  in  1842.  Life  had  been  a  struggle  with  him  from  the 
first,  and  his  only  hoi^es  of  a  more  successful  ending  lay  in  his  energy, 
and  with  this  sole  assurance  he  started  out  in  life,  after  receiving  his 
education  in  Ohio.  Soon  after  his  arrival  in  the  county  he  purchased 
land  in  section  10  of  James  Hains,  and  in  1855  was  married  to  Miss 
Nancy  Jane  Davis,  of  Rock  Island  county,  by  which  union  they  had 
five  children  born  to  them.    His  wife  died  in  1864,  and  Mr.  Yolkel  was 


DUlSrCAN   TOWNSHIP.  509 

again  married  in  1867  to  Mrs.  Bett}-  McDowell,  and  by  this  marriage 
tliey  had  five  children.  Mr.  Volkel  now  owns  an  improved  farm  in 
Dimcan  townshijD,  and  is  in  such  circumstances  as  to  enjoy  life.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Baptist  church,  and  was  among  the  first  to  organize 
that  church  at  Antioch. 

Among  the  many  old  settlers  and  prominent  gentlemen  of  Mercer 
county,  who  have  taken  an  active  part  in  its  development,  we  mention 
the  name  of  William  Eetherford  (deceased),  who  was  born  in  the  Mo- 
nongahela  river  valley,  in  Pennsylvania.  Ilis  estimable  wife,  a  native 
of  Botetourt  county,  Virginia,  was  born  in  1813.  Her  parents  moved 
to  Indiana  when  she  was  fifteen  years  old.  Here  they  were  married 
in  1836  and  came  to  Mercer  county  in  1838.  They  first  rented  land  of 
William  Drury  for  five  yeat-s,  when,  by  industry  and  economy,  they 
managed  to  lay  up  some  money  with  which  they  purchased  land  in 
section  Itt,  M'hich  they  improved  and  added  to  until  the  time  of  Mr. 
Eetherford's  death  in  1881.  He  owned  960  acres,  all  well  improved 
and  under  the  highest  state  of  cultivation.  When  he  first  arrived  in 
the  county  his  whole  stock  in  trade  consisted  of  a  wagon,  a  team  of 
horses  and  harness.  Some  of  the  land  which  he  first  bought  at  fifty 
cents  per  acre  is  now  worth  $50.  Mr.  Retheribrd's  family  consisted  of 
six  children:  Madison,  Patrick,  Sarah  E.,  Delilah,  Jane,  and  James 
Franklin,  with  John  C,  whom  Mr.  Retherford  adopted.  At  the  time 
of  his  death  it  was  his  request  that  John  C.  be  an  equal  heir  with  his 
own  children.  Mr.  Retherford  was  never  a  politician,  but  always  held 
decided  views  upon  the  leading  questions  of  the  day.  He  was  not  a 
republican  ;  but  when  the  question  of  supporting  the  government  came 
up  as  against  the  other  issues  of  the  rebellion,  Mr.  Retherford  was  on 
the  side  of  the  union  with  his  money  and  influence  to  assist  in  filling 
up  the  quota  of  his  town.  His  personal  integrity  and  worth  were 
always  recognized  by  those  who  lived  near  and  dealt  with  him.  James 
Retherford,  son  of  the  subject,  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  Collins,  soon 
after  which  he  bought  land  of  his  father's  estate,  upon  which  he  now 
resides. 

Lewis  Landreth  was  born  in  the  State  of  Indiana  in  1844.  His 
father,  Zachariah  Landreth,  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  his  mother 
was  born  in  North  Carolina.  They  moved  from  that  state  to  Indiana 
in  an  early  day,  where  they  were  married  and  where  our  subject  was 
born.  Lewis  came  with  his  parents  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  about 
1832  and  with  his  father  first  settled  in  Perrj'ton  township.  His  father 
and  mother  died  there  and  were  buried  side  by  side  at  Millersburg.  For 
many  years  previous  to  their  death  they  had  been  devoted  members 
of  the  Baptist  church,  and  succeeded  in  raising  their  children  to  lives 


510  HISTORY    OF    ISEERCER   AKD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

of  honest}^  industry,  and  service  for  the  Creator.  Soon  after  our  sub- 
ject was  first  married  lie  began  farming  on  section  9,  which  was  partly 
given  to  him  by  his  father.  This  he  sold,  and  bought  the  Martin  Boyd 
place  on  section  16,  which  is  finely  improved,  and  where  he  now 
resides  in  peace  and  comfort. 

Nicholas  Addig,  was  born  in  Germany,  in  1848,  and  is  the  young- 
est child  of  a  family  of  five  children.  In  185-1  he  came  to  America 
with  his  parents,  he  being  then  five  years  old.  The  family  landed  in 
New  York,  and  proceeded  thence  to  Rock  Island  county,  settling  in 
the  southwestern  part  of  the  county,  in  what  is  known  as  the  German 
settlement.  There  his  father  bought  and  improved  a  farm,  and  our 
subject  worked  for  his  father  until  1869,  when  he  was  joined  in  mar- 
riage to  Miss  Margaret  Leonard.  Soon  ^ter  the  union  he  moved  on 
section  1  in  Duncan  township,  where  he  remained  for  two  years. 
Being  ambitious  to  obtain  more  land  he  moved  to  Iowa,  but  not 
liking  the  country  where  he  had  settled,  he  returned  after  an  absence 
of  two  years  to  Mercer  county.  Immediatelv  after  his  arrival  he 
purchased  160  acres  of  land  of  Mr.  Conrad  Leonard,  in  section  1, 
where  has  since  resided.  In  1874  he  bought  eighty  acres  of  James 
A.  Harris,  and  in  1881  bought  an  addtional  eighty  acres  of  John 
Boltinghouse.  All  this  he  has  highly  im]:ft-oved,  and  at  present  writing 
is  engaged  in  building  one  of  the  largest  barns  in  the  county.  This 
barn  is  designed  to  contain  all  the  modern  improvements,  and  will  be 
supplied  with  water  by  a  hydraulic  ram.  From  early  childhood  his 
life  has  been  an  active  one,  given  almost  wholly  to  the  advancement 
of  his  business.  One  would  scarcely  believe,  after  admiring  his  fine 
farm,  that  he  began  empty-handed,  yet  such  is  his  history.  His  happy 
home  has  been  blessed  with  five  girls,  all  of  whom  are  living.  His 
father  was  born  in  Germany  in  1811,  and  his  mother  in  1812.  Her 
maiden  name  was  Mary  Elizabeth  Spangler.  They  are  both  living  and 
quite  active  at  the  time  we  write. 

J.  H.  Collins,  farmer  and  fine  stock  raiser,  was  born  in  1819,  in 
Washington  county,  Oliio.  There  he  received  his  education  at  Mon- 
roe academy  after  which  he  read  law  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar, 
and  for  a  short  time  practiced  in  that  county.  In  1849  he  went  to 
Texas,  with  a  power  of  attorney  by  a  decree  of  court,  to  sell  some 
property  which  a  party  there  was  occupying  and  falsely  owning.  He 
had  some  ditficulty  in  applying  the  law,  and  fell  back  upon  his  physi- 
cal ability,  and  thus  succeeded  in  accomplishing  his  object.  After  this 
he  returned  home,  and  in  1856  came  to  Illinois,  where  he  staid  one 
year.  Coming  again  next  year  he  began  to  improve  his  farm  of  one- 
half  section  of  land.     In  1858  he  was  married  to  Miss  Emily  Robin- 


DUNCAN    TOWNSHIP.  511 

son,  of  Edgington,  Eock  Island  county.  When  he  first  came  to  tliis 
county  there  were  but  few  houses  in  the  neigliborliood,  and  until  the 
ftill  of  1858,  at  the  time  the  Antioch  church  was  built,  there  had  not 
been  a  school  within  five  miles,  and  the  country  was  all  unimproyed. 
In  1875  he  built  one  of  the  finest  houses  in  Duncan  township.  His 
father,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  was  of  English  descent,  and  his 
mother  was  born  in  Ireland.  Mr.  Collins  possesses  great  determina- 
tion of  character,  and  indomitable  energy  and  acute  ideas.  lie  is  of 
ready  and  pleasing  address,  making  the  humblest  feel  at  home  in  his 
house.  He  is  a  man  who  has  never  sought  office,  but  served  his  town 
for  twelve  consecutive  years  as  justice  of  the  peace,  the  only  office 
which  he  would  accept. 

Joseph  C.  Gilmore  came  to  Mercer  county  in  18-17,  and  with  the 
exception  of  a  few  years  spent  in  the  lumber  districts  of  the  north,  has 
resided  in  the  county  ever  since.  On  his  first  arrival  he  made  liis 
residence  in  Perryton  township,  where  he  became  acquainted  with 
Miss  Pebecca  Blue,  formerly  of  Columbia  county,  Pennsylvania,  and 
they  were  married  in  1855.  His  ancestors  originated  in  Wales.  ]\Ir. 
Gilmore  is  the  son  of  Ephraim  and  Catharine  Gilmore.  His  great- 
grandparents,  on  coming  to  this  country  in  a  very  early  day,  settled  on 
a  farm  in  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  our  subject  was  born 
and  educated.  In  1851  he  bought  his  first  land  in  section  35,  Duncan 
township,  principally  for  pasture,  and  did  not  improve  it  until  1857, 
since  which  he  has  built  a  large,  commodious  house  and  barn,  and 
has  turned  his  attention  to  the  fine  stock  and  cattle  business.  His 
home  has  been  blessed  by  four  cliildren,  of  whom  one  is  deceased. 
He  has  lived  to  see  the  country  improved  from  its  wild  condition  to  its 
present  high  state  of  civilization.  He  has  led  a  quiet  and  peaceful  life 
of  irreproachable  honesty,  and  has  never  sought  office,  though  often 
importuned.  Politically  he  is  a  democrat,  with  which  party  he  has 
always  acted.  Of  Mr.  Gilmore's  father's  family  eleven  children  con- 
stituted the  family  circle,  of  whom  nine  are  living.  From  the  time  of 
his  removal  to  Duncan  township,  he  has  bought  several  tracts  of  land 
bordering  on  his  original  farm,  until  he  now  has  455  acres.  Himself 
and  family  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Millersburg. 


612  HISTORY   OF   irEKCER   AND    HEXDERSON    COUNTIES. 


ABINGTON  TO^VNSIIIP. 

It  would  be  difficult,  indeed,  to  find  a  spot  of  earth  where  human 
feet  have  trod  for  nearly  a  half  century,  that  has  not  been  the  scene  of 
events  worthy  a  place  in  history  ;  but  it  is  often  a  difficult  matter  to 
glean  such  facts  as  are  necessary  to  a  correct  record,  from  the  filth  and 
rubbish  of  tradition.  The  lack  of  correct  data,  owing  to  the  treachery 
of  human  memory  and  a  failure  to  make  a  correct  record  of  the 
events  as  they  transpired,  make  the  accurate  compilation  of  them  a  per- 
plexing task.  A  few  well  substantiated  facts  are  of  more  value  in  his- 
tory than  many  pages  of  matter  where  a  large  draw  on  the  imagination 
is  indulged  in  and  a  mountain  of  fiction  built  on  a  mole-hill  of  fact. 
Desiring  to  be  accurate  we  shall  refrain  from  all  superfluities  and  be 
brief,  for  this  "  soul  of  wit"  is  a  jewel  even  in  a  historian. 

Abington  township  is  devoted  almost  wholly  to  grain  production, 
though  a  number  of  persons  residing  in  tlie  township  are  extensive 
stock  raisers.  The  soil  is  usually  very  fertile,  and  the  industrious  tillers 
of  the  soil  reap  where  they  sow ;  and  the  vast  fields  are  filled  with  an 
abundance  that  makes  glad  the  heart  of  the  husbandman. 

The  first  settlement  in  the  township  was  made  in  about  1S32  or 
1833,  and  among  the  first  settlers  were  Joseph  Glancey,  William  T. 
Jackson,  John  W.  Ditto,  Frederick  Frick,  and  Thomas  Greer.  All 
these  lived  to'  a  ripe  age,  and  Mr.  Ditto  still  survives.  Joseph  Glancey 
settled  in  Abington  township  in  July,  1831:.  He  broke  the  first  land 
in  the  township  on  the  place  now  known  as  the  Gates  farm. 

The  first  school-house  was  built  in  the  township  about  1839,  near 
the  farm  of  William  T.  Jackson,  and  the  first  teacher  was  Miss  Harriet 
Wilson,  who  afterward  married  Mr.  Brooks  Beeson.  The  school- 
house  was  a  small  structure,  built  of  round  logs  and  covered  with  clap- 
boards, and  contained  a  puncheon  floor.  Among  the  ffi'st  school 
teachers  who  taught  in  the  township  were,  Warren  Shedd  (afterward 
county  treasurer  of  Mercer  count}',  and  but  recently  deceased) ;  John 
Kevins,  and  Miss  Lucy  Wilson,  now  Mrs.  T.  B.  Cabeen ;  but  the  exact 
date  when  these  different  pedagogues  wielded  the  birch  and  taught  the 
y(ning  frontiersmen  the  art  of  orthography  and  penmanship,  and  the 
science  of  mathematics,  is  a  matter  involved  in  a  little  doubt ;  but  the 
])eriod  when  each  of  these  educators  plied  their  vocation  in  Abington 
township,  was  remote  enough  for  them  to  enjoy  the  musical  voice  of 
the  prowling  wolf  as  he  figured  and  schemed  for  a  raid  on  the  pigs  and 
sheep  of  the  farmers,  on  which  to  satiate  his  keen  ap])etite.  As  "re- 
lentless time"  has  moved  on,  the  fierce  beasts  of  prey  have  fled  before 


ABINGTON   TOWNSHIP.  513 

the  vast  tide  of  emigration,  and  the  painted  savage  has  given  up  liis 
cherished  liunting  grounds  to  the  pale  fuces  who  have  caused  the  wild 
prairies  to  bloom  as  an  Eden;  and  we  stop  long  enough  in  the  rapid 
whirl  of  events  to  ask  where  those  earlv  school  teachers  and  the  chil- 
dren thej  taught  are,  as  we  make  a  record  of  those  early  events ;  and 
the  answer  is  the  only  one  we  could  expect.  Some  are  resting  in  the 
quiet  embrace  of  the  tomb,  while  others  are  yet  alive  with  the  marks 
of  time  visibly  and  indelibly  carved  in  every  feature  and  movement. 

Mr.  John  W.  Ditto  informs  us  that  the  first  marriage  of  white  people 
in  Abington  township  was  that  of  a  couple  on  their  way  from  Indiana  to 
Iowa.  The  bride  was  a  widowed  daughter  of  a  man  who  was  moving 
with  his  family  to  the  young  hawkeye  state;  and  the  groom  was  a 
teamster  of  the  father  of  the  bride.  The  i)arty  halted  for  a  few  days  in 
the  timber  that  fringes  Pope  creek,  and  the  lovers  stood  on  the  ice, 
while  a  justice  of  the  peace,  whose  name  is  forgotten,  legalized  the 
contract,  and  for  once,  at  least,  there  was  love  "on  ice."  The  second 
marriage  was  probably  that  of  Robert  Pence  and  Eliza  Glancey.  In 
every  state  of  society  there  seems  to  be  a  commingling  of  joy  and  sor- 
row ;  of  pleasure  and  pain  ;  of  hoi)es  realized  and  anticipations  blasted. 
Wliile  singing  and  dancing  speak  the  happiness  of  one,  mourning  tells 
of  the  sorrow  of  another. 

Mrs.  Mahala  Willits  and  Mrs.  Evaline  C.  Swafford,  relate  the  fol- 
lowing sad  story :  In  1835  Mr.  William  Jack  and  his  wife  and  a  son 
and  daughter  were  moving  from  Fayette  county,  Indiana,  to  Mercer 
county,  Illinois,  by  boat.  When  between  Oquawka  and  iSTew  Boston, 
Mrs.  Jack  died  of  cholera.  The  stricken  husband  and  children  landed 
at  New  Boston,  and  the  remains  of  Mrs.  Jack  were  taken  to  the  resi- 
dence of  John  Denison  (the  only  family  living  there  at  that  time,  we 
believe),  and  were  buried  where  the  Xew  Boston  cemetery  now  is; 
Mrs.  Erastus  Denison  being  the  only  person  buried  at  the  place  pre- 
vious to  the  interment  of  Mrs.  Jack.  The  bereaved  husband  and  two 
children  went  to  the  residence  of  Joseph  Glancey,  who  then  resided  on 
what  is  known  as  the  Davis  farm,  in  New  Boston  township.  At  ten 
o'clock  on  the  day  following  the  burial  of  Mrs.  Jack,  the  son  (Samuel), 
took  the  cholera  and  died  at  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  of  the  same 
day,  and  was  buried  on  the  blutf  where  the  Davis  gi-aveyard  now  is ; 
he  was  the  tirst  person  buried  there.  There  were  none  to  assist  in  the 
interment  but  Joseph  Glancey,  Achillis  and  Miles  Drury.  There  was 
no  coffin  to  be  had  nearer  than  from  Monmouth,  and  ]\Ir.  (ilancey  and 
the  Messrs.  Drury  nuule  a  rough  box  out  of  the  wagon  box  in  which 
Mr.  Glancey  and  his  family  came  to  Illinois,  and  in  that  they  put  the 
remains  and  buried  them.     At  this  time,  Mr.  Glancey  and  the  few 


514  HISTORY   OF   ]VIERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

other  persons  in  the  neighborhood  had  to  get  their  mail  at  Monmouth, 
and  tliere  were  but  one  or  two  houses  between  Mr.  Glancey's  residence 
and  Monmouth.  It  was  one  unbroken  stretcli  of  prairie  for  twenty- 
one  miles  on  a  "bee  line." 

The  lirst  bridge  built  across  Pope  creek  was  in  1837,  a  few  rods 
below  where  Pope  mill  now  stands.  Mr.  John  Pumley  had  the  con- 
tract, and  Hon.  Thomas  B.  Cabeen  was  the  boss  carpenter  and  builder. 
The  hands  at  work  on  the  bridge  boarded  at  Mr.  Kumley's,  and  Mrs. 
E.  C.  Swatford,  then  a  girl  of  fifteen  years,  was  one  of  the  cooks. 

The  first  saw  mill  in  Abhigton  township  was  built  in  1838  or  1839, 
by  Mr.  Isaiah  Brown,  one  mile  and  a  half  east  of  the  Pope  mill.  Will- 
iam AVillit,  now  of  Keitlisburg,  ran  the  mill  for  a  time  and  then  pur- 
chased it. 

Mrs.  E valine  C.  Swafford  owned  the  first  sewing  machine  that  was 
in  Mercer  county.  It  was  a  Wheeler  &  Wilson,  and  was  bought  in 
Chicago  in  1858,  by  Theodore  Glancey,  when  he  was  on  his  way  east 
to  attend  school  in  Jamestown,  New  York.  The  machine  was  a  great 
curiosity  in  the  community,  and  persons  came  for  miles  to  see  the 
wonder.  Mrs.  Swafford  says  the  many  questions  asked  about  the 
machine  were  really  amusing.  The  first  postofhce  was  at  the  residence 
of  Frederick  Frick. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  citizens  of  Abington  township  elected 
to  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace,  according  to  the  record  in  the  office 
of  the  county  clerk  at  Aledo  and  the  advice  of  old  and  well-informed 
residents:  Frederick  Frick,  elected  August  5,  1839,  August  7,  18-I3, 
August  2,  1847  ;  Orla  C.  Richardson,  November  6,  1849  ;  George  Jay, 
November  6,  1849;  S.  G.  Wright,  April  6,  1858;  Frederick  Frick, 
April  6,  1858,  April  1,  1862,  April  3,  1S6H ;  William  P.  Strong, 
April  2,  1867;  M.  R.  Gushee,  April  5,  1870;  William  Willitt,  April 
7,  1874;  Ernest  J.  Glancey,  April  4,  1876;  Lewis  Sponsler,  April  3, 
1877;  E.  J.  Glancey,  April  3,  1877,  April  5,  1881 ;  John  W.  Landers, 
April  5,  1881. 

Palestine  church  in  Abington  township  was  built  in  1866  by  the 
United  Brethren  denomination.  Its  original  cost  was  about  $2,000. 
It  was  dedicated  August  12,  1866,  Rev.  L.  S.  Chittenden  preaching  the 
dedicatory  sermon.  The  building  will  seat  about  300  persons.  It  is 
a  substantial  frame.  The  society  lias  no  great  strength  in  the  way  of 
membership,  but  they  maintain  a  Sunday-school,  are  out  of  debt,  and 
have  preaching  every  alternate  Sunday.  The  clergymen  who  have  served 
the  society  as  pastors  are  :  Revs.  Elisha  Godfrey,  Benjamin  Wagoner, 
O.  F.  Smith,  John  Wagoner,  A.  G.  Smith,  ().  O.  Smith,  A.  Worman, 
Adam  Wolff,  and  the  Revs.  Davis,   Pease,  and  Chelser,  the  given 


ABINGTON   TOWNSlIir.  515 

names  of  the  latter  three  gentlemen  being  forgotten.  Some  of  the 
gentlemen  named  served  the  society  only  one  year,  while  others 
remained  on  the  charge  two  years  in  succession. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Joseph  Glaxoey  was  born  near  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania,  May 
27,  1794.  He  learned  the  trade  of  carding  machine  building,  and 
followed  the  trade  for  many  years.  He  removed  to  "Wayne  county, 
Indiana,  in  1820,  and  i)urchased  a  quai-ter  section  of  heavy  timber 
land  an<l  improved  a  large  farm.  He  was  married  in  Harrisburg, 
Pennsylvania,  March  18,  1818,  to  Rachel  Snevly,  by  whom  he  had 
five  children,  two  of  whom  are  now  living.  The  eldest  is  Mrs.  Mahala 
"Willits,  widow  of  Brady  Willits,  Esq.,  who  died  in  1873.  Mrs.  Willits 
never  married  again.  She  was  born  December  29,  1818.  The  second 
child,  Eliza,  was  born  September  28,  1820,  and  married  Robert  Pence 
in  1840.  The  tliii'd  child  is  Mrs.  Evaline  C.  Swafford,  who  was  born 
April  20,  1822,  and  was  married  to  Mr.  Joseph  Swafford,  March  19, 
1844.  Mrs.  Swafford  had  the  misfortune  to  lose  her  husband  by  death 
in  seven  months  after  their  marriage,  and  being  so  soon  called  from 
the  marriage  feast  to  the  house  of  mourning  she  has  ever  since  her 
great  misfortune  remained  a  widow.  Mr.  Joseph  Glancey,  the  prin- 
cipal subject  of  our  sketch,  was  married  four  times.  By  the  third  wife 
he  had  seven  children,  three  now  living:  Mrs.  I.  J.  Mitchell,  Mrs. 
Thomas  J.  Mofiitt,  and  Ernest  J.  An  account  of  the  cruel  murder  of 
Theodore  Glancey,  together  with  his  biographical  sketch,  will  be  found 
in  the  history  of  Keithsburg  township  in  this  volume.  Mr.  Jose})h 
Glancey's  fourth  wife  was  Mrs.  Martha  Whitaker,  widow  of  Mr.  Mar- 
shall Whitaker,  to  whom  he  was  married  Jul}^  18,  1861.  She  is  still 
living ;  and  she,  Mrs.  Mahala  Willits,  Mrs.  Evaline  C.  Swofford,  and 
Ernest  J.  Glancey  and  his  wife,  all  live  on  the  old  homestead  in  a  fine, 
large  residence,  which  shows  how  strong  and  bright  is  the  golden 
chord  of  affection  which  binds  some  families  together.  Ernest  J.,  the 
youngest  child  of  Mr.  Joseph  Glancey,  was  born  May  17,  1848,  in 
Abington  township,  and  has  always  resided  within  its  borders.  He 
received  a  common  school  education,  and  follows  farming.  He  also 
owns  a  half  interest  in  Pope  mill,  built  by  his  father,  on  Pope  creek. 
He  is  now  holding  his  third  term  as  justice  of  the  peace.  He  was 
married  October  31,  1878,  to  Miss  Lillian  C,  daughter  of  Anderson 
and  Mary  J.  (Willits)  Kirlin.  The  Glanceys  are  all  freethinkers, 
most  of  them  of  the  spiritualistic  type.  They  were  among .  the  first 
abolitionists  of  the  country.  The  younger  Glancey,  Ernest  J.,  states 
his  creed  to  be  as  follows  :  The  immediate  i)ayment  of  the  national 


516  HISTORY    OF   iLERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

debt ;    taxation  of  all  church  property,   and  the  abolishment   of  all 
chaplaincies  in  the  legislatures,  army  and  navy  and  state  prisons. 

Samuel,  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary  Knisley,  was  born  in  Highland 
county,  Ohio,  February  9,  1827.  Plis  father's  family  removed  fi'om 
Ohio  to  Fountain  county,  Indiana,  when  Samuel  was  nine  years  old. 
He  was  married  in  1852  to  Minerva,  daughter  of  Charles  and  Elizabeth 
Seeders.  They  came  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  soon  after  their  mar- 
riage and  settled  in  Abington  township.  They  have  had  bom  to  them 
nine  children,  live  of  whom  are  living:  Hemy,  Emma  M.,  Lee  Roy, 
Elmer  E.,  and  Charles  AY.  Mr.  Knisley  was  one  of  the  most  success- 
ful farmers  in  his  neighborhood,  and  was  a  good  and  well-esteemed 
citizen ;  but  for  several  years  he  has  been  aftiicted  with  hallucinations, 
which  unfit  him  for  business.  AVhile  this  misfortune  is  a  sore  affliction 
to  the  family,  Mrs.  Knisley  and  her  two  sons,  Lee  Roy  and  Elmer  E., 
are  keeping  their  beautiful  home  of  194  acres  in  excellent  shape. 
Lee  Roy  received  a  common  school  education  and  attended  the  Bryant 
&  Stratton  Business  College  at  Davenport,  Iowa,  one  term.  He  had 
thought  of  engaging  in  mercantile  business,  but  circumstances  have 
led  him  to  adopt  agriculture  as  his  chief  work. 

Among  the  early  settlers  of  Abington  township  was  the  family  of 
Frederick  Frick.  They  came  from  Columbia  county,  Pennsylvania, 
in  1838.  Mr.  Frick  was  elected  a  justice  of  the  peace  the  year  follow- 
ing his  settlement  in  Abington  township,  and  he  was  elected  five  times 
to  the  same  position,  being  on  his  fifth  term  when  he  died.  Mr.  Frick 
was  the  first  postmaster  in  Abington  township,  the  office  being  located 
at  the  farm-house  of  Mr.  Frick  at  the  Blufi',  five  miles  east  of  where 
Keithsburg  is  now  situated.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Frick  had  eight  children : 
Sarah  E.  (Mrs.  W.  A.  Willits),  George  A.,  Mary  C.  (Mrs.  John  E. 
Willits),  Harriet  W.  (Mrs.  James  Noble),  Rebecca  X.  (Mrs.  Joshua 
Cabeen),  Lucy  J.  (Mrs.  Harvey  N.  Smith),  William  W.,  and  Charles  P. 
Mr.  Frick  died  in  1866.  George  A.,  the  second  child,  was  born  in 
Columbia  county,  Pennsylvania,  May  12,  1826.  He  came  with  his 
father's  family  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  and  assisted  his  father  in  the 
work  of  farming,  and  has  made  agriculture  his  chief  business.  He 
was  married,  March  29,  1848,  to  Frances,  daughter  of  William  and 
Anna  Jackson.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Frick  have  five  children  livino;,  and  one 
(Harry  Norvell)  deceased.  The  living  are:  Frederick  W.,  Albert  A., 
Warren  T.,  Alice,  and  Homer  W.  Mr.  Frick  is  a  member  of  the 
I.O.O.F.  He  is  a  democrat  politically,  and  an  independent  on  ques- 
tions of  religion.  Mr.  Frick  has  served  his  township  as  supervisor 
three  terms,  held  the  office  of  township  collector  ten  years,  and  that  of 
town  clerk  two  years.     The  handsome  home  of  Mr.   Frick  is  near 


ABINGTON   TOWNSHIP.  517 

where  his  father's  family  first  settled,  and  consists  of  140  acres  of  land 
with  the  necessary  appurtenances. 

Andrew  J.  Douglass  was  born  in  Bath  county,  Yii-ginia,  May  18, 
1825.  He  is  the  son  of  Andrew  J.  and  Nancy  A.  (Fox)  Douglass. 
"Wlien  our  subject  was  about  ten  years  old  his  parents  removed  to 
Highland  county,  Ohio,  where  young  Douglass  grew  to  young  man- 
hood. He  then  turned  his  face  westward  and  made  his  first  halt  in 
Edgar  county,  Illinois,  where  he  remained  one  year,  and  then  moved 
onward  toward  the  setting  sun.  This  move  brought  him  to  Mercer 
county  where  he  has  since  resided,  a  period  of  nearly  forty  years.  It 
may  not  be  amiss  here  to  mention  that  the  lady  who  has  been  Mrs. 
Douglass  for  thirty-four  years,  came  with  her  parents  to  Mercer  county 
a  year  previous  to  Mr.  Douglass'  turning  his  steps  westward ;  and 
when  we  call  to  mind  the  fact  that  an  acquaintance  had  existed  between 
the  two  parties  in  the  stafe  of  Ohio,  it  is  not  difficult  to  divine  the 
guiding  star  that  directed  the  feet  of  Mr.  Douglass  to  the  vast,  unbro- 
ken prairies  of  the  "Far  West."  Mr.  Douglass  came  west  without 
any  capital,  save  his  willing  hands  and  unimpeachable  character,  and 
for  a  number  of  years  he  occupied  only  rented  land.  He  then  ])ur- 
chased  the  place  on  which  he  now  lives  and  improved  it ;  and  he  now 
has  a  grand  farm  of  500  acres  under  a  good  state  of  cultivation,  well 
supplied  with  good  buildings  of  every  sort  demanded  on  a  farm,  and 
well  stocked  with  cattle,  horses,  etc.  Mr.  Douglass  has  a  passion  for 
fine  horses,  and  he  can  boast  of  some  fine  specimens  in  this  line.  Mr. 
Douglas  was  married  April  6,  1848,  to  Mary  J.  Mclntire,  daughter  of 
John  and  Elizabeth  Mclntire.  '  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Douglass  have  been 
blessed  with  eight  children  :  Frances  E.,  Mary  E., "William  E.,  George 
E.,  Isaiah  H.,  Charles  I.,  Miua  I.,  and  Andrew  J.  Frances  E.,  the 
eldest,  was  married  to  George  W.  Braucht,  March  21,  1867,  and  died 
July  21,  1869,  leaving  an  infant  son,  Frederick  E. ;  Mary  E.  is  married 
to  James  M.  Greer.  ;  William  R.,  to  Mary  E.  Walker,  and  Isaiah  IL, 
to  Ida  M.  Jones.  Mr.  Douglass  is  a  greenbacker,  politically.  He 
and  Mrs.  Douglass  are  Sabbatarians,  or  Seventh  Day  Adventists. 

William  Riley  Main  was  born  in  Crawford  county,  Indiana,  Sep- 
tember 3,  1835.  He  is  the  son  of  Riley  and  Martha  Main.  He 
received  a  fair  common  school  education  in  the  schools  of  Indiana  and 
Illinois.  He  came  with  his  father's  family  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois, 
in  1852.  He  was  married  October  15,  1857,  to  Sarah  M.  Fleming. 
Eleven  children  have  been  born  to  them  :  Floyd,  Olive  E.,  Cora  M., 
John  T.,  Walker  B.,  Alta  L,  George  S.,  Maud  E.,  Lulu  J.,  Oscar  R., 
and  Orin  W.  Mr.  Main  is  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  and  owns  one  of 
the  many  beautiful  farms  that  "blossom  as  the  rose"  in  western  lUi- 


518  HISTORY   OF   MERCEK    AI^D    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

nois.  llis  farm  consists  of  500  acres  under  a  good  state  of  cultiva- 
tion. He  lias  good  buildings  on  his  place.  He  pavs  a  good  deal  of 
attention  to  heavy  stock  business.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Main  are  members 
of  the  United  Brethren  church,  Politicallj  Mr.  Main  is  a  republican. 
Mr.  Main  and  his  family  are  blessed  with  an  abundance  of  the  world's 
comforts  ;  or,  in  other  words,  are  in  excellent  circumstances. 

Minerva  A.  Greer  was  born  in  Wajne  county,  Indiana,  December 
29,  1829.  She  is  the  daughter  of  Reuben  and  Mary  (Harris)  Willits. 
Her  parents  both  died  in  the  spring  of  183-1,  of  milk  sickness ;  the 
mother  dying  in  the  evening  and  the  father  the  following  morning. 
Mrs.  Greer  came  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  in  1836,  with  her  uncle, 
Thomas  Moore,  who  settled  in  New  Boston  township.  The  subject  of 
our  sketch  was  married  April  15,  1847,  to  Thomas  Greer,  a  farmer. 
There  were  fourteen  children  born  to  them:  Reuben  H.,  James  M., 
Mary  J.,  Thomas  F.,  Alice  A.,  John  E.,  Samuel  I.,  Arthur,  Lewis  W., 
Albert  C,  Ella  F.,  Dora  E.,  Robert  F.,  and  a  daughter  who  died  when 
an  infant  and  before  she  was  named.  Three  of  the  other  children  are 
dead:  Arthur,  Dora  E.,  and  Lewis.  Thomas  Greer,  the  husband  of 
our  immediate  subject,  was  born  June  10,  1818,  in  the  state  of  Ohio. 
He  removed  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  as  early  as  1836,  and  settled 
in  Abington  township,  where  he  resided  until  his  death.  He  devoted 
his  time  to  farming  and  stock  raising,  and  by  industry  and  economy 
accumulated  a  large  amount  of  property.  Since  the  death  of  the  hus- 
band and  father,  the  property  has  been  divided  among  the  heirs,  Mrs. 
Greer  retaining  the  homestead,  which  consists  of  200  acres  of  land  under 
a  good  state  of  cultivation  with  good  buildings  and  all  the  necessary 
improvements  to  a  complete  country  home.  Seven  of  the  children  are 
married  and  all  living  within  a  radius  of  two  and  a  half  miles  of  the 
old  homestead.     Mrs.  Greer  is  a  Seventh  Day  Adventist. 

Samuel  Pollock  was  born  in  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  April  26, 
1823.  He  is  the  son  of  Samuel  and  Margaret  (Caldwell)  Pollock.  Our 
subject  removed  to  Peoria  county,  Illinois,  in  1852,  and  removed  to 
Abington  township,  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  October,  1854,  and  set- 
tled on  the  farm  on  which  he  now  resides.  He  has  a  farm  of  600  acres 
all  improved,  with  good  buildings  and  other  modern  improvements. 
Mr.  Pollock  is  an  extensive  dealer  in  stock,  especially  in  cattle.  INIr. 
Pollock's  success  in  life  is  an  index  to  what  industry,  economy  and 
genuine  pluck  will  do.  He  started  out  in  life  a  poor  boy,  and  now 
stands  in  the  front  rank  as  a  business  man  and  an  honorable  gentleman. 
Mr.  Pollock  was  married  February  23,  1863,  to  Mary  A.  Kinney. 
They  have  three  children:  John  K.,  Maggie  A.,  and  Mary  I.  Mr. 
Pollock  is  a  member  of  the  old  school  Presbyterian  church.  Politi- 
cally he  is  a  rej^ublican. 


*  '.  -    '•'^vr 


^"^. 


JOSEPH      GL/\MCY, 
(deceased) 


ABINGTON    TCm'NSHIP.  521 

John  "W.  Landers  was  born  in  Fountain  county,  Indiana,  January 
3,  1830.  He  is  the  son  of  liobert  H.  and  Hannah  (Stewart)  Landers. 
Mr.  Landers  learned  the  trade  of  a  carpenter  and  joiner  and  worked 
at  the  business  for  seven  years.  At  the  end  of  that  i)ei-iod  he  engaged 
in  farming  and  has  made  it  the  main  business  of  his  life.  He  was 
married  March  2-1,  1853,  to  Miss  Mary,  daughter  of  Emanuel  and 
Frances  Humbert.  They  removed  from  Indiana  to  Mercer  county, 
Illinois,  in  October,  1S5T,  and  settled  in  Abington  townshi]).  In  1874 
they  removed  to  Pottawattamie  county,  Iowa,  where  they  remained  for 
three  years,  they  then  returned  to  Mercer  county,  and  again  became 
citizens  of  Abington  township.  Tliey  have  had  seven  chikh'en,  four  of 
whom  are  living.  They  are:  James  II.,  William  H.,  (Charlie  B.,  and 
Mary  E.  Mr.  Landers  was  formerly  a  democrat,  but  of  late  years  he 
has  been  an  active,  aggressive  greenbacker.  He  has  held  some  minor 
offices,  and  at  present  is  a  justice  of  the  peace.  Religiously  he  is  a 
liberal.  Tlie  family  have  recently  sustained  a  severe  loss  by  the  burn- 
ing of  their  residence,  which  was  a  substantial  brick. 

James  Kellogg,  son  of  David  and  Ruth  (Miller)  Kellogg,  was  bom 
in  Granville,  Hampden  county,  Massachusetts,  August  12,  1819.  His 
father's  family  removed  from  Massachusetts  to  Portage  county,  Ohio, 
when  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  ten  years  old.  After  a  residence 
of  nine  years  in  Ohio  the  family  removed  to  Crawford  county.  Penn- 
sylvania. Mr.  Kelh^gg  was  married  in  181:6  to  Martha  A.,  daughter 
of  James  and  Orpha  (Alexander)  Lafferty.  Mr.  Kellogg  removed  with 
his  family  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  in  the  fall  of  1852,  and  settled  on 
section  27,  in  Ohio  Grove  township,  where  they  remained  until  1867, 
when  they  removed  to  Abington  township  and  settled  on  the  farm  on 
which  they  now  reside.  Mr.  Kellogg  owns  an  excellent  farm  of  160 
acres,  well  supplied  with  living  water,  and  it  is  in  every  way  a  well 
arranged  home,  being  supplied  with  good  out-buildings,  groves  and 
shrubbery  ;  and  their  residence  is  one  of  the  very  best.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Kellogg  have  had  five  children,  three  of  them  now  living:  James  A., 
Mary  M.,  and  AVilliam  E.  Mr.  Kellogg  was  formerly  a  whig,  and 
when  that  party  died  he  became  a  democrat ;  but  of  late  years  he  has 
been  an  enthusiastic  greenbacker.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kellogg  are  both 
Presbyterians.  William  E.,  the  youngest  son,  has  a  good  farm  of 
eighty  acres,  but  being  yet  in  the  enjoyment  of  single  blessedness, 
makes  his  home  under  the  paternal  roof.  He  received  a  common 
school  education  only,  but  enjoys  some  reputation  as  a  newspaj)er 
wi-iter,  confining  himself  in  this  direction  mostly  to  the  local  press. 
He  is  an  Odd-Fellow,  and  a  greenbacker. 

Wesley  Henry,   the   son   of  Henry   A.    and   Catharine  (Shurtz) 
30 


522  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   A2^D    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

Henrj,  was  born  August  23,  1845,  in  Hunterdon  county,  New  Jersey. 
He  came  to  Mei'cer  county,  Illinois,  with  bis  father's  family  when  he 
was  six  years  of  age,  and  has  been  a  resident  of  Abington  most  of  the 
time  since  he  came  to  Elinois,  He  makes  farming  his  business,  and 
has  no  other  tliought  than  to  earn  his  bread  by  honest  toih  He  was 
married,  September  11,  1873,  to  Lucetta,  daughter  of  William  and 
Margaret  Stephenson.  They  have  four  children:  William  A.,  Mar- 
garet C,  George  S.,  and  Orvnlle  S.  Mr.  Henry  is  a  democrat,  and 
says  it  was  born  and  bred  in  him. 

John  W.  Ditto,  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  is  the  son  of  Andrew 
and  Margaret  (Wyland)  Ditto,  and  was  born  in  Pickaway  county,  Ohio, 
June  25,  1815.  His  lather  removed  with  his  family  to  Slielby  county, 
Ohio,  when  John  was  a  babe,  where  he  was  reared  to  the  age  of  near 
twenty  years,  when  he  came  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  making  the 
entire  trip  alone  on  horseback.  He  rode  a  thoroughbred  horse  and 
led  a  fine  mare.  He  rode  many  miles  without  seeing  a  living  soul, 
and  the  great  prairies  stretched  out  all  around  him  like  a  great  plain 
unknown  except  to  the  savage  and  beasts  of  prey.  AVhen  Mr.  Ditto 
reached  Mercer  county  he  settled  in  Xew  Boston  township,  on  govern- 
ment land.  He  settled  in  Abington  township,. in  the  spring  of  1838, 
on  the  farm  where  he  now  lives  in  section  13.  Mr.  Ditto  carried  the 
mail  two  winters  from  Monmouth  to  New  Boston  and  Bock  Island. 
He  can  relate  some  incidents  of  the  early  settlement  of  the  country 
that  are  both  painful  and  amusing.  Mr.  Ditto  has  the  oldest  deed  in 
Mercer  county.  He  was  married,  November  IT,  1842,  in  Knox 
county,  Illinois,  to  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Henry  and  MargareJ^  Red- 
man. They  had  ten  children:  Mary  D.,  James  W.,  Henry  B., 
John  W.,  Ellen  A.,  Andrew  M.,  Benjamin  F.,  Samuel  D.,  Margaret  E., 
and  Mack.  Mary  D.,  the  first  born,  was  burned  to  death  when  she 
was  three  months  old.  The  mother  tied  the  child  in  a  high  chair,  and 
while  she  was  busy  outside  the  room,  the  child  slipped  out  of  the  chair 
into  the  fii'e  and  was  burned  to  death.  James  D.,  the  second  child, 
was  killed  in  the  battle  of  Vicksburg,  Mississippi,  May  23,  1863. 
Ellen  A.,  the  fifth  child,  was  married  to  John  H.  Farber,  and  died 
July  11,  1878,  in  Cheyenne,  Wyoming  Territory,  leaving  two  children: 
John  W.  and  Arthur.  Mrs.  Ditto  died  March  9,  1873,  and  Mr.  Ditto 
was  again  married,  November  11,  1873,  to  Mrs.  Olive  Crook,  widow 
of  Galen  Crook.  Mr.  Ditto  has  a  farm  of  479  acres  in  Abington 
township,  and  he  also  owns  847  acres  of  cheaper  pasture  lands  in 
Henderson  county.  He  pays  a  great  deal  of  attention  to  sheep  hus- 
bandry, and  has  at  present  almost  a  thousand  head  of  sheep.  Mr. 
Ditto  belongs   to  the  Advent  or  Sabbatarian  church.     He  formerly 


ABINGTON   TOWNSHIP.  523 

mustered  with  tlie  democrats,  but  for  several  years  past  he  has  been  an 
unllincliing  greenbacker. 

WiLLiA>[  M.  WiLLrrs,  farmer,  son  of  John  and  Sarah  (Campbell) 
Willits,  was  born  December  4,  1835,  in  New  Boston  township,  Mercer 
county,  Illinois.  "When  he  was  two  years  old  his  father's  family 
settled  in  Abington  township,  where  the  subject  of  our  sketch  has 
since  resided.  Mr,  Willits  has  a  good  farm  of  eighty  acres  in  a  good 
state  of  cultivation.  He  served  as  a  union  soldier  in  the  30th  Keg. 
111.  Inf.,  as  a  coi-j^oral.  Indorsed  on  his  discharge  is  the  following 
splendid  record  as  a  soldier  :  "  Said  soldier  was  engaged  in  the  follow- 
ing battles  :  Fort  Donelson,  Tennessee,  February  15,  1S62  ;  Britton's 
Lane,  Tennessee,  September  1,  18132  ;  Raymond,  Mississippi,  May  12, 
1863 ;  Champion  Hill,  Mississippi,  May  16,  1863  ;  took  an  active 
part  in  the  siege  of  Vicksburg ;  was  in  the  battle  of  Ivenesaw  moun- 
tain, June  27,  1864  ;  battle  near  Atlanta,  Georgia,  July  22,  1864,  and 
took  an  active  part  in  the  Georgia  campaigns,  resulting  in  the  ca])ture 
of  Savannah,  and  has  done  duty  up  to  the  present  time  ;  and  he  is 
highly  esteemed  in  his  company  and  regiment  as  a  gentleman  and 
soldier.  John  P.  Davis,  capt.  commanding  30th  111.  Inf."  Mr.  Wil- 
lits was  married  February  12,  1872,  to  Frances  J.  daughter  of  James 
and  Martha  (McEachron)  Gilchrist.  They  have  three  children  :  Mary 
E.,  John  E.,  and  Lena  M.  Mr.  Willits  was  formerly  a  democrat,  but 
of  late  years  has  acted  with  the  greenback  part3^ 

Milton  M.  Jones  is  the  son  of  Franklin  and  Elizabeth  (Farwell) 
Jones.  He  was  born  in  Preemption  township,  Mercer  county,  Illi- 
nois, September  27,  1844.  When  he  was  ten  years  of  age  his  father's 
family  removed  to  Abington  township.  Milton  spent  his  boyhood 
days  on  the  farm  and  in  the  country  school-house.  In  the  winter  of 
1868-9  he  graduated  at  the  Western  Business  College,  of  Galesburg, 
Illinois.  Soon  after  his  college  course  he  was  engaged  as  a  salesman 
in  a  large  retail  grocery  store,  but  at  the  end  of  a  year  he  went  to 
farming  and  stock-raising.  He  has  a  good  farm  of  120  acres,  and  has 
paid  special  attention  to  the  breeding  of  high-class  hogs,  in  which 
business  he  has  been  very  successful.  He  was  married  September  22, 
1870,  to  Miss  Sarah  E.  daughter  of  John  and  Sarah  (Campbell)  Wil- 
lits. They  have  one  child,  Milton  Willits.  Mr.  Jones  has  held  the 
office  of  town  clerk  two  terms.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Christian 
(Campbellite)  church.  Politically  he  is  a  republican.  He  served  six 
months  as  a  soldier,  in  the  140tli  reg.  111.  Vol.  He  received  three 
wounds  in  engagements  ;  one  severe  one  in  the  shoulder,  for  which  he 
gets  a  small  pension. 

DuNc.vN  Seaton  was  born  in  Perthshire,  Scotland,  October,  1823. 


524  HISTORY   OF   AIERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

He  is  the  son  of  John  and  Isabel  (McDonaki)  Seaton.  He  received  a 
common  school  education,  and  came  to  the  United  States  of  America 
in  1843.  He  sailed  on  the  sliip  Lnconia,  and  on  reaching  America 
settled  in  Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania,  wliere  he  remained  about 
two  years.  From  there  he  came  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  and 
remained  three  years,  when  he  took  a  trip  to  California  by  over- 
land with  an  ox-team.  After  an  absence  of  about  two  years  he 
returned  to  Illinois,  and  settled  in  Abington  township,  Mercer  county, 
where  he  now  resides  on  a  beautiful  farm  of  230  acres.  Mr.  Seaton 
was  married  in  1860  to  Miss  Martha  E.,  daughter  of  Sanniel  and 
Eebecca  (Bogle)  Criswell.  They  have  had  twelve  children,  live  of 
whom  are  deceased.  The  living  are  :  Mary,  David,  Margaret  E.,  Ann, 
Martha  L.,  Harry,  and  Angus.  Mr.  Seaton  is  a  member  of  the  old 
school  Presbyterian  church.     He  is  a  greenbacker  politically. 

Ja>ies  Vance,  farmer,  son  of  William  and  Rachel  Vance,  was  born 
in  Beaver  county,  Pennsylvania,  February  15,  1825.  He  removed 
with  his  father's  family  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  in  1833,  and  settled 
in  Keithsburg  township,  where  the  village  of  Keithsburg  now  stands. 
After  remaining  here  one  year  the  family  removed  to  Rock  Island 
county,  Illinois,  and  at  the  end  of  a  twelve-month  returned  to  Keiths- 
burg township,  where  they  made  farming  their  business.  In  1847  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  to  Sarah,  daughter  of  Mark  L.  and 
Mary  (Steward)  Pearson.  Mr.  Vance  removed  with  his  wife  soon  after 
their  marriage  to  Davis  count}^,  Iowa,  where  they  remained  six  years. 
They  then  removed  to  New  Boston  township,  Mercer  county,  Illinois, 
where  they  resided  three  years.  From  there  they  went  to  Abington 
township,  where  Mr.  Vance  bought  the  farm  on  which  they  now  live. 
The  farm  contains  170  acres  of  excellent  land,  and  Mr.  Vance  and  his 
family  of  boys  have  devoted  most  of  their  time  to  tilling  the  soil. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Vance  have  had  born  to  them  twelve  children :  William 
R.,  Robert  L.,  Josiah  W.,  Elijah  A.,  Nerva  A.,  John  W.,  Marion  E., 
Gershan  H.,  James  B.,  Forbes  N.,  Mary  V.,  and  Martha  E.  ;  the  lat- 
ter deceased.  Politically  Mr.  Vance  is  a  greenbacker,  and  religiously 
he  is  a  moralist.  Of  late  years  he  has  had  rather  poor  health,  and 
took  a  trip  last  summer  to  California,  ( )regon  and  some  of  the  western 
territories,  from  which  he  received  much  benefit.  Mr.  Vance  can  relate 
many  incidents  in  the  early  settlement  of  the  country  of  much  interest. 
He  saw  the  distinguished  Indian  chief,  Black  Hawk,  and  six  hundred 
of  his  dusky  warriors. 

John  J.  Seaton  was  bom  in  Perthshire,  Scotland,  February  6, 
1831.  He  is  the  son  of  John  and  Christian  Seaton.  He  came  to  the 
United  States  of  America  in  1843,  going  by  steamship  from  Glasgow 


ABINGTON   TOWNSHIP.  525 

to  Liverpool,  and  sailed  from  the  latter  ])lace  to  New  Yoi-k  in  the  shij) 
Luconia.  lie  settled  in  Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  remained 
there  mitil  1845,  when  he  removed  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  and  has 
lived  here  most  of  the  time  since.  He  received  a  common  school  edu- 
cation in  Scotland  and  America.  In  1854  he  located  in  .V])ingt(jn 
township,  where  he  now  owns  350  acres  of  excellent  agricultural  land 
under  a  good  state  of  cultivation,  with  good  buildings  and  all  necessary 
appurtenances  to  a  com})lete  rural  home.  He  was  married  November, 
1855,  to  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Robert  and  May  (Douglass)  Seaton. 
They  have  had  nine  children,  live  of  whom  are  dead.  The  living  are  : 
Margery,  John  H.,  George  D.,  and  Lizzie.  Their  daughter,  Christie 
Ann,  who  is  among  the  deceased,  was  married  to  Mr.  George  Sponsler, 
and  died  at  the  age  of  about  twenty-three  years,  leaving  one  child. 
Mr.  Seaton  is  a  republican,  and  a  member  of  the  old  school  Presbyte- 
rian church. 

John  Henry,  fai-mer,  was  born  in  Hunterdon  county,  New  Jersey, 
May  3,  1840.  He  is  the  son  of  Henry  A.  and  Catherine  A.  (Shurtz) 
Henry.  His  father^s  family  refnoved  from  Hunterdon  county  to  War- 
ren county.  New  Jersey,  when  John  was  a  small  boy,  and  in  1851  the 
family  came  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  and  settled  in  Ohio  Grove 
township  where  they  i-emained  four  years,  and  then  removed  to  Abing- 
ton  townshi]).  In  October,  1870,  John  was  married  to  Martha  E., 
daughter  of  John  B.  and  Mary  (May)  Jameson.  They  have  six  chil- 
dren: Mina,  Charles,  Frank  B.,  Bessie,  Lois,  and  Byrtel  Eugene.  Mr. 
Henry  has  a  well  cultivated  farm  of  ninety  acres,  and  confines  himself 
almost  exclusively  to  grain  raising.  He  has  just  entered  on  his  fourth 
term  as  road  commissioner,  and  has  held  other  township  offices.  Mr. 
Henry  enlisted  in  the  union  ai-my  as  a  private  soldier,  August,  1862, 
and  served  in  company  G,  102d  111.  Vol.,  until  the  following  January, 
when  he  was  discharo;ed  because  of  disabilitv.  ^Fr.  Henry  is  a 
democrat. 

Hon.  IloHERT  J.  Cabeen,  son  of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth  (Wright) 
Cabeen,  was  born  in  IMuskingum  county,  Ohio,  April  25,  1822.  He 
removed  with  his  father's  family  from  Ohio  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  in 
1836.  The  family  settled  in  Ohio  Grove  township,  and  in  1850  Robert 
went  to  California,  where  he  remained  two  years  and  then  returned  to 
Mercer  county.  He  was  married  A})ril  22,  185!>,  to  Miss  Mary  E., 
daughter  of  Joseph  and  Violet  (Scott)  Pinkerton.  After  his  nuirriage, 
Mr.  Cabeen  settled  in  Abington  townshi}),  where  he  now  resides.  He 
has  a  farm  of  575  acres  of  magnificent  land  in  one  body  and  ninety- 
five  acres  in  another  piece.  His  home  place  is  under  a  high  state  of  cul- 
tivation and  his  residence  is  one  of  the  largest  and  most  costly  in  the 


526  HISTORY   OF   ]SrERCEE   AKD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

county,  which  is  fornished  in  a  complete  style,  making  a  country  home  of 
a  most  charming  character.  Mr.  Cabeen  is  an  extensive  stock  raiser, 
and  ships  a  great  many  cattle  to  Chicago.  He  held  the  office  of  town- 
ship supervisor  for  ten  years  and  served  as  a  member  of  the  State 
Board  of  eqalization  one  term.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cabeen  have  had  eight 
children.  Samuel  (deceased),  Joseph,  McClellan,  Mary,  Violet,  Hattie 
E.,  Eobert  J.  (centennial  son),  and  Edith  May.  Politically  Mr. 
Cabeen  was  formerly  a  democrat,  but  for  a  good  many  years  he  has 
been  an  active  member  of  the  greenback  party.  Eeligiously  he  is  a 
liberal  or  freethinker. 

"W.  A.  Winchester,  farmer,  was  born  in  Genesee  county,  New 
York,  January  2,  1S2-1:.  His  father's  family  removed  to  Geauga  county, 
Ohio,  when  the  subject  of  our  sketch  was  seven  years  old.  In  18^9, 
Mr.  Winchester  settled  in  Adams  county,  Illinois,  where  he  followed 
teaching  school  and  farming  for  fourteen  years,  when  he  removed  to 
Mercer  county,  Illinois,  and  settled  in  Abington  township,  on  the  farm 
where  he  now  resides,  which  embraces  300  acres  of  excellent  land. 
Mr.  Winchester  has  fine  buildings  on  his  farm,  and  raises  a  great  deal 
of  stock.  He  is  a  model  farmer,  and  while  he  is  very  retiring  in  his 
nature,  his  popularity  among  his  neighbors  has  forced  him  to  serve 
them  in  the  capacity  of  supervisor  for  four  terms  in  succession. 
May  29,  1866,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  William 
and  Eliza  Musser,  of  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania.  They  have 
no  children.  Religiously  Mr.  Winchester  is  a  freethinker.  Politically 
he  is  a  greenbacker. 

Thomas  Whitehall  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  July  31,  1828. 
He  is  the  son  of  A.  X.  and  Elizabeth  Whitehall.  His  father  removed 
with  his  family  to  Fountain  county,  Indiana,  in  1832.  In  1850  Mr. 
AYhitehall  was  married  to  Nancy,  daughter  of  William  and  Sarah 
Stephens.  He  removed  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  in  1856,  and  set- 
tled in  Abington  township.  In  1865  he  removed  with  his  family  to 
Fountain  county,  Indiana,  and  remained  there  until  1871,  when  they 
returned  to  Illinois  and  located  in  Mercer  county  again.  Their  home 
is  now  in  Abington  township  and  consists  Of  .a  pretty  farm  of  1H(I 
acres,  with  most  all  the  ap])urtances  necessary  to  a  desirable  country 
home.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Whitehall  have  had  nine  children,  all  living 
but  Alice  ().,  their  youngest,  who  departed  this  life  when  quite  young. 
Their  living  are :  Alva  A.,  Pliebe  E.,  William  L.,  Mary  E.  and  Sarah 
E.  (twins),  James  M.,  Newton,  Fruzy  IT,,  and  Martha  A.  Mr.  A\^liite- 
hall  is  a  greenbacher  politically,  and  is  what  might  be  termed  an  inde- 
pendent thinker  t)n  almost  every  subject.  He  has  his  own  peculiar 
notions  on  the  subjects  of  medicine,  religion,  science,  etc. 


ABINGTON   TOWNSHn\  527 

Lewis  F.  Ogle  is  the  son  of  James  C.  and  Elizabeth  (Smith)  Oi>-le. 
He  was  born  in  Fountain  eoimtv,  Indiana,  in  1849.  His  father's 
family  removed  from  Indiana  to  Illinois  about  1853.  They  settled  in 
Mercer  county,  and  i^-ave  their  attention  to  farming.  When  Lewis  F., 
or  "Frank,"  as  he  is  familiarly  called,  grew  to  manhood,  he  continued 
to  make  agricultural  pursuits  his  chief  business,  and  he  now  owns  a 
good  farm  of  182  acres  within  four  miles  of  Keithsburg,  He  was 
married  November  2,  1879,  to  Miss  Izziedora,  daughter  of  Levi  and 
Mary  J.  (James)  Hall.  They  have  had  but  one  child,  Eddie,  whom 
they  had  the  misfortune  to  lose  by  death  while  he  was  yet  a  babe.  Mr. 
Ogle  is  rejDublican,  politically,  and  is  independent  in  his  religious 
views. 

Lewis  Waldo  Brewer,  is  the  son  of  Gilbert  and  Elizabeth  (Mills) 
Brewer.  He  was  born  August  28,  1834,  in  Wayne  county,  Indiana. 
When  our  subject  was  two  years  old  his  father  moved  with  his  family 
to  Mercer  county,  Illinois.  He  received  a  common  school  education, 
and  then  learned  the  milling  business,  and  has  been  engaged  in  the 
work  for  twenty-eight  years.  He  owns  a  half  interest  in  Pope  mill, 
situated  on  Pope  creek,  live  miles  northeast  of  Keithsburg,  where  he 
resides  and  conducts  the  business  of  custom  milling  almost  exclusively. 
Mr.  Brewer  was  married  in  1857  to  Miss  Mary  Huff.  One  child  was 
born  to  them.  Mrs.  Brewer  died  in  1860.  The  child  is  also  deceased. 
Mr.  Brewer  was  again  married  May  23,  1866,  to  liosetta,  daughter  of 
Homer  and  Lucia  Beenier.  They  have  had  seven  children,  three  of 
whom  are  deceased.  The  living  are  :  Amanda,  Fred  and  Ida  (twins), 
and  Walter.  Mr.  Brewer  belongs  to  the  masonic  order,  and  he  and 
his  wife  both  belong  to  the  Eastern  Star  chaptef.  Politically  Mr. 
Brewer  is  a  republican.  His  views  on  religious  matters  are  of  the 
liberal  type.  It  would  make  no  difference  what  views  he  might  enter- 
tain ;  all  who  know  him  would  be  quick  to  admit  the  fact  that  "Wall " 
Brewer  is  strictly  conscientious,  both  in  his  religion  and  his  ])()litic8. 

Mrs.  Sarah  G.  Willits,  generally  known  as  "Aunt  Sally  AVillits," 
was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  in  September,  1810.  She  is  the  daughter 
of  John  and  Polly  (Blue)  Campbell.  Her  parents  died  when  she  was 
quite  young,  and  she  went  with  a  sister  to  Wayne  county,  Indiana, 
from  Lebanon,  Ohio,  about  1825,  having  gone  to  the  latter  place  when 
six  years  of  age.  She  was  married  in  1830  to  John  AVillits,  and  they 
removed  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  about  1834,  and  settled  in  Abing- 
ton  towhsliip.  Mrs.  Willits  received  but  a  limited  education,  and 
when  she  went  to  school  the  i)rincipal  text-books  were  the  s})elling-book 
and  the  New  Testament.  Her  husband  was  quite  an  extensive  land- 
owner and  stock-breeder  and  dealer.     He  died   in  18r»4.     Thev  had 


528  HISTORY   OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

nine  cliildren  :  Josiah  G.,  Eliza  E,,  James  W.,  and  Martha  G.,  are 
deceased.  The  living  are  :  Marj  J.,  William  N.,  Linnaeus  H., 
Thomas  W.  and  Sarah  E.  Thomas  W.,  who  occupies  the  mother's 
part  of  the  estate,  and  with  whom  she  makes  her  home  a  majority  of 
the  time,  was  born  in  Abington  township,  April  7,  1847,  where  he  still 
resides.  His  youth  was  spent  on  the  farm  with  his  parents,  and  he 
could  only  avail  himself  of  a  common  school  education.  Like  the 
sons  and  daughters  of  most  pioneers,  he  learned  more  of  hard,  physical 
toil  than  of  science  and  art ;  he  was  more  familiar  with  the  Held  and 
the  wild  j)rairies  than  with  school-houses  and  art  galleries.  Mr.  AYil- 
lits  was  united  in  marriage  February  13,  1873,  to  Miss  Alice  Main. 
They  had  one  child,  Carrie  E.     Mr.  W.  is  a  greenbacker,  politically. 

Jasper  Ogle  was  born  in  Adams  county,  Ohio,  January  12,  1834. 
He  is  a  son  of  James  C.  and  Elizabeth  Ogle.  The  family  removed 
from  Ohio  to  Fountain  county,  Indiana,  when  Jasper  was  six  months 
old.  In  1853  the  family  removed  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois.  Our 
subject  was  married  February  22,  1855,  to  Miss  Angeline,  daughter  of 
Samuel  and  Elizabeth  Allison.  Tliey  had  seven  children,  all  of  whom 
are  living.  They  are :  Lena  L. ,  James  E. ,  Yan,  Mary  E. ,  Allie, 
Emma  E.  and  Clarence  E.  Mr.  Ogle  removed  to  California  in  1860, 
and  remained  there  until  1870.  While  in  the  "golden  state"  he 
followed  farming.  He  returned  to  Illinois  only  to  continue  his  chosen 
occupation.  He  owns  nearly  500  acres  of  land  and  has  a  very  tine 
rural  home.  Mr.  Ogle  had  the  misfortune  to  lose  his  wife  January  31, 
1879.  Politically  Mr.  Ogle  is  a  republican,  and  religiously  he  is  an 
Adventist  or  Sabbatarian.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd-Fellows.  He  has  traveled  over  the  entire  length  of  the  great 
Union  Pacific  railroad  live  times. 

Joseph  D.  Ogle,  farmer,  is  the  son  of  James  C.  and  Elizabeth 
Ogle,  and  was  born  in  Fountain  county,  Indiana,  November  28,  1850. 
When  Joseph  was  but  three  years  old  the  family  came  to  Mercer 
county,  Illinois.  He  was  married  December  23,  1875,  to  Miss  Kate 
C,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Catharine  Elrick.  They  have  two  children: 
Yan  L.  and  Lela  Fay.  Mr.  Ogle  devotes  his  time  wholly  to  agricul- 
ture. He  owns  a  beautiful  farm  of  216  acres,  on  which  are  good 
buildings.  Politically  he  is  a  pronounced  republican,  and  thinks  some 
remarkable  change  will  have  to  come  over  the  spirit  of  his  dream  if  he 
is  ever  anything  else  in  the  way  of  politics. 

Warren  B.  McClure  was  born  in  Meigs  county,  Ohio,  November 
5,  1848.  He  is  the  son  of  James  and  Jane  (Ogle)  McClure.  He 
received  a  common  school  education,  and  on  March  27,  1864,  enlisted 
as  a  private  soldier  in  the  13th  Ohio  cavalry,  and  served  until  the  close 


ABINGTON   T0^VN6HIP.  529 

of  the  war.  He  was  in  several  engagements  and  came  out  of  tliem 
all  unscathed.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  to  his  home  in 
Ohio  where  he  remained  until  1S68,  when  he  went  to  Clarke  county, 
Missouri.  He  came  from  Missouri  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  in  1871, 
and  settled  in  Abington  township,  where  he  now  lives,  in  1876.  He 
was  married  Sej)tember  29,  1875,  to  Miss  Leanna,  daughter  of  Solomon 
and  Evaline  (Marlatt)  Wolfe.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McClure  have  three  chil- 
dren :  Clyde,  Lula  B.,  and  Rose.  Mr.  McClure  was  formerly  a  re])ub- 
lican,  but  has  been  for  a  number  of  years  an  aggressive  greenbacker. 
He  is  at  present  townshi])  assessor,  being  on  his  second  term,  and  has 
served  one  tei*m  as  township  collector.  He  has  an  excellent  farm  and 
gives  most  of  his  attention  to  agriculture,  just  mixing  enough  in  politics 
to  give  farm  life  a  respectable  seasoning. 

The  life  of  John  V.  Bullock  reminds  us  that  people  are  prone  to 
look  upon  stately  mansions  as  the  abodes  of  happiness  because  such 
homes  indicate  wealth  and  luxury.  But  alas  !  how  often  is  contention, 
discontent  and  unhappiness  found  within  those  stately  walls.  On  the 
other  hand  happiness  supreme  often  reigns* in  the  cabin  and  in  the 
cottage.  A  snug  cottage,  nestled  among  evergreens,  maples  and  beau- 
tiful flowers  is  an  inviting  rural  retreat,  where  the  happy  birds  make 
melody  sweet,  and  the  new-made  hay  perfumes  the  air  like  an  incense ; 
where  the  green  corn  rustles  in  the  breeze  like  the  whisper  of  fairies, 
and  the  crystal  dewdrops  glisten  in  the  sun  like  costly  pearls,  is  a  home 
to  be  envied  by  the  tired,  over-tiisked  millionaire.  Such  an  inviting 
place  as  this  is  the  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Y.  Bullock.  Mr.  Bul- 
lock was  born  in  Crawford  county,  Indiana,  November  17,  1840,  and 
came  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  as  early  as  1852,  with  his  father's 
family.  He  was  married  December  29,  18H8.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bullock 
have  three  children.  Their  names  are:  William  C,  Guy  B.,  and  Earl 
K.  This  makes  a  complete  picture  in  the  mind  of  every  one  who,  in 
the  great  race  of  life  believes  in  the  pursuit  of  legitimate  happiness. 
A  lovely  country  home,  a  devoted  wife,  and  three  promising  children  ! 
What  more  could  be  desired. 

Dr.  Jacob  Russell  Baker,  of  Keithsburg,  to  whom  we  are  indebted 
for  notes  on  Abington  township,  and  other  valuable  information,  was 
born  in  Hancock  county,  Ohio,  March  19,  18-10,  and  is  the  son  of 
Henry  D.  and  Eve(Switzer)  Baker.  He  removed  to  Kosciusko  county, 
Indiana,  in  1857,  and  studied  medicine  with  Dr.  T.  Davenport,  of 
AVarsaw,  Indiana.  He  practiced  ten  years,  but,  disliking  the  profess- 
ion, and  the  exposure  necessary  in  its  practice  disagreeing  with  his 
health,  he  abandoned  it.  He  was  born  and  reared  a  Methodist  and  for 
several  years  was  a  member  of  that  denomination  and  was  a  class- 


530  HISTORY    OF   MERCER    A^T)    HEXDERSON    COUNTIES. 

leader  of  the  society.  He  contemplated  entering  the  ministry  of  that 
denomination ;  but  some  of  the  tenets  of  orthodoxy  seeming  imreason- 
able,  after  careful  thought  and  study  on  the  question,  he  became  a 
Universalist  and  entered  the  ministry  of  that  denomination.  He 
preached  one  year  at  Kirks ville,  Missouri,  and  two  years  in  Clarinda, 
Iowa.  The  more  he  investigated  the  subject  the  more  skeptical  he 
became,  and,  at  the  end  of  his  three  years  as  a  Universalist  preacher, 
became  a  pronounced  freethinker  and  left  the  pulpit  forever.  He 
believes  all  religions  man-made,  and  that  of  humanity  the  only  true 
religion.  Since  leaving  the  pulpit  he  has  often  lectured  on  the  free- 
thought  platform.  He  was  married  March  26,  1865,  to  Barbara  JS^olin, 
of  Leesburg,  Indiana.  His  wife  died  September  24,  1872.  He  had 
no  children  by  his  first  wife.  He  was  married  again  January,  1874, 
to  Ella  L.  Lawton,  of  South  Whitley,  Indiana.  They  have  three  chil- 
dren :  Bessie  S.,  Estelle  R.,  and  Kalph  Ingersoll.  He  is  an  enthusiastic 
apiarist,  and  devotes  much  of  his  time  to  agriculture.  He  writes  regu- 
larly for  several  papers  and  magazines  on  d liferent  rural  topics,  es- 
pecially on  bees  and  fine  poultry,  and  pet  stock  fancy  ;  also  on  religious 
topics.  He  is  a  political  stump  speaker;  in  politics  a  greenbacker, 
and  takes  active  part  on  the  ''stump"  in  every  political  campaign. 
Dr.  Baker  has  gained  considerable  reputation  as  an  orator  in  this 
county  where  he  has  resided  for  the  past  six  years.  From  an  oration 
delivered  at  Keithsburg  on  the  death  of  General  Garfield,  we  have 
room  for  but  a  few  extracts.  He  s&id  :  "  The  humblest  individual  in 
our  country  has  the  same  indisputable  right  to  call  to  account  a  public 
servant,  or  a  candidate  for  the  post  of  duty  and  hon(n',  or  to  apply  a 
critical  test  to  questions  of  right  and  wrong,  as  has  the  most  favored 
and  exalted  citizen  of  our  republic.  The  American  people  well  under- 
stand that  a  liberty  less  great  than  this  would  be  an  infringement  upon  a 
fundamental  principle  of  popular  government.  Our  motto  is  :  Let  truth 
and  falsehood  grapple ;  let  error  and  right  contend,  for  we  do  injustice 
to  right  and  truth  if  we  doubt  their  ability  to  cope  with  their  enemies." 
In  closing  lie  said:  "To  say  that  Gen.  Garfield  possessed 
no  faults,  that  he  committed  no  errors,  would  be  to  say  that  he  was  more 
than  human.  But  whatever  his  faults  may  have  been  in  life,  we  will 
bury  them  with  his  body  in  death.  Whatever  errors  he  may  have 
committed  in  his  busy  life,  as  a  citizen,  a  soldier  and  a  statesman,  we 
freel}^  tbrgive  and  forget ;  and  with  bowed  head  and  aching  hearts, 
consign  his  mortal  remains  to  their  narrow  house  in  the  city  of  the 
dead.  And  whiU^  all  that  is  mortal  of  the  distinguished  soldier  and 
statesman  will  crumble  back  to  dust,  his  noble  deeds  as  a  son,  a  hus- 
band, a  father,  a  teacher,  a  warrior  and  a  statesman  will  live  forever. 


arERCER  TOWNSHIP.  531 

And  now,  tliat  life's  flitting  dream  is  gone  forever  from  onr  honored 
president,  we  will  write  his  name  in  golden  characters,  as  indelible  as 
the  fixed  stars  in  the  blue  canop}^  above  us,  bv  the  side  of  that  of  the 
immortal  Washington,  the  great  Jefferson,  the  hero  Jackson,  the  martyr 
Lincoln,  the  patriot  Douglass,  the  j^hilanthropist  Greeley,  and  the 
noble,  scholarly  Sumner.  And  when  the  people  of  the  American 
republic  shall  so  far  forget  the  principles  of  justice  and  republican  gov- 
ernment as  to  cease  to  love  and  reverence  these  illustrious  dead,  let 
the  sun  hide  his  burning  face;  the  pale  moon  cease  to  kiss  the  earth 
with  her  soft,  golden  beams ;  the  stars  fall  from  their  places,  and  all 
the  elements  clash  to  cme  common  center." 


MERCER  TOWNSHIP. 

Mercer  township  includes  all  the  congressional  township  known  as 
14  N.,  R.  3  west  of  the  4th  P.  M.  The  soil  is  generally  black 
and  rich,  with  some  clay  along  the  brakes  and  water  courses.  It  is 
well  watered,  Edwards  river  traversing  the  north  tier  of  sections,  from 
east  to  west,  and  Pope  creek  crossing  the  southeast  corner  and  follow- 
ing west  near  the  south  line,  in  Ohio  Grove  township.  These,  with 
their  numerous  runs,  as  feeders,  furnish  an  ample  supply  of  water  for 
stock  and  irrigation.  Along  the  creeks  the  land  is  broken,  but  there 
is  very  little  so  steep  that  it  cannot  be  cultivated.  On  the  "divide," 
as  it  is  called,  between  Pope  and  Edwards,  the  land  is  level,  and  until 
brought  under  cultivation,  much  of  it  was  of  a  swamp}-  nature.  Over 
this  prairie  in  early  times  there  was  scarcely  a  track  that  rose  to  the 
dignity  of  a  road,  as  travel  was  not  frequent  enough  to  keep  down  the 
luxui-iant  growth  of  grass,  which  often  grew  so  high  that  a  man  on 
horseback  could  see  but  a  short  distance.  Woe  then  to  the  luckless 
traveler  who  undertook  to  cross  the  prairie  in  a  wet  time  with  wagon 
and  team.  Suddenly  his  oxen  would  sink  in  the  mud,  knee  deep,  the 
wagon  go  down  to  the  hub,  and  there  was  nothing  to  do  but  to  unload, 
and  then  perhaps  "-double  teams,"  if  perchance  tliei-e  was  some  one  to 
double  with,  or  if  not,  go  two  or  three  miles  to  secure  assistance.  But 
cultivation  and  judicious  draining  have  so  changed  the  nature  of  the  soil 
in  this  respect  that  it  is  difficult  to  convince  our  farmer  boys  of  to-day 
that  the  most  productive  parts  of  their  farms  were  at  one  time  little 
better  than  impassable  swampr-i. 

Much  of  the  township  is  underlaid  with  coal  of  a  good  quality,  but 
there  have,  as  yet,  been  but  few  banks  opened,  as  it  generally  lies  too 
deep  to  work  with  profit.     Banks  in  the  northeast  part  of  the  township 


532  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

have  been  run  for  many  years,  but  seldom  at  a  great  profit.  Within  a 
few  years  mines  have  been  opened  near  Aledo  and  are  still  run  on  a 
small  scale. 

The  water  courses  are  lined  witli  timber,  oak,  hickory,  elm,  maple, 
and  linn  predominating,  while  hazel  covers  the  hill  sides,  and  willows 
are  plenty  near  the  water.  There  are  a  few  walnut  trees,  of  good  size 
and  quality,  and  also  some  ash  and  hackberry,  with  })erliaps  a  few 
other  kinds.  Wild  plums,  wild  cherries,  crab-apples  and  blackberries 
formerly  grew  in  abundance,  but  with  the  exception  of  the  two  latter, 
they  are  now  rare.     Strawberi-ies  were  also  plenty  on  the  uplands. 

In  the  days  of  the  first  settlers  deer  were  plenty  on  these  prairies, 
as  were  also  the  prairie  wolf,  whose  wild  bowlings  are  still  among 
the  most  vivid,  if  not  the  most  pleasing,  recollections  of  the  pioneers. 
Game  of  other  kinds  also  abounded,  and  the  early  settlers  dined  sump- 
tuously on  wild  turkey,  prairie  chicken,  venison,  rabbit,  duck  or  goose, 
according  to  the  season. 

Prairie  fires  were  of  yearly  occurrence.  The  luxuriant  growth  of 
grass,  scorched  by  the  summer's  heat,  by  early  fall  was  as  dry  as  tin- 
der, and  a  spark  from  a  careless  hunter's  pipe,  or  sometimes  the  wad 
from  his  gun  would  start  a  conflagration  which  soon  became  at  once 
grand  and  terrible.  IS^one  who  have  once  seen  it  can  ever  forget  the 
majestic  sweep  of  the  wall  of  fire  as  it  sped  before  the  ever  increasing 
wind,  stretching  out  its  arms  farthei"  and  farther  on  either  side,  rivaling 
in  speed  the  horse  or  deer,  and  gathering  up  and  devouring  all  within 
its  reach.  Such  was  the  prairie  fire  of  early  days,  and  fortunate  was  it 
for  him  who,  caught  in  the  track  of  the  fast-coming  Hames,  understood 
the  pioneer's  way  of  fighting  fire  with  fire.  Without  this  knowledge 
a  severe  scorching,  if  nothing  worse,  most  surely  awaited  him. 

The  first  entry  of  land  made  in  the  township  was  on  August  21, 
1837,  when  John  and  Abraham  Miller  entered  the  northeast  quarter  of 
section  4.  In  this  and  the  two  following  years,  the  Miller  family 
entered  over  800  acres  of  land  in  sections  3,  4,  and  16.  They  were 
the  first  settlers  in  the  township  ;  but  as  a  full  historj^  of  the  family, 
and  their  coming  to,  and  r>Taking  a  home  in,  Sugar  Grove  is  given  in 
connection  with  the  history  of  Perryton  township,  we  will  not  rejjeat 
it  here,  merely  noting  that  they  Uiilt  the  first  mill  and  the  first  school- 
house  in  this  township.  Most  of  the  land  in  this  township  lies  in  what 
is  known  as  the  ''military  tract,"  and  was  patented  in  1818.  A  por- 
tion of  the  lands  entered  by  the  Miller-*  were  school  lands,  and  were 
patented  to  them  by  the  governor  of  Illinois,  who  also  issued  a  patent 
to  Benjamin  Clark,  to  the  W.  ^  of  the  8.  E.  ^  of  Sec.  16,  on  Sep- 
tember 4,  1837. 


MERCKR   TOWNSHIP.  533 

Sugar  Grove  is  situated  on  tlie  north  of  Edwards  river,  including 
in  its  limits  parts  of  sections  3,  4,  i>,  and  10.  It  received  its  name 
from  the  large  number  of  sugar  maple  trees  there  growing,  from 
which,  until  very  recently,  large  quantities  of  nui])le  sugar  were  manu- 
factui'ed  yearly  ;  but  at  ])resent  the  quantity  is  very  small.  It  obtained 
a  wide  celebrity  in  early  times  as  the  place  for  holding  the  yearly 
camp-meetings  of  the  Methodist  church  for  the  district  then  known  as 
the  Kock  Kiver  district,  embracing,  we  believe,  full  half  the  state. 
Here  gathered,  each  succeeding  fall,  the  hardy  pioneers,  coming  fifty, 
and  even  one  hundred,  miles  to  spend  a  week  or  more  in  their  chosen 
mode  of  worship.  Here  they  would  listen  to  the  soul-stirring  appeals 
of  Giddings,  Cartwright,  Haney,  Morey,  Doughty,  and  the  many  others 
whose  memory  is  revered  by  hundreds  still  living.  When  the  first 
cam]>meeting  was  held  here  we  cannot  definitely  state  ;  certainly  as 
early  as  1845,  and  we  think  before  that,  and  they  were  only  discon- 
tinued in  1873,  when  the  district,  now  less  than  one-fourth  as  large  as 
then,  purchased  grounds  of  its  own  in  Rock  Island  county.  The 
grounds,  however,  are  still  occasionally  used,  the  primitive  Method- 
ists and  the  Seventh  Day  Baptists  having  each  held  one  or  more 
meetings  there  within  the  past  few  years  ;  but  as  a  ' '  permanent  camp- 
ground," their  glory  has  departed. 

Early  in  1837  Messrs.  Benj.  Clark,  John  J.  Charles,  Timothy  Con- 
dit,  and  William  Mackey  conceived  the  idea  that  a  town  should  be 
built  near  the  centre  of  the  county,  and  they  accordingly  employed 
Judge  E.  Gilmore,  then  county  surveyor,  to  make  the  plat.  The 
judge  left  l^ew  Boston,  with  his  instruments  and  assistants,  and  on 
foot  they  wended  their  way  for  fifteen  long  miles  eastward,  the  day 
being  bright  and  warm.  Unfortunately  a  storm  came  up  in  the  night, 
the  thermometer  rapidly  fell,  and  the  next  morning  broke  clear  and 
cold,  with  the  ground  covered  with  snow.  The  chain-bearers  refused 
to  work,  and  the  judge,  facing  a  cold  west  wind,  made  his  way  back 
to  New  Boston,  arriving  worn  out  and  chilled  to  the  bone,  the  trip 
resulting  in  a  serious  illness.  A  second  attempt  was  more  success- 
ful, and  on  March  30,  1837,  the  lines  were  run  and  the  stakes  driven 
that  marked  the  town  of  Mercer,  situated  on  the  N.  E.  ^  of  Sec.  21, 
T.  14  N.,  R  3  W.  of  the  4th  P.  M. 

But  the  expectations  of  the  proprietors  were  never  realized.  But 
one  house  was  erected,  and  the  only  inhabitant  of  this,  so  far  as 
known,  was  a  large  white  owl,  who  held  for  years  undisputed  ])osses- 
sion  of  the  lonely  tenement.  The  house  rotted  down,  and  in  1S51  we 
crossed  the  town  site,  the  only  remaining  mark  of  the  existence  of  the 
town  being  a  portion  of  the  roof  of  this  lonely  cabin,  which  had  not 


534  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

as  vet  quite  rotted  and  blown  away.  The  town  site  lias  long  been 
under  cultivation,  and  few  of  the  residents  of  the  township  remember 
that  it  was  ever  laid  out ;  indeed,  many  of  them  will  perhaps  first 
learn  this  fact  from  a  perusal  of  these  pages. 

Incidents  of  importance  are  of  rare  occurrence  for  a  series  of  years, 
or  if  they  occurred,  are  now  unattainable. 

In  1842  or  1843  Samuel  McKee,  John  H.  McBnde;  and  William 
Carnahan,  all  young  men  of  this  vicinity,  each  took  a  load  of  wheat 
to  Chicago,  with  ox  teams,  with  three  or  four  yoke  of  oxen  to  the 
wagon.  They  sold  their  wheat  for  forty-two  cents  per  bushel,  and 
brought  back  salt,  and  other  necessaries.  Samuel  McKee  gave 
one  barrel  of  salt  from  his  load  for  the  use  of  a  wagon  for  the  trip. 
The  party  were  gone  three  weeks,  and  they  wasted  no  time,  either  in 
Chicago  or  on  the  road. 

Among  the  early  settlers  of  the  township  but  few  are  now  li^^ng, 
and  still  fewer  are  those  who  yet  reside  within  its  limits.  Among 
them  we  may  mention  Mr.  N.  Edwards,  who  opened  a  farm  on  section 
18,  in  1849  ;  Mr.  L.  F.  Jobusch,  who  settled  here  in  1851,  and  Mr.  E. 
C.  Bartlitt,  who  opened  a  farm  the  same  year ;  Henry  Lee,  William 
McKee,  Isaac  Aitz,  and  R.  H.  Wirger,  still  residing  here,  came  about, 
or  j^rior  to,  the  latter  date.  Joseph,  William  and  Mary  Ann  McKee, 
all  children  of  John  McKee,  are  the  only  persons  now  living  in  the 
township  who  were  here  in  1841. 

Township  organization  was  adopted  in  this  county  in  1853,  and  the 
first  election  of  township  oflicers,  of  which  a  record  is  found  in  the 
town  records,  was  held  at  the  house  of  John  McKee,  April  4,  1854. 
John  McKee  served  as  chairman,  Isaac  Jones  as  moderator,  and  E.  C. 
Bartlitt  as  clerk.  At  this  election  twenty-seven  votes  were  cast,  and 
the  following  is  a  list  of  officers  elected :  supervisor,  David  Braucht ; 
town  clerk,  E.  C.  Bartlitt ;  assessor,  John  S.  Moore ;  collector,  John 
Ashbaugh  ;  overseer  of  poor,  John  Artz  ;  commissioners  of  highways, 
L.  F.  Jobusch,  Jacob  Sprecher,  R.  H.  Winger;  justices  of  the  peace, 
John  McKee,  John  L.  Candor;  constables,  William  McKee,  Israel 
Artz ;  overseers  of  highways,  Edward  Cliflbrd,  George  Smith. 

At  the  general  election  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year  but  sixteen  votes 
were  cast.  At  this  time  a  vote  was  taken  "for  or  against  the  county 
of  Mercer  taking  one  hundred  thousand  dollars  stock  in  the  Warsaw  & 
Rockford  Railroad,"  resulting  nine  for  and  five  against.  James  E. 
Willett,  John  McKee,  and  Henry  Lee  were  judges  at  this  election,  and 
E.  C.  Bartlitt  and  R.  H.  Winger  clerks. 

In  November,  1855,  a  vote  was  taken  for  or  against  levying  a  tax 


MERCER    TOWNSHIP.  535 

to  build  a  poor-house  for  the  county,  when  sixteen  of  the  seventeen 
votes  polled  were  against  the  levy- 
In  1855  the  Great  Western  Air  Line  railway  was  laid  out,  and  the 
line  divided  Mercer  county  almost  in  the  center  from  east  to  west,  and 
a  town  laid  out  in  the  following  spring  on  the  S.  E.  ^  of  Sec.  17,  and 
named  Aledo,  a  history  of  which  will  be  found  elsewhere. 

August  8,  1857,  an  election  was  held  ''for  or  against  the  removal 
of  the  county  seat  from  Keithsburg  to  Aledo,''  at  which  231  votes  were 
polled,  each  and  all  of  which  were  very  naturally  "for"  removal. 

May  5,  1859,  a  special  town  meeting  was  held  to  vote  for  or  against 
the  township  subscribing  for  stock  of  the  American  Central  Railway 
Company  (the  Air  Line  under  a  new  name),  resulting  for  subscription, 
132 ;  against,  50  votes.  Although  this  vote  appears  decidedly  in  favor 
of  the  subscription,  w^e  can  lind  no  record  of  the  issue  of  any  bonds  to 
the  company  at  this  time ;  but  on  May  29,  1868,  Elisha  Miles,  Matthew 
Maffitt,  C.  S.  Richey,  Hiram  Parkman,  James  M.  Macy,  and  J.  F. 
Woods  filed  a  petition  with  the  town  clerk,  asking  that  "an  election  be 
called  for  the  purpose  of  voting  for  or  against  the  subscription  by  said 
township  to  the  capital  stock  of  the  American  Central  railway  to  the 
amount  of  li?13,-100,"  etc.,  and  on  the  9th  of  June  said  election  was 
held,  resulting  142  votes  for  subscription,  four  votes  against  it,  and 
eleven  votes  "no  tax." 

In  pursuance  of  the  authority  granted  by  this  vote,  bonds  were 
issued  for  the  above  amount,  March  23,  1869,  in  sums  of  $100  each, 
payable  ten  years  after  date,  and  bearing  ten  per  cent  interest,  payable 
annually ;  the  bonds  "to  be  delivered  to  the  company  wlien  the  iron  was 
laid  from  Galva  to  Aledo,  provided  said  iron  was  laid  on  or  before 
July  1,  1869." 

Some  of  these  bonds  were  paid  otf  by  the  township  before  they 
became  due,  and  at  the  April  meeting  in  1879  the  su])ervisor  and  town 
clerk  were  instructed  to  issue  new  bonds  to  the  amount  of  those  yet 
outstanding,  at  as  low  a  rate  of  interest  as  possible,  not  to  exceed  the 
legal  rate  of  eight  per  cent,  and  with  the  proceeds  pay  off  the  old 
bonds.  The  expense,  however,  of  issuing  the  new  bonds  was  avoided 
by  an  agreement  with  the  holders  to  extend  the  time  of  payment  at 
eight  per  cent.  There  are  yet  outstanding  $4,800,  due  as  follows: 
$2,000,  May  12,  1883;  $1,000,  March  23,  1884;  and  $1,800,  May  23, 
1884.  Ample  provision  has  been  made  for  paying  them  when  due, 
and  they  would  be  i)aid  oft'  at  once  if  the  holders  would  give  them  up, 
which  they  decline  to  do. 

There  are  now  in  the  township  nine  school  districts,  with  fair  build- 
ings, in  which  school  is  held  from  six  to  nine  months  each  year,  and 


536  HISTORY   OF   iMERCER   AND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

the  education  is  progressive  and  keeping  fidl  pace  with  the  demands  of 
the  times.  Care  is  exercised  in  the  selection  of  school  officers,  and 
they  in  turn  look  well  into  the  merits  and  qualifications  of  the  teachers 
they  employ.  As  a  rule  the  wages  paid  are  above  the  average  in  the 
state,  although  seldom  equal  to  what  the  same  talent  would  command 
in  other  professions. 

There  is  little  or  no  vacant  land  in  the  township.  "What  can  not  be 
tilled  with  profit  is  utilized  as  stock  pasture,  or  for  the  growth  of  young 
timber,  the  latter  an  industry  that  does  not  receive  the  attention  its  im- 
portance demands.  Our  farmers  are^for  the  most  part  in  comfortable 
circumstances,  and  what  little  land  is  leased  out  commands  from  two- 
fifths  to  one-half  the  crop,  or  a  rental  of  $4  to  $.5  per  acre  per  annum, 
in  advance.  Corn  and  stock-raising  are  the  leading  agricultural  inter- 
ests, although  grain  of  all  kinds  is  raised  and  commands  good  prices  in 
our  market.  While  comparativeh"  little  fruit  is  raised  for  market,  each 
farm  has  an  orchard  of  well  selected  trees,  from  which  the  family  is 
expected  to  be  supplied,  with  perhaps  a  small  surplus  to  sell.  Apples 
and  cherries  generally  do  well,  but  peaches  and  pears  seldom  bear  a 
fair  crop,  or  come  to  maturity.  Most  of  the  orchards  are  supplied  with 
home-grown  trees  from  the  extensive  nursery  of  Mr.  Tyler  McWhorter, 
one-half  mile  south  of  Aledo.  Grapes  and  berries  are  grown  largely, 
anji  in  a  fair  season  our  markets  are  overstocked. 

Our  population  is  at  present  about  2,550;  our  people  are  industri- 
ous, energetic,  wealthy  and  well  educated.  Our  farmers  have  good, 
and  many  of  them  very  fine  residences,  with  large  and  well  filled  barns 
and  granaries  ;  implements  and  machinery  of  the  best  and  most  labor- 
saving  kinds  ;  horses,  cattle  and  hogs  of  the  finest  breeds.  Roads  and 
bridges  are  generally  ke])t  in  good  repair,  but  such  a  thing  as  a  good 
road  at  all  seasons  is  impracticable  with  our  soil  and  will  never  be 
attained  here  without  large  expense  for  gravel,  or  some  substitute  of 
the  same  nature. 

The  present  town  officers,  elected  April  -i,  18S2,  are  as  follows: 
supervisor,  II.  R.  Morrison  (who  was  elected  in  1878  and  has  held 
the  position  ever  since,  and  who  is  now  chairman  of  the  county  board) ; 
town  clerk,  L.  B.  Doughty,  elected  first  in  1879;  assessor,  J.  A.  Mar- 
quis, second  year ;  collector,  F.  T.  Owen,  second  year ;  commissioners 
of  highways,  R.  -C.  Morrison,  W.  K.  Fulton,  John  C.  Dool ;  justices  of 
the  peace,  M.  L.  Marsh,  elected  first  in  1862,  and  has  held  continually 
ever  since,  and  M.  S.  Boice,  elected  in  1882,  to  fill  vacancy ;  consta- 
bles, Joseph  McDougal,  elected  in  1870,  and  held  ever  since,  and  Geo. 
A.  Smith,  elected  in  1881 ;  school  trustees,  W.  C.  Galloway,  Henry 
Lee  and  W.  J.  Brown ;  school  treasurer,  Joseph  McCoy. 


MERCER  TO^\^SfSHIP.  539 

The  equalized  valuation  of  real  estate,  personal,  and  railroad  })ro|> 
erty  in  Mercer  township  in  1881,  as  sliown  on  assessor's  book,  was 
$979,837.  These  tigures,  however,  rejjresent  less  than  one-third  of  the 
actual  wealth  of  the  township,  which,  at  a  fair  cash  rating,  must  consid- 
erably exceed  $3,000,000. 

The  census  report  of  1880  showed  a  population  of  2,454 ;  a  gain  of 
507  over  the  report  of  1870.  The  same  average  increase,  which  we 
think  has  been  fully  maintained  during  the  i)ast  two  years,  would  make 
our  population  now  about  2,550,  as  given  above. 

In  noting  the  products  of  the  townshi]),  we  made  no  mention  of  the 
hay  crop,  which  is  one  of  present  and  constantly  growing  importance ; 
nor  of  sorghum,  which  is  grown  and  nuinufactured  in  (puintities  to 
meet  the  home  demand.  Vegetables  of  all  kinds  are  raised  in  abund- 
ance and  sold  in  large  quantities  to  dealers  and  shippers.  Potatoes 
are  generally  a  good  crop,  1881  being  an  exce])tionally  poor  year  for 
them,  and  one  of  the  verv  few  in  which  our  "-rowers  have  failed  to 
raise  enough  to  supply  the  home  demand. 

ALEDO. 

The  survey  and  location  of  the  Great  "Western  Air  Line  railroad 
through  the  county,  opened  a  wide  field  for  s})eculation  in  the  estab- 
lishment of  new  towTis  ;  and  the  result  of  one  of  these  was  the  location 
and  platting  of  a  town  on  section  17,  in  Mercer  township,  in  the  fall  of 
1855,  which  was  christened  De  Soto  by  its  founders,  Messrs.  Willits 
and  Thompson,  Finding  that  there  was  already  a  village  bearing  that 
name  in  this  state,  a  new  one  was  deemed  necessary,  and  from  a  num- 
ber suggested,  the  choice  fell  upon  Aledo.  On  March  20,  1856,  a 
public  sale  of  lots  was  held  on  the  site  of  the  proposed  town.  This 
sale  was  attended  by  what  was  then  considered  a  large  crowd,  and  the 
bidding  was  spirited  and  at  times  exciting,  when  what  was  considered 
a  choice  location  was  offered.  112  lots  were  sold  at  a  fraction  over 
$103  each,  aggregating  $11,580.  The  first  two  lots  offered  brought 
$240  each;  the  highest  price  ])aid  for  any  lot  was  $255,  while  two  went 
as  low  as  $35  each.  Among  the  purchasers  were  Judge  E.  Gilni<^re 
and  M.  L.  Marsh,  Esq.,  who  still  reside  in  Aledo.  The  proprietors  had 
decided  to  donate  the  proceeds  of  the  sale  of  the  first  fifty  lots  to  the 
establishment  of  a  college  or  seminary,  and  the  amount  realized  for 
that  purpose  was  $5,780.  The  first  building  erected  was  put  up  by 
the  proprietors  of  the  town,  on  the  north  side  of  Seventh  street,  near 
INIaple,  during  the  early  summer  of  1856 ;  and  as  soon  as  it  could  be 
occupied,  a  hotel  was  opened,  with  J.  E.  Ilarroun  as  landlord.  The 
carpenters,  while  building  it,  boarded  with  a  farmer  living  neai'  the 
31 


540  HISTORY   OF   jVIERCER   AND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

town  site.  The  building  is  still  standing,  and  is  used  as  a  business 
house  below  and  residence  above.  The  business  rooms  are  occupied 
by  M.  S.  Boice,  with,  a  china  store,  and  W.  J.  Stuart  with  a  barber 
shop,  while  a  recent  addition  is  used  as  a  cigar  manufactory  by  C.  L. 
Brankamp.     The  building  is  now  owned  by  Capt.  L.  B.  Morey. 

The  first  business  house  erected  was  on  College  avenue,  south  of 
the  railroad,  and  was  occupied  bv  John  S.  Moore  and  O.  C.  Allen, 
under  name  of  Moore  &  Allen,  with  a  general  stock  of  dry  goods,  gro- 
ceries, hardware,  etc.  Dr.  S.  Macy  started  the  first  drug  store,  and 
was  the  first  dentist  in  the  new  village.  Thomas  Maddox  opened  the 
first  hardware  store  and  tin  shop.  He  is  still  a  resident,  although  long 
since  retired  from  business.  J.  E.  Harroun  was  the  first  postmaster, 
and  it  is  said  he  carried  the  mail  in  his  hat,  and  delivered  it  whenever 
or  wherever  he  should  happen  to  meet  the  fortunate  recipient  of  a  letter 
or  newspaper.  Judge  John  S.  Thompson  built  what  was  then  consid- 
ered a  very  fine  residence,  and  moved  into  it  in  the  fall  of  1857 ;  and 
right  here  we  will  say  something  of  the  proprietors  of  the  town. 
Judge  T.  was  one  of  the  early  lawyers  of  the  county,  and  had  attained 
a  fair  prominence  ,in  his  profession  in  the  district.  He  was  subse- 
quently elected  circuit  judge  and  filled  the  position  acceptably.  During 
what  was  termed  the  ''Johnson  campaign,"  he  was  a  candidate  for 
congress  on  the  Johnson,  or  fusion,  ticket,  but  was  defeated.  He  was, 
moreover,  a  man  of  energy  and  push,  and  whatever  he  understood  he 
generally  pushed  to  completion.  Failing  in  his  })olitical  aspirations, 
he  turned  his  attention  to  securing  the  completion  of  the  railroad  so 
long  promised,  but  as  yet  without  prospect  of  completion.  Largely 
through  his  eftbrts  the  company  was  reorganized  under  the  name  of 
the  American  Central ;  new  subscriptions  were  secured  from  towaiships, 
villages,  and  private  individuals.  He  was  indefatigable  in  his  efibrts, 
and  would  doubtless  have  pushed  the  road  through  to  completion  under 
the  organization  of  which  he  was  president,  had  he  not  secured  an 
advantageous  arrangement  with  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy 
Kailroad  Company,  whereby  the  lattei*  was  to  complete  the  road  from 
Galva  to  Keithsburg  for  the  consideration  of  a  lease  thereof  for  ninet}^- 
nine  years.  .Under  this  arrangement  the  road  was  completed  in  1869, 
and  has  since  been  operated  under  the  charter  of  the  American  Cen- 
tral, but  is  known  as  the  Galva  and  Keithsburg  branch  of  the  Chicago, 
Burlington  &  Quincy  railroad.  This  lease,  however,  was  distasteful 
to  the  people,  who,  while  paying  their  subscriptions  to  the  railroad,  did 
not  relish  the  idea  that  the  funds  went  into  the  pockets  of  the  judge 
and  his  associates,  and  many  were  the  anathemas  showered  upon  his 
head.      This,  we  believe,  was  all  wrong ;  the  judge  had  secured  the 


MERCER   TOWNSHIP.  541 

completion  of  the  road,  which  litis  proven  worth  more  to  one  and  all 
than  was  ever  ho])ed  for,  and  it  matters  little  wliether  it  was  built  and 
operated  by  the  Amercan  Central  or  the  Chicago,  Burlington  tfc  Quincy. 
It  may  have  been  to  a  certain  extent  a  "sell  out"  on  the  subscrib- 
ers, but  it  was  much  better  to  be  ''sold  out''  with  the  road  than 
without  it.  The  advantages  conferred  and  secured  by  the  road  cer- 
tainly far  outweigh  the  disadvantages  under  which  we  miglit  still  be 
laboring  but  for  the  energy  and  tact  of  Judge  John  S.  Thompson. 

Shortly  after  the  comjJetion  of  the  road,  Judge  T.  removed  to 
San  Jose,  California,  where  he  followed  his  profession  of  the  law,  and 
entered  into  politics  to  some  extent ;  but  having  had  some  experience 
in  railroad  building,  he  has  again  entered  into  that  pursuit,  and  is  at 
present  president  of  a  new  company  known  as  the  Rock  Island  & 
Southwestern,  which  proposes  to  build  a  road  from  Rock  Island  to 
Xew  Boston,  where  it  will  cross  the  river  and  connect  with  ex-senator 
Harlan's  road  to  Kansas  City.  Surveys  have  been  made,  and  etlbrts 
are  now  in  progress  for  securing  the  right  of  way  and  the  estalJish- 
ment  of  the  line.  The  surveys  run  through  I^uncan,  Eliza,  and  New 
Boston  townships,  and  if  built  will  open  u[>  a  rich  section  now  having 
poor  facilities  for  reaching  market.  The  headquarters  of  the  company 
are  in  (^hicago,  where  the  judge  at  present  resides. 

Levi  Willits,  his  partner,  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Xew 
Boston,  and  he  and  AVilliam  Drury  were  among  the  first  business  men 
of  that  place,  where  for  many  years  they  conducted  a  general  store, 
and  by  judicious  investments  in  real  estate,  both  laid  the  foundaton 
for  wealth.  Mr.  Willits  was  a  thorough  and  far-seeing  business  man, 
and  so  open-handed  and  liberal  in  his  dealing  that  he  won  the  regard 
of  all  with  whom  he  came  in  contact,  and  at  his  death  in  ISoS,  he  was 
truly  mourned  by  all  who  knew  him. 

In  1857  the  Barton  house,  on  the  corner  of  College  avenue  and 
Seventh  street,  was  erected  and  opened  by  D.  N.  Barton.  It  was  a  large 
four-story  brick  building,  one  of  the  largest  at  that  time  in  the  military 
tract,  and  has  ever  since  ranked  as  a  leading  hotel  of  the  place. 
It  changed  hands  a  number  of  times,  until  the  ownership  fell  to 
Mr.  Schuyler  Button ;  but  a  short  time  after  he  took  ])Ossessioii  it 
caught  tire  and  was  destroyed,  the  walls  being  so  badly  damaged  that 
they  were  taken  down.  The  fire  occurred  on  November  10,  1867,  and 
the  loss  was  $10,000,  the  heaviest  ever  experienced  before  or  since 
wnthin  the  village.  The  building  was  at  once  rebuilt,  and  is  at  present 
occupied  by  John  S.  Button,  a  son  of  the  gentlennm  last  mentioned. 

We  cannot  name  all  of  the  first  business  men,  but  will  trv  and 
note  those  who  are  still  residing  here,  who  came  in  1850  or  1857. 


542  HISTORY   OF   IVfERCER   AND    HENTDERSON    COUNTIES. 

James  M.  Wilson,  lawyer,  established  a  furniture  store  in  1857  ; 
was  subsequently  elected  circuit  clerk  ;  read  law,  and  lias  for  years 
been  a  member  of  tlie  firm  of  Pepper  &  Wilson.  I.  K.  Bassett,  of 
the  law  firm  of  Bassett  &  Wharton,  has  practiced  here  continuously 
since  1857.  C.  F.  Cunningham  has  been  in  business  here  since  the 
spring  of  the  same  year,  first  as  a  painter,  and  afterwjfi'd  starting  and 
still  running  a  carriage  shop.  His  brother,  Frank  C,  learned  the 
j^ainting  trade  with  him,  and  is  still  following  it.  M.  L.  Marsh  opened 
an  ofiice  as  notary  public  in  1857  ;  was  afterward  elected  justice  of  the 
peace,  in  which  office  he  is  now  serving  his  fifth  consecutive  term. 
Horace  Bigelow,  one  of  the  founders  of  the  "  Eecord,"  in  June  of  1857, 
is  still  one  of  its  publishers,  having  now  been  connected  with  it  for  a 
quarter  of  a  century.  ]!s^.  Edwards  came  here  in  1857  or  1858,  and 
has  been  in  business  of  some  kind  ever  since.  George  McEowen 
started  a  wagon-shop  in  1857,  and  still  does  a  little  repairing  at  the 
old  stand.  John  Kainey  has  resided  in  the  same  house  twenty-five 
years.  Joseph  McCoy,  T.  H.  Day,  J.  H.  Abercrombie,  H.  R.  Morri- 
son, C.  S.  Richey,  and  J.  M.Warwick  were  among  the  first  residents, 
and  are  •still  here.  D.  Y.  Reed,  now  deceased,  -was  another,  and  his 
wife  lives  adjoining  town.  Capt.  J.  Y.  Merritt,  now  of  Eliza  town- 
ship, came  to  the  town  site  with  the  first  load  of  lumber. 

The  great  event,  however,  of  1857,  was  the  removal  of  the  county 
seat  from  Keithsburg  to  Aledo,  which  was  decided  by  a  vote  of  the 
people  on  August  3d  of  that  year.  The  result  was  a  majority  in  favor 
of  removal,  of  930  out  of  a  total  vote  of  2,028.  Below  we  give  the 
figures  from  ofticial  returns  : 

Township.                                                                    For  removal.  Against.    Total  vote. 

North  Henderson 89  2-")  114 

North  Pope  (now  RivoU) 74  1                75 

Richland  Grove 104  . .  104 

Suez 60  18                78 

Greene 62  40  102 

Machira  (now  Preemption) . 183  1  134 

Ohio  Grove 121  9  130 

]\Iercer 231  . .  231 

Perryton 126  3  129 

Abington 34  67  101 

Millersburg 84  82  166 

Duncan 36  23                59 

Keithsburg 26  228  254 

New  Boston 233  45  278 

Eliza 66  7                73 

Totals 1,479  549  2,028 


MERCER   TOM'NSHIP.  543 

The  majority  was  of  a  decisive  character  as  an  expression  of  the 
will  of  the  people,  and  we  remember  of  a  sort  of  a  jollification  in 
xiledo  after  the  returns  were  received,  but  we  can  find  no  account  of  it 
in  the  "Record'''  of  that  week  ;  whether  the  editor  tliou<i;ht  the  affair 
of  too  small  importance  to  mention,  or  was  too  mapianimoiis  to  liar- 
rass  his  Keithsburg  readers  with  the  account,  we  cannot  now  conjec- 
ture. But  the  citizens  had  a  good  time,  at  any  rate,  and  fired  anvils, 
burned  turpentine  balls,  and  shouted  to  their  hearts'  content. 

Aledo  citizens  had  donated  a  block  of  ground  for  a  court-house,  and 
had  subscribed  between  S<^nOOO  and  ^^7,000  toward  its  construction. 
A  biick  building  had  been  erected,  suitable  for  use  as  county  offices, 
and  as  soon  as  possible  after  the  decision  the  officers  and  records  were 
brought  to  Aledo.  The  building  now  used  for  a  court-house  was 
erected  foi*  a  school-house,  but  the  lower  story  was  fitted  up  so  that  it 
could  be  used  for  a  court-room,  and  it  was  in  this  that  the  first  term  of 
court  was  held. 

One  of  the  attorneys  at  this  term  was  Charles  M.  Harris  of 
Oquawka,  but  who  has  since  removed  to  Chicago,  and  for  one  term 
represented  that  district  in  congress.  Mr.  Harris  was  a  very  hirge, 
heavy  man,  and  somewhat  pompous  withal.  Aledo  had  no  sidewalks 
in  those  days,  and  in  wet  weather  mud  abounded  everywhere.  One 
day  Mr.  Harris,  while  returning  from  the  court-room  to  the  hotel,  got 
stuck  fast  in  tlie  mud  in  the  middle  of  the  street.  He  wore  very  low 
shoes  or  slippers,  and  they  would  pull  off  at  every  effort  he  made  to 
extricate  himself.  The  few  who  witnessed  his  efforts  were  much 
amused.  Finally  Mr.  Jacob  Cool  procured  a  team  and  some  assist- 
ance, backed  the  wagon  u})  to  Mr.  Harris,  and  by  hard  work  those  in 
the  wagon  pulled  him  out  of  his  shoes  and  drove  him  to  his  hotel, 
where  a  boy  was  found  ready  to  earn  a  dime  by  fishing  up  and  clean- 
ing the  lost  brogans.  Mr.  Cool  still  lives  in  Aledo,  and  we  who  wit- 
nessed the  fun  often  have  a  laugh  as  we  speak  of  "-Charley  Harris 
stuck  in  the  mud." 

The  first  school  taught  in  Aledo  was  the  pre])aratory  department  of 
the  Mercer  Collegiate  Institute,  by  the  Eev.  William  Townley,  in  a 
building  erected  in  the  southwest  part  of  the  town,  long  since 
remodeled  and  turned  into  a  residence.  The  Mercer  CoHegiate  Insti- 
tute was  designed  to  be  a  college  of  the  first  class,  under  the  auspices 
of  the  Presbyterian  church.  They  built  a  large  brick  building  on 
what  is  now  known  as  south  addition,  and  started  a  school  therein,  but 
it  was  not  supported  in  a  manner  to  secure  success.  The  idea  of  the 
college  was  at  last  abandoned,  and  as  the  building  was  deemed  unsafe, 


5M  HISTORY    OF    MERCEE   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

owing  to  the  use  of  poor  stone  in  its  foundation,  it  was  sold  and  pulled 
down,  the  material  being  disposed  of  at  retail  for  what  it  would  bring. 

The  Methodists  also  proposed  to  ibund  a  college  here,  and  the 
Rev.  H.  J.  Humphrey  was  sent  here  to  superintend  its  construction. 
Ground  was  secured,  a  most  beautiful  site,  on  the  apex  of  a  mound 
about  half  a  mile  west  of  town,  now  in  the  center  of  the  farm  of  John 
C.  Dool.  Foundations  were  laid  for  a  large  and  expensive  structure,  a 
commodious  residence  built  for  President  Humphrey  (now  owned  by 
I.  ]S^.  Bassett,  Esq.),  and  suddenly  the  enterprise  collai)sed,  for  want 
of  funds  to  carry  it  further.  The  Methodist  Episcopal  college  was  a 
failure. 

Later  Mr.  J.  II.  Wylie  established  the  Aledo  academy,  which  is 
still  running,  it  having  received  a  living,  if  not  a  liberal  support. 
The  course  of  study  is  that  usually  taught  in  academies,  and  Mr.  Wylie 
is  a  thorough  and  competent  teacher.  While  the  school  is  not  strictly 
sectarian,  Prof.  Wylie  is  a  strong  United  Presbyterian,  and  his  school 
is  largely  supported  by  the  membership  of  that  church.  The  academy 
building  is  beautifully  located  on  a  block  in  the  south  part  of  the 
town,  is  not  large,  but  is  well  arranged,  and  sufficient  in  size  to  accom- 
modate more  students  than  haye  yet  been  brought  togetlier  within  its 
walls.  It  is  a  good  school  and  worthy  of  support,  but  with  the  present 
advanced  course  of  study  in  our  public  schools  it  can  never  hope  for  a 
very  liberal  support,  the  public  schools  litting  students  for  admission  to 
our  best  colleges,  or  for  a  place  among  the  ranks  of  teachers,  which  is 
all  thatcan  be  expected  of  an  academy. 

The  history  of  the  Aledo  public  schools  is  of  such  importance  that 
we  will  devote  a  chapter  specially  to  them. 

Aledo  has  been  singularly  fortunate  in  regard  to  fires.  .  The  iirst  of 
importance  was  the  burning  of  the  residence  and  drug-store  of  Dr.  S. 
Macy  in  October,  1S66,  entailing  a  loss  of  about  $1,000  over  and 
above  insurance.  The  Button  house  was  burned  in  1868,  and  in  June, 
1871,  the  large  livery  barn  of  Smith  &  McBride  was  burned,  the  loss 
being  from  $'2,000  to  $3,000.  The  next  hre  occurred  on  July  2,  1876, 
when  the  tine  residence  of  Joseph  Plarvey  on  Seventh  street  was  totall}- 
destro^^ed,  just  as  it  was  completed  and  before  it  was  ready  for  occu- 
pancy. The  loss  was  about  $2,000  above  insurance.  The  last  was  the 
burning  of  the  residence  of  Edward  James  in. the  southwest  part  of  the 
town,  his  loss  being  about  $700.  There  have  been  numerous  alarms 
and  frecpient  inci^jient  blazes,  but  fortunately  those  enumerated  are  all 
that  have  caused  much  damage.  The  village  has  a  small  but  efficient 
volunteer  tire  company,  well  equipi)ed  with  one  large  and  a  number  of 
small  chemical  engines,   hose  and  ladder  wagon,  buckets,   etc.,  and 


MERCER   TOWNSHIP.  545 

their  proin})t  aiul  efficient  work  has  more  than  once  saved  vahiable 
property  from  the  flames. 

Two  severe  wind  storms  liave  visited  Aledo,  each  doing  considera- 
ble damage.  The  first  was  in  the  early  years  of  its  history,  and  tlie 
most  serious  damage  was  removing  the  frame  of  the  Methodist  E})isco- 
pal  church  (then  in  course  of  erection)  partially  off  of  its  foundation. 
The  second  came  in  June,  1876,  and  unroofed  barns,  leveled  fences 
and  trees,  damaged  a  number  of  buildings,  and  blew  down  the  spire 
and  a  part  of  the  south  end  of  the  United  Presbyterian  church,  which 
had  but  recently  been  built  and  was  yet  partially  unfinished.  The 
congregation  had  it  at  once  rebuilt  and  the  lower  story  fitted  for  occu- 
pancy, and  have  worshiped  in  it  ever  since,  having  only  just  com- 
menced the  work  of  finishing  the  upper  story. 

Aledo  has  seven  churches,  but  as  these  have  been  written  up 
elsewhere  we  will  only  name  them.  They  are  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal, Presbyterian,  United  Presbyterian,  Congregationalist,  Episcopal, 
Swedish  Lutheran,  and  Baptist.  The  pulpits  of  the  Congregationalists 
and  Baptists  are  now  vacant,  and  that  of  the  Lutherans  is  occu})ied  but 
half  the  time. 

The  growth  of  the  village  has  been  at  times  spasmodic  ;  at  times 
steady  and  substantial.  It  has  now  passed  the  spasmodic  period  ;  brick 
is  more  and  more  used,  and  some  of  her  business  houses  would  do 
honor  to  much  larger  places. 

The  first  business  houses  were  opened  south  of  the  railroad,  and  for 
a  number  of  years  that  part  of  town  was  the  business  center ;  but  this 
gradually  worked  northward,  and  at  present  College  avenue,  north  from 
the  railroad,  and  Seventh  street,  east  of  the  avenue,  are  the  main  busi- 
ness localities. 

The  population  of  Aledo  in  1880,  within  the  corporate  limits,  was 
1,500 ;  but  this  included  none  of  the  additions  to  the  village  outside  the 
corporation  lines.  Counting  these,  the  number  reached  about  2,000, 
which  has  been  since  slightly  increased  ;  2,100  would  be  a  fair  estimate 
at  present. 

The  equalized  valuation  of  property,  as  returned  by  the  assessor  for 
1881,  was  as  follows:  lots,  $160,847;  personal,  $323,365;  railroad, 
$13,527;  total,  $497,739;  say  in  round  numbers,  $500,000.  Taking 
into  account  the  manner  of  assessing,  at  one-half,  one-third,  and  often 
one-fifth  of  the  actual  value  of  property,  and  $2,000,000  is  a  low  figure 
for  the  wealth  here  represented. 

The  town  was  incorporated  in  1863,  under  the  general  laws,  an 
election  being  held  August  15  of  that  year,  resulting  forty-eight  \-otes 
for  incorporation  and  five  against.     The  first  election  for  trustees  was 


546  HISTORY   OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

held  Septembers,  1853,  at  which  the  following  were  chosen :  Simeon 
Macy,  president  j  E.  Gilmore,  George  Turner.  William  McK.  Young, 
and  John  R.  Bassett,  The  latter  served  as  village  clerk,  and  N.  P. 
Brown  was  appointed  treasurer. 

In  September,  1872,  village  organization  was  adopted,  under  the 
provisions  of  the  laws  of  that  year;  the  election,  November  11,  result- 
ing forty-four  votes  for,  and  five  against  village  organization. 

In  1879  the  ordinances  of  the  village  were  revised  by  James  M. 
AVilson  and  Charles  F.  Durston,  and  were  published  in  neat  pamphlet 
form. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  officers  from  the  first  incorporation  of  the 
town  to  the  present  date : 

1863-5. — Simeon  Macy,  president;  E.  Gilmore,  George  Turner, 
William  McK.  Young,  trustees;  John  R.  Bassett,  clerk;  N.  P.  Brown, 
treasurer. 

1865-6.- — Simeon  Macy,  president;  J.  S.  Paxton,  John  R.  Bassett, 
N.  P.  Brown,  S.  W.  McCoy,  trustees ;  S.  C.  Amberson,  clerk ; 
James  M.  Wilson,  treasurer, 

1866-7. — Simeon  Macy,  president;  J.  G.  McGuffin,  John  Porter, 
X.  P.  Brown,  William  X.  Graham,  trustees ;  James  M.  Macy,  clerk ; 
James  M.  Wilson,  treasurer. 

1867-8. — M.  L.  Marsh,  president;  John  Porter,  Robert  Irvin, 
Lewis  L.  Troy,  AVilliam  X.  Graham,  trustees ;  James  H.  Connell, 
clerk ;  Lewis  W.  Ilause,  treasurer. 

1868-9.— S.  ^Y.  McCoy,  president;  H.  E.  Wright,  Wm.  Robinson, 
T.  H.  Day,  C.  M.  Kay,  trustees ;  C.  J.  Bartleson,  clerk ;  L.  W.  Ilause, 
treasurer, 

1869-70,— C.  S.  Richey,  president;  P.  Roberts,  J.  II,  Snyder, 
Wm,  X.  Graham,  J.  M,  Smith,  trustees ;  John  G.  McGuffin,  treasurer ; 
James  II,  Connell,  clerk. 

1870-71. — R.  Mentzer,  president;  I.  X.  Dunlap,  II.  R.  Morrison, 
J.  S.  Pinkerton,  Robert  Irvin,  trustees ;  J.  II.  Connell,  clerk ;  A,  M. 
Byers,  treasurer. 

1871-2, — X.  Edwards,  president;  R.  Mentzer,  II,  L,  Thomson, 
T,  Maddux,  W,  H.  Holmes,  trustees;  X,  Edwards,  treasurer';  H.  L. 
Thomson,  clerk, 

1872-3,— S,  W,  (iailey,  president;  Wm,  X.  Graham,  J,  M, 
Smith,  E,  L,  Wolfe,  S.  C.  Amberson,  trustees;  Wm,  X,  Graham, 
treasurer;  E.  L.  Wolfi",  clerk, 

1873-4, — E,  Gilmore,  ]>resident;  Joseph  Harvey,  J,  II.  Aber- 
crombie,  John  Geiger,  IL  P.  Graham,  John  McKinney,  Jr.,  trustees  ; 
C,  S.  Richey,  treasurer ;  L,  D,  Holmes,  clerk. 


MERCER   TOWNSHIP.  547 

1874-5.— E.  Giliiiorc,  president ;  Geo.  L.  Bitts,  C.  S.  Pticlie.v,  II. 
S.  Senter,  J.  C.  Thomson,  Geo.  Irwin,  trustees;  L.  D.  Ilohnes,  clerk; 
H.  L.  Thomson,  treasurer. 

1875-6. — S.  M.  Evans,  ])resident ;  II.  S.  Dunhi]),  J,  M.  Smith, 
AVm.  AVinders,  John  Geiifer.  J.  O.  Lundhid,  trustees;  Joseph  Harvey, 
treasurer;  A.  D.  MeCandless,  ck*rk. 

1876-7. — James  M.  Wilson,  president ;  C.  F.  Durston,  James 
Eakin,  E.  B.  David,  J.  B.  Moore,  W.  C.  Galloway,  trustees;  J.  F. 
Henderson,  clerk;  C.  S.  Harvey,  treasurer;  Wm.  ]\[clv.  Young,  police 
mauistrate. 

1S77-8. — James  M.  Wilson,  [)resident ;  C.  F.  Durston,  E.  B. 
David,  J.  B.  Moore,  James  M.  Smith,  flames  Eakin,  trustees  ;  J.  F. 
Henderson,  clerk  ;  Wm.  N.  Graham,  treasurer. 

1878-9.— E.  B.  David,  president ;  James  M.  Wilson,  C.  F.  Dur- 
ston, J.  B.  'Moore,  W.  A.  Lorimer,  A.  II.  Law,  trustees ;  J,  F. 
Henderson,  clerk  ;  Wm.  N.  Graham,  treasurer. 

1870-80.— E.  B.  David,  i)resident;  James  M.  Wilson,  C.  F.  Durs- 
ton, J.  B.  Moore,  W.  A.  Lorimer,  M.  F.  Felix,  ti-ustees ;  J.  F.  Hen- 
derson, clerk ;  Wm.  N.  Graham,  treasurer. 

1880-81.— J.  B.  Moore,  president;  C.  F.  Durston,  M.  F.  Felix, 
W.  A.  Lorimer,  Martin  Boyd,  J.  R.  McCrea,  trustees;  J.  F.  Hender- 
son, clerk ;  W.  N.  Graham,  treasurer ;  W.  McK.  Young,  ])olice 
magistrate. 

Under  the  law  now  in  force  one  half  of  the  above  were  to  hold  two 
years  and  one  half  but  one.  It  was  decided  by  lot,  and  the  three 
trustees  last  mentioned  drew  the  long  term. 

1881-2.— M.  F.  Felix,  ])resident;  W.  A.  Lorimer,  Martin  Boyd, 
J.  R.  McCrea,  H.  Parkman,  L.  D.  Holmes,  trustees ;  J.  W.  Dilley, 
clerk;  Wm.  N.  Graiiam,  treasurer. 

Present  Officers. — M.  F.  Felix,  president;  II.  Parkman,  L.  D. 
Holmes,  J.  B.  Moore,  Martin  Boyd,  II.  Prentice,  trustees;  fl.  F.  Hen- 
derson, clerk ;  Wm.  N.  Graham,  treasurer ;  AV.  j\IcK.  Young,  police 
magistrate. 

Aledo  has  ever  been  noted  for  the  strong  temperance  views  of  its 
citizens,  and  since  the  spring  of  1876  no  saloon  has  been  allowed 
within  its  limits.  There  is  now  in  force  an  ordinance  which  prohibits 
the  sale  of  spirituous  liquors,  even  \)\  druggists,  for  any  purpose  what- 
soever, except  under  restricticuis  so  severe  that  none  of  tlie  druggists 
have  asked  for  a  permit.  It  makes  it  a  misdemeanor  for  a  ])hysician  to 
prescribe  liquor  "except  where  good  j)ractice  demands  it,"  but  fails  to 
detine  what  "good  ]jractice'"  is.  As  a  consequence,  physicians  ]M-escrip- 
tions  must  be  taken  to  other  towns  if  licjuor  is  one  of  the  ingredients. 


5J:8  HISTOEY    OF   IMEECEE   ANT)    HEJsTJERSON    COUISTTES. 

The  Aledo  cemetery  is  beantifullv  located,  adjoining  the  town  on 
the  southeast.  A  part  of  it  was  donated,  and  the  ^-ilhige  has  witliin 
a  few  years  purchased  a  large  addition.  It  is  kept  in  fair  condition 
and  is  partially  set  to  evergreens.  Some  very  fine  monuments  mark 
the  resting  place  of  departed  friends. 

BUSINESS. 

L.  F.  Jobusch  has  occupied  the  same  stand  in  the  grocery  business 
for  over  twenty  years.  J.  H.  Abercrombie  has  carried  on  the  harness 
business  most  of  the  time  since  the  town  was  started.  H.  E.  Morrison  has 
been  continually  in  the  furniture  trade  for  twenty  years  or  more.  Sam- 
uel Marquis  started  the  livery  business  at  his  present  stand  during  the 
war.  James  Galloway  <fe  Son,  started  a  grocery  in  1869,  and  are  the 
oldest  firm  in  that  business  in  town,  in  which  there  has  been  no 
change.  C.  S.  Richey  and  John  Shafer  have  been  longer  in  the  dry 
goods  trade  than  other  firms  in  town,  but  each  have  belonged  to  two  or 
three  difterent  fii-ms.  Fred.  Davis  still  occupies  the  blacksmith  shop 
he  built  over  twenty-five  years  ago. 

The  banks,  as  the  moneyed  institutions  of  the  town,  deserve  more 
than  a  passing  notice.  The  first  bank  started  was  by  Bailey  tfe  Byers, 
in  February,  1879,  in  a  frame  building  that  then  stood  on  Seventh 
street,  opposite  and  west  of  Button  house,  and  was  the  only  one  then 
in  the  county.  In  the  fall  of  that  year  Judge  E.  Gilmore  purchased 
the  interest  of  Bailey,  and  the  firm  was  known  as  A.  M.  Byers  &  Co. 
In  1870,  the  large  brick  building  on  southeast  corner  of  College  avenue 
and  Seventh  street  was  erected,  the  corner  room  being  fitted  for  a  bank, 
and  the  remainder  as  business  rooms.  It  is  now  occupied  by  the 
Aledo  bank  ;  J.  F.  McBride  and  Mrs.  A.  M.  Young  on  first  fioor, 
while  the  second  is  used  as  attorneys''  offices  and  masonic  lodge  room. 
In  April,  1874,  A.  M.  Byers  sold  his  interest  to  John  McKinney,  Sr., 
and  agreed  to  do  nothing  in  the  banking  business  for  one  year.  At 
the  end  of  the  year  he  organized  a  joint  stock  company  and  started  a 
bank  known  as  A.  M.  Byers  ct  Co.'s  Farmers  Bank,  opening  it  in  the 
brick  building  on  northeast  corner  of  Seventh  street  and  College 
avenue,  which  was  purchased  and  fitted  up  for  tliat  purpose.  The 
capital  is  over  sixty  thousand  dollars  and  cannot  be  increased  or  dimin- 
ished until  1885.  The  stockholders  are  business  men  of  Aledo  and 
wealthy  farmers  scattered  throughout  the  county,  and  the  business  is 
manao-ed  by  A.  M.  Bvers  and  a  finance  committee. 

A.  M.  Byers  was  born  and  brought  up  on  a  farm  near  llamsburg, 
Pennsylvania,  and  commenced  his  business  career  as  clerk  in  a  general 
store.     In  1855,  when  about  twenty  years  of  ao-e,  he  decided  to  attend 


arERCER   TOA\Ts'SIIIP.  549 

a  commercial  college,  but  finally  changed  his  mind,  and  after  visiting 
Chicago  and  the  west,  he  engaged  in  traveling  for  a  wliolesale  grocery 
house  in  Goshen,  Indiana.  The  next  year  he  clerked  for  (^ol.  John 
Williams,  the  pioneer  mei-chant  of  Springfield,  Illinois,  and  the  next 
in  a  store  at  Rushville,  Illinois.  For  the  next  few  years  he  made  his 
home  at  Beardstown,  Illinois,  but  s])ent  mucli  of  his  time  in  Richard- 
son county,  Nebraska,  where  he  engaged  largely  in  land  speculations, 
and  still  owns  some  2,000  acres  of  land  on  the  Kansas  and  Nebraska 
line,  some  of  it  purchased  in  1S58.  During  these  years  he  made  an 
extended  trij)  south,  visiting  all  of  the  southern  States  exce])t  Florida. 

March  13,  1801,  he  was  married  to  ]Vriss  May  F.  Tull,  at  Beards- 
town,  Illinois,  and  after  a  season  of  travel  and  siglit-seeing,  they  settled 
in  Adams  countv,  Illinois,  where  Mr.  B.  eniJ^ai^ed  extensivelv  in  farm- 
ing  and  dealing  in  live  stock,  until  about  the  close  of  the  war,  when,  in 
connection  with  Thomas  Bailey,  of  Camp  Point,  Illinois,  he  engaged  in 
banking  in  that  town,  which  is^  situated  on  the  Chicago,  P>urlington  and 
Quincy  railroad,  twenty-five  miles  east  of  (:^uincy.  This  they  con- 
ducted profitably  until  18H9,  when  they  opened  the  Aledo  bank,  but 
80(m  dissolved  partnership,  Mr.  Bailey  taking  the  Camp  Point  bank, 
and  Mr.  Byers  remaining  here  and  entering  into  partnership  with  E. 
Gilmore. 

Mr.  Byers  has  been  uniformly  successful  in  his  business  enter- 
prises and  has  found  his  ventures  in  Aledo  highly  satisfactorj',  so  nuich 
so  that  when  he  sold  out  his  interest  in  the  Aledo  bank,  he  decided  to 
continue  in  the  business  here,  after  spending  some  months  in  search  of 
a  more  promising  location.  lie  thoroughly  understands  his  business, 
and  has  the  entire  confidence  of  the  business  community  and  of  his 
associate  stockholders  in  the  bank.  He  owns  a  commodious  and  hand- 
some residence,  the  interior  of  which  is  a  model  of  neatness  and  com- 
fort, a  home  in  every  sense  of  the  word. 

His  family  consists  of  himself,  wife,  daughter  Olive  and  sf)n 
Edward.  To  the  daughter  he  has  given  every  educational  advantage, 
and  she  is  a  graduate  of  Monticello  seminary.  Her  musical  talent  is 
of  a  su|)erior  order  and  she  ranks  among  tlie  best  in  Aledo  as  a  ])ianist 
and  vocalist. 

Upon  the  organization  of  tlie  Farmers'  Bank,  ('a])t.  L.  B.  Morey 
was  associated  with  ]\lr.  Byers  in  its  management  for  the  first  two 
years,  when,  finding  the  business  too  confining,  lie  retired.  Capt. 
Morey  was  almost  raised  in  Mercer  countv.  He  served  with  distinction 
during  the  w^ar  as  a  lieutenant  in  company  A,  37th  reg.  IlL  A'ol. 
Inf.,  rising  to  the  rank  of  ca})tain.  He  was  for  a  long  time  on  the 
staff  of  Gen.   F.   .1.   Ilerron,  during  his  ojjerations  in  Arkansas  and 


550  HISTORY    OF   MERCEK   AJ^D    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

Louisiana.     He  is  still  a  resident  of  Aledo,  and,  in  company  with 
Martin  Boyd,  is  engaged  extensively  in  farming  and  stock  raising. 

On  the  retirement  of  Ca])t.  Morey  from  the  bank,  Mr.  William  N. 
Graham  was  engaged  as  cashier,  a  position  in  which  he  is  now  serving 
his  fifth  year,  during  all  of  which  time  he  has  faithfully  discharged  his 
duties.  Mr.  Graham  came  to  Aledo  over  twenty  years  ago,  engaged 
in  the  plastering  business  for  awhile  witli  his  brother  H.  P.,  taught 
school,  clerked  for  Poage  &  Senter  and  Harvey  Senter,  was  in  the  dry 
goods  business  with  his  brother  George  P.  for  awhile,  with  J.  S.  Pax- 
ton  in  the  grocery  business,  and  served  one  term  as  county  treasurer, 
prior  to  entering  the  bank.  He  has  always  proven  himself  a  good 
business  man. 

Such  is  a  brief  history  of  the  banking  business  in  Aledo,  so  far  as 
Mr.  Byers  has  been  connected  with  it.  The  Farmers^  Bank  is  on  a 
sound  iinancial  basis,  has  an  ample  capital,  and  is  backed  by  men  of 
wealtli  and  inliuence.  It  is  an  institution  tluit  has  added  largely  to  the 
growth  and  prosperity  of  Aledo,  and  deserves  what  it  has  ever  re- 
ceived, the  support  and  patronage  of  the  citizens  of  our  county. 

The  Aledo  Bank  is  also  one  of  the  stjlid  institutions  of  the  county. 
Mr.  John  McKinney,  Sr.,  bought  the  interest  of  A.  M.  Byers  in  Ajjril 
of  1874,  and  the  lirm  name  became  McKinney,  Gil  more  &  Co.,  the 
"Co.'^  being  L.  C.  Gilmore,  son  of  the  judge.  This  iirm  continued 
until  April  of  the  present  year,  when  Mr.  McKinney  purchased  the 
interest  of  the  Gilmores,  and  associated  with  himself  liis  son  James, 
under  the  name  of  McKinney  &  Co.  Mr.  John  E.  Gilmore,  who  was 
for  some  years  in  the  employ  of  the  old  iirm,  still  occupies  the  teller's 
desk.  The  bank  has  an  ample  capital  to  meet  all  demands  of  its 
patrons. 

Mr.  John  McKinney,  Sr.,  was  one  of  the  early  business  men  of 
Oquawka,  where  he  for  many  years  conducted  a  large  and  eminently 
successful  dry  goods  business.  Tiring  of  this  he  retired,  and  for  a 
number  of  years  did  a  large  business  in  loaning  money  in  that  place 
and  vicinity.  "When  he  entered  the  Aledo  Bank  he  purchased  the  fine 
residence  of  Judge  John  S.  Thompson,  and  has  transacted  an  extensive 
business  in  the  way  of  loans,  in  addition  to  the  regular  banking  busi- 
ness, having  much  more  capital  at  his  command  than  could  be  profit- 
ably used  in  tlie  latter. 

In  1881  he  erected  a  large  brick  building  adjoining  the  bank  proi> 
erty  and  known  as  McKinney  block.  It  is  one  of  the  best  arranged 
and  most  commodious  business  blocks  in  town,  and  the  only  one  hav- 
ing a  phite-glass  front.  One  room  is  occupied  by  J.  H.  Pamsey  with 
his  fine  jewelry  stock,  and  O.  A.  Wallen  with  boots  and  shoes.     The 


MERCER   TOWNSHIP.  551 

other  is  used  for  the  postoffice,  having  been  built  and  arranged  for 
that  special  purpose.  The  boxes,  general  deli\'ery,  etc.,  are  equal  to 
those  found  in  large  cities,  and  wh-en  fully  com])leted  the  Aledo  post- 
office  will  be  one  of  the  best  and  most  conveniently  arranged  of  any 
in  "Western  Illinois.  John  McKinney,  Jr.,  is  postmaster,  and  John, 
senior,  takes  a  pardonable  ])ride  in  making  the  room  a  credit  to  the 
owner  and  to  the  village.  The  upper  floor  of  the  building  is  divided 
into  commodious  and  well  arranged  office  rooms.  Mr.  Mclvinney  has 
recently  })urchased  the  property  adjoining  the  bank  building  on  the 
south,  and  contem])lates  building  a  substantial  brick  building  thereon 
at  an  early  day. 

The  Aledo  Bank  enjoys  the  confidence  and  receives  the  patronage 
of  the  community  at  large,  and  is  known  to  stand  A  1  in  the  large 
commercial  centers.  Its  business  is  large  and  renumerative,  and  it 
reflects  credit  and  adds  dignity  and  standing  to  the  town  whose  name 
it  bears.  James  McKinney,  the  junior  member  of  the  fii-m,  has  for  a 
number  of  years  assisted  his  father  in  his  loan  and  real  estate  business, 
and  is  well  qualified,  by  education  and  training,  for  the  position  of 
cashier,  which  he  now  fills.  Archie  McKinney,  a  younger  brother,  has 
taken  his  place  in  the  loan  department.  The  latter  is  a  young  man  of 
fine  attainments,  having  received  a  thorough  college  training,  and 
graduated  with  honor,  lie  read  law  with  the  firm  of  Pepper  ct  A¥il- 
son,  and  was  last  year  admitted  to  the  bar.  He  has  spent  several 
months  in  Chicago  where  he  expected  to  remain  until  recalled  to  take 
his  present  ]K)sition.  John  E.  Gilmore  is  a  grandson  of  Judge  E.  Gil- 
more,  and  since  the  death  of  his  father,  some  years  ago,  made  his 
home  with  his  grandparents.  He  has  received  a  liberal  education, 
and  has  a  thorough  business  training  in  the  bank  in  which  he  is  now 
engaged,  and  his  connection  therewith  cannot  fail  t(j  prove  advantage- 
ous to  the  business.  The  safe  used  is  one  of  the  best  manufactured ; 
is  made  of  five  plates  of  solid  steel,  with  solid  corners,  built  from  the 
outside  inward,  and  is  fire  as  well  as  burglar  ])roof.  It  is  provided 
with  the  Yale  time  lock,  and  the  most  approved  combination  locks  on 
inner  and  outer  doors.  It  weiglis  three  tons,  and  stands  in  a  fire  proof 
vault  of  rock  and  brick.  With  its  large  capital,  and  such  perfect  vault 
and  safe,  unlimited  security  is  offered  to  depositors.  The  safe  is  as  good 
as  any  in  the  state,  and  its  equal  cannot  perhaps  be  found  outside  of 
Chicago.  L.  C.  Gilmore  is  also  still  connected  with  the  bank.  Few 
towns  in  our  state  can  boast  of  two  such  banks,  and  the  fact  that  there 
is  business  enough  for  both  speaks  well  for  the  wealth  and  business 
enterprise  of  Aledo  and  Mercer  county. 

Summing  all  u]),  Aledo  well  deserves  the  good  name  it  bears  among 


552  HISTORY   OF   JklERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES, 

all  who  know  of  the  business  enterprise  of  her  citizens.  The  latter  are 
enterprising,  progressive  and  public  spirited  in  an  unusual  degree. 
Her  business  houses  are  mostly  of  brick ;  large  and  well  filled  with 
inviting  and  salable  goods.  She  can  boast  of  more  and  better  side- 
walks than  any  village  of  the  same  size  in  the  state ;  indeed,  some  of 
the  cities  will  not  compare  favorably  with  her  in  this  regard.  Her 
churches  are  numerous,  large  and  well  attended.  Her  public  schools 
are  amono;  the  best  in  the  state.  Her  streets  are  well  lighted  and  well 
kept.  There  are  an  unusually  large  number  of  tine  residences  and 
comfortable  homes.  She  is  surrounded  by  a  wealthy  and  prosperous 
farming  community,  and  lies  in  the  center  of  as  rich  and  productive 
a  section  as  can  anywhere  be  found.  While  her  past  has  been  one  o 
steady  advancement,  her  future  is  promising ;  there  is  scarcely  a  possi- 
bility, and  no  probability  of  a  loss  of  prestige,  or  a  declilie  in  wealth, 
prosperity  or  business  enterprise. 

[For  the  compilation  of  the  above  sketch  of  Mercer  township  we 
are  indebted  to  L.  B.  Doughty,  Esq. — Ed.] 

THE    ALEDO    WEEKLY    RECORD. 

Intimately  associated  with  the  history  of  Aledo  is  that  of  the 
"Record,"  established  in  1857,  the  initial  number  appearing  on  July 
14  of  that  year,  by  James  H.  Reed  and  Horace  Bigelow,  under  the 
firm  name  of  Reed  &  Bigelow.  These  gentlemen  had  been  publishing 
the  Oquawka  "Plain  Dealer,"  but  had  sold  the  office  in  May,  1857,  to 
Magie  &  Mitchell.  The  material  for  the  "  Record  "  office  was  pur- 
chased in  Chicago,  shipped  to  Rock  Island  by  rail,  and  thence  trans- 
ported to  Aledo  on  wagons. 

Established  during  the  heat  of  the  canvass  for  the  removal  of  the 
county  seat  from  Keithsburgto  Aledo,  the  "  Record  "  heartily  espoused 
the  cause  of  its  native  town,  and  though  the  time  was  short,  contrib- 
uted much  toward  insuring  the  success  which  in  August  crowned  the 
efforts  of  those  interested  in  the  removal. 

J.  II.  Reed  was  a  man  of  good  education,  a  vigorous  and  aggres- 
sive writer,  quick  and  keen  at  repartee,  and  an  editor  of  rare  ability  ; 
a  good  friend,  but  an  untiring  and  relentless  enemy  in  political  con- 
tests. He  was  a  man  of  fair  business  qualilications,  but  was  not  a 
practical  printer.     He  died  in  Monmouth,  Illinois. 

Horace  Bigelow  served  an  apprenticeship  at  the  printer's  trade  in 
the  office  of  the  Oquawka  "  Spectator,"'  under  Col.  J.  B.  Patterson. 
In  March,  1855,  he  purchased  a  one-half  interest  in  the  Oquawka 
"Plain  Dealer,"  of  F.  A.  Dallam,  and  was  probably  at  that  time  the 
youngest  publisher  in  the  state,  being  but  twenty  years  of  age.     Dal- 


^[ERCER   TOWNSHIP.  553 

liiiii  subsequently  sold  to  Reed,  and  when  the  firm  sold  the  office  Mr. 
B.  spent  some  time  in  the  large  job  ])rinting  establishment  of  S.  P. 
Rounds,  in  Chicago,  increasing  his  knowledge  of  that  brancli  of  the 
art.  lie  has  the  reputation  of  being  a  lirst-class  business  man,  and 
has  by  honest  industry  and  energy,  and  careful  and  judicious  manage- 
ment, secured  for  himself  and  family  a  good  home  and  a  fair  compe- 
tence, owning  a  tine  farm  of  150  acres  north  of  Aledo,  adjoining  tlie 
corporation,  upon  wdiich  he  resides  and  which  he  works  to  advantage 
and  prolit,  independent  of  his  interest  in  the  "Record  "  office. 

In  June,  1857,  tlie  material  arrived  and  the  office  was  opened  in  a 
large  double  building  on  College  avenue,  almost  directly  opposite  the 
building  now  occupied.  The  other  half  of  the  building  was  occupied 
by  Dr.  S.  Macy,  as  a  dental  room  and  drug-store,  who  afterward  pur- 
chased and  remodeled  the  building  only  to  lose  it  by  lire.  A  much 
better  building  now  stands  on  the  old  site. 

Se]jtember  1,  1S62,  Mr.  Reed  retired  from  the  firm,  Mr.  Bigelow 
purchasing  his  interest.  He  conducted  the  business  alone  for  four 
years,  employing  Mr.  John  Porter  as  both  typo  and  editor.  Septem- 
ber 1,  1S66,  Mr.  Porter  purchased  a  one-half  interest,  and  the  firm 
has  since  been  known  as  Porter  ifc  Bigelow\ 

John  Porter,  who  has  been  political  editor  of  the  "Record"  for 
twenty  years,  is  perhaps  one  of  the  best  read  men,  so  far  as  the  political 
history  of  our  nation  is  concerned,  to  be  found  in  w^estern  Illinois.  His 
life  has  been  almost  passed  in  a  printing  office,  he  commencing  to 
learn  the  trade  January  4,  1834,  in  the  office  of  the  Richmond  "Ex- 
aminer,'' in  Jefferson  county,  Ohio,  and  he  has  stood  at  the  case  during 
all  of  these  forty-eight  years.  He  has  always  been  a  close  student  of 
political  history,  and  possessing  a  memory  which  is  almost  phenome- 
nal, he  can  readily  call  to  mind  men,  measures  and  dates  of  the  long 
ago"^vliich  to  others  are  but  dim  scraps  of  forgotten  history.  A  forci- 
ble w^-iter.  a  wary,  but  not  aggressive  antagonist,  he  seeks  no  (puirrel, 
but  when  assailed  he  patientl}^  awaits  his  opportunity  and  then  deals  a 
strong  and  generally  successful  blow. 

Established  as  a  republican  paper,  when  the  republican  party  was 
in  its  infancy,  the  "Record"  has  remained  ever  loyal  to  the  principles 
of  the  party,  and  has  taken  an  active  part  in  every  campaign,  whether 
national,  state  or  count}^  and  its  utterences  have  been  of  no  unceitain 
sound.  It  was  one  of  the  first  newspapers  to  suggest  the  name  of 
Abraham  Lincoln  as  a  candidate  for  the  presidency,  and  one  of  his 
most  earnest  supporters,  not  only  during  the  canvass,  but  throughout 
his  administration,  and  also  for  his  re-election.  During  the  war  it 
was  loyal  to  the  core,  and  its  colunms  were  the  popular  medium  of 


554  HISTORY   OF   MERCER   AXD    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

coiiiinunication  between  the  Mercer  bovs  in  the  army  and  their  friends 
at  home,  it  having  a  correspondent  in  nearly  every  regiment  in  which 
the  coimty  was  represented. 

But  while  striking  valiant  blows  for  the  union  and  for  tlie  cause  of 
its  party,  it  has  kept  itself  singularly  clear  of  what  is  termed  "mud 
slinging ;"  the  rule  having  ever  been  to  make  no  charges  against 
opposing  candidates  that  were  not  easily  susceptible  of  proof,  or  at 
least  believed  to  be  so  at  the  time  of  ^publication. 

Another  rule  of  the  office,  and  one  strictly  adhered  to,  is  that  no 
foreign  advertising  will  be  received  for  less  than  home  patrons  are 
charged  for  same  time  and  space.  Consequently  but  few  "patent 
medicine  '^  advertisements,  and  others  of  like  nature  have  ever  appeared 
in  its  columns. 

In  1 873,  L.  B.  Doughty  was  employed  in  the  office  as  foreman  and 
job  printer,  but  having  had  considerable  exjDerience  as  a  local  wi'iter, 
he  was  soon  relieved  of  most  of  the  work  in  the  composing  room,  and 
for  the  past  eight  years  has  had  charge  of  the  local  department  of  the 
paper,  which  has  constantly  gi'own  in  popularity,  and  has  been  one 
cause  of  a  steady  increase  on  the  subscription  list,  which  has  reached 
the  comfortable  ligure  of  1,300  weekly,  and  is  still  growing. 

The  job  department  of  the  office  is  deservedly  popular,  and  is  lib- 
erally pao'onized,  especially  in  the  line  of  commercial  work.  The  cir- 
culation ha^-ing  grown  beyond  the  capacity  of  the  press  which  has  done 
faithful  duty  for  the  past  twenty-five  years,  a  new  Cottrell  press  has 
recently  been  purchased.  And  now,  after  a  quarter  of  a  century  the 
proprietors  can  boast  that  in  all  that  time  they  have  never  missed  an 
issue,  have  never  used  a  "patent  inside,"  and  have  never  failed  to  ap- 
pear promptly  on  time  on  publication  day,  except  in  a  few  instances 
when  the  paper  was  purposely  held  back  for  important  news. 

As  a  prominent  factor  in  the  growth  of  village  and  county,  as  a 
popular  means  of  promoting  the  educational  interests,  as  well  as  a  dis- 
seminater  of  reliable  news,  the  "Kecord"  has  proven  itself  worthy  of 
the  high  esteem  in  which  it  is  held  by  those  familiar  with  its  pages  ; 
and  it  has  accomplished  much  for  the  moral  as  well  as  the  temporal 
interests  of  the  county. 

THE    DEMOCRATIC    PRESS    IN    ALEDO. 

Mercer  county  has  been  politically  a  republican  county  ever  since 
the  organization  of  that  party.  Issues  have  occcasionally  been  made 
on  men  or  measures  by  means  of  which  republicans  have  been  de- 
feated, and  democrats  or  other  opponents  have  been  elected  by  the 
people ;  but  these  instances,  however  frequent,  were  still  only  excep- 


^^^i^^■c£^  ^^0-2i^ 


MERCER   TOWNSHIP.  557 

tional,  and  the  continued  ascendency  of  the  republican  party  has 
been  maintained  and  augmented  greatly  by  the  fact  that  as  soon  as  the 
county  seat  was  settled  at  Aledo,  a  party  organ  was  promptly  pro- 
vided, the  official  i)atronage  of  the  county  bestowed  on  it,  and  the 
people,  especially  of  the  dominant  party,  slowly  but  surely  educated 
to  contribute  to  the  material  support  of  their  newspaper. 

The  democratic  party,  in  the  minority  numerically  and  without 
men  of  capital,  or  hopes  of  othcial  patronage,  and  destitute  of  am- 
bitious leaders,  made  no  attempt  to  establish  a  party  organ  for  nearly 
a  dozen  years  after. 

In  the  summer  of  1866,  circumstances  conspired  to  make  the  time 
favorable  for  starting  a  democratic  newsi)aper  in  Aledo,  something  to 
be  made  a  rallving  center  for  the  democrats  of  the  countv  and  those 
displeased  with  the  action  of  the  majority  in  congress  at  that  time. 
President  Lincoln  had  been  assasinated  the  year  before,  and  vice- 
president  Johnson,  becoming  acting  president,  projected  an  adminis- 
trative policy  to  which  a  majority  of  his  i)arty  in  congress  was  op- 
posed. Hostile  feeling  and  action  arose  between  the  acting  president 
and  the  congress,  and  many  removals  and  appointments  to  office  were 
being  made,  favorable  to  the  policy  of  the  administration  and  gener- 
ally favorable  to  the  democrats.  Appearances  were  that  a  change 
might  be  made  in  the  political  complexion  of  the  whole  country,  and 
that,  with  the  aid  of  what  were  called  the  liberal  republicans,  Mercer 
county  even  might  be  revolutionized.  The  reconstruction  measures 
were  then  being  enacted.  Many  of  the  republicans  thought  these 
measures  too  radical,  if  not  wholly  unauthorized  by  the  organic  law, 
while  the  democrats,  in  addition,  felt  exasperated  at  the  political  dis- 
advantage at  which  the  party  was  placed  by  the  disfranchisement  of  so 
manv  southern  states. 

One  of  these  disart'ected  republicans,  Judge  John  S.  Thompson,  of 
Aledo,  an  able  lawyer  and  shrewd  organizer,  was  put  up  for  congress 
against  the  republican  candidate.  Gen.  Harding.  The  district  was 
then  perhaps  200  miles  long,  extending  from  Port  Byron  to  Keokuk 
along  the  Mississippi  river,  and  Charles  Harris,  of  Oquawka,  a  straight 
democrat,  had  been  able  to  be  elected  to  congress  not  many  years 
l>ri<)r  to  this  election.  Hope  was  entertained  of  success  under  the 
leadership  of  Judge  Thompson,  and  the  democrats,  in  this  sanguine 
mood  of  mind,  some  time  in  the  month  of  August  had  an  informal 
assembly  of  some  of  its  more  prominent  members  at  the  Barton 
house  in  Aledo,  now  the  Button  house. 

At  this  meeting  it  was  determined  to  raise  funds  and  start  a  demo- 
cratic newspaper.     The  plan  adopted  was  a  stock  company,  bound  by 
32 


558  HISTORY    OF    MERCER    AND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

a  simple  personal  agreement  without  articles  of  incorporation.  Tlie 
shares  were  $10,  and  each  member  of  the  company  was  entitled  to  as 
man}'  votes  for  officers  as  he  held  shares. 

A  considerrble  amount  was  subscribed  at  this  meeting,  and  three 
or  four  papers  were  prepared  and  put  into  the  hands  of  canvassers,  by 
means  of  which  about  $1,400  was  in  a  short  time  pledged. 

Before  the  Barton  house  meeting  closed  its  sittings  and  put  its 
papers  in  hand,  it  was  necessary  to  name  the  paper.  Several  titles 
were  proposed,  of  more  or  less  partisan  import ;  but  that  fatal  timidity 
and  spirit  of  boundless  concession  that  has  so  long  been  an  element  of 
weakness  in  the  democratic  party,  prevailed  on  this  occasion,  and  the 
proposed  paper  took  the  neutral  meaningless  title  of  "The  Mercer 
County  Press." 

J.  A.  J.  Birdsall,  a  piquant,  versatile  writer,  and  good  collector  of 
local  news,  who  had  had  some  experience  in  publishing  a  democratic 
paper  in  Keithsburg,  was  chosen  as  editor  and  publisher ;  and  with 
$1:75,  advanced  by  Hon.  T.  B.  Cabeen,  Birdsall  went  to  Chicago  and 
laid  in  a  press  and  materials  for  printing  the  paper,  taking  some  credit ; 
and  some  time  in  the  month  of  September  the  first  number  of  the 
"Press"  was  issued. 

The  pledge  for  the  payment  of  stock  subscriptions  ran  in  this  way: 
"We,  the  undersigned,  agree  to  pay  to  the  publishers  of  'The  Mercer 
County  Press'  the  sums  set  opposite  our  names,  for  the  purpose  of 
publishing  a  democratic  paper  in  the  county  of  Mercer  and  state  of 
Illinois,  whenever  called  for,  or  in  a  reasonable  time." 

The  ' '  Press  "  was  duly  issued.  The  campaign  was  a  spirited  one, 
but  lost  to  the  democracy,  and  their  earnest  colleagues.  After  this 
collapse  the  spirit  and  enthusiasm  of  the  Press  company  were  rapidly 
cooled.  The  fatal  clause  in  the  compact  giving  "a  reasonable"  but 
indefinite  time  for  payment  of  stock  now  began  to  show  its  turpitude ; 
not  more  than  two-thirds  of  the  stock  was  ever  collected.  T.  B.  Cabeen 
lost  about  $250  in  money  advanced  to  the  ' '  Press  "  ;  and  T.  S.  Robb 
and  I.  C.  Gilmore,  and  other  liberal  men  who  made  advances  from  time 
to  time  to  keej)  down  expenses,  had  more  or  less  of  final  loss.  The 
stock  subscribers  were  nearly  all  amply  able  to  pay ;  but  from  some 
defect  in  the  organization  or  energy  in  the  conduct  of  afiairs,  no  forci- 
ble means  were  ever  employed  to  make  collections. 

The  subscriptions  to  the  paper  were  taken  up  in  the  same  hasty, 
loose  manner  that  characterized  the  stock  subscriptions.  But  few  were 
pressed  to  pay  on  sight,  and  all  were  freely  trusted;  besides,  many 
wei'e  scored  down  on  the  list  without  having  been  consulted  or  seen ; 
and  as  a  natural  and  inevitable  result,   the  establishment  was   soon 


ilERCER   TOWNSHIP.  559 

carrying  an  immense  delin(]uent  list,  and  suftering  a  large  accumula- 
tion of  unpaid  bills  for  labor,  materials,  rent,  and  contingent  expenses. 

Added  to  these  untoward  circumstances  was  the  damai>;ini>:  knowl- 
edge  that  the  Johnsonian  policy  was  not  to  succeed.  The  reconstruction 
measures  went  on  without  interru])tion.  Tlie  acting  president  was 
hemmed  in  on  all  sides  by  what  was  known  as  the  "radicals.""  The 
tenure-of-office  act  virtually  took  away  from  him  the  a})pointing  i)Ower 
by  denying  him  the  right  to  make  arbitrary  removals.  When  the 
president's  patronage  was  thus  shorn  otf,  his  influence  and  prestige  fell 
with  it,  and  he  was  shortly  after  put  on  the  defensive  by  articles  of 
impeachment. 

It  was  only  natural  that  many  of  the  liberals  should  quietly  slide 
back  to  a  more  solid  base  ;  and  that  the  democracy,  hopelessly  defeated^ 
w^ould  experience  more  or  less  demoralization  in  their  ranks.  Mr. 
Birdsall,  tinding  the  pecuniary  results  of  his  labors  unsatisfactory,  after 
the  first  year,  gave  way  to  a  young  man  named  Wilson,  of  whom  little 
seems  to  be  known,  and  who  occupied  the  editorial  chair  but  a  short 
time,  and  with  not  very  satisfactory  results.  Some  time  later  in  the 
year  186T  David  R.  Waters,  a  former  citizen  of  Williamsport,  Penn- 
sylvania, but  then  a  resident  of  Aledo,  and  a  law  partner  of  Hon. 
Charles  M.  Harris,  of  Oquawka,  took  the  management  of  the  "Press."' 
He  was  a  man  of  fine  abilities  in  many  directions.  In  temperament 
he  was  nervous,  and  possibly  a  little  too  sanguine  for  a  safe  business 
man ;  and  a  little  too  radical  for  the  political  success  of  a  minority 
party.  He  was,  however,  a  fully  reliable  democrat,  an  able  political 
writer  and  speaker,  and  a  faithful  worker  for  the  cause  he  had 
espoused.  His  zeal  for  his  own  cause,  and  Jiis  abhorence  of  the  sup- 
posed eiTors  of  his  opponents,  seemed  to  lead  him  sometimes  into 
business  and  even  social  discriminations  among  those  he  came  in 
contact  with.  The  business  up  to  about  the  beginning  of  the  year  1868 
had  been  done  in  a  low,  but  roomy  building  that  had  been  occu])ied 
during  and  before  the  war  by  Mr.  Edwards  as  a  dry  goods  merchant. 
It  stood  n(jrth  of  the  Aledo  house  and  on  nearlj^  the  site  now  occupied 
by  I.  N.  Edwards'  ice-house ;  it  was  afterward  removed  to  Fifth  street, 
on  the  south  side,  between  Walnut  street  and  College  avenue,  on  the 
second  floor  of  a  frame  building  owned  and  then  occupied  by  A. 
M.  Byers  with  the  first  bank  in  Aledo.  Here  Mr.  Waters  completed 
his  labors  not  long  after  April  1,  1869,  when  it  was  sold  by  the  com- 
pany to  John  Geiger,  of  Aledo,  for  $800 ;  who  immediately  added  to 
the  materials,  which  were  barely  sufficient  to  issue  the  newspaper,  a 
careiiilly-selected  little  job  office,  at  a  cost  of  about  $500.  This  outlay, 
timely  made,  would  have  avoided  one  great  source  of  financial  Weak- 


560  HISTORY    OF   MERCEK   A:SrD    HEXDERSON    COUKTIES. 

ness  in  the  "Press,"'  and  with  all  its  reverses  might  have  kept  it  at 
least  self-sustaining,  as  its  successors  have  been  ever  since. 

The  new  projirietor,  recognizing  the  fact  that  the  "Press,"  not- 
withstanding its  able  editorial  management,  had  closed  out  a  financial 
faihire,  and  was  virtually  a  pauper,  believed  that  public  conlidence 
could  sooner  be  secured  by  starting  a  new  paper,  with  a  title  more 
expressive  of  its  character  and  objects ;  and  with  this  view  he  made  no 
attempt  to  resurrect  the  shattered  fortunes  of  the  "Press,*'  but  April 
13,  1869,  issued  the  first  number  of  "The  Democratic  Banner."  The 
few  years  that  had  now  passed  since  the  war,  had  begun  to  temper  its 
ascerbities,  and  with  the  better  feelings  and  better  facilities  the  new 
venture  received  a  fair  share  of  remunerative  business.  It  was  con- 
ducted a  while  longer  in  Byers  building,  and  afterward  a  small  frame 
building  on  College  avenue,  18x36  feet  in  size,  was  purchased  of 
Jacob  Cool,  the  same  that,  -vvitli  its  open,  red-trimmed  front,  is  now 
used  for  a  piimary  school ;  to  this  place  the  office  was  removed,  where 
it  remained  until  some  time  in  the  autumn  of  1872. 

The  "Banner"'  during  this  time  held  the  leading  principles  and 
sentiments  of  the  old  school  democracy ;  and  frequently  found  occasion 
to  dissent  from  the  new  methods  and  policies  propounded  by  platforms 
and  leaders  of  the  times.  The  editor  had,  in  1872,  voted  alone  in 
the  state  convention,  against  a  resolution  favoring  the  nomination  of 
Horace  Greeley.  And  when  afterward  the  nomination  was  made  by 
the  national  convention,  he  denounced  both  the  nomination  and  the 
nominee,  without  reserve,  as  being  unfit,  whether  viewed  in  the  light 
of  principle  or  of  policy. 

The  nomination  was,  however,  accepted  all  over  the  Union.  Here 
in  Mercer  count}',  besides  the  remnant  of  liberal  republicans  that  had 
not  returned  to  their  old  home,  there  was  an  informal,  unorganized, 
intangible,  but  omnipresent  little  party,  then  sometimes  known  as 
grangers.  This  fugitive  gypsy  body,  as  well  as  the  liberals,  were 
enthusiastic  adherents  to  Horace  Greeley.  [Mistake  :  grangers  didn't 
spring  up  till  spring  of  1873. — Ricker].  And  by  their  ardent  proffers 
of  material,  as  well  as  moral  support,  O.  P.  Arthur  was  induced  to 
make  purchase  of  the  "Banner"  office,  and  he  took  possession  early 
in  July  1872.  He  was  a  young  man  but  lately  from  the  Monmouth 
College,  and  at  this  time  was  a  law  student  in  the  office  of  Bassett  & 
Connell.  He  had  energy  and  learning,  and  a  good  order  of  talent ; 
and  withal  could  give  to  the  "great  commoner"  a  consciencious  sup- 
port. The  "Banner"  was  still  conducted  as  a  democratic  organ,  and 
supported  democratic  men  and  measures.  The  business  was  for  awhile 
conducted  at  the  little  red  front  building,  but  was  shortly  after  removed 


MERCER   TOWXSHIP.  561 

to  Seventh  street,  and  afterward  to  liicliey  Brotlier's  old  brick  build- 
ing on  Fifth  street,  east  of  the  Aledo  house. 

Some  time  after  the  defeat  of  Greelev  at  the  approach  of  the  depres- 
sion of  1873,  the  greenback  party  began  to  materialize ;  and  besides 
the  political  gypsies  of  the  country,  many  from  each  of  the  established 
parties,  from  one  cause  and  another,  arising  mostly  out  of  the  pressure 
of  the  times,  gave  adherence  and  active  sup])ort  to  the  new  party.  The 
"Banner"  supported  the  movement  with  such  N-igor  that  the  party 
promised  at  one  time  to  become  at  least  second  in  the  county  in  ]»oint 
of  numbers.  Arthur  was  a  leader  of  acknowledged  influence.  About 
this  time  he  changed  slightly  the  name  of  the  paper.  Dropping  the 
word  "Democratic,"'  the  title  thereafter  was  "The  Aledo  Banner.'' 
By  trenchant  articles  on  the  linancial  abuses  of  both  parties,  by  public 
speeches  and  ingenuous  enterprises  for  increasing  his  circulation,  he 
brought  its  reading  patronage  at  one  time  nearly,  if  not  quite,  'up  to 
that  of  the  old  established  "Aledo  Record." 

But  reverses  came,  or  rather  culminated.  Arthur  was  young  and 
without  experience  or  capital.  His  dash  and  talent  brought  him  admir- 
ers and  even  friends  ;  but  only  feeble  and  dilatory  material  suppoi-t. 
Had  he  known  the  hollowness  of  proffered  patronage  he  would  never 
have  been  tempted  into  the  uncertain  field  of  party  politics.  He  had 
not  then  read,  with  ])roper  interpretation,  the  history  and  achievements 
of  Col.  Mulberry  Sellers,  or  he  would  not  have  leaned  on  the  broken 
reeds  that  failed  him  when  the  hour  of  need  came. 

The  net  earnings  of  the  "Banner"  office  were,  however,  considerable, 
and  from  his  surplus  Arthur  added  largely  to  the  material  of  the  estab- 
lishment. But  in  his  coniidence  he  had  married  a  wife  ;  and  amono;  the 
unseen  calamities  of  all  lives,  it  happened  that  his  young  wife  shortly 
after  took  sick  of  a  lingering  and  incurable  disease.  Personal  distrac- 
tion from  business,  and  large  continued  expenses,  deprived  him  of  the 
means  of  a  thorough  prosecution  of  his  work ;  and  on  his  invitation, 
about  June  1, 1877,  John  Geiger  was  associated  with  him,  and  as  an  ecjual 
partner  and  editor-in-chief  changed  the  paper  once  more  to  a  straight 
democratic  organ.  Arthur's  wife  died  in  the  ensuing  winter;  and 
about  May  1,  1878,  he  sold  his  remaining  half  of  the  office  to  John 
Geiger,  who  again  became  sole  owner  of  the  paper  he  had  established 
nine  years  before.  Arthur,  after  settling  up  his  accounts  and  arrang- 
ing his  iinancial  affairs,  went  to  Colorado,  where  he  has  since  held 
several  important  trusts  and  established  himself  in  a  very  respectable 
and  fairly  lucrative  law  practice. 

AVhen  the  "Banner"  returned  to  its  original  owner,  a  commodious 
building  was  purchased  for  it  on  College  avenue,  where  the  jiaper  was 


562  HISTORY   OF   aiERCEE   AND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

conducted  to  tlie  end  of  its  checkered  life,  which  the  reader  will  be 
pleased  to  listen  briellj  to. 

During  the  heated  campaign  of  1878  for  some  cause,  never  fiilly 
declared,  but  generally  understood  here.  Rev.  P.  F.  Warner,  who  had 
formerly  made  some  favorable  acquaintances  here  as  a  preacher  of  the 
Congregational  church,  came  on  several  occasions  and  olfered  to  buy 
out  the  "  Banner  "  office  and  run  it  as  an  independent  paper.  Geiger 
having  bought  the  office  only  with  a  %dew  of  closing  up  its  affairs 
honorably,  now  sold  to  Mr.  Warner,  reserving  one  column  for  the  use 
of  the  democratic  cainpaign  not  yet  closed  ;  and  on  September  20,  1878, 
the  new  proprietor  took  the  chair.  He  was  a  graduate  of  Yale  Col- 
lege. He  had  considerable  literary  ability;  wrote  fine  essays  on 
theological  and  moral  subjects  for  the  pulpit,  and  wrote  with  some 
force  and  elegance  on  political  topics  so  far  as  he  had  made  acquaint- 
ance with  them.  But  he  was  unacquainted  with  the  details  of  news- 
paper making,  and  was  obliged  to  trust  much  to  employes.  He  was 
a  good  collector  and  financial  manager,  and  while  he  held  the  demo- 
cratic support  turned  over  to  him,  the  business  was  prosperous. 

But  some  time  in  the  next  year,  either  with  a  view  of  supplanting 
the  "  Record  "  office  as  an  organ,  or  from  some  abnormal  working  of  a 
political  conscience,  he  gave  up  the  independent  position,  and  came 
out  a  full  fledged  republican. 

While  this  movement  gave  pleasure  to  some  republicans  that  were 
not  wholly  satisfied  with  the  "Record,"  it  gave  displeasure  to  a  great 
number  of  democratic  supporters,  who  did  not  think  themselves  dealt 
with  in  entirely  good  faith.  Slowly  many  of  these  dropped  out,  while 
no  material  strength  was  drawn  from  the  other  political  party. 

After  the  presidential  campaign  of  1880  had  so  far  developed  as  to 
give  the  democrats  hopes  of  carrying  the  national  election,  John  Gei- 
ger was  again  solicited  to  give  the  party  a  campaign  newspaper.  To 
this  he  assented,  but  the  season  was  already  advanced,  and  the  enter- 
prise would  not  admit  of  delay,  nor  of  an  expensive  outfit.  R.  Russell 
had  a  neat  little  job  office  over  W.  H.  Holmes'  hardware  store  on  the 
avenue.  To  this  was  added  the  old  press  of  the  Woodhull  enter])rise, 
and  a  snudl  collection  of  good  material  bought  of  one  Remington, 
who  had  some  time  before  conducted  a  little  "snide*"  paper  in  the 
professed  interest  of  the  local  republicans,  but  really  for  his  bread  ; 
and  a  few  more  were  obtained  from  L.  F.  Jobusch,  Jr.,  who,  then  only 
a  lad,  after  experimenting  a  while  with  a  toy  press,  started  a  sheet 
called  the  "Democratic  Press,"  which,  however,  deserves  only  to  be 
mentioned  as  the  visionary  scheme  of  a  boy,  abandoned  for  want  of 


MERCER   TOWNSHIP.  603 

means  to  sustain,  or  ability  to  conduct  it.  He  has,  liowever,  since 
occu])ied  an  advantageous  jjosition  of  society  editor  on  Carl  Pretzel's 
paper  in  Chicago.  He  is  a  plausible  and  genial  young  man.  "With 
these  fi-agments  added  to  Ilussell's  job  materials,  the  paper  was  started 
about  the  second  week  in  July  ;  a  seven-column  folio,  to  run  six 
months,  for  $1  per  copy.  A  circulation  of  about  500  was  gathered 
up,  and  the  enterprise  about  ])aid  the  expenses,  as  expected.  As  the 
first  of  January  drew  near,  a  strong  wish  from  different  parts  of  the 
county  was  expressed  that  the  pajier  now  so  nearly  established  and 
the  party  so  finely  organized  should  not  be  separated  ;  but  that  with 
the  ])resent  basis  we  should  go  on  and  establish  a  permanent  organ 
for  the  party  in  Mercer  county.  Other  new  materials  were  promptly 
purchased,  and  the  paper  which  was  called  '' The  Aledo  Democrat,'' 
was  enlarged  to  an  eight-column,  and  the  first  number  issued  in  Janu- 
ary, at  the  close  of  the  campaign  edition. 

About  or  near  June  1,  1881,  the  proprietor  of  the  "Democrat" 
associated  with  himself  R.  Russell  and  George  M.  Eames,  two  sober, 
industrious  young  men  of  Aledo,  well  skilled  in  newspaper  and  jt)b 
printing  ;  and  tlie  new  firm  of  Geiger,  Russell  &  Eames  bought  out 
the  old  "Banner"  materials  from  Mr.  Warner,  and  adding  them  to 
the  other  materials  of  the  "Democrat,"'  moved  all  into  the  "Banner'"' 
building,  and  the  ''  Banner"  then  ended  its  singular  career  and  disa]> 
peared,  Mr.  Warner,  its  last  owner,  nuiking  another  venture  in  Ha- 
vanna,  Illinois. 

Few  newspapers  in  the  world  have  had  so  singlar  a  history  as  the 
"Banner."  It  is  doubtful  whether  ever  before  any  political  paper  has 
gone  the  rounds,  and  alternately  advocated  the  tenets  of  all  parties  and 
factions,  and  rej^eated  its  original  position,  and  made  the  entire  cycle  in 
twelve  years,  and  yet  received  liberal  support  in  nearh'  all  its  tortuous 
course.  It  proves  that  our  people's  minds  are  flexible  ;  and  further, 
that  a  newspaper  .is  valued  more  for  its  news  and  intelligence  and 
advertising  facilities  than  for  its  political  platform. 

In  the  month  of  August,  1881,  Mr.  Russell,  of  the  "Democrat,'' 
being  oflered  an  advantageous  ])osition  at  Kansas  City,  sold  his  inter- 
est to  the  senior  partner ;  and  on  the  first  of  October  so  much  was 
transferred  to  Mr.  Eames  as  to  make  him  an  equal  partner,  and  the 
firm  name  became  Geiger  &  Eames.  The  paper  is  in  a  fairly  prosper- 
ous condition  ;  is  still  democratic,  but,  as  heretofore,  liberal,  and  not 
trammeled  by  platforms  or  the  opinions  of  leaders,  and  generally  finds 
sufiicient  scope  and  liberty  within  the  expansive  and  elastic  folds  of 
its  alma  mater. 


564  HISTORY    OF   SIERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

ALEDO  PUBLIC  SCHOOLS. 

The  first  school  taught  in  Aledo  was  by  J.  E.  Ilarroun,  but  in  what 
building:  we  cannot  learn.  This  was  during  the  winter  of  1856-7.  In 
the  following  winter  Rev.  Bigger  opened  a  school  in  his  residence,  at 
the  then  south  end  of  College  avenue,  and  known  as  the  Dr.  Woods 
house.  It  is  now  the  property  of  E.  L.  Wolff,  and  has  been  thor- 
oughly overhauled  and  refitted,  and  is  occupied  as  a  parsonage  by  Eev. 
Thomas  Stephenson  of  the  first  Presbyterian  church.  In  the  spring  of 
1857,  the  new  school-building,  now  the  court-house,  was  occupied,  and 
Frank  Herdman  was  employed  in  the  capacity  of  assistant.  Mr.  H. 
had  no  de})artment  under  his  charge,  as  in  the  graded  system  of  the 
present  day,  but  occupied  a  recitation  room,  the  classes  leaving  Mr. 
Bigger''s  room  at  stated  hours  for  recitation.  We  remember  Frank  as 
a  fine  elocutionist,  and  that  his  meth<jds  of  teaching  were  then  far  in 
advance  of  the  age.  Mr.  Bigger  was  a  man  of  finished  education,  and 
proved  himself  a  good  and  thorough  teacher.    . 

During  the  two  following  winters  the  schools  were  taught  by  Mr. 
Baird  and  wife  of  New  York.  They  were  earnest  Methodists,  and  made 
many  friends  here,  especially  among  the  membership  of  that  church. 
The  next  term  was  taught  by  Mr.  Pinkerton,  and  IMisses  Morgan,  Har- 
ris and  Shutledge,  all  of  Pennsylvania.  Joseph  McCoy,  Mrs.  A.  M. 
Young,  and  Miss  Madden,  the  latter  of  Monmouth,  taught  in  the  win- 
ter of  1861-2.     The  two  former  still  reside  in  Aledo. 

During  the  next  year  we  cannot  learn  who  taught  the  school,  except 
that  Mr.  McCoy  was  principal.  About  this  time  a  new  school  build- 
ing was  contracted  for  and  erected ;  the  one  until  then  used  having 
been  refused  by  the  school  board,  from  the  contractors  or  builders,  on 
account  of  some  alleged  fault  in  its  erection.  It  was  taken  by  the  pro- 
prietors of  the  town,  and  by  them  sold  to  the  county  at  a  nominal 
figure,  and  has  ever  since  been  used  as  a  court-house.  School  opened 
in  the  new  building,  in  block  55,  and  a  part  of  the  one  now  used,  in 
the  fell  of  1863,  with  Mr.  McKay  Young,  Wm.  N.  Graham,  and  Miss 
Eva  Marquis  as  teachers.  Mr.  Young  is  the  ])resent  police  magistrate 
of  Aledo,  and  Mr.  Graliam  is  cashier  of  the  Farmers'  Bank.  The  fol- 
lowing year  Sennit  Kirk  was  principal  and  Miss  Libbie  Perkins  was 
one  of  his  assistants.  James  McMillen  presided  in  1865-6,  assisted  by 
Mr.  Pardee,  Mrs.  Lizzie  Porter,  wife  of  John  Porter,  of  the  "Eecord," 
and  Miss  Nettie  Smith.  The  latter  resigned  during  the  term  and 
Anna  McMillen  filled  the  vacancy.  During  the  latter  year  an  addition 
was  erected  to  the  school-house,  giving  six  large  class  rooms  and  one 
recitation  room.  The  entire  building  is  of  frame,  two  low  stories  in 
height;   arranged  with   some  view  to  convenience   but  no  attention 


:mkrckr  ToAvxsiiip.  565 

paid  to  securing  a  proper  ventilation.  In  1866-7,  ]\Ir.  Pardee  was 
prineij>al,  assisted  by  Mrs.  Porter,  Miss  M.  M.  Bnrbank,  now  Mrs. 
AVilson,  of  Keene,  New  Hampshire,  and  Miss  Emma  Stevens,  now 
Mrs.  J.  H.  Aberorombie,  ofAledo.  J.  E.  Ilarroun  was  principal  the 
following  year.  Mr.  H.  was  one  of  the  leading  educators  of  our  county, 
and  as  such,  we  give  elsewhere  a  brief  sketch  of  his  life,  so  far  as  it 
pertains  to  this  history.  Mrs.  Mary  Walker,  Mra.  Porter,  Mrs.  A.  M. 
Young,  Misses  M.  M.  Burbank,  Emma  Stevens,  and  Anna  IMaury, 
were  teachers  in  1868-!).  The  hitter  is  now  Mrs.  Wm.  Bunting,  of 
David  City,  Nebraska.  In  1860-70,  Sylvanus  B.  Atwater,  now  of 
Greene  township,  presided,  assisted  by  Miss  A.  E.  Frazier,  now  county 
superintendent  of  schools,  Mrs.  Porter,  ]\Irs.  Young,  Misses  Eva  and 
Jennie  Marquis,  and  Ella  Gailey.  C.  W.  Sherman  was  princi})al  in 
1870,  1871-2,  two  terms,  assisted  by  Mrs.  "i'oung,  and  Misses  Amanda 
and  Tilla  Frazier,  Miss  Burbank,  and  Miss  Belle  McCoy,  now  Mrs.  W. 
L.  Duncan,  both  terms,  and  Miss  Thornton  the  tirst  term,  or  a  j^art  of 
it.  Mr.  Sherman  was  at  that  time  a  local  preacher  in  the  Methodist 
church,  but  after  his  work  as  a  teacher  ended  here,  he  entered  the 
itineracy,  but  has  since  severed  his  connecticfn  with  the  church  and  is 
now  a  traveling  evangelist. 

A.  U.  Barler  (now  deceased),  w^as  principal  for  three  terms,  begin- 
ning in  the  fall  of  1872  and  ending  in  the  spring  of  1875.  Assistants 
same  as  the  last  year  except  that  Miss  Barcroft  succeeded  Miss  Bur- 
bank. Second  term  Misses  Mollie  Walker,  Ella  Gailey,  Edith  Pruyn, 
N.  A.  Campbell,  Louisa  Merryman  and  Mrs.  Comfort  were  employed 
as  assistants.  Mrs.  Comfort  and  Miss  Pruvn  resio-ned  earlv  in  the 
term,  Miss  Marie  Ilebbard  and  Miss  Olivia  Pattison  being  em])loyed 
to  till  the  vacancies. 

Alex.  Stephens,  of  Washington,  Iowa,  was  elected  princii)al  in 
1875,  and  still  holds  that  position.  A  full  account  of  his  school  work 
will  be  found  in  a  brief  sketch  of  his  life,  hereto  appended.  His  assist- 
ants the  iirst  year  were  :  Misses  Ella  Gailey,  N.  A.  Campbell,  Marie 
Hebbard,  Blanche  Rutledge,  Tilla  Frazier  and  Millie  E.  Reed,  latter  of 
Monmouth.  A  new  department  was  added  to  the  school  this  year,  and 
the  school-building  not  being  large  enough,  a  small  building  about  one 
block  distant,  on  the  east  side  of  College  avenue,  was  leased  and  fitted 
up  for  a  school-room.  A  year  or  two  prior  to  this  a  tax  was  author- 
ized, levied  and  collected,  for  the  pur})ose  of  building  additional  room, 
but  until  1881,  the  citizens  could  never  agree  upon  a  location,  although 
the  (juestion  was  submitted  to  them  nearly  every  year.  The  increase 
of  the  enrollment  from  year  to  year  rendered  more  departments  and 
more  room  necessary,  and  the  upper  lioor  of  a  brick  building  south  of 


566  HISTORY   OF   I^IERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

the  railroad  was  leased  and  fitted  up  so  that  it  could  be  used,  but  the 
rooms  were  poorly  arranged,  and  were  at  the  best  but  a  poor  excuse 
and  make-shift  for  a  village  whose  greatest  pride  is  in  her  churches  and 
her  public  school§. 

Assistants  for  the  following  years  were : 

1876-7.— Miss  K  A.  Campbell,  Blanche  Rutledge,  Ella  M. 
Gailej,  Marie  Hebbard,  Emma  Crawford,  Tilla  Frazier,  Camilla 
Reed. 

1877-8. — Same  as  above,  except  that  Misses  M.  J.  Thomas  and 
Lettie  Long  took  the  places  of  Misses  Rutledge  and  Frazier. 

1S78-9. — Misses  Campbell,  Rutledge,  Gailey,  Crawford,  Hebbard 
and  Reed,  and  Mrs.  M.  J.  Waterman,  and  Mrs.  T.  H.  Ennis.  The  lat- 
ter only  taught  three  months  and  was  succeeded  by  Miss  N.  A. 
Wilson. 

1879-80. — Misses  Campbell,  Gailey,  Hebbard,  Cora  D.  Harvey, 
Zerie  Miller,  May  I.  Allen,  Mrs.  Waterman,  and  Mrs.  M.  J.  Taylor. 

1880-81.— Mr.  K.  M.  Whitham,  Misses  Campbell,  Rutledge,  Mil- 
ler, Frazier,  Allen,  Mrs.  A.  M.  Hall,  Mrs.  Waterman. 

At  the  term  of  1880-81,  K.  M.  Whitham  was  employed  as  teacher 
of  the  grammar  department,  a  position  he  has  since  well  filled,  and 
which  he  will  doubtless  fill  during  the  next  term.  He  is  a  young  man 
of  more  than  average  ability,  and  should  he  devote  his  life  to  the  pro- 
fession, would  make  a  place  for  himself  among  the  best  educators  of 
the  land.  He  is  utilizing  his 'vacations  by  reading  law  in  the  oflice  of 
L.  D.  Holmes,  and  this  profession  may  prove  more  attractive  than  that 
of  teaching. 

In  the  fall  of  1881  the  course  of  study  was  advanced  to  include 
Latin,  German,  geometry,  trigonometry  and  book-keeping,  and  Miss 
Mary  E.  Turnbull,  of  Monmouth,  was  employed  as  teacher  of  these 
branches  and  assistant  })rincipal,  a  position  which  she  was  well  quali- 
fied to  fill  and  the  duties  of  which  she  discharged  in  an  eminently  sat- 
isfactory manner. 

The  teachers  for  the  ]>ast  term  were  :  Alex.  Stephens,  principal  ; 
Miss  Mary  E.  Turnbull,  assistant ;  K.  M.  Whitham,  grammar  depart- 
ment ;  Miss  Campbell,  fourth  intermediate ;  Miss  Rutledge,  third 
intermediate;  Miss  Zerie  Miller,  second  intermediate;  Mrs.  A.  M.  Hall, 
first  intermediate  ;  and  the  Misses  Mary  I.  Allen  and  Tillie  Matthews, 
primary  de})artments. 

Enrollment  for  school  year  1881-2,  460.  The  school  is  fitted  up 
with  ma])s,  globes  and  other  aj^paratus  ;  a  human  skeleton  and  ana- 
tomical cliarts  have  been  added  recently,  and  also  a  collection  of 
insects  and  other  zoological  s])ecimens. 


MERCER   TOWNSHIP.  567 

The  first  students  (jnuluated  were  in  the  class  of  1878,  and  were 
tlie  foHowing  :  Sadie  Eanies,  Oarence  Fiirgo,  Una  Evans,  Plihna 
Lundbhid,  Leota  Hause,  Norma  Pe])per,  ^famie  Ciinningliam. 

1879  :  Zerie  Miller,  Emma  Ives,  O.  T.  Moore,  Lizzie  Ilause, 
Retta  Galloway,  Fred.  Ilollenback,  L.  AV.  Thompson,  Harvey  S. 
Pyles,  Will.  H.  Morrison,  Cassie  Thonij)Son,  Kittie  Lynch. 

1880  :  Mattie  Evans,  Fannie  Porter,  Grace  Pitts,  Mable  Pepper, 
Eosa  Wolff,  Tlulda  Lnndblad,  Will  McKenney,  Lou.  L.  Walker, 
Horace  Edwards. 

1881  :  Louie  Wright,  Georgia  Cole,  Floi-a  Harvey,  Eda  Hudson, 
Minnie  Lect,  Lizzie  Poiter,  Alma  Bickett,  Z(je  McCoy,  Logan  8tej)h- 
ens,  Robei't  ^IcKinney,  John  Mclvinney,  Frank  Edwards,  Fred  Strong, 
Amos  Cole,  George  Strong,  Frank  Evans. 

Miss  Zerie  Miller,  one  of  the  teachers  above  mentioned,  is  worthy 
of  special  mention,  as  she  is  a  gi-aduate  of  the  school  in  which  she  has 
so  long  held  her  present  position.  The  circumstances  of  her  widowed 
mother  were  such  that  an  academic  or  collegiate  course  was  entirely 
out  of  tlie  question,  but  she  early  set  to  work  to  fit  herself  for  teach- 
ing, and  by  untiring  labor  and  a  hai)py  tact  in  making  the  most  of  the 
advantages  within  her  reach,  she  has  attained  a  success  beyond  her 
brightest  antici])ations. 

Miss  May  I.  Allen,  who  has  taught  one  of  the  primary  depart- 
ments for  the  past  three  years,  resides  in  Warren  county,  adjoining  the 
Mercer  line.  Ller  education  has  been  liberal,  and  she  is  peculiarly 
fitted  in  nature  and  disposition  tor  the  i)Osition.  She  is  the  friend, 
playmate  and  companion  (#f  the  little  ones  under  her  charge,  and  has 
not  only  won  their  hearts,  but  the  esteem  of  their  parents,  and  her 
pupils  have  ever  shown  a  marked  and  rapid  degree  of  advancement. 

Misses  Ttutledge  and  Campbell  have  long  held  positions  and  have 
proven  excellent  teachers.  Mrs.  Hall  has  just  closed  her  second  term 
in  a  most  satisfactory  manner,  while  Miss  Matthews,  in  her  single  term, 
has  well  eai-ned  the  esteem  of  the  school  patrons. 

In  1881,  by  vote  of  the  i)eo])le,  the  directors  were  authorized  to 
borrow  money  to  build  additional  school-buildings,  to  levy  a  tax  to  re- 
pay the  same,  and  block  101,  south  of  the  railroad,  was  selected  and 
purchased  for  a  school  site.  Dissatisfied  i)arties  procured  an  injunction 
against  building  there,  which,  though  not  sustained  in  the  courts,  de- 
layed the  work  until  too  late  to  build  last  year.  In  the  spring  of  this 
year  (1882),  a  })etition  signed  by  over  200  of  the  voters  of  the  district, 
was  presented  to  the  directors  asking  them  to  call  an  election  to  vote 
upon  the  question  of  rescinding  the  vote  selecting  block  101  as  a 
school  site,  and  authorizing  the  erection  of  a  building  large  enough  to 


568  HISTORY    OF   MERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

accommodate  the  entire  district,  upon  block  55,  the  present  school 
site.  The  election  was  held,  and  both  propositions  carried  by  decisive 
majorities.  Another  election  was  held  upon  the  question  of  purchas- 
ing the  east  half  of  the  block,  but  this  was  defeated.  The  directors 
are  now  receiving  bids  for  the  erection  of  a  building  of  which  the 
following,  compiled  from  the  plans  and  specifications,  is  a  description, 
and  is  an  extract  from  an  article  prepared  by  the  writer  and  published 
in  tlie  Aledo  '^Record"  of  July  5,  1882:  The  building  is  to  be  of 
brick,  with  stone  foundation,  73  feet  10  inches  by  65  feet  6  inches  on 
the  ground,  with  vestibule  on  east  and  west  sides  each  33  feet  by  10 
feet  5  inches,  and  on  the  south  19  feet  by  5  feet  9  inches,  the  two 
former  running  to  top  of  building,  the  latter  only  to  top  of  basement. 
In  the  basement  will  be  two  class-rooms,  each  31x23  feet,  with  ceiling 
10  feet  2  inches  high  ;  two  fuel  and  storage  rooms,  two  large  furnaces 
for  heating,  closets,  halls,  stairways,  etc.  The  first  and  second  floors 
will  each  contain  four  class-rooms,  two  32x23  feet  each  and  two  31  X23 
feet  each.  The  second  floor  will  contain  in  addition  a  recitation  room 
over  north  hall  15x17  feet,  and  principal's  reception  room  and  appa- 
ratus room  over  east  hall.  The  ceilings  on  both  floors  will  be  13  feet 
high.  Separate  doors,  halls,  stairways  and  closets  are  provided  for 
boys  and  girls,  two  closets  for  the  pupils  and  one  for  the  teacher  con- 
nected with  each  room.  Ample  ventilation  of  the  most  approved  kind 
is  provided  for,  in  the  shape  of  cold  and  foul  air  ducts.  Doors  and 
windows  are  to  be  stone  capped.  The  halls  are  provided  with  huge 
folding  or  double  doors,  opening  either  out  or  in.  A  large  belfry  and 
cupola,  witli  iron  coping  on  the  roof,  completes  the  description.  The 
speciflcations  require  the  best  of  work  and  the  use  of  the  very  best 
material.  The  floors  are  to  be  of  southern  yellow  pine,  of  boards  not 
more  than  4  inches  in  width.  Those  of  the  two  u]>per  floors  are  to  be 
made  double,  the  inner  one  being  covered  with  1-|  inches  of  mortar, 
for  the  purpose  of  deadening  the  sound.  The  floors  do  not  lie  directly 
upon  the  joists,  as  in  ordinary  buildings ;  the  latter  are  crossed  with 
furring  two  inches  square,  and  the  floors  laid  on  these,  lengthwise  with 
the  joists.  The  furnace  rooms  are  to  be  floored  and  covered  with 
brick.  All  rooms  are  to  be  provided  with  blackboards  on  two  walls, 
to  be  made  of  slate  from  a  Pennsylvania  quarry,  to  be  in  slabs  7x4 
feet  in  size  and  J  inch  in  thickness,  to  be  bedded  in  flush  with  plaster- 
ing and  just  above  the  wainscoting.  The  speciflcations  certainly  call 
for  one  of  the  best  arranged  school-buildings  in  western  Illinois,  one 
of  which  any  community  may  well  feel  proud;  just  what  the  schools  of 
Aledo  deserve  and  what  the  district  needs. 


MERCER  TOWNSHIP.  569 

PROF.  ALEX.  STEPHENS. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  December  Ifi,  1840,  in  Perry 
county,  Pennsylvania,  and  was  the  second  child  of  "William  L.  and 
Margaret  (Elliott)  Stephens,  and  was  reared  on  his  father's  farai  until 
the  a";e  of  fifteen  years,  when  he  commenced  a  course  at  the  Market- 
ville  academy  in  tlie  summers  and  teaching  during  the  winters.  He 
graduated  in  1856,  and  for  the  next  two  years  had  charge  of  the  math- 
ematical department  of  that  institution. 

In  1859  he  entered  Bloomlield  college,  in  the  same  county,  and 
completed  the  classical  course  in  1862.  He  then  commenced  the  study 
of  medicine,  but,  for  what  he  deemed  good  reasons,  abandoned  it  at 
the  end  of  six  months,  and  in  the  fall  of  1863  entered  the  State  N^ormal 
school,  where  he  spent  a  3'ear  in  special  training  for  a  teacher.  He 
taught  at  various  points  in  his  native  state  until  1872,  when  he  emi- 
grated to  Washington,  Iowa,  and  accepted  the  principalship  of  the 
South  AYard  school,  which  he  held  until  1875,  assisting  also  in  the 
conduct  of  the  county  Xormal  school.  In  the  latter  year  he  moved  to 
Aledo  and  took  charge  of  the  public  schools  as  principal,  a  position  he 
has  held  until  tlie  present  time,  and  which  he  has  been  offered  for  the 
coming  term.  During  his  administration  the  standard  improvement 
in  the  school  has  been  greatly  advanced,  and  it  now  ranks  among  the 
best  in  the  state ;  has  risen  high  in  the  favor  of  the  people,  and  of  his 
colaborers  in  the  profession,  and  has  secured  a  substantial  and  endur- 
ing reputation  as  an  educator.  He  is  of  a  genial,  kindly  disposition, 
earnest  and  thorough  in  any  work  he  undertakes,  and  a  man  calculated 
not  only  to  make  friends,  but  also  to  keep  them. 

In  1865  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  Leonard.  They 
have  but  one  child,  Logan,  now  in  his  sixteenth  year.  They  have  here 
a  commodious  and  well  furnished  residence  where  they  are  ever  pleased 
to  meet  any  and  all  of  their  hosts  of  friends,  and  are  never  happier  tlian 
in  dispensing  their  hospitality. 

The  graduates  of  the  school  give  to  Prof.  Ste})liens  the  utmost  credit 
and  veneration  for  his  kindly  direction  and  assistance  during  their 
school  days,  and  ai'e  ever  warm  in  their  expressions  of  gratitude  and 
appreciation. 

The  work  accomplished  by  him  in  and  for  the  Aledo  public  schools 
is  outlined  in  the  following  extract  from  a  report  of  the  last  commence- 
ment by  the  writer  of  this  sketch,  and  published  in  the  Aledo  '•'Record" 
of  May  24.  1882.  It  speaks  for  itself:  "For  the  school  year  of  1875 
and  1876  the  enrollment  was  360;  last  year  it  was  470.  During  the 
first  there  were  5,679  days  of  absence,  last  year  but  1,832;  cases  of 
tardiness  first  year  1,708,  last  year  only  45;  neither  absent  or  tardy 


570  HISTORY    OF   MERGER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

first  year  12,  last  year  123 ;  over  forty  per  cent  failed  to  pass  for  ad- 
vancement the 'first  year,  less  than  twenty  per  cent  failed  last  year;  per 
cent  of  punctuality  first  year  eighty,  last  year  ninety-nine  and  ninety-nine 
one-lmndredths.  We  do  not  believe  that  there  is  another  school  in  the 
state  that  can  show  such  a  record  as  this  last  item.  And  punctuality 
means  nine  o'clock  in  the  morinng  and  one  o'clock  in  the  afternoon, 
not  one  or  two  minutes  after  these  hours.  There  have  now  been  fifty- 
two  certificates  of  graduation  issued  within  the  past  five  years.  Of 
those  holding  them  sixteen  are  now  or  have  been  teaching,  and  six 
hold  first  grade  certificates  from  the  county  superintendent.  The  certi- 
ficates are  for  the  scientific  course,  which  includes  orthography,  read- 
ing, penmanship,  arithmetic,  English  grammar,  geograpliy,  United 
States  history,  zoology,  botany,  natural  philosophy,  algebra,  composi- 
tion, civil  government,  and  word  analysis.  We  have  good  reasons  to 
be  proud  of  our  schools,  proud  of  our  principal,  proud  of  his  assistants, 
and  proud  of  the  graduates.  We  believe  that  the  Aledo  public  schools 
equal,  if  they  do  not  surpass  any  in  the  state." 

• 

J.    E.    HARROUN. 

Prominent  among  the  educators  of  Mercer  county  was  J.  E.  Har- 
roun,  and  he  merits  a  place  in  our  history. 

Joseph  Elliott  Harroun  was  born  in  Crawford  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania. He  removed  when  a  young  man  to  Galesburg,  Illinois,  and 
entered  Lombard  University,  from  whence  he  came  to  Mercer  county, 
in  1853,  teaching  school  at  the  Pryne  school-house,  two  miles  east  of 
New  Boston,  the  winter  of  that  year.  In  March,  1855,  he  married  Miss 
Margaret  A.,  daughter  of  William  Willits,  of  New  Boston  township, 
and  removed  to  Wapello,  Iowa,  where  he  edited  the  "Wapello  Intel- 
ligencer," for  some  months.  In  the  spring  of  1856  he  came  back  to 
Mercer  county,  locating  in  Aledo,  where  he  erected  the  first  building,  in 
which  he  opened  and  kept  the  first  boarding-house.  He  was  the  first 
postmaster  of  Aledo,  and  it  is  said  that  he  carried  the  mail  around  in  his 
hat.  He  taught  the  first  school  in  the  village,  in  the  winter  of  that 
year,  and  held  for  some  years  the  office  of  town  clerk.  In  1858  he 
was  elected  county  superintendent  of  schools,  and  proved  one  of  the 
best  and  most  efiicient  ofticers  that  have  ever  filled  that  position. 
During  his  term  of  two  years  he  visited  every  school  district  in  the 
county,  ninety  in  all,  giving  all  the  schools  a  personal  supervision  ; 
helping  and  advising  the  teachers  ;  making  a  suggestion  here  and 
there,  but  always  in  a  kindly  spirit,  and  with  no  air  of  dictation.  He 
was  the  warm  friend  and  sup])orter  of  the  earnest  teacher,  but  had 
little  patience  with  those  who  taught  merely  to  "fill  in  the  time."     He 


MERCER   TOWNSHIP.  571 

also  held  institutes  and  gave  lectures,  and  was  prominently  connected 
wit)i  the  county  normals  and  institutes.  lie  introduced  the  first 
orrery  and  telurian  ever  in  the  county,  and  carried  them  with  him  in 
his  school  visits,  explaining  their  workings  to  each  school.  He  spoke 
in  an  easy,  happy  manner,  that  won  and  held  the  attenti(m  of  pupils. 
His  methods  and  ideas  were  all  new,  and  by  some  deemed  peculiar ; 
but  if  so,  it  was  only  that  they  were  in  advance  of  the  times,  as  they 
have  since  been  adopted  and  made  an  integral  part  of  our  school 
system  as  relates  to  methods  of  teaching.  He  was  one  of  the  first 
teachers  in  the  county  to  attempt  to  impart  instruction  orally,  and 
insisted  that  his  pupils  should  study  the  meaning  of  their  lesson, 
rather  than  the  words. 

His  term  of  service  as  superintendent  was  of  great  benefit  to  the 
schools  of  the  county,  and  he  is  entitled  to  all  the  more  credit  for  his 
labors  wlien  we  remember  that  at  that  time  there  was  no  salary  to  the 
office. 

In  1858  Mr.  Harroun  removed  to  a  new  farm  he  was  opening 
three  and  one-half  miles  southeast  of  Aledo,  where  he  resided  until 
about  two  years  ago.  During  that  time  he  taught  school  a  part  of  the 
time,  at  Gingle's  corners,  Perryton  township  ;  Freer's  school-house, 
and  in  his  home  district,  Mercer  township  ;  and  at  Smnbeam  ;  in  all, 
nine  terms.     In  1876  he  taught  in  jS^ew  Boston. 

While  farming  he  paid  considerable  attention  to  the  improvement 
of  stock,  making  short-horn  cattle  a  specialty,  and  his  herd  was  fre- 
quently exhibited  at  our  county  fairs,  where  it  always  attracted  atten- 
tion. He  was  for  years  prominently  connected  with  the  agricul- 
tural board,  serving  as  vice-president  and  secretary  for  six  years.  He 
took  an  active  part  in  the  removal  of  the  fairs  from  Millersburg  to 
Aledo,  and  in  purchasing  and  fitting  up  the  new  grounds. 

In  1880  he  received  the.  appointment  of  clerk  of  the  district  court 
of  Cassia  county,  Idaho  Territory,  and  selling  his  farm  he  removed  to 
Albion,  in  that  country,  where  he  still  resides.  He  is  now  probate 
judge  and  deputy  clerk  of  the  district  court  of  that  county. 

He  was  a  member  of  the  102d  111.  Vol.  Inf ,  in  the  late  war,  enlist- 
ing as  a  ])rivate  but  soon  rising  to  the  rank  of  orderly  sergeant,  and 
being  commissioned  lieutenant  of  his  company  prior  to  the  close  of 
his  term  of  service.  He  })artici]iated  in  the  marches,  engagements, 
and  manifold  trials  incident  to  army  life  in  connection  with  his 
regiment. 

He  is  the  father  of  six  children,  viz.  :  Adella  T.,  born  February 
12,  1856  ;  married  February  22,  1876,  to  Sanford  M.  Huston  ;  now 
resides  at  Geneva,  Nebraska.     Dora  C,  born  July  30,  1858 ;  married 


572  HISTORY   OF   IVEEECER   AND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

March  10,  1880,  to  Govert  H.  Stephens,  of  Sunbeam,  Mercer  conntj, 
where  the}^  still  reside.  Lulu  M.,  born  June  0,  1861  ;  died  July  14, 
1878,  in  Aledo.  William  Corwin,  born  May  21,  1866 ;  resides  with 
his  parents  at  Albion.  Ada,  born  October  12,  1868  ;  died  December 
22,  1868.  Jessie  A.,  born  October  31,  1870  ;  resides  with  her  parents. 
Mr.  Harroun  and  his  family  have  many  w^arm  friends  yet  in 
this  county.  Mrs.  H.  was  raised  here,  and  they  still  feel  a  deep 
interest  in  all  pertaining  to  their  old  home,  and  we  doubt  not  will  be 
among  the  most  eager  readers  of  this  history. 

THE  SEAT  OF  JUSTICE. 

By  the  act  of  the  legislature,  of  January  31,  1835,  creating  the 
county  of  Mercer,  New  Boston  was  designated  as  the  "temporary 
county  seat";  and  in  1837  an  act  was  passed  appointing  "William 
McMurtry,  of  Knox  county ;  Thomas  Spragins,  of  Jo  Daviess ;  and 
John  S.  Stephenson,  of  Ogle,  commissioners  to  select  a  permanent  loca- 
tion. They  selected  Millersburg  as  the  site,  making  their  report  Sep- 
tember 15,  1837,  which  was  signed  by  the  last  two  named.  John  and 
Sarah  Miller  donated  the  amount  of  land  required  by  the  act,  making 
their  deed  therefor  December  18,  1837. 

This  decision  was  not  satisfactory  to  the  citizens  of  the  west  side  of 
the  county,  and  in  1839  they  secured  an  act  authorizing  an  election  in 
April  of  that  year,  to  vote  for  or  against  removing  the  county  seat  to 
New  Boston,  which,  however,  resulted  in  favor  of  retaining  the  "seat" 
at  Millersburg. 

Here  a  two-story  frame  court-house  was  built,  and  a  stone  jail ;  but 
the  latter  was  of  little  use  in  holding  such  prisoners  as  desired  to  gain 
their  freedom,  for  they  could,  and  frequently  did,  dig  out  the  soft  mor- 
tar and  remove  "stones  enough  to  gain  a  safe  and  easy  egress.  We 
remember  when  a  boy  of  being  shown  a  hole  in  the  gable  of  the  build- 
ing through  which  a  prisoner  had  recently  made  escape  from  "durance 
vile."  To  render  the  building  more  secure  the  county  commissioners 
had  it  lined  throughout  with  three-inch  oak  plank,  held  in  place  by 
three-cornered  studs  in  the  angles,  these  being  driven  full  of  nails  to 
prevent  their  being  cut  into. 

Agitation  was  still  kept  up,  and  another  board  of  commissioners 
was  secured,  who  again  decided  in  favor  of  Millersburg.  In  1847, 
however,  another  election  was  held,  and  resulted  in  3!)6  votes  for 
Keithsburg,  340  for  New  Boston,  and  210  for  Millersburg,  Iveithsburg 
caiTving  off  the  prize.  Land  was  again  donated,  a  substantial  brick 
court-house  erected,  and  the  county  archives  removed  to  the  new  loca- 
tion.    After  the  removal  of  the  county  seat  from  Millersburg,   the 


MERGER   TOWxXSIIIP.  575 

court-liouse,  jail,  ])ublic  square,  and  considerable  adjoining  land  was 
purchased  by  Mr.  II.  "\V.  Thornton,  who  still  resides  on  the  outskirts 
of  the  village,  and  to  whom  we  are  indebted  for  a  portion  of  this 
history.  The  jail  was  torn  down  and  the  material  ]nit  to  other  uses. 
The  court-house  was  removed  to  a  lot  near  the  then  center  of  the 
village,  and  has  for  jnany  years  been  used  as  a  wagonmaker  s  shop. 
1  Keithsburg  wore  the  laurels  for  nearly  ten  years,  when  another 
election  was  held,  August  3,  1857,  and  by  a  vote  of  1,47!>  to  549  the 
j>eople  decided  to  remove  the  county  seat  to  Aledo,  which  was  situated 
almost  in  the  center  of  the  rapidly  growing  county.  Land  and  money 
were  donated,  a  building  was  ready  for  the  reception  of  the  officers 
and  the  records,  and  the  work  of  removal  was  quickly  accom|)lished. 

For  some  time  court  was  held  in  a  building  erected  for  a  school- 
house,  but  being  unlit  for  that  purpose,  was  sold  to  the  county  for 
a  nominal  sum  for  a  court-house,  and  is  still  so  used.  It  is  not  well 
adapted  to  the  |)urpose,  being  illy-ventilated,  and  ])ositively  wnhealthv, 
and  the  feeling  is  growing  in  the  county  that  a  new  building  is  a  neces- 
sity, and  it  will  doubtless  be  erected  at  no  distant  day  upon  the  block 
donated  for  that  purpose.  A  commodious  and  substantial  jail  was 
erected  in  1869,  and  a  fire-proof  building  for  the  county  offices  in  1873. 
The  latter,  while  perhaps  a  safe  place  to  keep  the  records,  is  a  very 
uncomfortable  ])lace  to  work  in,  either  winter  or  summer,  owing  to 
poor  ventilation.  It  stands  upon  Court-House  square,  and  the  jail  is 
in  tl  e  block  immediately  west  of  it. 

1  he  old  court-house  at  Keithsburg  has  become  the  property  of  the 
to^vn  and  is  known  as  the  Opera-house,  it  being  fitted  up  with  stage 
and  J  'enery. 

CHURCHES. 

P,  sbyterian  Church. — The  first  organ i^^ation  of  this  church  was 
effects  1  JSTovember  10,  1856,  in  a  school-house  west  of  Aledo,  which 
was  at  that  time  known  as  "  the  mile  school-house." 

The  ministers  who  presided  over  and  perfected  the  organization 
were  Rev.  Wm.  Townley  and  Rev.  John  H.  Nevius. 

The  officers  who  were  then  elected  were  :  elders,  Messrs.  "Wm.  W. 
McCandless  and  Edgar  Allen  ;  deacon,  Mr.  Yanbuskirk  ;  trustees, 
Messrs.  Simon  Macy,  John  McKee,  and  John  S.  Thompson. 

This  congregation  for  some  time  after  its  organization,  worshi})ed  in 
the  same  old  school-house,  and  after  leaving  it,  occupied  a  room  in  Dr. 
Macy's  drug  store  building,  which  was  used  for  a  private  school,  and 
which  stood  upon  the  lot  now  occupied  by  the  residence  of  Mrs.  Jane 
Strother.  Some  time  about  the  year  1857,  they  worshiped  in  another 
33 


576  HISTORY    OF   JVIERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

scliool-room,  where  Dr.  Town  ley  taught  a  select  or  private  school. 
The  same  house  is  now  occupied  as  a  dwelling  by  F.  A.  Holleubeck,  in 
the  west  part  of  Aledo.  Services  were  held  in  the  above  room  until 
1865,  when  the  congregation  iitted  up  the  chapel  room  of  a  col- 
lege that  was  under  the  care  of  the  Presbytery,  and  which  was 
situated  in  the  south  part  of  the  town.  This  room  was  occupied 
by  them  as  a  place  of  worship  until  ISTl,  from  which  time,  until 
the  building  they  now  occupy  was  finished,  they  worshiped  in  the 
house  of  the  Methodist  brethren.  The  first  pastor  of  the  church 
was  Rev.  Samuel  Linn,  who  continued  in  charge  until  the  spring  of 
1861,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  W.  W.  Williams,  for- 
merly of  Ohio.  It  was  during  the  pastorate  of  Mr.  Williams  the 
chapel  room  spoken  of  before  was  fitted  up  for  worship,  and  the  pros- 
perity of  the  congregation  at  that  time,  and  the  means  of  advancement 
and  growth,  were  largely  due  to  the  energy  of  Thos.  Candor,  familiarly 
known  as  "Fatlier  Candor,"  a  man  of  untiring  zeal  and  christian 
devotion  ;  he  died  in  1871.  Mr.  Williams  remained  in  charge  of  the 
congregation  till  the  fall  of  1866,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  John 
S.  Loots,  who  remained  nearly  three  years,  when  he  resigned,  was 
released  by  the  Presbytery,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  F.  A.  Shearer 
in  the  winter  of  1868  and  1869.  Dr.  Shearer  was  succeeded  by  Rev. 
Samuel  T.  Davis,  in  1875,  who  remained  about  two  years  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Rev.  Robt.  Edgar,  who  remained  with  the  congregation 
about  three  years,  when,  by  his  own  request,  he  was  released  by  the 
Presbytery.  The  congregation  is  large  and  in  a  prosperous  condition. 
They  have  a  large  and  handsome  place  of  worship,  which  cost  about 
$6,000.  There  are  only  two  surviving  members  of  the  original  organ- 
ization, Mrs.  Amanda  M,  Macy  and  Mrs.  Martha  Detwiler. 

United  Presbyterian  Cliurch. — In  the  year  1853  or  1851,  Rev. 
Matthew  Bigger  preached  occasionally  to  a  few  members  of  the  Asso- 
ciate Reformed  Presbytei'ian  church,  living  in  Millersburg  township, 
Mercer  county,  Illinois.  Services  were  generally  held  at  the  house  of 
Samuel  Carnahan,  and  sometimes  in  a  school-house  near  his  place. 
An  organization  was  effected  in  the  year  1855  by  the  election  of  Samuel 
Carnahan,  Sr.,  and  AVilliam  Haverhill,  as  ruling  elders. 

The  first  pastor  was  the  Rev.  D.  C.  Cochran,  who  was  installed 
Nov.  9,  1856,  and  continued  with  the  congregation  as  pastor  for  about 
two  years.  The  records  show  that  five  persons  were  received  into 
membership  by  certificate  during  the  first  pastorate.  In  the  year  1856 
the  village  of  Aledo  was  laid  out,  and  the  name  of  the  congregation 
was  soon  changed  from  "Millersburg"  to  that  of  "Aledo."  Near 
the  time  that  the  first  pastor  was  released,  the  Rev,  Matthew  Bigger, 


MERCER  TOWNSHIP.  577 

pastor  of  Pope  creek  congrecjation,  now  Sunbeam,  removed  to  Aledo 
with  liis  family,  and  jDreached  "statedly"  as  supply  to  the  Aledo  con- 
gregation. During  his  labors  the  Sabbath  school  was  organized  and 
AV.  D.  Henderson  was  the  first  superintendent. 

John  S.  Paxton  and  W.  1).  Henderson  were  installed  as  ruling 
elders  February  12,  1859.  'Mrs.  Warwick,  wife  of  J.  M.  Warwick, 
was  the  first  person  received  into  the  Aledo  congregation,  upon  })rofes- 
sion  of  faith,  and  her  chihlren  the  first  baptised. 

Rev.  Matthew  Bigger  entered  the  army  during  the  war  of  the  rebel- 
lion as  clia])lain  of  the  50th  reg.  111.  Vol.  Inf.  After  the  close  of  the 
war  he  entered  the  active  work  of  the  ministry,  in  which  he  continued 
till  his  death  at  Bushnell,  Illinois,  in  December,  1873.  The  second 
pastor  was  Rev.  J.  R.  McCallister,  who  was  installed  in  Decembei', 
1862. 

Shortly  after  the  above  date  a  new  church  building  was  erected  at  a 
cost  of  about  §2,400.  This  bulling  was  afterward  sold  to,  and  is  now 
in  use  by,  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church,  of  Aledo.  December  10, 
1867,  Mr.  McCallister  was  released  from  his  pastorate  by  Presbytery, 

The  third  pastor  was  Rev.  A.  W.  Clokey,  who  was  installed  De- 
cember 22,  1868,  and  released  by  Presbytery  June  11,  1872.  The 
fourth  and  present  pastor  is  Rev.  T.  B.  Turnbull,  who  was  installed 
April  16,  1873.  A  new  church  building  was  erected  in  1876 ;  it  was 
completed  for  occupancy  in  the  basement,  the  auditorium  being  un- 
finished, at  a  cost  of  $8,689.12,  when,  on  June  25,  1877,  a  tornado 
passed  over  the  village  of  Aledo,  blowing  the  tower  of  the  new  church 
building  over  ujion  the  roof  of  the  church,  carrying  -svnth  it  to  the  ground 
about  one-third  of  the  main  structure.  The  work  of  re])airing  was 
immediately  begun,  and  was  finished  at  a  cost  of  about  $2,200.  The 
church  building  is  the  finest  in  the  county,  being  of  frame  work  after 
the  gothic  style,  and  when  com])leted  and  finally  furnished  will  cost 
tlie  congregation  about  $15,000. 

The  actual  membership  of  the  congregation  is  about  140.  The 
Sabbath  school  is  large,  under  the  superintendency  of  Dr.  D.  R.  John- 
ston, formerly  medical  missionary  to  Egypt.  The  officers  of  the  church 
at  present  are :  eldei's,  Stewart  J.  Frew,  Alexander  Rankin,  Paul 
Black,  Joseph  AVallace,  W.  K.  Fulton  ;  trustees,  Thomas  Love,  Will- 
iam B.  Frew,  J.  F.  Pyles.  This  church  is  in  a  flourishing  condition, 
and  out  of  debt. 

Methodid  EpUco])al  Church — Was  organized  in  the  sj^ring  of  1857 
by  Rev.  J.  Shelton,  then  traveling  Camden  (now  ]Milan)  circuit.  In 
the  fall  of  1857  Aledo  was  connected  with  Millersburg  circuit,  and  D. 
A.  Faulkenburg  appointed  as  pastor.     The  subsequent  appointments 


578  HISTORY    OF    FIERCER   InD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 


to  the  Millersbnrg  cii-ciiit  while  Aledo  was  connected  with  Millersburg 
were  as  follows:  In  1858,  L.  P.  Crouch;  in  1859,  L.  P.  Crouch;  in 
1860,  B.  E.  Kaufman ;  in  1861,  J.  D.  Taylor  ;  in  1862,  J.  D.  Taylor ; 
in  1863,  G.  C.  Woodruif ;  in  1864,  J.  D.  Taylor.  In  1865,  Aledo 
iii'st  appears  as  an  independent  charge,  with  M.  D.  Ileckard  as  pastor. 
Since  then  the  appointments  to  Aledo  have  been  as  follows:  In  1866, 
A.  P.  Hull;  1867  and  1868,  F.  Smith;  1869,  G.  I.  Bailey;  1870, 
G.  I.  Bailey  ;  1871,  M.  Spurlock;  1872,  M.  Spurlock;  1873,  tlie  same; 

1874,  M.  C.  Bowlin;  1875,  the  same;  1876  and  1877,  W.  M.  Collins  ; 
1878  and  1879,  A.  E.  Morgan  ;  1880,  W.  McPheeters ;  1881,  J.  G.  Evans. 

In  1862,  under  the  administration  of  J.  D.  Taylor,  the  society  pur- 
chased a  half  interest  in  the  Free  Presbyterian  church,  and  in  1865  the 
Free  Presbyterians  sold  their  remaining  interest  in  the  building  to  the 
Methodists.  The  society  owns  a  good  parsonage.  The  membership 
now  numbers  220,  and  the  Aledo  Methodist  Episcopal  church  is,  and 
has  been  for  years  the  most  prosperous  Methodist  church  in  the  county. 
It  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  pleasant  stations  in  tlie  confer- 
ence. When  the  society  was  organized  in  1857,  J.  P.  McEwen  was 
appointed  leader.      The  additional  members  were :    Mary  McEwen, 

Mary  M.  Cool,  Criss,  Mr.   Hawkins,  Mrs.  Hawkins,  Elizabeth 

Baxter,  Charles  Moore,  Mrs.  Moore. 

Aledo  J^ajjt/'st  Cliurch. — The  first  organization  of  this  church  in 
Aledo  took  place  January  5,  1867,  with  twelve  members  consti- 
tuting the  congregation.  The  meeting  was  presided  over  by  Eev.  J.  C. 
Post,  who  remained  in  charge  of  the  congregation  until  October,  1867, 
when  his  term  expired.  The  officers  of  the  original  organization  were 
as  follows:  clerk,  Clias.  M.  Kay;  trustees,  AYm.  B.  Crapnel,  C.  M. 
Kay,  J.  B.  Taliafero,  Moses  White,  Aaron  P.  Sliafer,  Pobert  H.  Day, 
Aaron  Patterson.  Mr.  Post  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Win.  Whitehead, 
who  was  called  by  the  congregation  January  1,  1868,  and  remained  in 
charge  until  January  19,  1869.  On  September  11,  1870,  a  call  was 
extended  to  Rev.  D.  G.  Zook,  who  took  charge  of  the  congregation 
and  remained  until  August  2,  1873,  when  he  resigned.  Mr.  Zook  was 
succeeded  by  Rev.  O.  W.  Yan  Osdel,  who  was  called  December  4, 

1875,  and  remained  till  ()ctober  30,  1878,  when  he  resigned  and  was 
released  March  31,  1880.  A  call  was  extended  to  Rev.  M.  D.  Mur- 
dock,  who  accepted  and  remained  with  the  congregation  till  January 
5,  1881,  when  the  present  pastor.  Rev.  J.  T.  Hoye,  was  called.  For 
some  years  prior  to  1874  the  congregation  worshiped  in  private  houses, 
holding  covenant  and  prayer  meetings.  About  this  year  steps  were 
taken  leading  to  the  erection  of  the  handsome  place  of  worship  they 
now  occupy  (which  was  dedicated  December  5,   1875),  at  a  cost  of 


MERCER   TOWNSHIP.  579 

about  $3,500.  Mucli  credit  is  due  to  a  few  members  of  this  churcli, 
who  ftimished  a  gi'eat  part  of  the  means  for  tlie  building.  As  the 
ehurcli  was  comi)aratively  po(^r,  the  burden  fell  upon  the  few.  In 
1877  the  congregation  also  built  a  tine  parsonage,  at  a  cost  of  a))out 
$1,500.  The  congregation  now  numbers  about  eighty-five  members. 
The  sabbath  school  is  large  and  interesting,  and  is  superintended  by  the 
pastor.     Of  the  original  members  of  the  congregation  only  four  remain. 

t'o?i(/re(/ati'onaI  C/iurc/i — "Was  organized  Februar}- 15,  1869.  The 
otticers  of  the  original  organization  were:  trustees,  John  S.  Thompson, 
Horace  E.  Wright,  and  P.  Koberts ;  clerk  and  treasurer,  M.  S.  Boice. 
They  built  a  house  of  worship,  which  was  dedicated  July  3,  1870,  and 
cost  about  $4,500.  Rev.  P.  F.  Warner  was  the  first  pastor,  who  con- 
tinued in  charge  till  the  fall  of  1872.  The  congi-egation  was  then  with- 
out a  pastor  till  the  year  1874,  when  Rev.  Robert  Nurse  was  called 
and  presided  over  the  church  till  September,  1877.  The  congregation 
was  again  without  a  pastor,  having  only  occasional  supplies,  till  A])ril, 
1880,  when  the  Rev.  W.  E.  Smith  was  called,  and  who  continued  in 
charge  until  January  1,  1882,  when  he  accepted  a  call  from  the  First 
Congregational  church  of  Canton,  Illinois.  The  present  officers  of  the 
church  are  :  trustees,  Joseph  McCoy,  Joseph  Abercrombie  and  James  H. 
Council ;  deacons,  Robert  Woods  and  Wm.  Pinkerton ;  treasurer, 
Wm.  A.  Lorimer ;  secretary  and  superintendent  of  sabbath  school. 
Miss  Laura  McCoy ;  chorister,  A.  M.  Woods ;  organist.  Miss  Aggie 
McCoy. 

Swedish  Lutheran  Church — ^Was  organized  May  19,  1873,  the 
Rev.  A.  Andreen  presiding.  There  were  about  forty  members  who 
signed  the  church  roll.  The  following  officers  were  elected  :  trustees, 
J.  O.  Lundblad,  P.  Ringdall,  Clias.  Neiberg,  and  Samuel  Andersen; 
deacons,  C.  Bjorkman,  C.  Runborn,  John  E.  Swomsen,  and  ().  G. 
Olsen.  They  were  without  a  house  of  worship  until  March,  1877, 
when  the  old  building  of  the  United  Presbyterian  church  was  pur- 
chased for  $400,  which  they  removed  to  the  lot  owned  by  them  in  the 
east  part  of  town,  and  repaired  and  fitted  up  at  a  cost  of  about  $2,000. 
The  first  pastor  was  the  Rev.  A.. Andreen,  who  was  succeeded  in  July, 
1873,  by  Rev.  Nils  Fersander,  who  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Andreen 
again,  who  had  charge  of  the  congregation  for  about  a  year.  Sep- 
tember 8,  1878,  a  call  was  issued  to  the  Rev.  T.  H.  Winguist,  who 
took  charge  of  the  congregation  in  March,  1879,  and  is  the  present 
pastor.  The  congregation  has  at  present  about  eighty  membei-s,  is  out 
of  debt  and  pros])ering.  Sabbath  school  exercises  are  held  in  English 
every  Sabbath,  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  A.  G.  Johnson,  superin- 
tendent. 


580  HISTORY    OF    MERCER    AI^D    HENDERSON   COUN'HES. 

•  Ejjiscopal  Church.- — This  church  was  first  organized  by  a  few  mem- 
bers in  1870,  and  in  the  year  1878  was  received  nnder  the  care  of  the 
fijeneral  church  as  a  mission.  The  church  since  has  so  prospered  that 
in  February  of  the  present  year  (1882)  it  was  organized  as  an  inde- 
pendent congregation.  The  church  is  entirely  out  of  debt,  and  have 
a  fine  place  of  worship  erected  by  the  members  at  a  cost  of  about 
$4,000.  The  rectors  in  charge  since  1870  have  been:  Revs.  Chamber- 
lain, Brown,  Gates,  Allen,  and  the  present  rector,  Rev.  Farrar,  in  the 
order  named. 

Seventh  Day  Adventists. — Early  in  the  year  of  1869,  a  Rev.  R. 
F.  Andrews,  a  minister  of  this  denomination,  delivered  a  series 
of  lectures  in  Aledo  upon  the  doctrines  of  his  church,  continuing  his 
services  until  some  time  in  March  of  that  year.  He  made  a  number 
of  converts  to  his  doctrine,  though  no  organization  was  eftected  at 
that  time.  A  number  of  the  followers  of  his  faith,  however,  banded 
together,  appointed  a  leader,  and  for  nearly  a  year  met  for  regular 
service  in  the  court-house.    ' 

Mr.  Andrews  came  back  after  being  absent  about  a  year,  and  com- 
menced operations  six  miles  south  of  Aledo,  and  sent  for  Rev.  Mr. 
Whitham,  who  had  embraced  adventism,  to  help  him  in  the  work. 
The  two  brethren  labored  in  this  locality  for  some  time,  when  an 
organization  was  eftected,  the  brethren  meeting  in  what  is  known  as 
the  "Marsh  school-house."  They  held  meetings  regularly,  with  quite 
a  large  Sabbath-school  as  auxiliary,  until  within  a  few  years  past. 
Many  members  of  the  organization  have  moved  away,  weakening  its 
strength ;  but  the  interest  is  still  kept  alive  among  the  few,  and  the 
organization  is  still  intact. 

Free  Preshyterian  church. — There  is  now  no  such  church.  The 
necessity  for  such  an  organization  ceased  when  slavery  died.  It  was 
the  outgrowth  of  that  love  of  principle  which  burned  in  the  hearts  of 
those  noble  men  who  loved  liberty  and  morality,  and  its  cardinal  doc- 
trines as  a  church  were  founded  upon  the  sternest  ideas  and  principles 
of  morality.  As  early  as  1852  there  were  three  organizations  of  this 
church  in  Mercer  county  ;  one  in  the  ''  Carnahan  neighborhood.''  The 
place  was  commonly  known  as  "Nigger  ridge,"  on  account  of  the 
number  of  abolitionists  living  in  the  neighborhood.  Another  organ- 
ization was  in  the  "  Kiddoo  neighborhood,"  and  the  third  at  the 
McClure  school-house.  Messrs.  Carnahan,  McClure,  and  Kiddoo  were 
the  leaders  in  the  movement  in  Mercer  county,  and  are  all  now  dead. 
There  was  a  church  built  in  the  Carnahan  district,  and  it  is  still  stand- 
ing, as  is  another  church  built  at  the  same  time  in  the  Kiddoo  district. 

These  three  congregations    united  and  built  a  church  in  Aledo, 


IVrERCER   TOWNSHIP.  581 

about  tlie  year  1857,  previous  to  wliicli  time  Rev.  Joseph  R.  AVliit- 
liam,  at  i)resent  livini^;  east  of  Aledo,  a  zealous  cliristian  man,  had 
preached  to  the  three  organizations  in  turn.  After  the  union  Rev. 
James  S.  Pogue  was  the  pastor  of  the  congregation  until  the  close  of 
the  war,  when  the  organization  was  dissolved  and  the  church  building 
sold  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  the  members  uniting  with 
various  churches  in  Aledo. 

SOCIETIES. 

Aledo  Lodge  No.  ^5^,  A.F.A.M. — The  charter  was  granted  under 
the  signature  of  James  Hibbard,  Grand  Master  of  the  State  of  Illinois, 
and  bears  date  of  October  7,  1857.  The  charter  members  were  Will- 
iam M.  Brown,  Lucien  B.  Howe,  Pleasant  B.  Mathews,  Elislia  Miller, 
and  Simeon  Macy.  The  first  officers  of  the  lodge  were  as  follows: 
Simeon  Macy,  W.M. ;  William  M.  Brown,  S.  W. ;  R  B.  Mathews,  J.  W. ; 
O.  C.  Allen,  Sec.  The  lodge  at  that  time  met  in  the  third  story  of  the 
building  now  owned  by  J.  C.  Richey,  on  the  south  side  of  Fifth  street. 
The  lodge  was  constituted,  under  the  charter,  by  Deputy  Gi'and  Master 
Rice,  of  Monmouth  Lodge,  October  10,  1857,  when  the  above-named 
officers  were  installed.  The  first  election  of  officers  was  held  Decem- 
ber 14,  1858,  which  resulted  in  the  following  being  chosen :  Simeon 
Macy,  W.M.;  Thomas  Maddox,  S.W.;  G.  A.  Luvin,  J.W.;  Isaac  K 
Bassett,  Treas. ;  Elias  Willets,  Sec.  Elias  AVillets  was  the  secretary 
till  1860.  He  received  his  demit  from  the  lodge  about  1862,  when  he 
moved  to  Warren  county,  where  he  practiced  his  profession,  that  of  the 
law,  till  about  the  year  1870,  when  he  was  appointed  county  judge,  to 
fill  an  unexpired  term,  at  the  close  of  which  he  was  elected  to  the  same 
office,  which  he  held  till  his  death  in  December,  ISSl.  M.  L.  Marsh 
was  the  next  secretary  elected,  who  held  the  office  for  several  terms, 
when  he  was  appointed  tyler,  which  office  he  has  continuously  held 
under  the  successive  administrations  of  the  lodge  until  the  })resent 
time.  At  the  election  in  December,  1862,  William  M.  Brown  was 
elected  W.M.,  and  Thomas  Maddox,  Sec.  January,  1864,  Simeon 
Macy  was  again  elected  W.M.,  and  I.  N.  Bassett,  Sec.  The  next 
change  was  in  1865,  when  Dr.  W.  D.  Craig  was  elected  W.M.,  and 
James  M.  Macy,  Sec.  The  successive  annual  elections  resulted  as 
fohows:  December  18,  1866,  J.  M.  Willson,  W.M.,  J.  M.  Macy,  Sec.-, 
December  10,  1867,  J.  M.  Willson,  W.M.,  John  C.  Wellion,  Sec; 
December  22,  1868,  L.  L.  Troy,  W.M.,  Geo.  P.  Graham,  Sec;  Decem- 
ber 19,  1869,  W.  D.  Craig,  W.M.,  C.  H.  Smith,  Sec;  December  6, 

1870,  John  H.    Snyder,  W.M.,    M.    L.   Marsh,  Sec;   December  19, 

1871,  J.  M.  Willson,  W.M.,  B.  F.  Brock,  Sec;  December  10,  1872, 


582  HISTORY    OF   aLERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

Geo.  P.  Graham,  W.M.,  James  L.  Bentle3%  Sec;  December  30,  1873, 
Geo.  P.  Graham,  W.M.,  M.  L.  Marsh,  Sec;  December  15,  1874, 
D.  F.  Brock,  "VY.M.,  A.  B.  McCanclless,  Sec;  December  7,  1875, 
Geo.  P.  Graham,  AV.M.,  Luke  Strong,  Sec;  December  26,  1876, 
J.  M.  Willson,  W.M.,  Joseph  Boyd,  Sec;  December  18,  1877, 
J.  M.  Willson,  W.M.,  Alex.  McArthur,  Sec;  since  which  election 
James  M.  AVillson  has  held  the  office  of  W.M.,  and  the  same  officer 
was  secretary  till  the  election  of  September  14,  1880,  when  Fred 
Clark  was  elected.  The  present  officers  of  the  lodge  are  as  follows : 
J.  M.  Willson,  W.M.;  K.  E.  Patrick,  S.W.;  Philip  Killey,  J.W.; 
J.  F.  McBride,  Treas. ;  I'.  Clark,  Sec;  Alex.  McArthur,  Senior 
Deacon ;  K.  M.  Whitham,  Junior  Deacon ;  A.  E.  Mead  and  Joseph 
Boyd,  Stewards ;  M.  L.  Marsh,  Tyler.  The  lodge  now  occupies  a 
commodious  and  neat  hall  in  the  Aledo  bank  building.  They  are 
comfortably  situated  and  in  a  very  flourishing  condition.  In  talking 
over  the  history  of  this  organization  some  very  pleasant  memories  are 
revived,  not  the  least  of  which  was  the  presentation  in  1880  to  Wor- 
shipful Master  J.  M.  Willson,  who  had  served  the  lodge  for  many 
years  as  its  principal  officer,  of  a  magnificent  cane  to  support  the 
declining  years  of  him  who,  "  as  a  Master  Mason,  enjoys  the  happy 
reflection  of  a  well-spent  life." 

Aledo  Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F. — This  lodge  was  instituted  July  1,  1857, 
by  virtue  of  a  charter  issued  under  the  seal  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States,  bearing  the  signatures  of  Augustus  C.  Marsh,  G.M., 
and  Samuel  Willard,  G.S.  The  charter  members  were:  O.  C.  Allen, 
John  S.  Moore,  J.  E.  Harroun,  Jacob  Cool,  and  William  Detwiler. 
The  present  officers  of  the  lodge  are:  C.  S.  Bramkamp,  N.G. ;  Wm. 
Shiver,  V.  G. ;  G.  B.  Morgan,  Rec  Sec. ;  M.  L.  Marsh,  Per.  Sec. ; 
J.  O.  Lundblad,  Treas.;  C.  T.  Cunningham,  G.Rep. 

J.  S.  Pinkerton,  of  Aledo,  a  member  of  this  lodge,  was  the  first 
member  of  the  order  initiated  in  Mercer  county ;  his  initiation  took 
place  in  New  Boston  Lodge,  No.  188,  in  November,  1855.  The  lodge 
is  in  a  flourishing  condition,  has  forty-four  members,  and  net  assets  of 
$626.31  in  the  hands  of  the  treasurer.  They  meet  in  Abercrombie  hall. 

A.  O.  U.  W. — A  lodge  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workingmen 
was  instituted  in  Aledo,  December  20,  1878,  with  twenty -five  charter 
members.  The  officers  of  the  original  organization  were  as  follows  : 
P.M.W.,  A.  R  Morgan;  M.W.,  Wm.  N.  Graham;  F.,  James  M. 
Macy ;  Overseer,  Jas.  A.  Cummins ;  Receiver,  J.  I.  Edwards ;  Re- 
corder, W.  A.  Lorimer ;  Financier,  W.  C.  Galloway ;  Guide,  D.  T. 
Hindman ;  I.  Watch,  A.  R.  McDonald ;  O.  Watch,  Ben.  Warlow. 
There  has  been  only  one  death  in  the  order  since  its  organization,  that 


MERCER   TOWNSHIP.  583 

of  James  M.  Macy  in  January,  1882.  There  is  a  present  membership 
of  sixty-four,  and  the  order  is  on  a  sound  financijd  basis  and  is  other- 
wise prosperous.  The  order  meets  every  Thursday  evening  in  Aber- 
crombie's  halL  The  present  otticer's  are:  P.M.AV.,  S.  M.  Evans; 
M.W.,  W.  A.  Lorimer;  F.,  James  Bickets;  Overseer,  J.  H.  McPher- 
ren ;  Recorder,  A.  R.  McDonald ;  Receiver,  W.  C.  Galloway  ;  Finan- 
cier, R.  J.  McDonald ;  Guide,  Jas.  A.  Cummins ;  I.  ^Yatch,  J.  H. 
Abercrombie  ;  O.  Watch,  Wm.  Winders. 

TOWNLEY'S  TILE  AND  BRICK  MANUFACTORY. 

This  enterprise  was  started  by  Mr.  Townley  in  1874,  by  his  buying 
a  block  and  a  half  of  ground  just  east  of  town,  from  which  he  procures 
a  good  article  of  brick  clay.  The  clay  for  his  tile  he  procures  from  soil 
about  a  mile  north  of  Aledo.  Since  starting  his  works,  Mr.  Townley 
has  been  making  about  700,000  brick,  and  about  400,000  feet  of  tile 
per  year.  He  finds  a  good  market  for  his  entire  product  from  local 
trade,  and  is  running  his  works  to  their  full  capacity. 

"WEST  END"  CREAMERY,  MILLERSBURG. 

This  new  enterprise  was  projected  in  November,  1881,  by  Messrs. 
Stratton  &  Lunn,  of  Millersburg,  who  began  making  butter  on  a  large 
scale,  and  readily  finding  a  good  market  for  their  product,  increased 
their  facilities  to  what  they  are  at  present.  They  run  a  churn  of  the 
capacity  of  250  gallons  by  a  four-horse  power  engine.'  They  use  the 
common  Settle  cans  of  which  thev  have  in  use  400.  and  have  500  more 
on  the  way  from  the  manufacturer.  Since  starting  the  enterprise  they 
have  made  on  an  average  100  pounds  of  butter  per  day,  employing 
four  men  to  gather  cream.  The  proprietors  now  expect  to  run  twelve 
or  thirteen  diiferent  routes  in  gathering  their  cream,  covering  a  scope 
of  over  twenty  miles  square.  About  the  first  of  March  they  will  put 
up  two  more  vats  for  cream,  which  will  make  their  capacity  1,000  gal- 
lons, at  which  time  they  expect  to  make  500  pounds  of  butter  per  day. 
They  find  a  good  market  for  their  butter  in  Chicago,  and  have  recently 
had  an  ofier  from  Pueblo,  Colorado,  for  their  entire  product  for  the 
coming  year.  Messrs.  Stratton  <Sz  Lunn  are  thorough  business  men, 
and  will  doubtless  make  this  enterprise  a  successful  one. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Le\t  AYillits  (deceased),  is  one  of  Mercer  county's  noblest  dead. 
His  life  was  full  of  good  works  which  in  his  death  stand  out  in  bold 
relief  in  honor  to  the  doer.  Mr.  Willits  was  bom  May  31,  1808,  in 
Pickaway  county,  Ohio,  on  a  farm.     His  parents,  William  and  Mary 


584  HISTORY    OF   MERCER    JlND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

AVillits,  moved  from  Pennsylvania  to  Ohio  and  in  after  years  to  Indi- 
ana.    Levi  spent  his  youth  on  the  farm,    enjoying   but   few    school 
advantages,    vet   he   early  manifested   peculiar  mathematical  ability. 
When  about  of  age  he  began  the  trades  of  carpentry  and  cabinet  mak- 
ing, which  he  followed  some  years.     He  was  married  December  1, 
1832,  to  Miss  Clariuda  Drury,  daughter  of  Edward  and  Jane  Drury, 
born  in  Wayne  county,  Indiana,  July  20,  1811.     After  marriage,  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Willits  resided  in  Raysville,  Indiana,  for  four  years,  when  it 
was  decided  to  move  to  Illinois.     Accordingly,  in  the  fall  of  1836,  with 
ox-team,  the  journey  was  begun.     Mrs.  Willits  became  sick  with  the 
measles,  having  to  keep  her  bed  in  the  wagon.     Ari-ived  near  Mud 
creek,  not  far  from  Blue  river,  the  day  being  w^arm,  the  oxen  seeing 
the   water  were  uncontrollable  by  the  driver  and  rushed  toward  the 
muddy  element.     In  their  race  the  wagon  was  upset,  precipitating  Mrs. 
Willits,  sick  as  she' was,  into  mud  and  water,  completely  drenching 
her  and  piling  the  heavy  goods  on  her.     In  extricating  her  she  was 
further  bruised.     She   was   then   taken   on   horseback   by  a   passing 
woman  to  a  poor  hovel  and  there  treated  as  well  as  the  circumstances 
would  allow.     The  dirt  and  squalor  of  the  hut  could  not  be  mentioned. 
As  soon  as  able  the  party  pushed  on  with  their  ox-team  to  Indianapolis, 
where  they  remained  some  time.     Wliile  there  Mrs.  Willits'  sister  was 
taken  ill  of  the  measles  and  died.     They  buried  her  there  in  the  bloom 
of  her  youth.     It  was  then  dicided  to  return  to  Wayne  county  for  the 
winter,  at  least,  which  they  did.     In  the  following  spring  the  journey 
was  again  undertaken.     Mr.  Willits  purchased  three  cows  and  consid- 
erable voimo;  stock,  one  horse  and  the  ox-team.     Mr.  Willits  was  to 
ride  the  horse  and  drive  the  cattle,  while  Mrs.  Willits  should  drive  the 
ox-team,  the  man  hired  for  the  purpose  being  sick.     Mrs.  W.  rode  the 
horse  for  a  time  which,  becoming  scared  at  the  cattle  whip  the  driver 
carried,  jumped,  throwing  the  rider,  but  causing  no  dangerous  injury. 
Slowly  and  interruptedly  was  the  jou]:ney  made.     The  three  cows  and 
much  of  the  young  stock  were  lost  on  the  way.     Arrived  at  Xew  Boston, 
they  found  three  or  four  log  cabins  and  more  Indians  than  white  men. 
An  old  log  cabin  was  occupied  by  them,  necessitating,  so  dilapidated  was 
it,  the  hanging  of  bed  clothes,  etc.,  over  cracks  and  holes  in  the  walls. 
With  the  ox-team  Mr.  Willits  hauled  all  the  lumber  he  could  get  ar 
IVIillersburg  and  with  it  built  one  small  room  for  a  dwelling,  with  a  sort 
of  loft  above  for  sleeping  apartment  for  men  employed.     Below  a  bed 
and    a  trundle    bed   occupied   one  corner.      Across    one    corner   was 
hung  a  sheet,  partitioning  off  a  little  room  for  flour  and  smoke  room. 
Hired  men  slei)t  u])  stairs  and  on  the  floor  down  stairs,  while  the 
"guid"  couple  occupied  the  bed.     In  that  house  was  born  the  first 


MERGER   TOWNSHIP.  585 

child  to  the  Willits.  In  that  house  court  was  lield  when  Xew  Boston  was 
the  county  seat  and  there  the  court  and  jury  were  boarded  and  lodged. 
The  beds,  etc.,  served  as  seats  and  the  tioors  were  their  beds.  Mrs. 
W.  did  her  cooking  in  a  cabin  near  by.  The  young  cattle  brought  with 
them  were  slaughtered  for  food,  a  scarce  article  that  year.  A  small 
stock  of  goods  had  been  brought  with  them,  such  as  groceries,  paints, 
medicines,  liquors,  etc.  With  tliese  merchandising  was  begun,  whicli 
grew  into  a  very  lucrative  business.  Wm.  Drury  was  for  years  Mr. 
Willits"'  ])artner.  Soon  Mr.  Willits  added  to  his  home  and  with  differ- 
ent additions  the  house  became  large.  The  frame  is  now  owned  by 
Henry  Denison.  During  these  early  days  ]\trs.  Willits,  to  aid  in  for- 
tune, did  washing  and  ironing  for  the  young  men  of  that  day ;  also  made 
pants,  vests,  etc.  A  man  and  a  woman  had  been  hired  to  do  the 
baking  for  the  trade,  but  they  quitting,  Mrs.  AVillits  undertook  it.  She 
had  an  oven  made,  constructed  of  straw,  shavings,  mud,  etc.,  and 
plastered  with  mud,  then  burned,  as  there  were  no  brick.  She  paid 
for  this  from  her  own  earnings.  She  also  paid  for  her  first  cook  stove 
by  her  own  efforts.  Mr.  Willits,  two  years  after  opening  his  store, 
declared  he  would  sell  no  more  liquors  to  his  neighbors,  making  them 
drunk,  but  would  put  in  a  supply  of  dry  goods  instead.  He  con- 
tinued in  trade  many  years.  He  also  became  engaged  in  mer- 
chandising in  Millersburg  a  short  time.  He  was  extensively  and 
many  years  engaged  in  the  lumber  business,  trading  in  land,  buy- 
ing grain,  packing  pork,  contract  building,  erecting  a  number  of 
buildings  in  New  Boston.  It  is  unnecessary  to  speak  here  of  his 
laying  out  the  town  of  Aledo ;  of  his  founding,  in  connection  with 
Judge  John  S.  Thompson,  a  college  for  the  Presbyterians  and  one 
for  the  Methodists,  the  foundation  of  the  latter  being  laid  and  material 
ready,  at  his  death  ;  of  his  building  the  Barton  hotel,  and  various 
other  buildings.  All  this  will  be  found  in  the  history  of  Aledo. 
No  doubt  his  exposures  to  water  in  laying  out  the  town  at  the  time 
he  did,  caused,  in  scnne  degree,  the  rlieumatism  that  brought  on 
his  sickness.  He  spent  much  of  his  time  in  Aledo  the  last  year  or 
two  of  his  life.  He  returned  to  his  home  in  New  Boston  to  entertain 
friends,  and  while  there  was  taken  ill.  He  recovered  somewhat,  but 
moving  about  too  much,  he  took  a  relapse,  had  a  chill  on  Thurs- 
day, and  on  the  following  Tuesday  died  of  inflanuitory  rheumatism, 
March  2,  185S.  On  the  following  Friday  evening  a  large  concourse  of 
people  gathered  at  the  court-house  in  Aledo  and  passed  resolutions  of 
respect  for  him  and  admiration  of  his  character.  He  was  not  a  church 
member,  yet  was  considered  a  good  man.  His  house  was  always  open 
to  ministers  and  christians  generally.     The  e^'ening  before  his  death 


586  HISTORY    OF   IklERCER   AJS'D    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

he  called  for  a  glass  of  water  and  holding  it  up,  beantifully  remarked : 
"Before  to-raorrow  morning  I  shall  be  drinking  purer  water  than  that." 
He  died  before  morning.  Pie  was  always  interested  in  the  educational 
and  general  good  of  the  people.  In  politics  he  had  been  a  whig,  but 
was  a  republican  before  he  died.  Five  children  had  preceded  him  to 
the  grave,  all  he  had.  One  child  of  James  Thompson,  at  its  motliei-'s 
death,  had  been  taken  to  raise.  It  had  died.  Four  children  of  Har- 
riet Willits  had  also  found  a  father  and  mother  in  the  persons  of  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Levi  Willits.  One  died  in  her  fourteenth  year.  The  others 
were  well  educated  and  provided  for  in  his  will.  Mr.  Willits'  good 
works  live  after  him,  but  not  as  they  would  had  he  been  spared  to  fur- 
ther prosecute  his  designs.  Disease  deprived  the  people  of  a  noble 
mind,  warm  heart  and  willing  hands.  His  works  cannot  be  individu- 
alized in  the  space  allotted  here. 

John  Geiger.  The  frosts  of  sixty-eight  winters  have  whitened  the 
hair  of  Mr.  Geiger,  but  in  mind  and  body  he  is  still  vigorous  and  capa- 
ble. His  maternal  grandparents  were  German.  His  father's  people 
were  of  South  Carolina,  but  of  German  extraction.  His  father,  John 
Geiger,  was  born  and  raised  in  Martin  sburg,  Virginia,  but  became  a 
resident  of  Maryland.  He  became  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812. 
Shortly  after  the  war  closed  he  removed  to  the  southern  part  of  Bed- 
ford county,  Pennsylvania.  Exposure  and  hardships  incident  to  army 
life  brought  on  pleurisy,  progressing  with  consumption,  and  terminat- 
ing in  death  about  1825  or  1826.  He  was  not  a  strong  man  at  any 
time.  His  wife,  Elizabeth  Kable,  sons  and  daughters,  after  remaining 
in  Hancock,  Maryland,  a  few  years,  settled  in  Marion  county,  Ohio, 
where  she,  her  sons  (but  John)  and  one  daughter,  have  since  died. 
John  Geiger  was  born  in  Williamsport,  Maryland,  January  15,  1814, 
while  his  father  was  yet  fighting  the  British.  He  was  quite  young 
when  his  parents  moved  to  Bedford  county.  There,  on  the  Little 
Licking  river,  under  the  shadow  of  one  of  the  high  eastern  ridges 
of  the  Allegheny  mountains,  he  passed  his  youth  till  seventeen  years 
of  age.  He  says,  in  speaking  of  his  school  days  :  ' '  ISTaturally  studious 
and  of  a  somewhat  retentive  memory,  I  led  my  friends  and  teachers  to 
think  me  precocious.  So  I  was  unmercifully  pushed  deep  into  the 
intricate  parts  of  arithmetic  before  twelve  years  old.  But  by  the  im- 
perfect methods  of  teaching  that  prevailed  at  that  time,  I  understood 
nothing  of  consequence  beyond  the  operations  of  the  ground  rules." 
He  further  says:  "Aided  by  some  adverse  circumstances,  I  escaped 
further  attendance  at  school  until  nineteen  years  of  age."  In  1881, 
young  Geiger,  in  company  with  his  oldest  sister  and  her  husband, 
Daniel  Linn,  crossed  the  Alleglieny  mountains  via  the  national  turn- 


irERCER   TOWNSHIP.  587 

pike  road  to  Ohio,  assisting  at  times  in  caring  for  the  teafti  or  driving. 
At  that  time  the  northwest  and  much  of  the  interior  of  the  state  was 
wild  and  thinly  settled.  A  new  country  presented  dreary  prospects  to 
a  lad  seventeen  years  old,  with  naught  of  wealth  to  assist.  But  the 
love  and  good  counsel  of  his  mother  were  free.  lie  began  to  plan 
and  do  for  himself.  He  worked  at  whatever  might  offer,  farming 
principally,  although  alternated  with  work  in  the  stone  quany.  Means 
of  transportation  were  meager,  oxen  furnishing  the  larger  part  of  the 
motive  power.  Wages  were  low,  so  that  money  making  was  tedious. 
His  love  for  study  continued  unabated.  He  attended  school  part  of 
two  or  three  terms,  near  Caledonia,  Ohio,  finishing  arithmetic  and 
gaining  a  fair  knowledge  of  grammar  and  geography.  His  study  of 
school-books  was  interspersed  with  perusal  of  such  works  as  natural 
philosophy,  chemistry,  astronomy.  Goldsmith's  Greece  and  Rome,  Wal- 
son's  Institutes,  Pla}'fair"'s  Euclid,  Locke's  Essay  on  the  Human 
Understanding,  Good's  Book  of  Nature,  Butler's  Analogue,  AVatts  on 
the  Mind,  and  other  solid  reading.  In  1836,  after  five  years'  labor  and 
economy,  he  had  saved  $200  in  silver.  This  he  expended  in  a  quarter 
section  of  heavily  timbered  congress  land,  in  AVhitley  county,  Indiana. 
During  the  ensuing  winter  he  taught  school  in  Huntington,  remaining 
in  the  county  one  year,  making  improvements  on  his  purchase.  Land 
speculation  at  the  date  of  his  buying  was  at  its  height,  but  the  crash 
of  1837  depreciated  values  leaving  much  land  nearly  worthless.  After 
keeping  his  farm  thirteen  years  and  expending  much  labor  on  it,  he 
sold  just  before  the  rise  in  prices  caused  by  the  railroad  excitement. 
Mr.  Geiger  still  made  his  home  in  Ohio,  where  he  was  much  em- 
ployed as  an  accountant  in  auditors'  offices  for  a  series  of  years,  and 
in  some  four  difierent  counties.  Feeling  the  necessity,  from  experi- 
ence, of  some  tables  for  computing  taxes,  he,  in  1847,  compiled  and 
printed  a  small  book  of  tables.  This  was  sold  almost  exclusively  in 
Ohio.  In  1854  he  prepared  a  much  fuller  work.  This  being  too 
expensive  for  his  limited  means  he  memorialized  the  Ohio  legislature, 
obtaining  an  appropriation  of  $3,500,  to  enable  him  to  publish  his 
work  with  dispatch,  the  state  taking  300  copies  in  consideration  of  the 
appropriation.  The  edition  of  800  copies  was  sold  mostly  in  Ohio, 
Indiana,  Illinois,  Missouri.  Michigan  and  Minnesota.  Mr.  Geiger's 
other  literary  work  has  embraced  a  few  lectures,  essays,  poems,  etc., 
some  of  which  have  appeared  in  the  columns  of  the  press.  In  ])olitics 
he  has  been  an  unfaltering  democrat  through  life.  His  first  political 
activity  was  corresponding  for  Sam.  Medary's  "Ohio  Statesman,"  in 
1840,  when  he  had  the  opportunity  of  seeing  and  hearing  some  of  the 
greatest  platform  orators  known  to  the  public.     In  1850  he  became 


588  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   ANT)    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

editi)r-in-cliafge  of  tlie  "Mount  Gilead  Messenger,'"  continuing  a  short 
time  during  the  compromise  session  of  congress  of  1849  and  1850,  and 
the  canvass  for  the  Ohio  constitution  of  1850.  Prosperity  crowned 
the  efforts  of  the  industrious,  so  that  in  1852  Mr.  Geiger  was  able  to 
purchase  1,000  acres  of  land  in  Alercer  county,  Elinois,  buying  in  a 
body  in  Greene  and  Preemption  townships,  to  which  several  hundred 
acres  were  added  in  1853.  In  1854  he  planted  live  or  six  miles 
of  osage  orange  fence,  built  plank  fences,  tenant  houses,  and  made 
other  improvements  looking  to  its  occu|)ation  as  a  grain  and  stock  farm. 
May  27,  1858,  he  was  married  at  Wabash,  Indiana,  to  Mrs.  Martha 
P.  Arthur,  widowed  daughter  of  the  late  Judge  Parish,  of  Columbus, 
Ohio,  a  union  that  has  ever  been  happy.  With  his  wife  and  her  two 
children,  ().  P.  Arthur  and  the  present  Mrs.  James  H.  Connell,  he 
moved  to  his  Illinois  farm  in  October  of  the  same  year.  He  carried 
on  the  grain  and  stock  business  till  1858,  when  he  settled  in  Aledo. 
He  still  owns  part  of  his  farm.  Since  his  residence  in  Aledo  he  has 
been  successfully  conducting  the  Aledo  "Banner"  and  the  Aledo 
"Democrat,"  some  account  of  which  appears  in  the  history  of  Aledo. 
He  also  superintends  his  farm.  Officially  he  has  occupied  a  few  local 
positions,  but  has  more  frequently  declined  than  acce^^ted  opportunities 
as  candidate  for  such  honors.  Without  intending  any  special  laudation 
it  is  but  pro])er  to  say  that  Mr.  Geiger's  life  has  been  one  of  success, 
and  may  teach  to  poor  boys  the  lesson  so  often  repeated,  that  even 
though  poverty  may  be  their  lot  in  j^outli,  they  may,  if  willing  to  try, 
rise  and  become  useful  citizens. 

The  Gilmore  Family. — Among  the  few  white  families  who  consti- 
tuted the  iirst  permanent  settlers  of  Mercer  county,  and  who  have 
taken  prominent  and  active  parts  in  its  history  and  development,  is 
that  of  which  Judge  Ephraim  Gilmore  is  a  member.  He  and  his 
father.  Col.  Robert  Gilmore,  arrived  in  Warren  county  as  early  as 
1833,  and  the  following  year  the  judge  moved  into  that  part  afterward 
set  off  as  Mercer  county.  Mr,  Gilmore  was  born  February  7,  1810, 
hence  was  in  full  manhood  when  his  career  became  blended  with  that 
of  Mercer  county.  After  a  residence  of  two  years  in  New  Boston  he 
settled  at  a  point  about  half  way  between  Aledo  and  New  Boston,  on 
a  farm  subsequently  owned  by  the  Hon.  John  McGinnis.  Hei"e  he 
lived  and  labored  from  1837  to  1871,  when  he  changed  his  residence 
to  Aledo  and  embarked  in  the  banking  business.  November  4,  1834, 
he  married  Miss  Julia  Ann  Denison,  daughter  of  William  and  Rachel 
Denison,  who  were  the  first  white  settlers  of  the  county.  Miss  Den- 
ison was  the  only  single  white  lady  of  the  county  at  the  time  of  this 
marriage.      Seven  sons  and  two  daughters  have  been  born  to  them : 


MEUCER   TOWNSHIP.  589 

"William,  Tiobcrt  !N^.,  John  A.,  James  E.,  Edwin,  Erastus  E.,  Lvman 
C,  Annie  E,,  and  Marv.  William  and  ^larv  are  dead.  Robert  is  a 
resident  of  Johnson  county,  Missouri,  and  Annie  E.  (now  Mrs.  James 
Kiddoo)  is  of  Rice  county,  Kansas.  John  A.  enlisted  August  H,  1861, 
in  com[)any  E,  Dth  reg.  111.  Vol.,  and  served  three  years  and  one 
month.  His  regiment  was  mostly  recruited  from  St.  Clair  county,  and 
was  commanded  by  Col.  Paine.  John  A.  as  a  soldier  was  engaged  at 
the  lirst  battle  of  Fort  Donelson,  Shiloh,  Corinth.  lie  then  became 
a  mounted  infantryman,  and  accompanied  Sherman  to  Atlanta,  l)Ut  in 
the  meantime  aided  in  guarding  the  Memphis  and  Charleston  railroad. 
He  was  mustered  ou:  at  Springfield.  March  22,  1865,  he  was  man-ied 
to  Miss  AUie  Pryme.  She  died  June  28,  1866,  leaving  one  child 
(Charlie).  He  was  next  married  February  17,  1870,  to  Miss  Sarah 
McGinnis,  whose  parents  (John  T.  and  Margaret  McGinnis)  are  i)rom- 
inent  in  Mercer  county  history.  John  A.  has  s])ent  many  years  on 
the  farm,  but  is  now  in  the  bank.  Robert  N.,  James  E.  and  Edwin 
were  in  company  K,  102d  reg.  111.  Vol.,  which  regiment  is  so  fully 
noticed  in  the  history.  Robert  was  discharged  on  account  of  ill-health 
incurred  in  Buell's  famous  forced  march,  flames  and  Edwin  served 
through  the  war.  Judge  Gilmore's  history  is  so  intimate  with  that 
of  the  county,  that  a  review  of  the  one  includes  that  of  the  other. 
He  was  the  first  postmaster  of  New  Boston,  first  circuit  clerk  and 
first  survej'Or  of  Mercer  county,  once  probate  judge,  once  county  treas- 
urer, and  twice  a  member  of  the  state  legislature.  During  his  ofticial 
career  his  conduct  was  marked  by  a  coui'tesy  of  manner,  an  honesty 
of  action  and  a  purity  and  ])atriotism  of  motive  to  such  a  degree  that 
there  is  not  now  in  the  county  a  single  man  to  be  found  who  does  not 
honor  and  feel  proud  of  his  record  and  relations  with  his  people. 
The  Gilmore  family  are  of  Scotch-Irish  descent.  The  ancestry 
came  to  the  United  States  when  they  were  dependent  colonies,  and 
were  during  the  revolutionary  war  active  patriots,  Mr.  Gilmore's 
grandfather,  Ephraim  Gilmore,  being  a  continental  soldier,  who,  after 
the  close  of  the  war,  continued  to  reside  in  Chester  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  he  raised  four  sons :  Robert,  Ejjhraim,  John  and  Thomas. 
Robert  afterward  served  as  captain  in  the  war  of  1812.  He  was  twice 
married,  first  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Collins  antl  then  to  Miss  Maria  Pil- 
grim. By  his  first  wife  he  raised  Ephraim  (the  subject  of  this  sketch), 
John,  Arabella,  Ann,  and  Joseph;  and  by  his  second  w^fe,  James, 
Thomas,  Elizabeth  Rachel,  Lawrence  H.,  Benjamin  F.,  and  Robert  C. 
The  first  marriage  took  place  in  Jcft'erson  county,  Ohio,  and  the  second 
in  the  city  of  Columbus,  he  being  at  that  time  a  member  of  the  legis- 
lature of  Ohio  from  the  same  county.     Immediately  after  coming  to 


590  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AXD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

Warren  county,  Illinois,  lie  was  elected  one  of  the  commissioners  for 
this  county,  which  position  he  held  two  or  theee  terms.  He  died 
about  1856,  and  was  buried  at  Monmouth.  He  was  To  years  old  and 
was  a  man  of  strong  force  of  character.  He  died  in  the  fellowship  of 
the  Presbyterian  church. 

Nicholas  Edwards,  farmer  and  lumber  merchant,  Aledo,  is  a 
natiye  of  Crawford  county,  Indiana-,  M^liere  he  was  born  October  23, 
1816.  His  father,  Isaac  Edwards,  died  of  small-pox  before  he  can 
remember,  and  his  mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Rachel  Rice, 
married  again.  Mr.  Edwards  liyed  on  the  old  homestead  till  1834, 
when  he  engaged  in  flat-boating  to  New  Orleans,  working  at  flrst  for 
$15  per  month.  In  1838  he  quit  the  riyer,  came  to  Illinois,  and  in  the 
spring  of  1839  settled  at  Henderson,  Knox  county,  and  merchandised 
there  until  1843.  In  September,  1839,  he  attended  the  land  sales  at 
Galena,  but  being  obliged  by  preyious  engagement  to  return  before  he 
made  his  purchase,  he  left  his  money  with  friends  who  bid  ott'  for  him 
the  tracts  he  had  selected,  the  same  being  the  S.  W.  ^  Sec.  18  and  the 
N.  W.  i  Sec.  19,  T.  14,  R.  3,  which  land  he  still  owns.  Arriying 
home  he  celebrated  his  marriage  with  Miss  Lydia  Ann  Edwards,  of 
Hamilton  county,  Ohio,  on  the  6th  of  October.  In  1843  he  settled 
at  the  mouth  of  the  Edwards  riyer,  below  New  B(»ston,  where  he  ran 
a  saw-mill  in  connection  with  William  Willit,  now  of  Keithsburg,  and 
Isaiah  Brown,  who  died  in  California.  He  was  elected  the  same  year 
to  the  ofiice  of  justice  of  the  peace.  At  that  time  there  was  no  yoting 
precinct  at  Keithsburg,  and  elections  were  held  at  what  is  at  present 
known  as  Glancey's  mills.  The  death  of  his  wife  in  1850  broke  up  his 
family ;  and  the  next  to  the  oldest  child,  Sydnie  Elizabeth,  and  the 
next  to  the  youngest,  Isaac  Edward,  were  taken  and  raised  by  their 
uncle,  William  Edwards,  of  Hamilton  county,  Ohio.  They  still  liye  in 
that  state.  The  other  children  were  Emily  Frances,  Rachel  Elvira, 
John  W.,  Mary  Eliza,  and  Nancy  Jane,  both  of  which  died  in  infancy. 
Immediately  following  this  change  in  his  domestic  affairs,  he  went  to 
trading  on  the  riyer  between  Cincinnati  and  New  Orleans,  and  was 
thus  engaged  for  fiye  years.  In  1856  he  returned  to  Mercer  county, 
and  from  1857  to  1860  liyed  in  Aledo.  Between  the  last  date  and  1869 
his  home  was  in  Keithsburg  and  Oquawka,  and  the  rest  of  the  time 
until  now  in  Aledo,  where  he  has  been  carrying  on  trade  in  lumber. 
In  politics  Mr.  Edwards  is  a  republican.  He  was  formerly  a  whig, 
and  relates  as  an  incident  of  the  early  political  history  of  Keithsburg 
township  that  his  party  once  held  a  primary  meeting  to  elect  delegates 
to  the  county  conyention,  and  that  himself,  William  Willctt  and  John 
McH.  Wilson  composed  the  attendants.      Willett  presided,  Edwards 


^rdi.. 


^iyT^^l^L^C^^^ 


MERCER   TOWNSHIP,  593 

acted  as  secretary,  and  Wilson  made  the  motions.  The  meeting  was 
decidedly  harmonious.  Mr.  Edwards  has  for  many  years  been  a  warm 
advocate  of  the  tem])erance  cause,  and  is  at  present  directing  his  efforts 
and  influence  to  assist  in  bi-inging  about  an  entire  prohibition  of  the 
manufacture  and  sale  of  spirituous,  vinous  and  malt  liquors. 

Alexander  McArthur,  circuit  clerk,  Aledo,  only  child  of  Alexan- 
der and  Ann  (McGregor)  McArthur,  was  born  in  Perthshire,  Scotland, 
February  4,  1850.  lie  came  with  his  widowed  mother  to  this  coun- 
try, landing  at  New  York  July  4,  1856.  The  following  si)ring  they 
came  to  Aledo,  where  he  has  since  resided.  Mrs.  Mcxirthur,  to  whom 
our  subject  acknowledges  with  true  filial  gratitude  that  he  owes  all  he 
is  or  may  ever  be,  supported  herself  and  her  son  until  J  860,  wdien  he 
began  to  work  out.  From  this  date  till  ISTO  he  worked  as  a  tVirm 
hand,  im])roving  the  winters  by  attending  district  school.  In  1871, 
he  obtained  employment  in  the  store  of  McKinney  &  Lorimer,  as  book- 
keeper and  salesman.  In  the  autunm  of  1874,  his  old  employer,  Mr. 
Lorimer,  being  circuit  clerk,  he  was  taken  into  his  office  as  deputy. 
In  January,  1876,  the  clerk  resigned,  and  Mr.  McArthur  was  appointed 
by  the  judge  of  the  circuit  court  to  fill  the  unexpired  term  of  eleven 
months.  In  the  fall  of  1876,  he  was  elected  by  the  republicans  to  oc- 
cupy the  office,  and  in  1880,  was  re-elected.  He  is  a  member  of  Aledo 
Lodge,  No.  252,  A.F.A.M.,  of  Keithsburg  Chapter,  No.  17,  and  Everts 
Commandery,  No.  18,  of  Tiock  Island. 

Isaac  N.  Dunlap,  of  the  firm  of  Richey  &  Dunlap,  Aledo,  was 
born  in  Pennsylvania,  May  12,  1836.  His  parents  were  Andrew  and 
Jemima  (Poby)  Duidap.  In  1857,  he  came  to  Illinois,  and  after  living 
one  year  in  Knox  county  he  made  permanent  settlement  in  Mercer. 
In  June,  1861,  he  volunteered  in  Co.  I,  17th  111.  Inf.,  and  fought  his 
only  battle  at  Fort  Donelson  where  he  lost  his  left  leg  by  a  six  jDound 
shell.  The  missile  took  off  two  men's  heads  before  it  lodged  in  his 
thigh.  He  was  left  six  days  in  an  old  house  on  the  battle-field  afler 
his  leg  was  amputated,  without  care,  in  expectation  that  he  would  die. 
He  recovered  and  was  discharged  in  April,  1862.  The  shell  is  pre- 
served in  the  museum  of  relics  of  the  war  in  Washington,  and  this 
case  is  cited  in  the  medical  history  of  the  rebellion.  Mr.  Dunlap  was 
elected  county  treasurer  in  1865,  by  the  republican  party,  of  which  he 
is  a  staunch  and  zealous  member,  and  discharged  the  duties  of  that 
position  with  credit  and  satisfaction  six  years.  On  January  23,  1866, 
he  celebrated  his  marriage  with  Miss  Tirza  A.  Pinkerton.  They  are 
both  communicants  in  the  Methodist  church.  In  1874,  Mr.  Dunlap 
engaged  in  selling  groceries  with  John  W.  Dilley.  Afterward  he  was 
alone  in  the  same  trade  ;  and  next  was  out  of  business  two  vears.  In 
34 


59-i  HISTORY    OF   :vrERCER   AJSTD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

1877  lie  began  dealing  in  boots  and  shoes  in  company  with  TVilliam 
Day  ;  the  latter  died  the  next  year,  and  he  closed  out  soon  after.  In 
September,  1879,  he  formed  his  present  partnership  with  C.  S.  Richey, 
Esq.,  in  general  merchandising. 

Benjamin  F.  Toavnsley,  brick  and  tile  manufacturer,  Aledo,  was 
born  in  England  in  1850,  and  in  1852  was  brought  by  his  parents, 
John  and  Anna  (Stockdale)  Townsley,  to  Toronto,  Canada.  In  1867 
he  came  to  Mercer  county,  and  during  the  first  fiye  or  six  years  worked 
at  blacksmithing,  afterward  he  engaged  in  the  brick  and  tile  business. 
He  was  manufacturing  brick  in  Xew  Boston  in  company  with  his 
brother  James ;  in  1876  they  sold  out  and  started  again  at  Aledo.  His 
brother  died  the  next  year,  and  he  has  since  managed  the  work  with- 
out a  paitner.  In  1874  they  began  making  drain  tile  on  a  small  scale, 
and  now  Mr.  Townsley  has  extended  the  business  to  include  a  brick 
yard  at  Joy.  In  the  manufacture  of  tile  Mr.  Townsley  uses  Tiffany's 
centennial  brick  and  tile  machine  for  molding,  and  the  square,  down- 
draft  kilns  invented  by  the  same  patentee  for  burning.  This  business 
represents  an  industry  of  increasing  importance  that  is  destined  to 
exert  an  incalcuable  influence  on  the  productive  wealth  of  the  country. 
The  advantages  of  tile  draining  are  thoroughly  proven  and  becoming 
well  understood,  and  the  amount  of  land  tiled  each  year  is  immensely 
large.  Mr  Townsley  is  an  Odd-Fellow,  and  a  member  of  Aledo  Lodge 
No.  136,  I.O.G.T. 

William  A.  Lorimer,  merchant,  Aledo,  born  in  Perth,  Scotland,  in 
1840,  emigrated  with  his  parents  in  181:8  and  lived  first  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, then  a  short  time  in  Ohio,  and  in  1853  came  to  Keithsburg.  He 
was  taken  from  school  when  twelve  years  of  age  and  put  to  work  in 
the  Hudson  (Ohio)  "Observer"  printing  office.  On  arriving  at 
Keithsburg  he  went  to  clerking,  and  continued  to  be  so  employed  until 
the  breaking  out  of  the  war.  He  promptly  enlisted  in  April,  1861,  in 
Co.  I,  17th  III.  Inf.,  and  was  fighting  the  battles  of  his  country  a  little 
over  three  years.  The  most  prominent  actions  in  which  he  was  engaged 
were  Fredericktown,  Missouri,  Fort  Donelson,  Shiloh,  and  Yicks- 
burg.  To  this  list  of  great  battles  should  be  added  the  usual  amount 
of  small  fighting.  He  went  out  as  sergeant  of  his  company  and  was 
first  promoted  to  second  lieutenant,  and  next  to  captain,  which  latter 
rank  he  held  when  mustered  out  at  Springfield  in  June,  1864.  After 
returning  to  civil  life  he  spent  the  first  year  in  Chicago  ;  then  coming 
back  to  Keithsburg  he  clerked  for  C.  S.  Orth,  after  which,  in  1868,  he 
was  selected  circuit  clerk  by  the  republicans  of  the  county.  This  ofiice 
he  filled  two  terms  of  four  years  each.  He  was  trading  in  dry  goods 
in  company  with  John  Mcffinney  Jr.,  a  part  of  the  time  during  his 


MERCKR   TOWNSHIP.  595 

incumbency  as  an  officeholder,  and  since  his  retirement  from  public 
business  has  occupied  his  present  stand  on  the  southwest  comer  of 
Seventh  street  and  College  avenue.  !Mr.  Lorimer  was  married  in  1868 
to  ^liss  Orj)ha  J.  Calhoun.  Tlu'v  have  had  live  children,  three  of 
which  are  dead. 

MoRDECAi  L.  Marsh,  justice  of  the  peace,  Aledo,  was  born  in 
Rahwav,  New  Jersev,  in  IS  18.  His  i)arents  were  Solomon  and  Fannv 
(Brown)  Marsh,  whose  Quaker  ancestors  came  to  America  in  the  latter 
part  of  the  seventeenth  century,  to  escape  the  English  |)rosecution  of 
their  sect.  In  New  York  Mr.  Marsh  learned  the  cabinet  and  piano 
trade.  In  1834  he  settled  in  Ijuffalo  and  embarked  in  land  specula- 
tions. When  the  crash  of  1837  came  he  was  caught,  like  the  rest  of 
men,  at  a  disadvantage,  and  lost  about  all  his  property.  In  the  same 
year  he  emigrated  to  Ohio,  and  lived  there  till  1852,  when  he  came  to 
Illinois  and  located  his  family  in  ^lillersburg  township,  this  county, 
and  made  farming  his  occupation  until  Christmas,  1857.  He  then 
moved  to  Aledo,  having  since  resided  here,  and  continuously  held  the 
office  of  justice  of  the  peace,  his  first  election  having  been  in  the  spring 
of  1861.  He  has  been  treasurer  of  Mercer  township  several  years.  In 
1832  he  was  united  in  marriage  ^\^th  Miss  Eliza  Gregory.  She  has 
been  an  unfortunate  invalid  forty-eight  years.  Both  were  at  first 
members  of  the  Baptist  church,  Mr.  Marsh  joining  in  1835 ;  but  about 
1855  they  became  enrolled  in  the  Presbyterian  church,  to  which  they 
now  belong,  and  in  which  our  subject  has  been  a  deacon  nearly  twenty- 
five  years.  These  jDarents  have  one  son,  AVilliam.  ]\[r.  Marsh  was  a 
whig  until  that  party  disappeared  as  a  jjolitical  organization ;  since 
then  he  has  been  a  republican. 

JoHX  G.  McGl'fp^ix,  grocer,  Aledo,  was  born  in  Washington  county, 
Pennsylvania,  in  1829.  He  taught  school  seven  years  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, Ohio,  and  Illinois.  In  1855  he  arrived  in  the  latter  state  and 
settled  in  Warren  county ;  in  1857  he  came  to  Aledo  and  began  clerk- 
ing for  Dr.  Isaac  Edwards,  and  remained  in  his  service  until  he  went 
into  the  army.  He  volunteered  in  August,  1862,  in  coin])any  K,  102d 
reg.  111.  Vol.  Inf ,  and  on  the  organization  of  the  company  was  elected 
orderly  sergeant.  He  remained  with  his  regiment  through  all  its 
earlier  and  disciplinary  service,  and  finally  when  it  lefl  Lavergne, 
Tennessee,  for  the  front,  in  February,  1864,  he  was  sent  back  to  Nash- 
ville, unfit  for  duty,  and  in  October  following  was  honoraWy  discharged 
on  account  of  disability.  On  his  return  home  he  took  charge  of  Luvin's 
store,  in  tiiat  gentleman's  absence  on  a  visit  to  the  old  country ;  then 
he  clerked  for  Poage  tt  Senter  four  years.  He  was  ne.xt  a  member  of 
the  dry  goods  fii*m  of  Richey  Bros.  <fe  McGuffin  for  four  years,  and 


596  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

after  that  was  in  the  grocery  trade  in  the  iirm  of  Atchison  &  McGiiffin. 
The  last  sold  out,  and  he  soon  started  in  business  alone.  Afterward 
M.  E.  McDonald  purchased  a  half  interest,  and  in  May,  1881,  was 
succeeded  in  the  partnership  by  H.  D.  Marks,  Mr.  McGuffin's  present 
partner.  The  subject  of  this  notice  was  maiTied,  February  25,  1857, 
to  Miss  Maggie  S.  Harris.  They  have  one  son,  William  Rice,  now 
preparing  himself  .for  the  profession  of  medicine.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
McGuffin  are  Presbyterians ;  and  he  is  a  republican. 

James  C.  AYrigiit,  retired  farmer,  Aledo,  is  a  descendant  of  revo- 
lutionary stock,  both  his  grandfathers  having  been  soldiers  in  the  war 
for  independence.  Mr.  AVright's  parents,  Arunah  and  Polly  (Went- 
worth)  Wright,  lived  in  Oneida  county,  New  York,  where  there  were 
born  to  them  six  sons,  two  of  whom  died  young ;  those  who  grew  up 
to  manhood  were  Alpheus  W.,  Horace  E.,  George  W.,  and  the  subject 
of  this  sketch,  who  was  born  in  the  year  1817.  The  mother  died  in 
1829,  and  the  father  in  1838.  In  the  latter  year  Alpheus  came  to 
Mercer  county  from  Ohio,  to  which  state  he  had  previously  emigrated. 
The  following  year  the  three  remaining  brothers  left  their  native  state 
and  came  here,  and  the  four  settled  at  Warr's  Corners,  in  Richland 
township.  In  the  autumn  of  1842  these  brothers  made  the  lirst  settle- 
ment at  Preemption  Corners,  four  miles  west  of  their  original  location, 
though  some  others  had  made  homes  in  the  neighborhood  a  few  years 
earlier.  In  1846  Mr.  Wright  rode  back  to  New  York  on  horseback,  in 
company  with  Andrew  Conant  and  wife,  and  led  six  horses.  He  had 
come  here  without  means.  He  remained  in  New  Y'ork  till  1851,  and 
directly  on  his  return  was  married,  March  17,  to  Miss  Julia  A.  Stone. 
She  was  a  native  of  jSIanstield,  Connecticut,  but  was  raised  in  Mr. 
Wright's  own  county,  where  they  became  acquainted.  Her  fathers 
family  removed  to  Lee  county  in  the  fall  of  1850,  and  then  the  next 
vear  he  followed  to  Illinois,  and  this  couple  were  married.  They  have 
two  living  children  :  Newell  N.  and  Louie  A.  Mr.  Wright  was  super- 
visor of  Preemption  townshi])  two  terms.  He  was  originally  a  demo- 
crat, but  in  1856  joined  the  new  republican  party. 

William  Winders,  produce  dealer,  Aledo,  son  of  John  and  Eliza- 
beth (Paden)  Winders,  was  born  in  Fairtield  county,  Ohio,  September 
25,  1836.  In  1856  he  came  to  Mercer  county  and  settled  in  the  country 
near  Aledo,  and  worked  at  his  trade  of  plastering  and  two  years  at 
farming.  The  war  of  the  rebellion  being  in  progress,  on  August  13, 
1862,  he  volunteered  as  a  private  in  company  K,  102d  reg.  111.  Vol. 
Inf.  On  the  organization  of  the  company  he  was  aj^pointed  third  cor- 
[)oral,  but  always  did  duty  as  sergeant,  and  was  mustered  out  as  lirst 
sergeant.     He  was  with  his  regiment  during  its  whole  term  of  service, 


MERCER   TOWNSHIP,  •  597 

except  one  week,  when  it  was  operating  and  fighting  at  Resacca.  This 
embraced  the  Atlanta  campaign,  which  Gen.  Ilalleck  pronounced  the 
greatest  of  the  war,  the  march  to  the  sea,  and  the  campaign  of  the 
Carolinas,  to  which  may  be  added  the  marcli  to  Washington  and  the 
grand  review,  lie  helped  to  bnild  the  three  hundred  miles  of  breast- 
works and  the  same  amount  of  corduroy  road  which  Sherman's  army 
made,  fought  in  several  battles,  including  Feachtree  creek  and 
Averysboro,  and  scores  of  skirmishes  and  small  fights.  His  muster- 
out  was  at  Washington,  D.  C,  June  6,  1865.  He  was  married  June 
12,  1862,  to  Miss  Catharine  E.  Detwiler.  In  the  spring  of  1866  he 
removed  with  his  family  to  Finley,  Hancock  countly,  Ohio,  where  he 
clerked  in  a  dry  goods  store.  In  1867  he  came  back  and  remained  a 
month  or  two,  after  which  he  again  went  to  Ohio  and  stayed  another 
year,  then  returned  to  Aledo,  where  he  has  since  lived.  He  was 
butchering  three  years,  the  rest  of  the  time  he  has  been  in  his  present 
business.  Mr.  Winder's  children  are:  Julia  E.,  George  S.,  Thornton 
D.,  Willie  M.,  Charles  Henry,  and  Araminta  Pearl.  He  has  been 
town  trustee  one  year,  and  is  a  mason,  a  workman  and  a  republican. 

Martix  Boyd,  farmer,  Aledo,  oldest  living  child  of  JNIiles  and 
Catherine  (Fisher)  Boyd,  was  born  in  Madison  county,  Indiana,  Feb- 
ruary 12,  1831:.  In  1839  his  father  emigrated  to  Mercer  county  and 
settled  in  what  is  now  Eliza  township,  and  four  years  afterward  died 
in  Indiana,  while  there  on  business.  His  mother  married  again  to 
James  Turner,  and  is  living  on  the  old  homestead.  April  6,  1856, 
Mr.  Boyd  was  married  to  Miss  Lydia,  daughter  of  Martin  Bear,  one 
of  the  original  settlers  of  Eliza  township,  and  the  same  spring  settled 
on  the  K.  W.  ^  Sec.  16,  Duncan  townshi}),  and  lived  there  twenty 
years.  In  1876  he  moved  to  Aledo.  He  was  generally  and  quite  ex- 
tensively engaged  while  on  his  farm  in  feeding  cattle.  For  a  number 
of  years  he  was  supervisor  and  assessor  of  Eliza,  and  held,  besides, 
other  otfices  in  his  township.  In  1880  he  was  elected  by  the  democrats 
to  the  legislature,  where  he  attended  the  regular  session  of  1880-81, 
and  the  recent  special  session  convened  the  |)resent  year  (1882)  by 
Gov.  Cullom.  He  has  served  on  the  committees  on  county  and  town- 
ship organization,  library,  and  miscellanies.  Mr.  Boyd  has  never  been 
identified  with  any  other  than  the  democratic  ])arty.  He  was  actively 
associated  with  his  friends  in  the  farmers''  movement  from  1873  to 
1875,  was  master  of  a  grange,  and  delegate  therefrom  to  the  state 
grange.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Boyd  have  three  children :  Catharine,  Lenore 
and  Bertha.     Catharine  is  the  wife  of  Minor  Miller. 

Charles  F.  Durston,  deputy  circuit  clerk,  Aledo,  second  child  of 
James  and  Philadelphia  (Bridger)  Durston,  was  born  in  Mercer  county, 


598  HISTORY    OF   MERCER    AND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

August  14,  1837.  His  parents  emigrated  from  'New  York  to  this 
county  in  1836  and  settled  in  Rivoli  township,  where  they  lived  till 
their  death.  The  mother  departed  this  life  in  1866,  and  the  father,  an 
Englishman  by  birth,  in  1878.  This  subject  attended  school  one  year 
at  AVheaton  College.  Combining  his  studies  there  with  other  instruc- 
tion which  he  received,  he  secured  a  very  good  English  education. 
He  was  married  in  1865  to  Miss  Sarah  Gould,  of  tliis  county,  and  by 
her  has  had  three  children  :  Lizzie,  Alice  and  Adelphia.  Both  jjarents 
are  members  of  the  CongreiJ-ational  church.  Mr.  Durston  Jived  bv 
farming  until  1873.  In  that  year  he  was  elected  coimty  clerk,  and 
filled  that  office  with  acceptance  to  the  people  till  his  successor  was 
elected  in  1877.  He  has  been  deputy  circuit  clerk  the  last  three  years. 
Politically  he  is  a  republican. 

Joseph  B.  Moore,  cabinet  maker  and  furniture  dealer,  Aledo,  was 
born  March  14,  1827,  and  is  the  youngest  living  son  of  Foreman  and 
Anna  (Worley)  Moore.  He  followed  carpentering,  farming,  under- 
taking and  boating  in  Ohio,  and  was  several  years  justice  of  the  peace. 
In  1865  he  emigrated  to  Mercer  county  and  for  ten  years  worked  an 
eighty-acre  farm  adjoining  Aledo.  In  1875  he  gave  up  farming  and 
engaged  in  his  present  business.  In  1850  he  celebrated  his  nuptuals 
with  Miss  Margaret  McCall.  Their  family  has  comprised  three  child- 
ren :  Robert  K.,  music  teacher ;  John  W.,  died  in  infancy  ;  and  Mary 
Ellen,  who  married  O.  P.  Arthur,  and  is  now  dead.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Moore  are  communicants  in  the  Methodist  church.  lie  is  church  trus- 
tee and  has  been  steward  and  class  leader.  He  has  filled  the  ofiice  of 
trustee  of  the  town  of  Aledo  five  years  and  was  president  of  the  board 
part  of  the  time.  In  politics  he  is  a  democrat,  as  a  rule,  though  he  has 
voted  for  republican  candidates  for  president,  and  does  not  adhere 
strictly  to  party  lines.  Mr.  Moore's  father  was  the  son  of  Joseph 
Moore,  and  was  born  in  Mason  county,  Kentucky,  June  20,  1792.  He 
came  with  his  parents  to  Scioto  county,  Ohio,  when  six  3'ears  old  and 
lived  in  that  county,  except  a  year  or  two  he  was  in  Adams  county 
when  first  married,  until  he  came  west  with  his  son  Joseph  in  1865. 
He  lives  in  Aledo,  and  at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety  years  retains 
goodly  health  and  activity.  He  was  married  in  1814  to  Miss  Anna 
Worley.  They  had  nine  children  :  Patience,  Rebecca,  Leroy,  Charles, 
Scienda  (dead),  Joseph,  John  (dead),  Jedediah  (dead),  and  Asbury 
(dead).  The  mother  of  these  cliildren  died  about  184!>,  and  a  year 
afterward  the  fatlier  married  Mrs.  Rebecca  Iloobler,  who  is  still  living. 
Mr.  Moore  united  with  the  Methodist  church  at  the  age  of  twelve  and 
has  always  been  a  steadfast,  zealous  laborer  in  the  Master's  vineyard. 
He  has  been  a  licensed  exhorter  over  forty  years,  and  has  held  official 


MERCER   TOWNSHIP.  599 

connection  with  the  church  at  different  times  as  trustee,  steward  and 
class  leader.  He  is  pensioned  b}'  the  government  for  service  in  the 
war  of  1812.  He  was  mustered  as  a  soldier  in  his  own  countv  and 
sd\ev  marching  to  Sandusky  was  discharged. 

Thomas  Maddux,  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  Aledo,  is  a  native  of 
Fleming  county,  Kentucky,  where  he  was  born  July  19,  1820.  His 
father,  George  B.  Maddux,  was  three  times  married,  and  the  subject  of 
this  was  the  third  child  among  four  sons  and  five  daughters  by  the 
second  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Sarah  Green.  Mr.  ]\Iaddux's 
father  was  born  and  reared  in  Fauquier  county,  Virginia.  He  married 
for  his  last  wife  Elizabeth  Hill  and  by  this  union  became  the  father  of 
two  sons,  making  twenty-one  children  of  his  own.  He  died  in  Ken- 
tuckv,  and  his  wife  in  Aberdeen,  Ohio,  in  1875.  Mr.  ]\ra(ldux  learned 
the  tinner's  trade  in  Maysville,  Kentucky,  with  Josepli  Frank  ;  in  1843 
he  removed  to  Laurel,  Franklin  county,  Indiana,  and  lived  there,  en- 
gaged at  his  trade  and  carrying  on  the  hardware  business,  till  June, 
1857,  when  he  located  his  family  in  Aledo.  He  continued  the  same 
business  here  till  18P)8  and  then  sold  out  to  W.  H.  Holmes.  On  his 
settlement  in  the  place  he  erected  the  first  building  ever  put  u[)  on  the 
business  lot  now  occupied  by  Mr.  Holmes  on  College  avenue.  In  1873 
Mr.  Maddux  resumed  his  old  business  on  the  corner  of  Seventh  and 
Maple  streets  under  the  name  of  Maddux  cfe  Son.  In  March,  1876,  he 
sold  to  Detwiler  ife  Son  and  retired  from  trade.  He  had  previously 
become  interested  in  farming  and  is  now  the  owner  of  two  good  farms 
near  the  county  seat.  He  started  a  poor  boy  and  has  made  a  success 
of  his  undertakings.  After  serving  his  apprenticeship  he  had  SI14 
with  which  he  began  business.  He  has  been  twice  married  ;  first  in 
1846  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Williams,  of  Laurel,  Indiana.  The  issue  of  this 
marriage  were  three  children  :  Elizabeth  (died  in  infancy),  Lewis  S., 
and  Frank  L.  Mrs.  ]\Iaddux  died  July  25,  1855,  and  on  January  5, 
1862,  Mr.  Maddux  was  married  to  Mrs.  Pliebe  Whitelaw,  of  Franklin 
county,  Indiana.  They  have  had  a  little  daughter,  Kate  A.,  who  died 
when  three  years  old.  Mr.  ]\Iaddux  is  a  Mason,  an  Odd-Fellow  and  a 
republican. 

Charles  C.  Wordix,  county  clerk,  Aledo,  oldest  son  of  Joseph  J. 
and  Sophia  (Brown)  Wordin,  was  born  in  Keithsburg  township,  Sep- 
tember 25,  1840.  He  enlisted  August  5,  1861,  in  Co.  E,  9tli  111.  Inf., 
and  served  with  credit  in  that  command  until  the  expiration  of  his  term, 
in  August,  1864,  when  he  was  sent  back  from  before  Atlanta  and  mus- 
tered out  at  Springfield,  Illinois.  He  fought  at  Fort  Donelson,  Shiloh. 
battle  of  Corinth,  October  3  and  4,  1862,  and  after  his  regiment  was 
mounted,  in  March,  18<)3,   was  continually  on  scouting  service,  and 


600  HISTORY    OF   IVIERCER   AND   HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

participated  in  numerous  small  fights.  He  was  also  engaged  in  the 
arduous  senice  of  the  Atlanta  campaign.  He  enlisted  a  second 
time  March,  1865,  in  Co.  F,  4tli  reg.  U.  S.  Yet.  Vol.,  an  organization 
formed  by  Gen.  Hancock,  to  which  none  were  admitted  who  had  not 
seen  at  least  two  years  service.  One  year  was  spent  in  garrison  at 
Columbus,  Ohio,  Washington  city,  and  Louisville,  Kentucky.  In  March, 
1866,  he  was  mustered  out  at  the  latter  city.  After  the  war  he  kept 
books  in  Keithsburg  five  and  a  half  years  ;  then  he  was  running  a 
hotel  two  and  one-half  years  ;  and  in  November,  1877,  he  was  elected 
county  clerk,  and  is  still  an  incumbent  of  the  office.  Mr.  Wordin  has 
been  an  Odd-Fellow  since  1868.  December  18,  1872,  he  celebi-ated 
his  marriage  with  Miss  Jennie  McPhee.  In  1876,  they  lost  their 
only  child,  a  son,  who  was  three  years  old.  Mr.  Wordings  father  was 
born  in  Rensselaer  county,  New  York,  in  1815.  He  came  to  this 
county  from  Ohio,  in  1837,  and  settled  in  Keithsburg  in  March,  1838, 
living  at  the  landing  till  1810.  Moving  out  two  miles,  he  lived  on  a 
farm  three  years ;  then  he  returned  and  has  since  had  his  home  in  the 
town.  He  followed  his  trade  of  wagon-making  till  1862  ;  since  that  he 
has  been  a  house  painter.  He  is  one  of  the  few  venerable  pioneers 
left  as  monuments  whose  shadows  link  the  present  with  the  aboriginal 
period  in  Mercer  county. 

WiLLiAAi  Henry  Holmes,  hardware  and  stove  dealer,  Aledo.  oldest 
son  of  AVilliam  and  Hannah  (Lantey)  Holmes,  was  born  in  Hull,  Eng- 
land, February  15,  1847.  His  father  emigrated  with  his  family  to 
Brantford,  Canada  West,  in  1850;  and  in  1857  he  removed  to  Wiscon- 
sin. The  next  year  they  came  to  Aledo,  where  they  have  all  since 
lived.  After  coming  here,  Mr.  Holmes  attended  school  and  worked  at 
form  labor  until  the  spring  of  1864,  when  he  commenced  to  learn  the 
tinner's  trade.  At  the  end  of  two  months  he  volunteered  in  the  one 
hundred  days'  service  in  Co.  F,  140tli  111.  Inf  He  was  mustered  into 
the  service  at  Dixon,  Illinois,  and  after  five  and  one-half  months  spent 
in  doing  guard  and  garrison  duty  in  Missouri  and  Tennessee,  he  was 
mustered  out  at  Camp  Fry,  Chicago.  He  returned  to  Aledo  and  fin- 
ished his  trade,  with  Thomas  Maddux,  Esq.,  and  in  1868  bought  out 
his  employer,  and  has  been  in  business  on  the  same  ground  since.  He 
was  married  in  1874  to  Miss  Mary  C.  Hause.  The  fruits  of  this  union 
have  been  two  children,  Clyde  W.  and  Fannie  May.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Holmes  are  both  members  of  the  Methodist  church.  He  has  been 
steward  in  the  church,  trustee  of  the  town,  is  a  member  of  Aledo  Lodge, 
A.  F.  and  A.  M.,  and  a  republican  in  politics. 

Daniel  T.  Hindman,  county  treasurer,  Aledo,  was  born  in  Butler 
county,  Ohio,  Eebruary  22,  1839.     Plis  parents  were  Dr.  Andrew  and 


MERCEK   TOWNSHIP.  601 

Margaret  (Trembly)  Ilindman.  The  former  died  in  Union  county, 
Indiana,  in  1852 ;  and  the  next  year  the  mother  came  with  lier  five 
sons  to  Rock  Island  county,  Illinois,  aifd  in  185-1  settled  with  her 
family  in  New  Boston.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  an 
academic  education;  in  1857  he  went  to  Richmond,  Indiana,  and 
attended  school  one  year ;  afterward  he  studied  medicine  a  year  and  a 
half;  and  in  1860  returned  to  Mercer  county.  In  April,  1S61,  he 
enlisted  as  a  private  in  Co.  I,  17th  111.  Inf ,  and  was  in  the  military 
service  over  tive  years.  He  fought  at  Frederickstown,  Missouri,  Octo- 
ber 21,  1861,  at  Fort  Donelson,  Shiloli,  Corinth,  luka.  the  Ilatchie,  and 
Yicksburg.  In  November,  186;},  he  came  north  to  Springiield,  and 
then  to  Mercer  county,  as  recruiting  sergeant,  and  during  the  winter 
obtained  twenty-one  recruits  for  his  regiment.  He  returned  with  them 
to  Yicksburg,  and  by  order  of  tlie  commanding  general,  Slocum, 
organized  these  recruits  and  the  veterans  of  the  17tli  into  a  battalion  of 
two  companies.  These  were  allowed  to  elect  their  officers,  and  Mr. 
Hindman  was  chosen  captain  by  the  "  veteran''  comi)any.  By  order 
of  Gen.  McPherson,  commanding  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  this 
detachment  was  consolidated  with  the  8th  111.  Inf,  in  June,  1864,  and 
owing  to  the  resultant  change  in  the  line  officers,  Mr.  Ilindman 
accepted  a  second  lieutenant's  commission  in  Co.  E,  to  which  the 
"veterans''  from  the  17th  were  assigned.  He  was  in  command  of 
this  company  during  the  remainder  of  his  service,  and  drew  pay  as 
commanding  officer.  After  the  consolidation  he  fought  at  Jackson, 
Mississippi,  in  Juh%  1864,  and  at  Spanish  Fort  and  Fort  Blakely, 
Mobile.  After  that  he  was  stationed  a  year  at  Shreveport,  Louisiana, 
and  in  Texas,  and  was  mustered  out  at  Baton  Rouge,  May  4,  1866. 
He  soon  after  went  into  business  in  New  Boston,  which  he  continued 
till  the  fall  of  1875,  wdien  he  was  elected  on  the  republican  ticket  to  the 
office  of  county  treasurer,  to  which  he  has  been  successively  elected 
and  is  now  serving  his  third  term.  He  is  a  member  of  the  A.O.U.  W., 
and  has  been  a  Mason  since  1866.  In  the  latter  year  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Viola  J.  Willits.     They  have  a  son  and  a  daughter. 

Henry  Kimel,  (deceased),  was  born  in  Somerset  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, August  6,  1800,  and  was  a  son  of  Isaac  and  Mary  J.  (Musser) 
Kimel,  both  natives  of  Germany.  In  1808,  the  family  emigrated  to 
Trumbull,  since  Mahoning  county,  Ohio,  where  the  old  people  lived  till 
death.  Henry  Kimel  was  there  married  to  Miss  Anna  M.  Hirst, 
whose  father  was  from  England  and  whose  mother  was  from  Ireland. 
Nine  children  w^ere  born  in  Ohio.  In  1840,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kimel,  witli 
five  of  the  children,  James  "W.,  Thomas  K.,  Jonathan  T.,  Chauncey 
L.  and  William  P.,  emigrated  via  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  rivers  to 


602  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AST)    HEXDERSOX    COUNTIES. 

Illinois,  landing  at  Oqiiawka,  June  10.  They  immediately  took  teams 
for  what  is  now  Ohio  Grove  township,  Mercer  county.  Latter  the 
other  four  children,  Isaac,  Eliza  A.,  Mary  J.  and  Julia,  arrived  after 
a  journey  overland  of  thirty  days.  Mr.  Kimel  entered  160  acres  of 
congress  land  near  the  center  of  Ohio  GroVe  township,  also  secured  a 
quarter  section  of  military  land.  There  were  but  few  settlers  in  the 
township  at  that  time.  Xo  roads  were  laid  out  for  travel  but  all  was 
wild  and  unbroken  from  Oquawka  to  where  they  settled.  The  usual 
improvements  were  begun  and  carried  out.  Small  crops  were  raised ; 
corn  was  at  one  time  six  and  a  quarter  cents  a  bushel,  and  the  postage 
on  a  letter  twenty -tive  cents,  thus  four  bushels  of  corn  being  required 
to  pay  postage  on  one  letter.  But  Uncle  Sam  allowed  an  envelope  to 
be  tilled  without  any  extra  due  stamps  for  a  long  letter.  One  child, 
John  Harvey,  was  born  in  1842.  A  sad  bereavement  befell  the 
family  when,  August  IS,  1816,  death  claimed  the  wife  and 
mother.  She  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  Mr.  Kimel 
subsequently  married  Mrs.  Catharine  Case,  of  Kock  Island  county, 
who  became  the  mother  of  four  children  :  Anna,  John  PL,  Eddie,  and 
Aseneath.  She  died  July  5,  187L  Mr.  Kimel,  in  1818,  sold  the  tirst 
purchase  and  bought  what  is  known  as  the  Lamar  farm,  which  he  im- 
proved. In  1863  he  moved  to  Rock  Island  county,  where  he  lived 
till  1878.  He  then  passed  his  remaining  years  about  two  miles  south- 
west of  Viola,  Mercer  county,  where  he  died  October  10,  1880.  Re- 
ligiously he  was  a  Presbyterian  ;  politically  an  old  line  whig,  and  later  a 
republican.  When  twelve  years  old  he  volunteered  in  the  war  of  1812, 
but  was  rejected  on  account  of  youthfulness.  Shortly  before  his  death 
he  purchased  the  McBride  and  Stephens  saw-mill,  which  he  sold  to  his 
son,  James  W.  James  W.  Kimel,  the  fourth  child  of  the  first  family 
of  Henry  Kimel,  was  born  February  27,  1831,  in  Trumbull  county, 
Ohio,  near  Youngstown.  His  youth  was  spent  on  the  farm,  with  but 
meager  educational  advantages.  Several  seasons  he  broke  prairie  with 
five  and  six  yoke  of  oxen.  In  1818,  he  spent  a  few  months  at  school 
in  Ohio,  and  in  the  following  year  returned  to  the  farm  in  Illinois.  In 
1850,  he  was  seized  with  the  California  fever.  With  a  company  froTin 
Moline,  Illinois,  April  1,  he  started  overland  for  the  far  west,  where 
he  arrived  in  Sacramento  August  17,  following,  after  the  experiences 
incident  to  such  a  journey.  After  remaining,  with  considerable  suc- 
cess, financially,  till  1853,  he  returned  in  January  to  Illinois.  He 
purchased  the  McBride  and  Stephens  saw-mill  of  his  father,  which  he 
conducted  for  four  years.  In  1858,  he  displaced  the  saw-mill  by  a 
grist-mill,  on  the  same  site.  The  grist-mill  he  run  till  1876,  when  he 
erected  his  present  large  structure,  36x16,  three  story  and  basement. 


MERCER    TOWNSHIP.  603 

His  attention  having  been  called  to  the  "wire  transmission  power," 
he  visited  several  mills  for  examination  and  information.  Satisfied  as 
to  its  efficacy  he  determined  to  adopt  it.  He  built  his  miU  300  feet 
from  the  stream  and  i)repared  for  his  new  and  lately  invented  "  power," 
which  the  aged  and  knowing  ones  predicted  would  fail.  Time  and 
nse  have  proven  the  success  of  this  departure.  The  mill  is  generally 
in  action.  A  small  stock  of  groceries  is  kept  to  accommodate  farm- 
ers. In  1^54,  Mr.  Kimel  purchased  the  quarter  section  of  land  on 
which  he  lives.  In  1874  he  added  a  quarter,  and  in  1S76  an  eighty. 
He  was  married  May  4,  1^54.  to  Mary  B.  Burnet,  who  was  born  in 
Salem,  Xew  York,  August  7,  1832.  Her  parents,  Andrew  and  Ma- 
hettable  Burnet,  were  of  Scotch  descent.  The}-  emigrated  from  Xew 
York  to  Ohio  Grove  township,  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  in  1838.  They 
were  emphatically  pioneers  who  dared  the  new  and  wild  west  for 
homes.  He  died  here  May  31,  1861.  She  died  at  Mr.  Kimel's  home 
January  30,  1881.  After  marriage,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kimel  lived  near 
the  old  mill  for  nine  years.  In  1863,  a  house  was  built  on  the  farm 
and  occupied.  In  1868  an  addition  was  made,  bringing  the  dwelling 
into  considerable  notice  as  a  large  and  handsome  building.  Other 
improvements  have  added  much  to  its  beauty.  It  is  enjoyed  by  a 
family  of  six  children,  comprising  Lara,  Lucy  J.,  Abbie  M.,  Jim  B., 
Gussie  C.  and  Bessie  M.  Mr.  Kimel,  politically,  is  republican,  but 
meddles  but  little  with  politics.  His  business  consumes  his  time 
entirely. 

Mark  Caxxitm's  father  emigrated  to  tliis  country  from  England  in 
1852.  and  while  on  his  wav  to  Illinois  died  near  Xew  Orleans  where  the 
family  landed.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  near  Peterborough, 
England  in  1813,  and  settled  in  Mercer  county,  near  where  he  now 
lives,  in  1853.  He  entered  the  army  during  the  late  war,  enlisting  for 
three  years  in  August,  1861,  and  participated  in  the  engagements  of 
Fort  Donelson,  Belmont,  Yicksburg.  Corinth,  Brittain's  Lane,  ]\[eri- 
den,  and  the  Atlanta  campaign.  He  was  mustered  out  at  Chattanooga 
Tennessee,  August  4,  1864.  He  was  slightly  wounded  at  Fort  Donelson. 
After  his  return  fi-om  tlie  army  he  settled  down  to  farming,  in  which 
occupation  he  is  still  engaged.  He  built  his  present  handsome  dwell- 
ing-house in  1876.  'Mr.  Cannum  was  married  in  Se}»tember,  1866,  to 
Miss  C.  J.  Smith  of  Mercer  county,  and  they  have  four  children  living; 
one  child  is  dead.  The  names  of  the  living  are :  Addie  May,  aged 
fourteen  ;  Carrie  E.,  aged  tliirteen  ;  Lewis  D.,  aged  eleven  ;  and  Eph- 
riam,  aged  six  years.  Mr.  C.  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian 
church  of  Ohio  Grove  township.     Mr.  C.  is  politically  a  republican. 

AVm.  McKee,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  and  his  brotlier  Joseph,  are 


604  HISTORY    OF    MERCER    A^^)    HENDERSON    COrNTIES. 

the  oldest  settlers  now  living  in  ^Mercer  township.  They  having  lived 
in  the  township  since  ISil.  The  father  of  the  McKee  brothers  bought 
the  southeast  quarter  of  section  28.  from  William  J.  Turner,  the  deed 
bearinor  date  of  Mav  20.  1840.  VTm.  McKee  was  born  in  Lawrence 
county.  Ohio.  March  9,  1829.  He  left  Ohio  with  his  parents  at  the 
age  of  six  vears.  coming  with  them  to  AYarren  counts*.  Illinois,  where 
thev  staved  till  1841.  when  thev  moved  to  Mercer  countv.  Mr. 
Mclvee  has  been  a  tarmer  all  his  life,  and  is  unmarried.  For  several 
vears  he  has  been  director  of  school  district  Xo.  9.  and  politically  is  a 
<lemocrat. 

Joseph  McKjee  was  bom  in  Lawi-ence  county.  Ohio.  July  31.  1831. 
His  parents  were  John  and  Xancy  McKee.  His  parents  settled  in 
Mercer  county  in  1S41.  since  which  time  Mr.  McKee  has  lived  upon 
a  farm,  and  has  been  a  constant  citizen  of  Mercer  county.  He 
enjoys,  with  his  brother  William,  the  distinction  of  being  the 
only  living  pioneers  of  Mercer  township.  He  was  married  July  8, 
1858,  to  Miss  Isabel  A.  Waddle,  formerly  of  Marshall  count\-.  West 
Virginia.  They  have  six  children  living  :  Ella  J.,  aged  twenty  :  Sam- 
uel Elsie,  aged  tifteen  ;  Orvill  S..  aged  eleven;  Koland  H. :  Elsey 
Clyde,  aged  live  :  and  Ralph  Waldo,  aged  one  year  and  a  half.  Mr. 
M.  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Aledo.  and  politically  is 
a  republican. 

Charles  Fremont  Careen  was  bom  in  Mercer  county  in  1851, 
being  the  second  son  of  Thomas  and  Mary  Cabeen.  He  spent  the 
early  poition  of  his  life  upon  his  fathers  farm  and  going  to  school. 
About  the  year  1879  he  went  to  Aledo  and  for  a  time  kept  the  Aledo 
House,  and  in  connection  with  his  brother.  W.  A.,  was  engaged  in  an 
agricultural  implement  store.  At  the  death  of  his  father  in  ISSO  he 
took  charge  of  the  farm,  which  he  still  manages  and  controls.  Politi- 
cally Mr.  Cabeen  is  an  independent  democrat. 

James  L.  Bentley  was  born  in  Trumbull  county.  Oliio.  February 
27.  1832,  and  was  the  eldest  son  of  Elim  and  Rachel  (Dilley)  Bentley. 
His  father  being  a  fanner,  he  was  raised  upon  a  farm,  where  liis  life 
was  passed  until  his  twenty-first  year.  He  then  emigrated  to  Mercer 
county  and  engaged  in  teaching  school,  at  which  occupation  he  con- 
tinued till  eleven  years  had  passed,  mostly  in  Ohio  Grove  township, 
district  Xo.  3.  At  the  expiration  of  this  time  he  turned  his  attention 
to  agricultural  pursuits,  in  1862  buving  the  place  where  he  now  resides, 
some  three  miles  southeast  of  Aledo.  This  he  has  greatly  improved 
and  added  to,  and  now,  retired  from  active  life  to  some  extent,  enjoys 
his  well  earned  plenty.  He  was  man-ied  September  23,  1853,  to 
Miss  Xancy  Smith,  whose  parents  were  among  the  earliest  settlers  of 


MERCEB  TOWXSHIP.  605 

Mercer  county.  He  has  three  children :  the  eldest,  Charles  E..  twentr- 
four  years  of  age,  is  engaged  in  teaching  and  farming,  making  his 
home  at  his  father's ;  a  daughter,  Minnie  E.,  aged  nineteen,  and  a 
son,  George  S.,  aged  fourteen.  Mr.  Bentley  is  a  member  of  the 
masonic  order,  and  by  political  faith  is  a  republican. 

Maktln"  L.  Cofflaxd  was  bom  in  Jetferson  countv.  Ohio,  Februarv 
11.  1S51.  being  the  youngest  son  of  Launcelot  and  Eliza  CotHand. 
Mr.  ColHand  spent  his  early  life  farming  in  Jefferson  and  Belmont 
counties,  Ohio.  In  the  year  186S  he  came  west  and  worked  upon  a 
farm  most  of  the  time  for  ten  vears  in  TTarren  counts-,  when  he  settled 
in  Mercer  county,  where  he  now  resides,  live  miles  east  of  Aledo. 
He  was  married  February  21,  1S72,  to  Miss  Phcebe  J.  Finley,  of 
Warren  county,  and  has  three  children :  Mary  Grace,  aged  seven 
years.  Rose  Anna,  aged  two,  and  Orion  Finley.  bom  April  10,  1882. 
Mr.  Cotfland  and  wife  are  members  of  the  United  Presb\-terian  churc-h 
of  Aledo.     !Mr.  ColHand  is  a  republican. 

Jacob  Wils<  "X  Unaxgst  was  bom  in  TTarren  county,  Xew  Jersey, 
May  13,  1819.  Mr.  I  nangst  passed  his  early  life  working  on  his 
father's  farm.  He  left  the  farm  and  worked  upon  the  Morris  canal 
until  1815.  when  he  was  appointed  as  inspector  of  its  west  division. 
In  this  capacity  he  served  till  1850.  when  he  came  to  Mercer  county 
and  settled  in  Oliio  Grove  towhship.  where  he  remained  farming  till 
April,  1882.  He  then  bought  the  Bauer  hotel  in  Aledo.  over  which 
he  now  presides,  having  changed  its  name  to  the  Commercial  House. 
Mr.  Unangst  was  married  in  March,  1841,  to  Miss  C.  Gaston,  of 
Warren  county.  Xew  Jersey,  and  has  three  children,  who  are  all 
grown  and  settled :  Mrs.  Margaret  A.  Pollock  lives  in  Ringgold 
county.  Iowa,  and  Daniel  M..  who  is  a  carpenter  by  trade,  resides 
in  Aledo,  making  his  home  with  his  father. 

SxowDEx  K.  White  was  bom  August  2.  1855,  in  Greene  county, 
Pennsylvania.  His  parents'  names  were  Isaac  and  Lydia  (^Tustin) 
White.  His  father  was  a  millwright.  Snowden  K.  came  to  Mercer 
county  ti-om  Pennsylvania  in  1877.  where  he  soon  started  quite  exten- 
sively in  the  ditchint;  and  house  moving  business.  Starting  with  his 
brother,  he  at  this  time  ran  his  business  alone,  and  during  the  year  1881 
cut  over  50.CK)0  rods  of  ditch  in  Mercer  and  Warren  counties,  and  moved 
upward  of  tifty  houses.  Mr.  White  is  altogether  a  self-made  man.  and 
thousrh  vounsr  is  a  man  of  weiirht  and  standing,  which  his  eneror^"  and 
business  talent  deserve.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church  of 
Aledo.  and  a  worker  in  the  choir  and  Sabbath  school.  Politicjilly  he 
is  a  democrat 

JtjSEPH  Lair  was  born  in  Favette  countv,  Indiana,  in  1825.      His 


606  HISTOKY   OF   MERGER   AND   HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

fatlier  was  a  river  man,  taking  liis  first  trip  up  tlie  Mississippi  bj  steam 
from  New  Orleans,  The  subject  of  this  sketch  lived  upon  the  farm  of 
his  father  during  boyhood,  and  spent  his  life  upon  the  farm.  He  set- 
tled upon  the  farm  on  which  he  still  lives  in  Mercer  county,  on  March 
1,  1856.  The  land  was  raw  prairie  at  that  time,  but  is  now  one  of  the 
fine  farms  of  the  many  in  the  county.  Mr.  Lair  was  married  August 
26.,  1847,  to  Miss  Sarah  E.  Rose,  of  Fayette  county,  Indiana,  and  has 
had  four  children :  Mrs.  Emily  Alice,  wife  of  Richard  Lemon,  Millers- 
burg  township,  now  deceased ;  a  son,  William  W. ,  who  lives  on  the 
next  farm  to  his  father;  a  daughter,  Martha  A.,  born  in  1854,  now 
deceased ;  and  a  daughter,  Flora  Luellen,  married  to  Mr.  Roe  Vincent, 
of  Mercer  township.  Mr.  Lair  has  for  many  years  held  the  offices  of 
road  commissioner  and  school  director.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
masonic  order  and  a  republican. 

Henry  Np:sBiTr.  Mr.  Nesbitt  was  born  in  Indiana  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, October  5,  1834.  His  parents  were  Jonathan  and  Mary 
(McClure)  ISTesbitt.  His  father  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  and  onr 
subject  passed  most  of  his  life  upon  a  ferm  ;  emigrating  to  Illinois  in 
1855,  and  settling  in  Mercer  county  in  1857.  He  bought  the  farm 
upon  which  he  lives  in  1871,  and  by  hard  work  and  energy  made  it 
what  it  now  is,  one  of  the  best  improved  farms  in  the  county.  His 
dwelling  is  second  to  none  in  the  county  for  comfort,  style,  and  choice 
of  location,  standing  as  it  does  upon  an  eminence  which  commands  a 
view  of  the  country  for  miles  around.  Mr.  Xesbitt  was  married  in 
1861  to  Harriet  Smith,  of  Mercer  townshi]),  and  has  five  children: 
Mary  J. ,  aged  seventeen ;  Lula,  aged  thirteen ;  Minnie,  aged  nine ; 
Myrtle,  aged  seven  ;  and  Harry,  aged  one  year.  Mr.  Nesbitt  is  direc- 
tor of  school  district  No.  6,  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  of  Aledo,  and  politically  is  a  republican. 

Joseph  Oscar  Lundblad  was  born  in  Sweden,  December  4,  1823, 
and  landed  in  New  York  September  2(»,  1852.  He  came  west  to 
Princeton,  Illinois,  and  soon  after  moved  to  Rock  Island,  and  finally 
settled  in  Aledo  in  1869.  He  learned  the  shoemaker's  trade  in  the 
old  country,  and  has  been  engaged  in  the  boot  and  shoe  business  ever 
since  coming  to  America.  He  was  married  April  27,  1848,  to  Miss 
Sophia  Gustaver,  of  Sweden,  and  they  have  three  children  living: 
George  Oscar,  aged  twenty-three,  who  is  in  business  with  his  father, 
and  two  daughters,  Hilma  Maria,  aged  twenty-one,  and  Hulda  Chris- 
tina, aged  eighteen.  Mr.  Lundbland  is  a  member  of  the  Swedish 
Lutheran  church  of  Aledo,  and  for  many  years  was  an  officer  of  that 
church,  and  is  also  a  member  of  the  masonic  and  odd-fellows'  orders. 
Politicallv  he  is  a  democrat. 


MERCER   TOWNSHU'.  607 

Washington  Boone,  grocer,  was  born  in  Medina  coimtv,  Ohio, 
February  22,  1837.  His  parents'  names  were  Hezekiali  and  Sarah  A. 
Boone.  He  left  Ohio  with  his  parents  in  1848,  they  settling  in  Illinois, 
in  the  southern  portion  of  which  they  lived  for  some  two  years,  when 
in  1850  they  moved  to  Mercer  county.  At  that  time  there  were  not 
more  than  a  dozen  families  in  the  township.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  raised  upon  a  farm,  but  learned  the  shoemaking  trade,  at  which 
he  worked  for  many  years,  when  he  embarked  in  trade,  being  now 
engaged  in  the  grocery  business.  He  was  married  February,  1867,  to 
Miss  Belinda  Baxtev,  and  they  have  had  two  children  :  Wm.,  aged 
fourteen,  and  Lois,  aged  twelve  years.  Mr,  B,  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  politically  a  republican  ;  he  cast  his 
first  vote  for  John  C.  Fremont. 

George  A.  Wright,  the  only  son  of  Horace  E.  and  Harriet  (Jewel) 
Wright,  was  born  August  10,  1849,  in  Rock  Island,  Illinois,  being  the 
first  male  child  born  in  that  city.  He  has  lived  in  Mercer  county 
nearly  all  his  life,  attended  common  school,  and  spent  most  of  his  life 
upon  a  farm.  The  last  five  years  he  has  been  engaged  in  mercantile 
pursuits.  In  February,  1882,  he  embarked  in  the  flower  and  seed 
trade  in  Aledo.     Politically  he  is  a  rejjublican. 

Hon.  John  C.  Pepper  was  born  in  Cambridgeshire,  England,  Sep- 
tember 21,  1829.  His  parents  were  Charles  A.  and  Susan  Pepper, 
He  left  England  when  seven  years  of  age  with  his  parents  in  a  sailing 
vessel,  and  after  being  seven  weeks  and  three  days  out  of  sight  of  land 
landed  in  New  York.  His  parents  settled  in  Amboy,  Oswego  county, 
Xew  York  ;  his  father  was  a  silversmith  by  trade.  Mr.  Pepper's  boy- 
hood was  passed  at  home  with  his  parents  until  his  sixteenth  year, 
when  he  entered  Vernon  academy,  at  Vernon,  New  York,  where  he 
attended  two  years.  He  then  went  to  the  Wayne  county  institute, 
where  he  attended  three  summers,  teaching  school  in  the  winter,  until 
1848,  when  his  health  failed  to  such  a  degree  that  he  came  west  with 
no  expectation  of  ever  regaining  it.  He  staid  one  year  in  Peoria, 
and  then  came  to  Mercer  county,  first  settling  in  Keithsburg,  where  he 
was  admitted  to  the  bar.  He  then  came  to  Aledo,  where  he  has  since 
remained  in  the  practice  of  his  profession.  Mr.  P.  was  married  in 
January,  1851,  to  Miss  Mary  A.  Martin  of  Mercer  county,  and  they  have 
four  children  living :  Helen,  married  to  Frank  Martin,  an  attorney  of 
Falls  City,  Nebraska,  three  other  daughters.  Bertha,  Norma  and 
Mabel  being  at  home  ;  three  children  died  when  young.  Islr.  Pepper 
is  the  president  of  the  Illinois  state  temperance  union,  and  an  active 
worker  in  the  cause.     By  political  faith  he  is  a  democrat. 

William  B.  Frew  was  born  in  1829  in  Allegheny  county,  Pennsyl- 


608  HISTORY    OF   IvrERCER   AJS'D    HEKDERSON    COUNTIES. 

vania.  His  father's  name  was  David  Frew,  and  his  mother's  maiden 
name  was  Mary  Jordan.  His  father  was  a  mechanic.  Mr.  F.  spent 
his  youth  imtil  his  seventeenth  year  chiefly  in  attending  the  public 
schools  and  St.  Clair  academy.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  began  to 
teach  the  public  school  at  Noblestown,  Allegheny  county,  which  occu- 
pation he  alternated  with  attending  college,  first  at  Duquesne  at  Pitts- 
burgh, and  afterward  at  Jefl^'erson  at  Cannonsburg,  till  1854,  when  he 
became  principal  of  the  South  Pittsburgh  public  schools,  where  he 
remained  one  year.  For  four  years,  from  1S55  to  1858,  he  was  princi- 
pal of  the  Birmingham  public  school.  In  tliQ  summer  of  1855  he 
made  a  trip  west  and  bought  the  land  which  he  subsequently  improv- 
ed, which  is  situated  in  Greene  township,  Mercer  county,  five  miles 
east  of  Aledo,  and  which  he  still  owns.  At  the  close  of  1858,  on 
account  of  ill  health,  he  was  obliged  to  resign  his  school  and  spent  the 
summer  of  1859  at  the  seashore  trying  to  regain  his  health.  In  the 
spring  of  1860  he  came  to  Mercer  county,  and,  after  spending  a  year 
as  tutor  in  a  family,  was  elected  to  the  oftice  of  county  surveyor,  which 
ofiice  he  held  for  fourteen  years.  In  1879  he  was  appointed  deputy 
county  surveyor,  which  office  he  still  holds.  From  1862  to  the  present 
time  he  has  been  engaged  in  engineering,  surveying  and  attending  to 
his  farm,  which  he  uses  chiefly  for  stock  raising.  He  was  married 
in  1870  to  Miss  Lydia  J.  Taylor  of  New  Alexandria,  Pennsylvania,  at 
that  time  locating  in  the  home  he  now  occupies  adjoining  the  town  of 
Aledo.  Mr.  Frew  is  a  member  and  a  trustee  of  the  United  Presby- 
terian church  of  Aledo,  and  politically  is  a  republican. 

Alexander  M.  Woods  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, in  December,  IS-iO.  He  came  to  Mercer  county  with  his 
parents  at  the  age  of  seven  years.  His  parents  settled  on  a  farm 
about  ten  miles  south  of  Aledo,  where  they  remained  about  two  years 
and  then  moved  to  Aledo.  Mr.  Woods  attended  the  public  schools, 
and  learned  the  painter's  trade,  which  occu})ation  he  still  follows. 
With  the  exception  of  one  year  passed  in  the  west,  Mr.  Woods  has 
lived  in  Mercer  county.  He  is  a  prominent  man  in  musical  circles. 
He  has  been  leader  of  the  Congregational  church  for  nearly  ten  years. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Aledo  cornet  band  for  several  years,  and  was 
a  member  of  the  Woods  Bros',  male  quartette  during  the  existence 
of  that  organization,  and  has  been  the  recognized  leader  of  vocal 
music  of  Aledo  for  many  years.     Politically  he  is  a  democrat. 

C.  F.  TuEDE,  carriagemaker  and  blacksmith,  was  born  in  Ham- 
burg, Germany,  in  April,  1832.  He  landed  in  New  ^'ork  in  1852, 
and  shortly  afterward  settled  in  JNIichigan,  where  he  had  relatives. 
In  1856die  moved  to  Rock  Island  and  went  into  business.     He  lived 


LORIMER     JOHNSTON 


MERCER   TOWNSHIP.  611 

tliere  till  ISTO,  when  he  came  to  Aledo,  where  he  still  remains,  carry- 
ing on  the  carriage-making  business  with  his  son  Christian.  Mr. 
Tliede  was  married  in  1854  to  Miss  Laura  Ilerhst,  a  native  of  Berlin, 
Prussia.  They  have  had  twelve  children,  ten  of  whom  are  living  and 
two  dead.  Mr.  Thede  and  wife  are  members  of  the  United  Presby- 
terian church  of  Aledo,  and  politically  Mr.  Thede  is  a  democrat. 

Jkssk  Maekee  was  born  in  Allegany  county,  Maryland,  in  1820; 
his  father  was  a  farmer.  When  Mr.  Markee  was  a  small  child  his 
parents  moved  to  Muskingum  county,  Ohio,  where  they  lived  a  few 
years.  The  elder  Markee  then  moved  to  Belmont  county,  Ohio,  and  a 
few  years  after  the  subject  of  this  sketch  moved  back  to  ^Muskingum 
county,  upon  the  fai-m  his  father  had  occupied.  Here  he  stayed  till 
1842,  when  he  came  west  and  stayed  about  a  year  and  a  half  in  Iowa, 
when  he  returned  to  Ohio.  He  remained  in  Ohio  till  1853,  when  he 
came  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  which  was  then  very  thinly  settled. 
When  in  Iowa,  about  1843,  Mr.  Markee  witnessed,  at  an  old  trading 
house  near  Eddyville,  the  last  treaty  with  the  Indians,  there  being 
2,700  red  men  present.  Mr.  Markee,  though  raised  upon  a  farm, 
worked  for  about  ten  years  at  the  carpenter  trade.  W^hen  he  came  to 
Illinois  he  bought  240  acres  of  land  in  Ohio  (rrove  townshij),  which 
he  farmed  till  1872,  when  he  came  to  Aledo  and  engaged  in  buying 
and  shipping  stock.  About  1875  Mr.  Markee,  together  with  Mr. 
Pichey  and  Mr.  Spicer,  built  the  Aledo  machine  shops,  and  started 
to  manufacture  farm  implements.  He  was  afterward  for  several  years 
engaged  in  the  grocery  business.  Mr.  Markee  and  Mr.  Dunlap,  while 
in  the  grocery  business,  bought  the  lot  and  put  up  the  building  known 
as  Union  Hall,  together  with  its  store  rooms.  Mr.  Markee  then  went 
out  of  trade,  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  looking  after  the  interests 
of  his  farm.  He  was  married  in  1849  to  Miss  Sarah  Bevin,  of  Mus- 
kingum county,  Ohio,  and  they  have  had  five  children,  the  eldest  of 
whom  are  dead.  Of  the  living,  Mary  E.  is  married  to  Pev.  M.  C 
Bolon,  of  ( 'arthage,  Illinois ;  Nira  L.  is  married  to  Prof  Silas  Montz, 
of  Dixon,  Illinois  ;  and  the  youngest,  a  son,  J.  N.  Markee,  is  employed 
in  the  drug  store  of  Dr.  Johnston,  of  Aledo.  Mr.  Markee  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  Aledo ;  is  a  member  of  the 
masonic  fraternity,  and  politically  is  a  republican. 

Dk.  George  Irvin  was  born  December  25,  1825,  in  Westmoreland 
county,  Pennsylvania,  and  was  the  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Young) 
Iiwin.  E[e  spent  his  early  life  on  his  father's  tarm,  and  received  an 
academic  education.  In  1852,  he  commenced  reading  medicine  with 
Dr.  Thomas  Maybon,  at  Jacksonville,  Pennsylvania,  and  attended  lec- 
tures at  Jefferson  Medical  College,  Philadelphia,  from  1853  to  1855  ; 
3.") 


612  HISTORY    OF    MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

taking  his  degree  as  M.D.  in  March  of  the  latter  year.  After  gi-aduat- 
ing  lie  practiced  at  Prospect,  Butler  county,  Pennsylvania,  for  a  year 
and  a  half;  at  Plumville,  Indiana  county,  for  over  a  year;  and  at 
Jacksonville,  where  he  had  studied  medicine,  for  about  a  year  and  a 
half  In  May,  1S59,  he  removed  to  Aledo,  where  he  has  built  up  a 
large  and  lucrative  practice,  enjoying  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  all. 
He  owns  and  occupies  one  of  the  best  and  most  commodious  residences 
in  town,  and  has  surrounded  himself  and  family  with  all  the  modern 
conveniences  and  luxuries.  He  also  owns  a  large  farm  near  town, 
besides  other  town  property.  He  has  been  twice  married,  and  has, 
by  his  first  wife,  four  children  :  Anna,  Frank,  Jessie  and  George.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  has  been  for  many  years  a 
deacon  or  elder  therein.  As  a  physician  and  surgeon  he  holds  a  de- 
servedly high  reputation  throughout  the  country  tributary  to  Aledo 
and  among  the  brothers  of  his  profession.  He  is  the  oldest  resident 
physician  in  practice  in  Aledo. 

Among  the  many  citizens    of  other  states   who  formerly  resided 
in  this  county  there  are  a  few  who  desire  to  live  over  their  early  life 
by  perusing  the  pages  of  this  history,  and  of  the  number  is  Jesse  W. 
McPhereen,    of  Little  Rock,  Arkansas.     He   was  born  in  Jefterson 
county,  Indiana,  February  1,  1847,  and  is  the  son  of  James  McPher- 
ren,  who  still  resides  in  this  county.     His  father  was  born  June  7, 
1808,  in  Pennsylvania  ;    his   mother,  April  1,   1805,   in  Rockbridge 
county,  Virginia.     The  family  removed  to  Ohio  Grove  township,  this 
county,  in  1855.     His  mother  died  August  18,  1858,  and  was  buried 
in   the  Candor  cemetery,  in  that  township,  leaving  a  husband,   four 
daughters  and  six  sons.     Jesse  was  educated  in  the  public  schools, 
principally  at  winter  terms.     His  youth  was  spent  in  Grant  county,  In- 
diana, Mercer  county,  Illinois,  and  Muskingum  county,  Ohio,  mostly 
on  a  farm,  until  the  age  of  fifteen,  when  he  enlisted  in  Co.  K,  87th  Ohio 
Vol.  Inf.,  for  three  months  ;  was  captured  at  the  surrender  of  Harper's 
Ferry,  Virginia,   September  17,   1862  ;  was  paroled  and  returned  to 
Ohio  ;   was   discharged   October   3,    1862.      He  returned  to  Mercer 
county,  and  spent  the  next  summer  on  a  farm  near  Aledo,  and  on  No- 
vember 4,  1863,  enlisted  in  Co.  C,  11th  111.  Cav.,  at  Quincy,  Illinois, 
for  three  years  ;  joined  his  regiment  in  the  rear  of  Vicksburg  in  the 
following  December,  and  remained  with  it  in  Tennessee  and  Missis- 
sippi until  the  close  of  the  war,  when  it  was  mustered  out  of  the  service 
at  Springfield,  Illinois,  October  13,    1865.     He  is  one  of  six  of  one 
family  who  served  in  the  late  war  ;  His  father,  James  McPherren,  en- 
listed in  Co.  A.,  30th  111.  Inf.,  in  1861,  and  was  discharged  for  disa- 
bility in  1862.     His  four  brothers  served  as  follows  :  James  C,  in  Co. 


IklERCER   TOWNSHIl'.  613 

C,  35th  111.  Inf.;  (Te(.r<i:e  uiul  John  S.,  in  Co.  II.,  84th  111.  Inf.;  and 
Andrew  M.  in  !>th  111.  Cav.  Of  the  six  all  returned  home  but  (xeorge, 
who  fell  at  Murfreesborough,  Tennessee,  January  1,  1863.  After  leav- 
ing the  service  Jesse  returned  to  Mercer  county,  in  October,  1865,  but 
did  not  remain  long.  During  the  next  few  years  he  resided  in  a  num- 
ber of  places  :  Newago  county,  Mich.;  Boone  county,  Iowa;  Chey- 
enne, and  Bridger's  Station,  AVyoming  Territory  ;  Faii*field,  Iowa  ;  and 
St.  Charles,  Mo.,  returning  to  this  county  fre([uently.  In  1870,  he 
went  south,  and  on  December  31  of  tliat  year  landed  at  Wessen,  Mis- 
sissippi, where  he  remained  until  1873,  when  he  spent  a  few  months 
in  Kentucky,  returning  to  Wessen  in  November.  January  7,  1874,  he 
met  with  an  accident  in  the  machine  shops  of  that  place,  causing  the 
loss  of  his  left  eye.  Was  married  October  15,  1871,  in  Wesson  ;  lost 
his  eldest  child  in  July,  1881,  and  his  wife  in  August,  1881.  He  has 
one  child,  a  boy,  aged  four,  and  is  again  married.  In  1881,  he  removed 
to  Little  Bock,  Ai-kansas,  where  he  is  now  engaged  in  the  drug  busi- 
ness, and  has  secured  a  large  and  lucrative  custom.  He  was  elected 
mayor  of  Wesson,  Mississippi,  in  1875,  and  re-elected  in  1877  ;  belongs 
to  the  Presbyterian  church,  the  Masons,  Odd-Fellows  and  Knights  of 
Pythias.  His  life  has  been  one  of  constant  labor  ;  he  has  been  a 
farmer,  merchant,  engineer  ;  has  engaged  in  saw-milling  and  railroad- 
ing, and  is  now  settled  as  a  druggist.  While  in  some  of  these  he  has 
lost,  he  has,  as  a  whole,  been  successful,  and  is  now  in  comfortable  cir- 
cumstances. He  still  cherislies  a  warm  feeling  for  his  old  home  and 
friends  in  Mercer  county. 

LuciEN  B.  Doughty,  son  of  Rev.  Thomas  L.  and  Mary  J.  Doughty, 
was  born  March  28,  1841,  in  Knightstown,  Henry  county,  Indiana. 
The  life  of  Mr.  Doughty  has  been  one  of  activity  and  large  experience. 
He  lacked  six  years  of  having  attained  his  manhood  when  with  his 
father's  consent  he  started  out  into  the  world,  to  battle  with  its  hard- 
shi|)S  singlehanded,  not  only  to  make  a  living  for  himself  but  to  assist 
his  father,  which  he  did  by  turning  over  to  him  his  small  wages.  The 
family  had  moved  to  Xew  Boston  in  1843,  wdien  Lucian  was  two  years 
old,  and  here  he  received  such  education  as  the  schools  and  his  limited 
time  afforded.  He  improved  his  time  then  and  since,  as  is  evidenced 
by  some  very  acceptable  articles  contributed  to  this  work.  In  the  fall 
of  1851  the  family  moved  to  the  northwest  corner  of  Warren  county, 
and  in  1856  Lucien  beiJ:an  active  life  as  intimated  above  on  a  farm. 
A  year  later  he  entered  the  "Record"  otHce  at  Aledo  to  learn  the 
printer's  trade,  in  which  business  he  has  been  constantly  engaged  with 
the  exce])tion  of  a  few  imjiortant  years,  as  hereafter  noted.  In  1859 
he  was  working  on  the  Geneseo  ''Republic,"  and  ne.xt  year  went  to  Des 


(314  HISTORY    OF    MERCEE    AXD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

Moines,  Iowa  (1S60),  and  worked  on  the  Iowa  State  "Eegister,"  part 
of  the  time  on  local  work.  The  alarm  of  war  had  scarcely  been 
sounded  Avhen  Mr.  Doughty  entered  the  ranks  as  a  soldier  for  the  pur- 
pose of  assisting  in  rebuking  rebellion,  and  enlisted  in  Co.  E,  4th  Iowa 
Inf.,  Capt.  H.  il.  Griffith,  Col.  G.  M.  Dodge.  He  had  nearly  served 
out  his  tenn  of  three  years  when  he  re-enlisted  as  a  veteran  in  January, 

1864,  at  Woodville,  Alabama.     He  was  tinally  discharged  July  28, 

1865,  having  served  his  country  and  braved  the  dangers  and  hardships 
incident  to  war  over  four  years.  His  experience  as  a  soldier  can  be 
gathered  from  a  brief  mention  of  the  marches  and  engagements  of  the 
regiment  to  which  he  belonged.  From  St.  Louis,  their  starting  point, 
they  went  "to  EoUa,  Missouri ;  then  to  Pea  Ridge  and  Helena,  Arkan- 
sas  ;  thence  with  Sherman  at  Walnut  Hills,  Arkansas  Post,  and  back 
to  Yicksburg  ;  with  (xrant  to  Jackson,  Mississippi ;  in  the  siege  of 
Yicksburg  ;  back  to  Jackson  ;  with  Sherman,  under  John  A.  Logan, 
from  luka  to  Chattanooga;  with  Hooker  in  the  ''tight  above  the 
clouds ""  ;  at  Lookout  ^fountain.  Mission  Ridge  and  Ringgold  ;  thirty 
days  at  home  in  the  spring  of  1864  on  veteran's  furlough  ;  again  with 
Sherman  from  Chattanooga,  Atlanta,  and  the  march  to  the  sea;  thence 
through  the  Carolinas  and  tinally  to  AYashington  to  participate  in  the 
grand  review.  May  23,  1865.  To  look  at  the  little  man  it  seems  a 
wonder  that  he  could  go  through  so  much.  In  all  he  was  in  forty- 
three  engagements  and  escaped  without  a  wound.  After  the  war  he 
was  for  a  time  in  Richmond,  Indiana,  and  in  Dayton,  Ohio.  From 
May,  1S66,  to  May,  186",  he  published  the  ''Democrat"  at  Eaton,  Ohio, 
and  in  the  fall  of  the  last  mentioned  year  removed  to  Des  Moines, 
Iowa,  and  the  next  year  to  Rolla,  Missouri,  where  he  edited  the  Rolla 
"Herald.''  In  1869  he  got  back  to  his  old  stamping  ground,  Aledo,  and 
worked  nearly  four  years  in  a  carriage  shop.  At  the  end  of  this  time 
he  again  entered  the  "Record  "  office,  where  he  has  since  been  engaged. 
August  16,  1866,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Fannie  E.  Hayes,  of  Eaton. 
To  them  was  born  one  son,  James  Henry.  June  10,  1867,  and  on 
August  12,  1869,  his  -jyife  died  and  on  the  next  day  his  S(m.  July  16, 
1871,  Mr.  Doughty  was  again  married,  this  time  to  Clara  D.  Pennell, 
of  Rock  Island.  To  them  three  children  have  been  born  :  Josie 
Amelia,  born  January  8,  1873  ;  Charles  Eli,  February  2,  1875.  and 
Clara  Emma,  March  18,  1878  (died  April  19,  1878). 

Francis  Lemon,  jeweler,  is  the  fourth  son  of  William  and  Ellen 
(Lockhart)  Lemon,  of  Mercer  county.  He  was  born  in  Columbia 
county,  Pennsylvania,  in  December,  1849,  came  west  with  his  parents 
in  1852,  and  settled  in  Perryton  township,  ]\Iercer  county.  He  received 
a  common  school  education,   and  remained  on  liis  father's  farm  till 


MERCER   TOWNSHIP.  615 

1874,  when  he  came  to  Aledo  and  embarked  in  the  grocery  business, 
which  he  followed  about  one  year.  Mr.  Lemon  being  a  natural  me- 
chanical genius,  had  spent  his  leisure  time  while  on  the  farm  in  learn- 
ing the  watchmaking  trade,  and  in  the  fall  of  1876  he  opened  up  busi- 
ness in  the  jeweh-y  line  in  Aledo,  where,  by  care  and  attention  to  busi- 
ness, he  has  built  u])  a  good  trade  in  his  line. 

Louis  D.  IIoLMKs,  attorney,  was  born  July  24,  1S47,  in  Adams 
county,  Ohio.  He  was  the  eldest  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Traber) 
Holmes,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Adams  county,  Ohio.  He 
spent  his  early  life  upon  a  farm,  and  working  in  a  saw  mill  until  his 
nineteenth  year.  He  received  a  common  school  education,  and  in  ad- 
dition graduated  at  Miami  University  of  Oxford,  Ohio,  where  he  took 
his  degree  in  1868.  He  came  west  in  April,  1869,  and  entered  the 
law  office  of  Bassett  ife  Connell ;  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  August, 
1871,  and  has  practiced  his  profession  in  Aledo  ever  since.  He  was 
married  in  May,  1872,  to  Miss  C.  AV.  Campbell,  of  Ripley,  Ohio,  and 
has  two  children.  Mr.  Holmes  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  Ba])tist 
church,  also  a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  town  of  Aledo, 
and  politically  is  a  republican. 

Dr.  D.  R.  Johnstox  was  born  August  21,  1842,  in  Logan  county, 
Ohio,  he  being  the  third  son  of  Rev.  Dr.  J.  B.  Johnston,  of  the  United 
Presbyterian  church.  He  received  his  education  at  Geneva  (College, 
Ohio,  and  attended  both  the  medical  college  of  Ohio  at  Cincinnati  and 
Rush  Medical  College  of  Chicago,  taking  his  degree  as  M.D.  from  the 
latter  institution,  in  1S65.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  he  entered 
the  army  with  the  17th  reg.  Ohio  Vol.  Inf.,  and  in  1864  was  appointed 
by  Gov.  Morton  assistant  surgeon  of  the  1st  Indiana  heavy  artil- 
lery. He  practiced  medicine  in  Indianapolis  from  1865  to  1868, 
when  he  was  appointed  by  the  board  of  foreign  missions  of  the  Ignited 
Presbyterian  cliurch  as  medical  missionary  to  Egypt,  where  he  spent 
eight  years,  part  of  which  time  he  was  president  of  the  training  college 
at  Osiout,  upper  Egypt.  The  doctor  returned  to  the  United  States  in 
the  spring  of  1876,  and  in  the  fall  of  that  year  located  in  Mansfield, 
Ohio,  where  he  remained  till  April  1,  1881.  In  the  summer  of  1881  he 
came  to  Aledo  and  bought  the  drug  store  of  Dr.  J.  M.  Wallace,  and 
entered  upon  tlie  practice  of  his  profession.  He  was  married  Decem- 
ber 25,  1868,  to  Miss  Maggie  J.  Stewart,  of  St.  Clairsville,  Ohio,  and 
has  had  four  children,  of  whom  two  died  in  Egypt  and  two  are  living. 
Dr.  Johnston  is  a  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian  church  of  Aledo, 
and  superintendent  of  its  Sabbath  school,  and  by  political  ftiith  is  a 
republican. 

Kexxetii  M.   Whitham  was  born,    September,    1856,    in   Mercer 


616  HISTORY    OF   ilERCER   AJ^D    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

county.  He  is  the  oldest  son  of  Rev.  Jos.  K.  and  Elizabeth  (McCoy) 
AVhithani.  He  is  a  graduate  of  the  Aledo  academy,  and  attended 
college  at  Battle  Creek,  Michigan,  for  two  years,  and  since  returning 
fi'oin  that  institution  has  been  engaged  in  teaching  in  Mercer  county. 
He  is  at  present  principal  of  the  grammar  department  of  the  public 
schools  of  Aledo,  and  is  president  of  the  Mercer  County  Teachers' 
Association. 

Luke  Strong,  photographer,  was  born  in  Clarendon,  Rutland  county, 
Vermont,  in  1825.  His  parents  were  Luke  and  Esther  (Call)  Strong. 
AYhen  he  was  two  years  of  age  his  parents  moved  to  Indiana  and 
settled  near  Indianapolis ;  and  in  1839  they  again  moved  westward 
and  settled  in  Galesburg,  Illinois.  Mr.  Strong  graduated  from  Knox 
College,  Galesburg,  in  1850,  when  he  went  to  Pottsdam,  Xew  York, 
and  read  law  for  a  year ;  thence  going  to  Oquawka,  where  he  taught 
school  for  two  years.  He  then  embarked  in  the  photograph  business 
at  the  latter  place,  where  he  remained  for  twenty-one  years.  In  April, 
1874,  he  came  to  Aledo  and  engaged  in  business,  building  the  large 
gallery  which  he  now  occupies.  He  was  married  in  1855  to  Miss  Ann 
McKinney,  eldest  daughter  of  John  McKinney,  of  Aledo ;  has  two 
children  (boys)  living,  Fred  H.  and  Geo.  McK.,  who  are  both  gradu- 
ates of  the  Aledo  high  school.  Mr.  Strong  is  a  member  of  the 
masonic  fraternity,  and  politically  a  republican. 

Dr.  James  A.  Campbell,  dentist,  was  born  in  1855,  in  Brown 
county,  Ohio,  the  only  son  of  Alexander  and  Elizabeth  (Williams) 
Campbell.  He  spent  his  boyhood  upon  the  farm  of  his  father,  until 
the  year  1873,  wlien  for  two  years  he  attended  the  Aledo  academy. 
He  began  the  study  of  dentistry  with  Dr.  E.  B.  David  in  1875,  with 
whom  he  remained  one  year,  and  then  went  to  Philadelphia,  where  he 
attended  the  Philadelphia  Dental  College  three  terms.  In  the  spring 
of  1877  he  returned  to  Aledo  and  opened  a  dental  office.  In  Septem- 
ber, 18T8,  he  removed  to  Creston,  Iowa,  where  he  ])racticed  his 
profession  two  years,  and  again  returned  to  Aledo  and  opened  the 
office  which  he  occupies  at  ]:)resent  in  his  practice.  Dr.  Cam])bell  was 
married,  Xovember  15,  1880,  to  Miss  Laura  E.  Mentzor,  of  Aledo. 

.  George  M.  Cool,  druggist,  was  born  in  Aledo,  September  28,  1858, 
and  is  the  second  son  of  Jacob  and  Margaret  (McEowen)  Cool.  He 
received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Aledo,  and  in  his  seven- 
teenth year  commenced  learning  the  drug  business  with  James  M. 
Macy,  lately  deceased.  He  has  remained  ever  since  in  the  same  situa- 
tion, Mrs.  James  M.  Macy  (sister  of  Mr.  Cool)  owning  the  store,  and 
Mr.  Cool  doing  the  business. 

James  H.  Ramsey,  jeweler,  was  born  in  Cadiz,  Ohio,  February  14, 


MERCER   TOWNSHIP.  617 

* 

ISJrT  ;  he  is  the  sec<md  son  ofJohii  and  Nancy  Ramsey.  He  attended 
school  at  Cadiz  till  his  fourteenth  year,  when  he  was  apprenticed  to 
G.  B.  Barrett,  jeweler,  of  Cadiz,  and  served  six  years,  when  he  went 
into  business  for  himself.  He  remained  in  Cadiz  for  two  years,  when 
he  sold  out  his  business  and  went  to  Freeport,  Pennsylvania,  where  he 
remained  one  year,  and  then  went  to  Greencastle,  Indiana,  and  was 
there  about  one  year  when  he  came  to  Aledo,  where  he  commenced 
business  in  May,  1871,  and  where  he  now  remains.  Mr.  Ramsey  was 
married  February  29,  1870,  to  Miss  Sallie  AV^illson,  eldest  daughter  of 
J.  M.  Willson,  Esq.,  of  Aledo,  and  has  two  small  children. 

J(»iix  F.  McBridk,  dealer  in  dry  goods,  was  born  November  23,  1853, 
in  Ohio  Grove  townshii),  Mercer  county;  he  is  the  eldest  son  of  J.  C. 
and  H.  E.  (Williams)  McBride.  He  came  to  Aledo  in  1870,  and 
began  his  business  career  as  clerk  in  the  dry  goods  house  of  Poage  & 
Senters,  in  January,  1871,  in  which  capacity  he  remained  till  the  year 
1877,  when  he  embarked  in  trade  for  himself  in  the  dry  goods  business 
in  partnership  with  Geo.  P.  Graham.  In  the  fall  of  1880  he  bought 
out  his  partner's  interest  and  has  been  since  in  business  for  himself. 
Mr.  McBride  was  married  May  13,  1879,  to  Miss  Edna  D.  Kirlin,  of 
New  Boston.  He  is  a  member  of  the  masonic  fraternity,  and  by  polit- 
ical faith  a  rejniblican. 

Rkv.  Thomas  B.  Ti-rnuull  was  born  April  27,  1847,  in  Warren 
county,  Illinois ;  his  parents  were  David  and  Nancy  (]\Iitchell)  Turn- 
bull.  His  boyhood  was  passed  upon  the  farm  of  his  father,  the  man- 
agement of  which  devolved  upon  him  at  the  age  of  sixteen  by  reason 
of  the  enlistment  of  his  three  older  brothers  in  the  army  at  the  begin- 
ning of  the  war  of  the  rebellion.  In  1863  he  entered  Monmouth  College 
and  gi-aduated  from  that  institution  in  June,  1870.  He  spent  the  next 
three  years  in  studying  theology,  attending  the  United  Presbyterian 
Theological  Seminary  at  Monmouth  two  years,  and  the  Allegheny  City 
Seminary  one  year,  and  was  licensed  to  ])reacli  August,  1872.  Receiv- 
ing a  call  the  same  year  from  the  United  Presbyterian  congregation  of 
Aledo,  which  was  accepted,  he  was  ordained  and  installed  ])astor 
thereof  in  April,  1873 ;  of  this  church  he  is  the  present  pastor.  ]\Ir. 
Turnbull  was  married  April  24,  1873,  to  Miss  Jean  M.  Home,  of 
Monmouth,  Illinois,  and  has  three  children  living :  Willie,  David  and 
Susie,  aged  six  years,  four  years,  and  eight  months,  respectively. 
His  eldest  child,  a  daughter,  died  at  the  age  of  seven  years. 

M.  F.  Felix,  dealer  in  dry  goods,  was  born  in  March,  1828,  in 
eastern  Pennsylvania,  and  is  the  youngest  son  of  Francis  and  Rose  A. 
Felix.  His  boyhood,  till  his  seventeenth  year,  was  passed  upon  the 
farm  of  his  father,  at  which  period  he  was  a})prenticed  to  the  cabinet 


618  HISTORY    OF    AfERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

maker's  trade,  at  which  lie  served  his  time,  and  for  which  services  he 
never  received  a  dolhir  of  pay.  Mr.  Felix  came  west  about  the  year 
1847,  and  settled  for  a  time  in  Iowa  City,  Iowa,  from  where  he  went  to 
Qunicy,  Illinois,  and  worked  at  his  trade  a  short  time,  and  went  to 
Indiana.  He  came  back  to  Illinois,  and  about  the  year  1850  or  1851, 
went  into  the  dry  goods  business  in  Rock  Island  county,  where  he 
remained  till  1876,  when  he  came  to  Aledo  and  established  himself  in 
his  present  location  and  business.  Mr.  Felix  was  married  in  185-1,  to 
Miss  Eliza  Yanatta,  of  Illinois  City,  Rock  Island  county,  Illinois,  and 
has  four  children :  Rose,  Benjamin  (who  is  married  to  Miss  Clara 
Woods,  and  is  in  business  with  his  father),  Emma,  and  Lizzie.  Mr. 
Felix  belongs  to  the  masonic  fraternity,  is  president  of  the  board  of 
trustees  of  Aledo,  and  politically  is  a  republican. 

Tyler  McWhorter  was  born  in  Steuben  county,  New  York, 
August  29,  1815.  His  parent's  names  were  James  and  Anna  (Parker) 
McWhorter.  His  ancestry  on  his  lather's  side  was  Scotch.  The  name 
of  Tyler  was  given  him  by  reason  of  the  fact  that  his  grandmother, 
whose  maiden  name  was  Tyler,  was  iirst  cousin  of  president  John 
Tyler,  of  Yirginia.  Mr.  McWhorter  never  had  the  advantage  of  a 
regular  college  course  of  education,  but  his  leisure  hours,  both  in  his 
early  and  later  life,  were  devoted  to  a  studious  and  searching  course  of 
reading.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one  he  went  to  Branch  county  Michi- 
gan, where  he  followed  school  teaching,  and  during  two  years  had 
charge  of  the  public  school  of  Coldwater,  the  county  seat  of  Branch 
county,  Michigan.  While  engaged  in  teaching  he  applied  his  leisure 
time  to  a  close  study  of  higher  mathematics,  and  was  subsequently 
elected  county  surveyor  of  Branch  county.  He  married  his  first  wife 
in  Michigan,  in  May,  1842.  She  was  a  woman  of  culture,  though  of  a 
delicate  physical  organization.  In  the  spring  of  1 845  he  mo'V'ed  from 
Michigan  to  Illinois,  and  located  in  Duncan  township,  Mercer  county, 
three  miles  west  of  Millersburg,  and  engaged  in  horticulture.  His 
nurseiy,  under  the  name  of  "Pome  Roy  Nursery,"  became  extensively 
known  and  patronized.  At  his  Pome  Roy  place,  he  raised  an  exten- 
sive market  orchard,  which  is  the  largest  in  the  county.  His  horticul- 
tural business  alibrded  an  ample  field  of  investigation  for  the  inquir- 
ing proclivities  of  his  mind.  During  the  early  years  of  his  residence  in 
Mercer  county,  Mr.  McWhorter  was  elected  school  commissioner  of 
the  count}^  an  office  which  he  held  for  two  successive  terms.  Also, 
while  a  resident  of  Duncan  township,  he  held  for  twenty  years  the 
office  of  township  treasurer.  Mr.  McWhorter,  by  his  first  wife,  had 
three  children,  all  of  whom  are  living  in  Iowa.  He  married  his  pres- 
ent wife  August,  185*J,  her  maiden  name  was  Clara  M.  Luce.     Of  this 


MERCER   TOWNSHIP.  619 

union  tliere  is  one  child,  a  boy,  Laon  A.  McWIiorter,  now  twenty 
years  of  age,  who  lives  with  his  parents.  In  the  spring  of  1869,  Mr. 
McWhorter  moved  from  his  Pome  Roy  place  to  his  present  location, 
one  mile  south  of  Aledo.  Mr.  McW.  has  been  connected  with  the 
horticultural  societies  of  the  State  for  nearly  thirty  years.  In  1869,  he 
presided  over  the  State  Horticultural  Society  of  Illinois,  and  in  1873 
presided  over  the  northern  state  society.  Mr.  JMcAVhorter  is  continu- 
ally a  student  of  nature.  What  time  he  could  spare  from  secular  busi- 
ness has  been  devoted  to  scientific  investigation;  allowing  himself  also 
some  time  to  travel,  he  made  a  trip  to  Yicksburg  during  the  war,  and 
has  since  made  an  extensive  tour  of  the  southern  states.  He  has  been 
for  eleven  years  a  member  of  the  "American  Association  for  the 
Advancement  of  Science,"  in  attending  the  annual  meetings  of  which 
he  has  had  occasion  to  visit  various  parts  of  the  United  States  and 
Canada.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  State  Natural  History  Society,  of 
Illinois.  Mr.  McWIiorter,  though  now  in  his  sixty-eighth  year,  is  in 
complete  possession  of  all  his  natural  strong  faculties  of  both  mind  and 
body,  is  hale  and  hearty  and  thoroughly  enjoys  life. 

Milton  S.  Boise  was  born  in  Burgettstown,  Washington  county, 
Pennsylvania,  in  1827  ;  came  west  in  1854,  and  settled  in  Geneseo, 
Henry  county,  Illinois,  and  went  into  the  grocery  business,  which  he 
carried  on  for  some  three  or  four  years,  when,  after  spending  a  year  or 
so  looking  up  a  favorable  place  for  business,  he  came  to  Aledo,  and 
went  into  the  book  and  news  business,  the  first  house  of.  that  character 
started  in  the  place.  This  business  he  cariied  on  for  over  two  years, 
when  he  started  a  soap  factory,  and  also  a  wholesale  grocery,  queens- 
ware  and  notion  store,  which  business  he  is  now  engaged  in,  running 
two  store  rooms  in  different  parts  of  the  town.  Mr.  Boise  was  married 
in  1846  to  Miss  Rebecca  Mitchell,  of  Allegheny  county,  Pennsylvania. 
They  have  two  children  living,  Joseph,  aged  twenty-two,  and  Horace, 
fourteen.  Mr.  Boise  is  a  trustee  of  the  congregational  church  of 
Aledo,  is  a  member  of  the  masonic  fraternit}',  and  in  politics  is  a 
member  of  the  democratic  party. 

Dr.  E.  B.  David,  dentist,  was  born  in  Ontario  county,  New  I'ork, 
June  8,  1835 ;  his  parents  were  Uri  and  Catharine  David,  and  they 
moved  to  Michigan  w^hen  he  was  three  years  old  and  settled  in  Jackson 
county.  The  doctor  remained  in  Michigan  till  the  spring  of  1858, 
when  he  came  to  Mercer  countv.  In  1853  he  began  the  studv  of  den- 
tistry  wnth  Dr.  M.  S.  Dean,  of  Marshall,  INfichigan,  now  of  Chicago. 
Dr.  David  entered  the  union  army  during  the  war  of  the  rebellion. 
He  enlisted  August  12,  1861,  in  the  3()th  111.  Inf ,  and  served  three 
years  and  three  months.     His  army  experience  embraced  the  engage- 


620  HISTORY    OF   jVIERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

ments  of  Belmont,  Fort  Donelson,  siege  of  Corinth,  Port  Gibson, 
Raymond,  Jackson  (Mississippi),  Champion  Hill,  Yicksbnrg,  and  siege 
of  Atlanta.  He  was  mnstered  out  at  Chattanooga,  Tennessee,  October 
17,  1804,  with  the  rank  of  captain,  in  command  of  com])any  A,  30th 
111.  Inf  He  then  came  back  to  Mercer  county  and  settled  in  Kew 
Windsor,  where  he  owned  a  farm,  working  at  dentistry  part  of  the 
time.  Here  he  remained  till  November,  1873,  when  he  came  to  Aledo 
and  commenced  his  practice,  and  where  he  now  remains,  the  senior 
partner  of  the  iirm  of  David  &  Coulson.  Dr.  David  was  a  member  of 
the  Aledo  town  board  of  trustees  for  four  terms,  from  1876  to  1880,  dur- 
ing the  last  two  years  serving  as  president  of  the  body.  He  has  been  a 
member  of  the  county  agricultural  board  for  nine  years,  and  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  state  board  of  agriculture.  Dr.  D.  was  married  September 
1,  1862,  to  Miss  Lizzie  Woodham,  of  New  Windsor,  and  has  live  chil- 
dren. He  is  a  membei-  of  the  Baptist  church,  and  by  political  faith  is  a 
republican, 

William  Anderson  Cole  was  born  in  Brown  county,  Ohio,  in  1847, 
and  is  the  son  of  Aaron  and  Mary  Ellen  Cole.  He  lived  in  Brown 
county,  Ohio,  till  he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age,  working  on  a  farm 
during  his  boyhood  (going  to  school  during  the  winter),  up  to  the 
period  of  his  removal.  He  settled  in  Yiola,  Mercer  county,  in  1871. 
He  was  the  iirst  colored  man  who  drove  the  United  States  mail  in  the 
State  of  Illinois,  he  being  so  engaged  during  the  years  1872  and  1873. 
He  came  to  Aledo  and  commenced  working  at  the  barber  trade  in 
1874,  still  carrying  on  the  business  under  the  firm  name  of  Cole  tt 
Wade.  He  was  married  in  1872,  to  Miss  Catharine  Glasscock,  and 
they  have  three  children  living.  Mr.  Cole  puts  himself  on  record  as  a 
member  of  the  republican  party. 

John  Webster  Dilley  was  born  in  Mercer  county  in  January,  1840. 
His  parents,  William  and  Eliza  (Moorehead)  Dilley,  were  among  the 
early  settlers  of  Mercer  county.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  spent  most 
of  his  life  upon  a  farm,  and  was  so  engaged  upon  the  breaking  out  of 
the  war,  when,  on  July  24,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  the  army  in  Co. 
H,  84tli  111.  Inf.  He  participated  in  the  battles  of  Chickamauga,  Look- 
out mountain,  Mission  Ridge,  siege  of  Chattanooga,  Ringgold,  Georgia, 
campaign  of  Atlanta,  Franklin,  and  jSTashville,  and  was  mustered  out 
June  8,  1865,  at  Nashville,  Tennessee.  In  1869  he  was  elected  county 
clerk,  and  held  that  office  four  years  ;  for  a  short  time  after  this  he  was 
engaged  in  the  grocery  business,  and  again  went  upon  the  farm  and 
spent  several  years,  when  he  finally  removed  to  Aledo.  He  filled  the 
office  of  deputy  sherili'  of  the  county  for  two  years,  after  which  he  was 
elected  justice  of  the  peace,  which  office  he  still  retains,  and  is  also  clerk 


MERCER   TOWNSHIP.  621 

of  tlie  town  of  Aledo.  He  w-as  married  in  October,  1805,  to  Miss  Mary 
J.  Hose,  and  has  tliree  children.  Ho  is  a  member  of  the  rcpublicaji 
party. 

Bex.iamix  F.  Thompson  was  born  in  Clinton  countv,  Ohio,  March 
28,  1829,  he  being  the  youngest  son  of  Dr.  A.  W.  and  Elizabeth 
(Scai^ff)  Thompson.  When  a  child  his  parents  moved  to  Lawi*ence- 
burgh,  Indiana,  where  they  lived  several  years,  and  then  moved  back 
to  Xenia,  Ohio,  where  his  father  practiced  his  profession  till  his  death. 
When  about  sixteen  years  old  Mr.  Thompson  went  to  Washington 
C.  H.,  Ohio,  and  clerked  in  a  dry  goods  store  for  six  years,  when 
he  came  west  and  settled  in  Xew  Boston,  Mercer  county,  Blinois,  where 
he  formed  a  partnership  wntli  his  brother-in-law,  J.  C.  Bell,  in  the  dry 
goods  and  pork  packing  business.  In  this  business  he  continued  until 
1859,  when  he  sold  his  interest  to  his  partner.  Under  the  first  admin- 
istration of  President  Lincoln  Mr.  Thompson  was  appointed  postmas- 
ter of  Kew  Boston  and  held  the  office  for  about  eight  years,  when  he 
resigned,  and  in  1871  came  to  Aledo  and  went  into  his  present  busi- 
ness of  real  estate  dealer  and  collector.  He  has  been  in  Aledo  since 
the  above  date  wath  the  exception  of  a  year's  absence  in  1875  which 
he  spent  in  Los  Angelos,  California.  Mr.  Thompson  was  married  in 
1858  to  Miss  Josie  C.  Denison,  of  New  Boston.  They  have  had  four 
children,  only  one  of  whom  is  living,  a  son  eleven  years  of  age.  Polit- 
ically Mr.  Thompson  is  a  democrat. 

lx¥.v.  John  T.  Hote  was  born  in  Trigg  county,  Kentucky.  April  fi. 
1852,  he  being  the  second  son  of  Henry  and  Elizabeth  Hoye.  He  lett 
Kentucky  with  his  parents  when  about  seven  years  of  age,  they  settling 
in  northern  Missouri,  and  living  there  till  the  close  of  the  war,  when 
they  removed  to  Kansas  City.  Mr.  Hoye  had  the  advantage  of  the 
common  schools  in  boyhood  and  in  his  twenty-third  year  entered  the 
AVilliam  Jewell  College,  of  Liberty,  Missouri,  with  a  view  of  pre- 
paring himself  for  the  ministry.  He  attended  here  for  five  years, 
when  he  entered  the  Baptist  Theological  Seminary  of  Louisville,  Ken- 
tucky, after  attending  wdiich  for  two  years  he  began  missionary  work 
in  Missouri,  wdiere  he  labored  a  short  time,  and  after  preaching  a  short 
time  in  Reynolds,  this  state,  he  was  called  to  preach  for  his  present 
charge,  the  Baptist  church  of  Aledo.  Mr.  Hoye  was  married  June  29, 
1881,  to  j^iss  Lucy  W.  DeHoney,  of  Louisville,  Kentucky. 

J.  M.  AViLLis  was  born  in  18-1:9  in  Guernsey  county,  Ohio,  and  is 
the  son  of  Robert  and  Prudence  (Speai-)  Willis.  He  left  Guernsey 
county  when  nineteen  years  of  age  and  went  to  Cass  county,  Missouri, 
where  he  fanned  for  six  years.  He  tlu'n  came  to  Mercer  countv  and 
went  to  farming,  at  which  he  continued  for  five  years,  when  he  was 


622  HISTORY    OF    MERCER   AJS'D    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

appointed  superintendent  of  the  Mercer  county  infirmary,  wliicli  posi- 
tion he  now  holds.  Mr.  Willis  was  married  in  1872  to  Miss  Mary  J. 
Ashmhurst,  of  Aledo.  He  is  a  member  of  the  masonic  order  and 
politically  is  a  republican. 

Charles  W.  Detwiler  was  born  and  raised  in  Mercer  county.  He 
went  to  school  in  Aledo,  and  began  learning  the  trade  of  a  tinsmith 
with  H.  Holmes  in  1872,  with  wliom  lie  worked  four  years,  since 
which  time  he  has  been  in  business  with  his  father  and  brother.  The 
lirm  of  Detwiler  Brothers  was  formed  in  1881.  Mr.  Detwiler  is  a 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  a  member  of  the  citizens' 
cornet  band  of  Aledo,  and  is  a  republican  in  politics. 

Lewis  Cass  Detwiler  was  born  June  1,  1860,  and  is  the  youngest 
son  of  Eli  and  Martha  Detwiler  of  Aledo.  He  was  born  in  Mercer 
county  and  went  to  the  public  schools  of  Aledo,  learned  his  trade  of 
tinsmith  with  his  brother  (Jharles,  and  entered  tlie  lirm  of  Detwiler 
Brothers  as  partner  in  1881.  The  lirm  do  a  general  hardware,  stove 
and  tinware  trade. 

Samuel  Brown,  retired  farmer,  was  born  May  To,  1823,  in  Breck- 
inridge county,  Kentucky.  His  parents,  Alfred  and  Mary  (Mordock) 
Brown,  were  born,  raised  and  married  in  Kentucky.  About  1830  they 
emigrated,  making  their  homes  in  Knox  county,  Illinois,  bringing 
their  tive  children:  James  K.,  Samuel,  Harmon,  Taylor,  and  William. 
In  Knox  county  were  born  :  Alfred  T.,  Mary,  Sally  A.,  and  Abigail. 
The  elder  Brown  died  in  1866.  Mr.  Brown  was  for  a  time  in  the 
Black  Hawk  war,  receiving  land  as  a  reward.  Samuel  was  reared  on 
the  farm,  and  in  the  rude  log  cabin.  He  was  educated  with  his 
fellows  in  the  log  hall  of  learnhig.  He  was  married  June  1,  1854,  to 
Caroline  Grreenwood,  daughter  of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Legg) 
Greenwood.  Her  parents  were  early  settlers  of  Suez  township,  Mer- 
cer.county.  Mr.  Brown  settled  in  Suez  township,  purchasing  a  farm 
there.  After  selling  and  buying,  etc.,  lie  located  in  North  Henderson, 
where  he  became  owner  of  a  half-section  of  good  land.  He  sold  and 
moved  into  Aledo  in  the  spring  of  1882.  He  is  one  of  the  many  who 
have  made  farming  a  success,  and  has  aided  in  reclaiming  the  soil 
from  its  wild  state.  His  children  are :  Harmon  G.  (dead),  Maxy  (now 
Mrs.  George  G.  Cheney),  George  E.  (an  Aledo  liveryman).  Grant, 
Mary  E.,  Samuel  T.,  and  Katy  G.     Mr.  Brown  has  property,  in  Aledo. 

LoAMMi  Brown,  liveryman,  is  a  son  of  Richard  G.  and  Rebecca 
(Moore)  Brown.  Richard  Brown  was  born  in  ( )hio,  and  his  wife  in 
Virginia.  He  became  an  early  settler  of  Iowa.  Loammi,  the  eldest 
of  four  children,  was  born  in  Iowa  Territory,  February  22,  IS-tO.  He 
enlisted  in  the  civil  war  August  11,  1862,  in  company  G,  121:th  reg. 


SUEZ   TOWNSHIP.  623 

111.  Vol.  Inf.,  Ciipt.  Sciuldcr  and  Vol.  Sloan.  He  took  ])art  in  many 
skirmishes  and  in  the  engagements  of  Port  Gibson,  Cham])i()n  Hill, 
Black  River,  Fort  Jackson,  et  al.  lie  served  till  July  17,  1865,  when 
he  was  mnstered  out  at  Hock  Island.  He  resumed  farming  in  Mercer 
county.  He  has  also  dealt  heavily  in  stock-raising  and  trading.  In 
November,  1875,  he  purchased  the  John  S.  Moore  livery  stables,  and 
has  since  lived  in  Aledo,  where  he  has  a  good  i)roperty.  In  politics 
he  is  decidedly  democratic.  Mr.  Brown  was  married  November  12, 
1865,  to  Amanda  J.  Melton,  daughter  of  R.  (1.  and  Susan  Melton,  of 
Mercer  county.  She  is  a  native  of  Bock  Island  county,  Illinois. 
They  have  had  five  children :  Susie,  Loammi,  Jennie,  Minnie,  and 
Richard. 


SUEZ  TOWNSHIP. 


EARLY  SETTLP:M EXT. 


The  broad  domain  of  Illinois  did  not  afford  a  more  inviting  spot  to 
the  eye  of  the  early  pioneer  than  the  territory  embraced  within  the 
lines  of  what  is  now  known  as  Suez  township ;  consequently  that  ])ai't 
of  Mercer  county  has  kept  pace  with  any  part  of  the  state  in  settle- 
ment, in  thrift,  and  in  religious  and  educational  progress.  Along  the 
crystal  streams  that  flow  through  the  township  an  abundance  of  timber 
grew,  and,  underlying  portions  of  the  township,  inexhaustible  beds  of 
coal  are  found.  Back  from  the  streams  a  beautiful  expanse  of  fertile 
prairie  greeted  the  eye  of  the  observer ;  and,  shortly  after  the  close  of 
the  Black  Hawk  war,  the  snug  log  cabin  began  to  take  the  place  of  the 
Indian  wigwam ;  the  white-topped  wagon,  the  lowing  of  cattle,  and 
the  sound  of  the  axe  announced  the  fact  that  the  day  of  civilization 
was  dawning.  Among  the  first  to  cast  their  lot  in  Suez  township  we 
find  the  following  names:  David  Williams  and  George  Blake  came 
together  from  the  State  of  Indiana  in  1835,  the  former  locating  on  the 
S.  W.  i  of  Sec.  22,  and  the  latter  on  the  S.  E.  i  of  Sec.  21.  In  the 
same  year  James  Stewart  and  family,  Robert  Pollock  and  family,  and 
William  Moore  and  family  came  from  the  State  of  Ohio.  Mr.  Moore 
located  on  the  N.  E.  J  of  Sec.  5,  James  Stewart  on  K.  E.  ^  of  Sec.  21, 
Robert  Pollock  on  the  W.  ^  of  Sec.  27. 

In  1835  Hanson  Brown,  formerly  a  resident  of  Kentucky,  came 
and  located  on  the  S.  E.  ^  of  Sec.  1.  William  Martin  came  in  the 
same  year,  and  located  on  the  N.  W.  ^  of  Sec.  5.  In  183-1  James 
Baine  entered  a  claim  on  the  N.  W.  ^  of  Sec.  29. 


624  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

The  first  birtli  in  the  township  was  the  daughter  of  George  Blake, 
who  was  born  in  1835.  Tlie  first  marriage  occurred  in  the  same  year, 
the  contracting  parties  being  Robert  Caldwell  and  Miss  Mar}^  Pollock, 
The  first  death  was  that  of  Mrs.  Preston,  daughter  of  Robert  Pollock, 
which  occurred  in  1841. 

In  1837  Asa  Ransom,  a  native  of  j^ew  York,  located  on  the  S.  W. 
J  of  Sec.  3.  In  1838  John  Mauk  located  half  a  mile  north  of  Suez 
postofhce.  In  1837  the  Pease  familj  came  and  located  on  section  20. 
In  1840  John  and  William  Lafferty  came  from  Trumbull  county,  Ohio, 
the  former  locating  on  section  21  and  the  latter  on  section  22.  In  1841 
John  Greenwood  bought  the  claim  owned  by  Henry  B.  Fleharty  and 
located  thereon.  The  Bridger  family  were  also  among  the  earliest 
settlers.  William  Moore  was  the  first  blacksmith  in  the  township, 
and  William  Martin  the  first  carpenter. 

The  only  road  laid  out  through  the  township,  at  the  time  of  the 
earliest  settlement,  was  one  running  from  Macomb  to  Galena,  which 
extended  diagonally  across  it  from  the  southeast  to  the  northwest 
corner.  The  first  bridge  was  constructed  on  North  Henderson  creek, 
where  the  Macomb  and  Galena  road  crossed  it,  in  1838  or  1839.  The 
structure  was  built  of  oak  logs,  which  were  split  and  the  fiat  sides 
turned  downward,  the  hollows  on  the  top  being  filled  with  earth. 

The  first  school-house  in  the  township  was  erected  by  Robert  Pol- 
lock, James  Stewart,  Samuel  Shaw,  and  Mr.  Pease  in  1837,  on  the 
S.  W.  J  of  Sec,  21.  This  rude  structure  was  built  of  logs,  with  a  clap- 
board roof,  doors  of  the  same  material,  and  puncheon  floor.  In  this 
building  the  first  religious  services  were  held,  the  sermon  being 
preached  by  a  traveling  minister  of  the  Baptist  persuasion.  The  first 
teacher  to  wield  his  hickory  within  the  walls  of  this  antiquated  building 
was  R.  Caldwell. 

The  first  church  built  was  the  Associate  Reform,  which  stood  on  the 
N.  W.  J  of  Sec.  31,  and  which  was  erected  in  1841. 

The  first  postofiice  was  established  at  the  residence  of  Moses  Decker, 
on  the  ]Sr.  E.  J  of  Sec.  3,  in  1840.  The  next  one  was  established 
on  the  S.  W.  J  of  Sec.  22,  and  was  called  North  Henderson,  Robert 
Pollock  officiating  as  postmaster.  Later  the  name  was  changed  to 
Norwood.  In  1839  a  saw  mill  was  built  by  Pelatiah  Pease  on  the 
S.  W.  ^  of  Sec.  21  on  the  banks  of  North  Henderson  creek,  being 
propelled  by  the  waters  of  that  stream.  In  1873  a  steam  grist  mill 
was  built  by  C.  S.  Hart  at  Norwood. 

The  first  coal  mined  in  the  township  was  taken  from  section  21  by 
Mr.  Ditto  in  1837. 

There  are  at  present  four  stone  quarries  in  the  township,  located  on 


SUEZ   TOAATCSIIIP.  625 

sections,  11),  21,  22,  and  29.      The  rock  })roduced  from  these  quarries 
is  of  a  good  quality,  and  the  supply  inexhaustible. 

An  abundance  of  timber  grows  along  the  banks  of  North  Hender- 
son creek,  oak,  hickory,  walnut,  linn,  hard  maple  and  elm  being  the 
predominant  kinds.  An  occasional  honey  locust  and  cofiee  tree  may 
be  seen.  Wild  crab  apples,  gooseberries,  plums,  grapes,  strawberries 
and- blackberries,  abounded  in  early  times. 

The  fences  in  early  times  were  made  exclusively  of  rails.  The  first 
hedge  was  grown  by  John  Lafferty. 

The  settlers  used  farming  implements  that  would  bring  a  smile  to 
the  countenance  of  our  modern  farmers.  Theii*  plows  had  wooden 
mold-boards,  and  their  harrows  were  all  of  wood.  William  Lafferty 
states  that  the  tirst  plow  he  used  in  the  west  was  one  with  a  wooden 
mold-board.  He  started  in  with  the  clumsy  aflair,  whei'e  the  weeds 
and  prairie  grass  were  higher  than  his  head.  He  rooted  along  without 
regard  to  sectional  lines,  furrows,  angles,  or  corners,  and  by  night 
found  lie  had  rooted  over  about  twelve  acres.  The  land  appeared  as  if 
a  drove  of  long-nosed  hogs  had  been  turned  loose  on  it.  IMr.  Lafferty 
states  that  he  planted  his  corn  in  it,  but  for  reasons  best  known  to  him- 
self did  not  return  to  look  at  it  until  after  harvest. 

The  early  settlers  along  Xorth  Henderson  creek  did  the  principal 
part  of  their  trading  in  Oquawka  and  Peoria.  Grain  was  frequently 
hauled  to  Chicago,  and  sold  at  a  very  low  price.  Asa  Ransom  states 
that  he  once  worked  a  week  with  a  yoke  of  oxen  to  thresh  out  and  haul 
to  the  house  of  his  creditor  a  hundred  bushels  of  oats,  which  went  to 
liquidate  a  debt  of  five  dollars.  Dressed  pork  brought  $1  to  $1.50 
per  hundred.  Mr.  Ransom  once  gave  1,100  pounds  of  pork  for  a  pair 
of  pantaloons,  after  having  hauled  it  to  Rock  Island. 

This  st)-ingencv  in  monetary  afiairs  existed  from  1840  to  1848. 
During  that  period  it  was  almost  impossible  for  the  fanners  to  get 
money  with  which  to  pay  for  their  claims  when  the  land  came  into 
market.  Money  was  sometimes  borrowed  at  fifty  per  cent,  for  this 
purpose. 

Wolf  hunts  in  early  times  were  of  frequent  occurrence.  Large 
numbers  of  the  settlers  would  turn  out  on  these  occasions.  They  were 
carried  on  in  the  following  manner:  a  meeting  was  called,  captains 
elected,  and  a  day  chosen  for  the  hunt.  Every  settler  for  miles  around 
would  generally  be  on  hand,  and  every  musket,  shot-gun,  rifle,  and 
pistol  was  brought  into  requisition.  The  lines  would  form  at  a  uni- 
form distance  from  the  appointed  place,  and  at  a  given  signal  from 
their  respective  captains  would  advance,  from  all  points  of  the  com- 
pass, keeping  time  to  the  melodious  nmsic  of  the  hound  and  the  hunts- 


626  HISTORY    OF    MERCER   AKD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

man's  bugle.  The  wolf,  with  his  usual  cunning,  would  usually  make 
Ms  escape,  however,  before  the  point  was  reached,  and  the  hunt  would 
prove  fruitless  so  far  as  wolf-scalps  were  concerned. 

On  the  niglit  of  August  10,  1851,  a  terrible  wind  and  rain  storm 
visited  the  southern  part  of  the  county,  which,  owing  to  its  disastrous 
results,  will  long  be  remembered  by  those  who  witnessed  it.  For  about 
four  hours  the  rain  fell  in  slieets ;  every  brook  and  rivulet  was  swelled 
into  a  mad,  roaring  torrent.  The  waters  of  IS^orth  Henderson  ci*eek 
rose  about  fifteen  feet  above  their  normal  height.  Every  bridge, 
from  its  source  to  the  Mississippi,  was  carried  away  before  the  rushing 
flood.  This  was  the  most  severe  tempest  in  the  recollection  of  the  old- 
est settlers.  It  is  said  that  barrels  standing  in  dooryards,  away  fi'om 
buildings,  were  actually  filled  with  water. 

The  coldest  winter  in  the  recollection  of  the  old  residents  was  that 
of  18-12-43.  On  November  12  Jack  Frost  "came  down  from  the 
north"  and  held  high  carnival  until  the  following  April.  During  the 
month  of  March  the  sun  shone  brightly  every  day,  but  so  firm  was  the 
grasp  of  the  winter  king  on  the  shrouded  earth  that  its  rays  were  with- 
out eftect. 

ORGANIZATION. 

Previous  to  April  -1,  1854,  this  township  was  known  by  the  name 
of  Palmyra.  It  was  ascertained  however  that  the  name  of  Palmyra 
had  })reviously  been  conferred  on  another  township  and  postoffice  in 
the  state,  and  consequently  the  name  was  abandoned  and  a  new  one 
substituted  at  the  time  of  organization. 

On  the  date  above  mentioned  a  meeting  was  held  at  the  residence 
of  Henry  Bridger,  at  which  the  township  was  organized  and  officers 
elected.  The  names  of  the  first  ofiicers  chosen  are  as  follows  :  su- 
pervisor, Thomas  Likely ;  town  clerk,  John  B.  Hoag ;  assessor, 
William  Lafierty  ;  collector,  F.  M.  Postlewaite  ;  overseei*  of  the  poor, 
James  E.  Ray ;  commissioners  of  highways,  Harisoii  Brown,  John 
Lafierty,  William  McGreenwood  ;  justices  of  the  peace,  Robert  Pol- 
lock, J.  O.  Edwards  ;  constables,  David  Molar,  A.  Trask. 

SUEZ  POSTOFFICE. 

What  is  now  known  as  Suez  postoftice  was  established  in  1842, 
Henry  Bridger  being  the  first  postmaster.  The  ofiice  was  then  known 
as  Pope  Creek,  and  still  more  generally  known  as  Bridger's  Corners. 

In  1851  Asa  Ransom  erected  a  hotel  building  at  the  Corners, 
where  for  many  years  he  did  a  thriving  business.  Towns  being  few 
and  far  between,  emigrants  on  their  way  westward  would  always  aim 
for  Bridger's  Corners,  for  a  stopping  place. 


^. 


oc/r^orz  f/y-^^trZAy^i^ 


SUEZ   TOWNSllIl'.  G29 

Samuel  Shove  opened  the  lirst  store.  He  was  succeeded  by  Mr. 
Turner,  who  was  followed  by  Mr.  Xourse.  JVlessrs.  Shaw,  Mauk  and 
Sedwick  also  did  business  successively  at  the  Corners.  James  Page 
is  now  running  a  grocery,  and  is  the  ])resent  ])ostmaster. 

The  school-house  at  Suez,  commonly  known  as  the  "White  Lilly'' 
school,  was  erected  in  1851,  a  Miss  Stuart,  of  Greene  township,  being 
the  iirst  teacher. 

In  August,  18S1,  a  band  was  organized  at  Suez,  consisting  ctf  a  few 
of  the  music-loving  gentlemen  of  that  locality.  The  names  of  the 
])erformers  are  as  follows:  C.  L.  Ivans* )m,  E  flat  cornet;  John  C. 
Bowers,  B  flat  cornet;  Charles  Furr,  B  flat  cornet;  Ezra  Ilartzell,  flrst 
alto ;  II.  AVoltham,  second  alto ;  P.  F.  Mauk,  tenor ;  J.  Hughes, 
B  Bass ;  James  Page,  E  flat  tuba. 

THE  UNITED  PRESBYTEKIAN  CHUIiCH. 

The  above-named  congregation  was  the  outgrowth  of  a  union  of  tlie 
"Associate  "  and  "Associate  Reform ''  churches.  In  1842,  by  order  of 
the  Associate  Presbytery,  of  Iowa,  the  Bev.  James  G.  Bruce  preached 
in  a  small  wooden  house  at  the  crossing  of  the  roads  one  mile  west  of 
Norwood,  which  was  then  the  residence  of  S.  L.  Brownh^e,  and  organ- 
ized the  Associate  congregation,  of  Korth  Henderson.  The  member- 
ship then  numbered  fifteen,  whose  names  are  as  follows :  James, 
Elizabeth,  and  Nancy  Imbrie ;  Robert  and  Mary  Caldwell;  John 
Humi)lireys  and  wife ;  S.  L.  and  Sarah  Brownlee ;  AVilliam  and  Mary 
Jane  Caldwell;  John  W.  and  Sarah  A.  Caldwell,  and  Samuel  and 
Maro-aret  Graham.  James  Imbrie  and  Robert  Caldwell  were  chosen 
elders. 

For  some  time  services  were  held  in  the  little  dwelling,  excejit  in 
pleasant  weather,  when  the  people  would  assemble  under  the  trees  to 
listen  to  the  divine  teachings.  Lumber  wagons  drawn  by  oxen  were 
the  only  conveyances.  The  men  in  checkered  shirts  and  the  women 
in  plain  calicoes  came  from  far  and  near  to  listen  to  the  teachings  of 
the  scripture.  These  were  the  men  and  women  who  paved  the  way 
for  civilization,  and  made  smooth  the  paths  for  those  who  were  to 
follow.  Should  one  of  those  humble  worshipers  enter  a  church  in  one 
of  our  towns  or  cities  to-day,  cold  indeed  would  be  the  reception  with 
which  he  would  meet.  The  domed  and  frescoed  ceiling,  the  rich  car- 
pets, the  upholstered  seats,  the  people  in  gaudy  attire,  and  the  great 
pipe-organ  would  present  a  strange  scene  to  him,  and  we  fear  he  would 
feel  that  he  was  not  welcome  there. 

In  the  fall  of  181:4  a  call  was  made  in  connection  with  the  Liberty 
congregation   for   the   services   of  Mr.   R.  W.   French,   and   by   him 
36 


630  HISTORY    OF    MERCEK   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

accepted.  October  26,  in  that  same  little  dwelling-  in  whicli  the  infant 
congregation  was  organized,  lie  was  ordained,  the  brothers  James  and 
William  Bruce,  being  the  officiating  ministers.  The  young  pastor  en- 
tered upon  his  (hities  cheerfully,  although  the  salary  was -very  small. 
The  house  in  which  he  was  obliged  to  live  afforded  a  very  poor  shelter 
for  his  wife  and  little  ones  against  the  summer  rains  and  winter  blast. 
In  the  followina;  year  James  Graham  gave  a  lot  from  his  farm  recently 
purchased,  and  a  number  of  able-bodied  men  turned  out  and  erected  a 
plain  but  comfortable  dwelling  thereon,  and  the  pastor  was  soon  occu- 
ppng  more  pleasant  quarters. 

An  amusing  anecdote  is  related  of  the  reverend  gentleman  that  is 
worth  repeating.  It  was  Saturday  morning,  as  they  supposed,  wlien 
Mrs.  French,  having  an  errand  to  perform,  went  to  a  neighbor's 
house,  and  meanwhile  her  husband  began  some  work  on  his  lot.  Im- 
agine her  sui-prise  on  being  told  on  her  arrival  at  the  neighbor's  that  it 
was  Sunday,  and  people  were  by  that  time  seen  wending  tlieir  way 
toward  the  church.  She  went  home  and  informed  her  husband  of 
the  fact.  He  dropped  his  tools,  donned  his  Sunday  garments,  and 
hastened  to  the  church,  where  he  found  most  of  his  congregatton  wait- 
ing for  services  to  begin. 

In  1810  the  first  church  building  was  erected,  being  two  miles  west 
and  a  mile  south  from  Korwood.  The  place  is  still  marked  by  the 
cemetery.  At  the  end  of  four  years  Mr.  French  was  at  his  own  re- 
quest released  from  the  charge  of  the  congregation.  After  a  brief 
period  of  vacancy  the  congregations  of  South  creek  and  Bethel  were 
united  with  that  of  Xorth  Henderson  in  one  charge,  and  they  united 
in  a  call  for  the  pastoral  services  of  the  Rev.  Nathaniel  McDowel, 
which  was  accepted.  His  installation  took  place  in  the  Smith  creek 
church.     In  1854  the  pastoral  relations  were  dissolved. 

During  the  second  period  of  vacancy,  extending  over  almost  two 
years  and  a  half,  a  very  decided  current  of  emigration  carried  i)ros- 
perity  to  the  rising  congregation.  Eighty-seven  names  were  added  to 
its  membership.  In  the  month  of  September,  1866,  a  call  was  extended 
to  the  Rev.  J.  A.  Edie,  which  was  by  him  accepted,  and  on  the  follow- 
ing March  he  took  charge  of  the  congregation.  At  his  ordination  and 
installation,  Revs.  A.  A.  Rogers  and  John  Scott,  D.D.,  officiated. 

THE  ASSOCIATE  REFORMED  BRANCH. 

In  the  early  days  of  North  Henderson 'there  ap})eared  many  warm 
adherents  of  the  Associate  Reformed  church.  On  May  12,  1856,  the 
Rev.  M,  M.  Bigger,  by  direction  of  the  Associate  Reformed  Presbytery, 
of  Monmouth,  preached  in  the  Associate  Reformed  church  at  Spring 


SlEZ    TCAVNSIlir.  681 

Grove,  where  he  organized  the  Associate  Reformed  churcli  of  Xorth 
Henderson,  and  twenty -one  names  were  enrolled.  ( )n  the  same  day 
the  Spring  (xrove  and  Xorth  Henderson  congregations  each  extended 
a  call  for  the  half-time  services  of  the  Kev.  J.  (1  McKniijht,  which  was 
by  him  accepted,  and  in  the  following  June  he  was  installed  in  the 
united  charge  and  entered  upon  his  labors.  This  i)astorate  was  brief, 
ending  in  the  release  of  Mr.  McKnight  from  his  charge  in  the  month 
of  March,  185S. 

On  June  14,  1858,  a  joint  meeting  of  the  Associate  and  Associate 
Reformed  congregations  of  Xorth  Henderson  was  held  in  the  Associate 
church,  at  which  it  was  agreed  that  the  two  congregations  would  unite 
in  one  organization,  whicli  has  since  been  known  as  the  United  Pres- 
bvterian  cl>urch. 

After  the  union  of  the  two  branches  it  became  necessary  to  erect  a 
larger  and  more  commodious  church  building.  Accordingly  during 
the  summer  of  1859  the  neat.  comfortal)le  l)uilding,  in  which  the 
congregation  still  worshi])S,  was  erected.  The  building  is  situated  one 
mile  west  of  Xorwood,  is  45x72  feet  in  size,  and  cost  about  ^^5,000. 

During  the  dark  hours  of  the  rebellion,  that  began  soon  after,  the 
congregation  gave  their  undivided  support  to  the  union  cause.  Many 
of  its  members  bade  farewell  to  friends  and  relatives,  to  the  happy 
associations  that  made  the  old  homes  dear,  and  went  forth  to  defend 
the  principles  they  loved.  Tlie  gray-haired  father  and  mother  knelt 
under  the  roof  of  their  cottage  home  and  i)rayed  for  the  success  of  the 
tlag,  while  their  sons  marched  forth  to  tlie  wild  music  of  war,  and  gave 
U|»  their  lives  in  its  defense. 

Mr,  Edie,  the  pastor,  spent  some  time  in  the  anny,  administering 
to  the  spiritual  wants  of  the  soldiers  in  camp,  and  to  the  heroes  as  they 
laid  mane:led  and  blackened  on  the  field  of  battle. 

Alter  the  close  of  the  Avar  Mr.  Edie  continued  his  labors  for  several 
years,  but  finally  desiring  to  change  the  field  of  his  labors,  he  offered 
liis  resignation.  Being  strongly  urged  by  his  congregation  to  remain 
for  a  time,  he  decided  to  do  so.  In  1869  he  again  offered  his  resigna- 
tion, which  was  reluctantly  accepted.  During  the  period  of  eleven 
years,  through  which  Mr.  Edie's  pastorate  extended,  388  persons  were 
added  to  the  roll  of  membership. 

In  April,  1872.  a  call  was  made  to  the  Kev.  J.  M.  French,  which 
was  accepted.  He  entered  immediately  upon  his  labors  and  had  charge 
of  the  congregation  three  and  a  half  years,  during  which  time  seventy- 
six  were  added  to  the  roll  of  membership.  In  June,  1876.  the  Kev.  J, 
T.  McCrory  took  charge  of  the  congregation  and  was  officially  instiille(l 
in  April,  1877,  and  was  released  in  1880. 


032  HISTORY    OF   MERCEK   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

In  18S1  the  Rev.  AY.  A.  Spalding  began  his  hibors  and  was  installed 
by  the  Eock  Island  Presbytery  August  23  of  the  same  year.  In  the 
past  few  years  this  congregation  has  greatly  decreased  in  number, 
owing  to  the  fact  that  many  of  the  members  have  sought  homes  in  the 
western  states,  but  it  is  still  one  of  the  largest  and  most  prosperous  in 
the  county. 

The  Sunday  school  in  connection  with  the  church  is  in  a  very  pros- 
perous condition,  the  average  attendance  being  about  one  hundred. 
The  land  on  which  the  church  stands  w^as  donated  bv  David  Molar. 
The  parsonage  stands  one  mile  south  of  the  church  on  land  donated 
for  the  purpose  by  Thomas  Likely. 

THE  CEMETERY. 

"  What  is  death  ?     'Tis  to  be  free — 
No  more  to  hope,  to  love,  nor  fear." 

tJontiguous  to  the  grounds  owned  by  the  Presbytei'ian  church  is 
located  the  Norwood  cemetery.  The  first  person  buried  here  was  a 
child  of  Alexander  McKenstry  in  1854. 

The  association  which  has  this  cemetery  in  charge  was  organized 
undei-  the  state  law  in  1877,  and  receiv-ed  its  charter  in  1881.  The 
present  officers  are  :  president,  Thomas  Likely ;  secretary,  George  M. 
Evans  ;  treasurer,  John  Hutchison  ;  trustees,  John  Lafferty,  J.  D.  Por- 
ter, William  P.  Morgan.  The  neatly  kept  grounds  indicate  the  feeling 
of  reverence  and  love  entertained  by  the  surrounding  community  for 
their  departed  dead. 

PilESBYTERIAX  CHURCH. 

The  initiatory  movement  of  organizing  this  society  was  made  by 
the  members  of  the  Monmouth  Presbyterian  church,  who  resided  in 
the  vicinity  of  North  Henderson.  A  meeting  was  called  and  held  in  a 
school-house  on  Section  29,  on  March  17,  1853.  R.  V.  Mathews  was 
chosen  chairman,  and  J.  D.  Porter  secretary. 

It  was  unanimously  agreed  to  petition  Schuyler  Presbytery  to 
organize  a  church  at  Norwood,  and  J.  D.  Porter  was  selected  to  pre- 
sent the  said  petition.  For  some  reason  not  shown  by  the  records  the 
church  was  not  organized  at  that  time. 

In  the  spring  of  1851,  F.  Postlewaite,  S.  R.  Boggs  and  Thomas 
Likely  were  appointed  a  building  committee,  and  a  church  building, 
for  which  purpose  funds  had  already  been  raised,  was  begun.  The 
committte  contracted  with  Russell  ct  McFarland,  of  0(piawka,  Illinois, 
to  erect  a  frame  building,  36x10,  which  was  to  cost  about  $2,100. 
The  building  was  begun  in  tlie  fall  of  1S51  aiul  completed  in  the  spring 


SUEZ   TOWNSHIP.  633 

of  1855.  In  that  year,  a  petition,  signed  by  tliirty-six  membei's  of  the 
Presbyterian  cluircli,  and  eleven  ])ersons  who  were  members  of  no 
denomination,  was  presented  to  the  Presbytery  of  Schuyler,  which  met 
in  Knoxville,  in  April  of  1855,  being  in  accordance  with  the  sentiment 
of  the  members  who  held  the  tirst  meeting,  viz.:  that  a  church  should 
be  organized  at  North  Henderson.  The  prayer  of  the  petition  Avas 
granted,  and  Rev.  R.  C.  Mathews  and  the  Rev.  T.  S.  Vaile,  with 
elders  John  Eiken,  of  Knoxville,  and  A.  C.  Gregg,  of  Monmouth, 
were  appointed  to  organize  the  church.  The  committee  met  in  the 
new  building  at  North  Henderson,  July  7,  and  proceeded  to  organize 
the  society.  Forty  names  were  enrolled,  twenty -four  of  whom  had  for- 
merly been  members  of  the  Monmouth  congregation.  Messrs.  J.  R. 
Boggs,  R.  W.  Porter,  and  S.  R.  Boggs,  were  chosen  elders,  and 
Thomas  Likely,  M.  T.  Postlewaite  and  T.  S.  Robb,  were  chosen  trus- 
tees. No  regular  pastor  was  employed  by  the  congregation  until  June, 
1856,  when  J.  II.  Nevius  began  his  labor,  as  stated  supply,  and  was 
installed  as  pastor,  November  11,  of  the  same  year.  Mr.  Nevius 
officiated  as  pastor  until  April,  1863,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev. 
George  Norcross,  who  acted  as  stated  supply  until  June  6,  1865,  when 
he  was  officially  installed  as  pastor,  in  which  capacity  he  served  about 
a  year. 

The  Rev.  J.  II.  Moore  was  the  next  pastor  called  npon  to  take 
charge  of  the  congregation.  Mr.  Moore  began  his  labors  on  June  '2, 
1867,  but  was  not  installed  until  November  2  of  the  same  year.  This 
gentlemcin  served  as  pastor  until  March,  1876,  when  he  removed  to  a 
new  field  of  labor. 

The  church  was  without  a  pastor  until  January,  1877,  when  Rev.  E. 
B.  Miner  began  his  ministerial  labors  with  them.  Mr.  Miner  was 
installed  in  the  summer  of  the  same  year.  His  relation  as  pastor  was 
continued  until  1881  when  he  relinquished  his  charge. 

On  April  1,  1881,  the  Rev.  I.  T.  Whitmore  responded  to  a  call 
from  the  congregation  and  entered  u])on  his  duties  as  pastor.  This 
gentleman  still  has  charge  of  the  congregation. 

On  December  3,  1880,  the  name  of  the  church  was  changed  from 
Nortli  Henderson  to  Norwood.  The  present  memberseip  is  206.  Since 
the  organization  of  the  congregation,  four  hundred  and  fifty-four 
names  have  been  added  to  the  list  of  membershii».  The  names  of  the 
elders  who  have  been  successfully  chosen  by  the  congregation  are  as 
follows  :  James  Boggs,  R.  AV.  Porter,  and  S.  R.  Boggs  were  elected  on 
July  7,  1855  ;  James  0.  Stewart,  elected  November  19,  1855  ;  James  C. 
Postlewaite,  elected  November  It).  1855;  Robert  Woods  was  elected 
January   18,    1860;    Jose])h    B.    Stewart,  elected  January   18,    1860; 


634  HISTORY    OF   MERCER    AXD    HEXDERSOX    COUXTIES. 

Kobert  Holloway,    elected  December  26,  1809 ;  J.  B.  Lafertv  and  M. 
S.  Cami^bell  were  cliosen  in  September,  1879. 

THE  UXITF:D  brethren  IX  CHRIST. 

Tlie  society  of  the  above  name  was  organized  December  20,  1873, 
by  the  Rey.  P.  R.  Adams.  The  first  trustees  were  :  H.  R.  Peters, 
George  AY.  Sedwick,  and  John  McLaughlin.  Their  church  building 
was  erected  in  the  summer  of  1875.  The  building  and  grounds  cost- 
ing fourteen  hundred  and  tiftj  dollars.  The  building  was  dedicated 
August  6  of  the  same  year  by  the  presiding  elder,  N.  A.  Walker.  The 
membership  at  the  time  of  organization  numbered  thirty-six,  but  now 
numbers  only  ten. 

The  present  pastor  is  the  Rey.  Orin  Dilley,  who  is  located  at  Alexis, 
Warren  county.     The  building  is  situated  on  section  10. 

METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH. 

In  1875  a  number  of  citizens  of  the  aboye  persuasion,  with  the 
liberal  assistance  of  the  enterprising  people  of  other  denominations, 
erected  a  neat  church  building  two  miles  west  of  Suez  postoffice.  The 
building  is  36x40  in  size,  and  stands  on  the  N.  E.  J  of  Sec.  8. 

Owing  to  the  weakness  of  the  society,  no  regular  pastor  is  employed 
by  them.     Tlie  membership  at  present  ni>mbers  ten, 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

George  A.,  son  of  Christian  and  Catharine  Shearer,  was  born  in 
Herkimer  county,  Xew  York,  April  17,  1828.  When  sixteen  years  of 
age  the  family  came  to  Licking  county,  Ohio,  where  they  resided  nine 
years.  In  1853  they  removed  to  Moultrie  county,  Illinois,  and 
remained  one  year,  after  which  they  went  to  Stark  county,  remaining 
until  1859,  when  they  came  to  Mercer  county,  where  they  bought  land 
in  section  18,  Suez  township.  The  father  died  in  June,  1861.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  first  married,  August  24,  1852,  to  Miss 
Sarah  A.  AYhitten,  who  died  in  the  winter  of  1861.  He  was  again 
married.  May  27,  1862,  to  Miss  Sarah  J.  Morgan.  The  names  of  his 
children  are  as  follows:  Mary  C,  Margaret  LL,  Anna  B.,  Fannie  R., 
Cora  B.,  Sadie  (deceased),  Nellie  R.,  Blanche  E.,  Fred.  M.,  and 
George  O.  Of  these  the  two  former  are  by  his  first  wife.  Mr.  Shearer 
now  resides  on  the  S.  W.  ^  of  Sec.  17,  which  he  purchased  in  1865. 

Dax.  W.,  son  of  Washington  and  Elizabeth  Sedwick,  was  born 
in  Mercer  county,  Pennsylvania,  July  31,  1834,  When  twelve  years 
of  age  he  went  to  Lawrence  county,  where  he  was  engaged  two 
years  as  clerk  in  a  dry  goods  and  grocery  store.     At  the  end  of  that 


SUEZ    TOWNSHIP.  635 

time  he  went  to  Columbiana  connty,  Ohio,  where  he  remained  one 
year  and  a-half,  where  he  was  engaii;ed  in  farming  and  sheep-(h-iving. 
From  here  he  returned  to  the  town  of  Mercer,  in  Pennsylvania,  where 
he  was  employed  as  turnkey  in  the  county  jail  under  Sheriff  McKean, 
in  which  capacity  he  acted  about  six  months,  after  which  he  went  to 
Crawford  county  and  located  at  Steuben,  on  Oil  creek,  where  he 
remained  a  few  months  and  then  went  to  Centerville,  where  he 
remained  about  five  years,  doing  general  work  around  a  store  and  saw- 
mill. In  1855  he  emigrated  to  Mercer  connty,  Illinois,  and  located  at 
Bridger's  Corners.  During  the  two  following  years  his  time  was  occu- 
pied alternately  in  teaching  and  clerking.  On  September  3,  1857, 
Mr.  Sedwick  was  married  tft  Miss  Frances  A.  Bridger,  a  native  of 
Troy,  New  York,  and  daughter  of  Henry  Bridger,  one  of  the  pioneer 
settlers  of  the  county.  The  fruits  of  the  union  are  six  children,  whose 
names  in  the  order  of  their  ages  are  as  follows:  Ida  E.,  Cora  A., 
Henry  D.  (deceased),  Edwin  E.,  Bertram  B.,  and  Fannie  M.  In  the 
spring  of  1857  he  was  *})pointed  postmaster  at  Pope  Creek,  which 
position  he  held  until  1870.  In  the  same  year  he  purchased  the  stock 
of  goods  owned  by  his  employers  and  embarked  in  business  for  him- 
self. In  the  fall  of  1862  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Co.  E,  102d 
reg.  111.  Vol.  Inf  "When  the  company  was  organized  he  was  elected 
first  lieutenant,  and  on  April  28,  1863,  to  the  position  of  captain.  In 
1865  he  received  the  following  letter  from  the  secretary  of  war: 

^VA^^^IX(iT()N,  D.  C,  Juue  19.  18()."l. 
SiK, — You  are  hereby  informed  that  the  Pre>;ideut  of  the  United  States  has 
appointed  you,  for  gaUant  and  meritorious  conduct  during  the  war,  a  major  of 
vohmteers  b\'  brevet  in  the  service  of  the  United  States,  to  rank  as  such  from  the 
13th  day  of  March,  1805.  Should  the  senate  at  tlieir  next  session  advise  and 
consent  thereto,  you  will  be  commissioned  accordingly. 

Edwin  M.  Stanton,  Secretary  of  War. 
Brevet-Major  Dan.  W.  Sedwick,  U.  S.  Vol. 

'No  further  comment  is  necessary  concerning  the  bravery  and 
fidelity  with  which  he  served  his  country.  In  1866  Mr.  Sedwick  was 
elected  to  the  legislature,  where  he  represented  his  district  for  a  term 
of  two  years.  In  1870  he  sold  out  his*  store,  })urchased  a  farm  south 
of  Bridger's  Corners,  and  since  that  time  has  devoted  his  entire  atten- 
tion to  tilling  the  soil.  lie  is  a  member  of  the  Mercer  Country  Agri- 
cultural Board,  and  during  the  year  1879  acted  as  president  of  that 
body.  He  is  also  president  of  the  Soldiers  and  Sailors'  Association, 
of  Mercer  countv. 

LoRiivrER  Johnston,  a  portrait  of  whom  appears  in  this  book,  son  of 
Andrew  and  Mary  Johnston,  was  born  in  Richland  county,  Ohio,  No- 
vember 20,  1820.     He  resided  in  that  county  until  1850,  in  which  year 


636  HISTOEY   OF   ISrERCER   AND    HENT)ERSOX    COUXTIES. 

he  went  to  California,  crossing  the  plains  with  a  wagon  and  a  mule 
team.  He  located  on  the  Middle  Fork  of  the  American  river  and 
there  engaged  in  mining  in  company  with  his  brother,  William,  Alter 
having  accumulated  a  considerable  amount  of  wealtli  his  brother 
started  back  to  their  native  state,  but  died  on  the  way  of  ' '  Panama 
fever,"  and  theii-  hard  earnings  stolen  from  his  person  after  death.  In 
the  spring  of  1852,  Lorimer  returned  to  Ohio  and  remained  until  l.s5T, 
when  he  came  to  Mercer  county.  In  1861:,  he  bought  land  in  section 
13,  Suez  township.  He  now  owns  a  farm  of  -115  acres,  the  results  of 
economy  and  industry.  Mr.  Johnston  was  married  July  3,  1849,  to 
Miss  Hannah  Hayes,  a  native  of  Guernsey  county,  Ohio.  The  fruit 
of  this  union  are  live  children,  William  S.,  Park  P.,  Michael  H., 
Flora  M.  (deceased),  and  Laura  A. 

Thomas  Likely,  whose  portrait  appears  in  this  book,  son  of  Williani 
and  Agnes  (Taylor)  Likely,  was  born  January  29,  1823,  in  Hunting- 
don county,  Pennsylvania.  The  family  on  both  the  father  and 
mother's  side  are  of  Irish  origin.  His  father  came  from  Ireland  in 
1791  and  located  in  the  Tuscarora  valley.  He  had  six  sons  and  five 
daughters.  Of  these  Thomas  is  the  youngest  but  one.  He  was  raised 
a  farmer,  assisting  his  father  perform  his  labors.  He  was  married 
September  26,  1844,  to  Miss  Diana  A.  Doyle,  also  a  native  of  Hunting- 
don county.  The  fruits  of  this  union  are  ten  children,  whose  names 
in  the  order  of  their  ages,  are  as  follows  :  Ann  E.  (deceased),  Agnes  J. 
(now  the  wife  of  E.  L.  Simpson,  of  Ringgold  county,  Iowa),  Martha  B. 
(wife  of  J.  C.  Foster,  of  the  same  county),  William  D.  (deceased  in 
infancy),  Henry  T.  (deceased),  Thomas  D.  (now  residing  in  Bueua 
Vista  county,  Iowa),  Lyman  L. ,  Samuel  R.  (also  of  Buena  Vista  county, 
Iowa),  William  M.,  and  Mary  J.  For  about  three  years  he  was 
engaged  in  landing  general  merchandise  in  Trough  creek  valley, 
Huntingdon  county.  In  the  spring  of  1850  he  came  to  Pike  county, 
Illinois,  and  remained  until  fall,  after  which  he  went  to  La  Salle 
by  boat ;  after  arriving  here  he  set  out  on  foot  to  find  a  suitable  place 
to  locate.  He  traveled  in  this  manner  over  Lee,  Henry,  Whiteside, 
Ogle,  Bureau  and  La  Salle  counties,  and  failing  to  find  a  place  to  suit 
his  taste,  he  came  to  old  Mercer  and  bought  land  in  the  N.  E.  J  Sec. 
32,  in  Suez  townshij:).  In  1858  he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace. 
At  the  beginning  of  the  war  he  received  authority  from  Adjutant-Gen- 
eral Fuller  to  organize  a  company,  which  he  did  in  seven  days,  and 
was  chosen  captain.  The  company  was  afterward  attached  to  the  102d 
111.  Inf.,  and  known  as  company  E.  He  remained  witli  that  regiment 
until  April,  1863,  when  he  resigned  on  account  of  disabilities,  and  was 
succeeded  bv  D.  W.  Sedwick.      In  the  winter  of  1863  he  was  elected 


SUKZ   TOWNSHIP.  637 

major  of  the  regiment  by  vote  of  the  regimental  otiieers.     In  1873  he 
was  elected  county  judge,  in  which  capacity  he  served  four  years. 

Harisox  Brown,  whose  portrait  appears  in  this  book,  son  of 
Samuel  and  Henrietta  Brown,  was  born  in  Nelson  county,  Kentuckv, 
March  17,  1808.  When  eight  years  of  age  his  father  removed  to 
Breckenridge  cc)unty,  Kentuckv,  and  remained  until  the  fall  of  1834, 
when  he  emigrated  to  Illinois  and  located  in  North  Henderson  town- 
ship, Mercer  county.  In  the  spring  of  1836  he'bought  land  in  section 
1,  Suez  township,  where  he  has  since  resided.  Being  one  of  the  pioneers 
he  has  encountered  all  of  the  hardshi[)S  and  trials  incident  to  })ioneer 
life.  By  hard  labor  and  economy  he  has  accumulated  a  large  property 
and  in  his  declining  years  he  is  enjoying  the  fruits  of  his  toil.  He  was 
married  in  the  fall  of  1830  to  Miss  Martha  Greenwood,  a  native  of  Vir- 
ginia. Nine  children  are  the  fruits  of  this  union,  whose  names  are  as 
follows  :  Mary  A.,  Samuel  (deceased),  Thomas,  Floj-d  (deceased), 
Sally,  Benjamin,  Peter,  and  Isabel.  His  second  son,  Thomas,  was  a 
member  of  Capt.  Sedwick's  company  in  the  10:2d  Ills.  Inf. 

Asa  AV.  IvANSoir,  another  of  the  pioneers,  son  of  James  and 
Phoeba  Ransom,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Camillus,  Onondaga  county. 
New  York,  May  6,  1818.  When  seventeen  years  of  age  he  turned 
his  face  toward  the  setting  sun  and  started  to  Illinois  by  way  of 
Buffalo  and  Ashtabula,  thence  by  stage  across  the  state  of  Ohio  to 
Wellsville.  From  here  he  went  by  steamboat  to  Cairo,  then  up  the 
Mississippi,  landing  at  New  Boston,  June  10,  1837.  On  the  following 
day  he,  in  company  his  brother,  started  on  foot  toward  the  eastern 
part  of  the  county  and  located  on  N.  W.  ^  of  Sec.  3,  in  Suez 
township.  In  the  fall  he  returned  to  Ohio,  remaining  until  the  spring 
of  ]S38.  On  his  return  he  came  as  far  as  Michigan  with  his  uncle  and 
walked  from  there  to  Mercer  county,  a  distance  of  about  300  miles. 
He  states  that  at  that  time  settlements  were  as  high  as  sixty  miles 
apart.  He  stopped  for  a  short  time  in  Chicago,  and  while  there  was 
offered  a  lot  on  Washington  street  in  payment  for  a  month's  work.  ]\Ir. 
Ransom  was  married  in  February,  1849,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  S.  Edwards, 
a  native  of  Kentucky.  The  names  of  their  children,  in  the  order  of 
their  ages  are  as  follows:  Altliea  F.,  Charlora  (1,  Chester  L.,  Adra- 
enna,  Marcilla  C,  Vesta,  Asa  S.,  and  Olive.  In  1866  Mr.  Ransom 
removed  to  Chicago  and  engaged  in  the  commission  business.  He 
remained  in  the  city  four  and  a  half  years,  during  which  time  his  chil- 
dren availed  themselves  of  the  excellent  educational  advantages  the  city 
affords.  In  the  spring  of  1870  he  returned  to  his  farm  in  Suez  town- 
ship, and,  excepting  a  few  months,  has  resided  there  since  that  time. 
Mr,  Ransom  arrived  in  Illinois  with  nothing  in  the  way  of  worldly 


638  HISTORY    OF    MERCER    AXD    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

wealth,  but  by  hard  labor  and  judicious  management  he  has  become 
one  of  the  largest  land  owners  in  the  county.  He  furnishes  an  exam- 
ple of  pluck  and  perseverance,  which  the  rising  generation  would  do 
well  to  follow. 

William,  son  of  Jefferson  and  Tabitlia  Fuller,  was  born  in  Millers- 
burg  to^\Tiship,  Merger  county,  October  27,  1843.  He  remained  at 
home  until  July  26,  1862,  when  he  enlisted  in  Co.  H,  84th  111.  Inf.. 
and  was  with  that  regiment  until  June  9,  1865.  He  received  a  wound 
at  the  battle  of  Stone  river,  from  the  effects  of  which  he  was  confined 
in  the  hospital  eleven  months.  He  was  married  February  20,  1867,  to 
Miss  Joanna  Brown,  a  native  of  Ohio.  The  names  of  his  children  are 
Elmer  and  Edgar  C. 

James  W.  Page,  son  of  James  and  Susan  S.  Page,  was  born  in 
Sussex,  England,  December  15,  1840.  In  1841,  the  family  emigrated 
to  America,  and  located  at  Hudson,  Summit  county,  Ohio.  In  August, 
1856,  he  came  to  Mercer  county.  In  August,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Co. 
A,  30tli  reg.  111.  Inf.,  and  remained  in  the  service  of  his  country  until 
August,  1864,  when  he  was  discharged.  On  the  bottom  of  his 
discharge  we  find  the  following : 

"  Private  James  W.  Page  has  sustained  an  unblemished  character  in  the  army; 
has  been  a  faithful  soldier,  and  is  entitled  to  the  gratitude  of  his  adopted  countrj- 
and  the  confidence  of  all. 

Signed,  Charle-^  Turxer,  Colonel,  lOSth  Til.  Vol." 

December  20,  1867,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Annie  E. 
Bridger,  daughter  of  Henry  Bridger,  one  of  Mercer  county's  pioneers. 
Five  children  are  the  fruit  of  this  union,  four  of  whom  death  has 
claimed  as  his  victims ;  Xina  G.  alone  remains  to  brighten  the  home. 
Mr.  Page  is  now  located  at  Suez,  engaged  in  the  grocery  business. 
Fie  has  many  friends,  and  is  highly  respected  by  all. 

Andrew  Trask  was  born  in  Boston,  Massachusetts,  in  1813.  AVhen 
thirteen  years  of  age  he  experienced  a  desire  to  go  to  sea.  and  accord- 
ingly obtained  a  position  on  the  Trident,  of  New  Bedford,  and  was 
on  the  ocean  three  years,  being  most  of  that  time  on  the  Pacific.  He 
was  married  in  1845,  to  Miss  Ellen  AVeld,  who  died  in  eighteen  months 
after  their  marriage.  He  was  again  married  in  1848,  to  Miss  Lucinda 
Ramsey.  The  names  of  his  children  are  as  follows :  Edward,  Harriet, 
Lucina,  and  George.  His  second  wife  died  in  1862.  Mr.  Trask  came 
to  Mercer  county  in  1850,  and  located  on  section  Ki,  Suez  township, 
where  he  still  resides. 

Thomas,  son  of  Thomas  and  Martha  (Wilson)  Spicor,  was  born  in 
Muskingum  county,  Ohio,  October  2,  1823.  Tlie  Spicer  family  are  of 
English,  and  the  Wilson  of  Irish,  origin.     Mr.  Spicer  was  married  in 


SUEZ   TOWNSIIII'.  639 

1840,  to  Miss  Ivebbecca  D.  Wilson,  a  luitive  of  Pennsylvania.  Mrs. 
Spicer  was  born  December  15,  1.S28.  The  names  of  the  children  born 
to  the  coui)le  are  as  follows:  Oliver  W.,  born  October  26,  1848,  in 
Ohio;  Mary  C,  born  August  80,  1851,  in  Ohio;  James  C,  born 
December  9,  1854,  in  Ohio,  and  Thonuis  II.,  born  June  9,  1858,  in 
Illinois.  In  1856,  Mr.  Spicer  came  to  AVarren  county,  Illinois,  where 
he  remained  until  1859,  when  he  removed  to  Mercer  county,  and* 
located  on  section  8,  in  Suez  township. 

Wii.iJA^i  A.,  son  of  John  and  Grizelle  (Stewart)  Lafferty,  was  born 
in  Suez  townshii),  December  13,  1850.  The  log  cabin  in  which  he  was 
born,  still  stands,  and  is  situated  near  his  present  residence.  He  was 
married  in  ISTO,  to  Miss  Mattie  Edie,  a  native  of  Kentucky.  The 
names  of  their  children  are  as  follows:  John  II.,  George  G.,  Minnie, 
William  L.,  Charles,  Harry  A.,  and  Maggie.  ]\Ir.  and  Mrs.  Latferty 
are  members  of  the  United  Presbyterian  church. 

John  B.,  son  of  William  and  Louisa  Latferty.  was  born  in  Suez 
township,  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  October  19,  1847.  He  was  married 
August  30,  1870,  to  Miss  Ada  A.  Brownlee,  daughter  of  D.  S.  Brown- 
lee,  Esq.,  of  Suez  township.  The  fruits  of  this  union  are  live  children, 
whose  names  are  as  follows:  Harry  S.,  Maggie  L.,  Annie  M.,AVilliam 
E.,  and  Olive  0.  Mr.  Lafferty  owns  a  tine  farm  of  320  acres,  situated 
on  sections  15  and  27.  He  and  Mrs.  Lafferty  are  b(jth  members  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  church,  with  wliich  they  united  in  1867. 

Matthkw  S.,  son  of  John  and  ]\[ary  Campbell,  was  born  in  Hunt- 
ingdon county,  Pennsylvania,  December  27,  1848.  The  fiimily  are  of 
Scotch-Ii-ish  decent,  the  early  ancestors  having  fled  to  Ireland  during 
the  covenanters'  rebellion.  In  1863  Mr.  Campbell  came  to  Illinois,  and 
located  in  Warren  county,  near  the  ]VIercer  and  Warren  county  line. 
A  few  years  after  he  removed  to  Suez  townshij)  and  located  on  section 
26.  He  was  married  in  1866  to  Miss  Annie  AVatt,  a  native  of  ^lifHin 
county,  Pennsylvania.  The  names  of  their  children  are  as  follows  : 
AYillii3  R.  (deceased),  Clyde  Pt.,  and  Clarence  W. 

AViLi.iAM  P.,  son  of  Arthur  and  Hannah  (Postlewaite)  Graham, 
was  born  in  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania,  Alarch  13,  1S33.  In 
1839  the  family  came  to  AVarren  county,  and  located  near  Little  York. 
Mr.  Graham's  early  days  were  spent  in  the  wilderness,  and  roaming 
through  the  trackless  forest  constituted  the  amusements  of  his  boyhood. 
He  was  married  in  1858  to  Miss  Margaret  Hutchison,  also  a  native  of 
Pennsylvania.  The  names  of  their  children  are  as  follows:  ^Mildred 
L.,  Mary  II.,  Arthur  H.,  Daniel  II.,  :Maggie  E.,  and  Mattie  E. 

James  R.,  son  of  Henry  and  -lane  (Latta)  ^IcLaughlin,  was  born  in 
Mercer  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1825.      His  family  are  of  Scotch  and 


640  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COVXTIES. 

L'isli  origin,  and  came  to  tliis  countrv  at  a  very  early  date ;  his  grand- 
father, John  Latta,  serv^ed  as  major  in  the  revolutionary  war.  He  was 
married  in  January,  1850,  to  Miss  Jane  Lossell,  a  native  of  Ti-umbuU 
county,  Ohio ;  she  died  May  15,  1862.  In  1S<U  he  married  Miss 
Louisa  Sedwick,  a  sister  of  Cajjtain  Sedwick,  of  Suez  townshij).  The 
names  of  his  children,  in  the  order  of  their  ages,  are  as  follows:  Oscar, 
Eliza  J.,  Ella,  Amanda,  Charlie,  Maggie,  Alice,  Lewis,  Dora,  and  Roy. 
The  live  latter  are  by  the  second  wife.  In  ISo-l  Mr.  McLaughlin  came 
to  Illinois  and  bought  land  in  section  2,  in  Suez  township.  He  now 
owns  about  a  section  of  land  in  Mercer  county,  and  160  acres  in  Iowa, 
situated  about  twenty  miles  north  of  the  city  of  Davenport.  Mrs. 
McLaughlin  is  a  memljer  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Mr. 
McLaughlin  started  out  in  life  witliout  anything  to  aid  him,  but  by 
perseverance  and  an  untiring  energy,  he  has  made  his  life  a  success. 
He  has  many  friends  and  is  highly  respected  wherever  known. 

William  H.,  son  of  James  A.,  and  Anna  Simpson,  was  born  in 
Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania,  July  12,  1835.  He  was  reared  a 
farmer,  and  followed  that  pursuit  until  April  19,  1861,  ten  days  after 
Fort  Sumter  was  fired  on,  when  he  responded  to  the  call  of  the  gov- 
ernment and  enlisted  in  Co.  H.  15th  Pa.  Inf.,  acting  as  second  lieu- 
tenant. x\t  the  expiration  of  three  months,  the  time  for  which  the 
regiment  was  enlisted,  he  returned  home  and  remained  until  August, 
1862,  when  he  raised  a  company,  which  was  attached  to  the  125th  Pa., 
and  designated  as  Company  F.  In  the  battle  of  Antietam  he  was  struck 
by  a  fragment  of  a  shell  which  made  a  severe  ilesh  wound  in  the  side  of 
his  face.  He  was  discharged  in  June,  1862,  and  returned  home.  He 
was  married  in  December,  1864,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Smith  also  a  native 
of  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania.  The  names  of  the  children  in 
the  order  of  their  ages  are  as  follows  :  Carrie,  Charles  E.,  Archie  E., 
Mary  E.,  Earl  and  Pearl,  who  are  twins.  In  the  spring  of  1865 
he  emigrated  to  Mercer  county  and  located  on  the  S.  E.  J  of  sec.  28, 
Suez  township.  Mr.  Simpson  and  his  family  are  kind  and  hospitable. 
Their  home  is  a  happy  one,  and  we  hope  the  future  through  whose 
misty  veil  none  can  see  may  smile  as  brightly  upon  him  and  his  loved 
ones  as  the  past  has  done. 

John  A.,  son  of  William  and  Martha  Marrow,  was  boi-n  in  Guern- 
sey county,  Ohio,  December  8,  1828.  He  was  reared  a  farmer.  When 
twenty-three  years  old  he  left  his  native  county  and  went  to  Eldorado 
county,  California,  where  he  remained  about  five  years,  during  which 
time  he  was  engaged  in  mining  and  various  occupations.  In  the  spring 
of  1856  he  returned  to  Ohio,  and  in  the  spring  of  the  following  year 
came  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  and  located  on  section  32  in  Greene 


,  SUEZ    TOWNSIIII'.  041 

township.  In  January,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  G.  30th  111.  Inf., 
and  was  with  that  reii:;inient  at  Fort  Donelson,  Siege  of  Corinth,  Brit- 
tain's  Lane,  llaymond,  (Champion  Hill,  Siege  of  Vicksbnrg,  and  Kene- 
saw  Mountain.  He  was  taken  prisoner  at  Peach  Tree  Creek,  and  was 
in  the  hands  of  the  enemy  about  two  months,  when  lie  was  exchanged. 
He  was  discharged  January  22,  1865.  In  1869  he  opened  a  coal  mine 
on  his  farm  in  Greene  township.  The  producing  caj^acity  of  which  is 
forty  thousand  bushels  a  year.  In  1870  he  removed  to  his  farm  in 
section  5,  in  Suez  township.  Mr.  IMarnjw  was  married  in  1865  to 
Miss  Mary  Ogden,  a  native  of  Fountain  county,  Indiana.  The  names 
of  his  chiUlren  in  the  order  of  their  ages  are  as  follows:  Samuel  O., 
John  W.,  Mary  J.  (deceased),  and  Estella.  lie  and  his  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  United  Presbyterian  church. 

Henry  Bridger.  A  portion  of  the  early  ancestors  of  the  Bridger 
family  were  driven  from  France  during  the  religious  j^ersecution.  The 
other  branch  of  the  family  came  from  Xormandy  with  William  the 
Conqueror,  and  cast  their  lot  in  England.  One  of  the  descendants  of 
this  family  was  Henry  Bridger  (deceased),  who  was  born  in  Sussex 
county,  England,  near  the  town  of  Hastings,  October  25,  1798.  In 
October,  1820,  he  came  to  America  and  located  in  Albany;  after  re- 
maining a  year  he  went  to  Troy.  He  was  married  in  that  city  to 
Elizabeth  Terrey,  October  7,  1822.  Miss  Terrey  was  a  native  of  Suf- 
folk county.  Long  Island.  In  the  spring  of  1836^  Mr.  Bridger  emi- 
grated to  Mercer  county,  Illinois.  In  Xovember  of  that  year  he 
entered  a  claim  on  the  N.  E.  \  of  Sec.  35,  Greene  township.  In  June, 
1841,  he  removed  to  Suez  township  and  bought  land  in  section  2, 
where  two  of  his  sons  now  reside.  The  names  of  his  children,  in  the 
order  of  their  ages,  are  as  follows:  William  H.,  Mary  E.,  Julia  M., 
Barbara  A.  (deceased),  Henry  T.,  Frances  A.  (wife  of  Hon.  D.  W. 
Sedwick,  of  Suez),  James  C,  Philip  T.  (now  residing  in  Chari- 
ton county,  Missouri),  and  Annie  E.  (wife  of  James  Page,  of  Suez). 
The  death  of  the  father  occurred  December  17,  1873,  and  he  was 
buried  in  the  family  burying  ground,  situated  on  the  N.  E.  \  of  Sec.  2. 

George  M.  Evans,  son  of  George  D.  and  Mary  (McCague)  Evans, 
was  born  in  Ripley,  Ohio,  March  9,  1830.  Left  an  orphan  at  an  early 
age,  he  was  reared  by  relatives  in  Adams  county.  At  the  age  of  sev- 
enteen he  began  attending  school  at  South  Salem,  where  he  remained 
about  two  and  a  half  years.  Between  the  ages  of  seventeen  and 
twenty  he  taught  school  about  six  months.  He  was  married  June  22, 
1853,  to  Miss  Ruhanui  Mclntire,  a  native  of  Adams  county.  Shortly 
after  his  marriage  he  embarked  in  the  mercantile  business  in  Ripley, 
which  he  continued  until  the  spring  of  1855,  when  he  came  to  Mercer 


642  HISTORY    OF    MERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COrNTIES. 

county,  Illinois.  In  the  fall  of  that  year  he  engaged  in  business  at 
Norwood;  since  that  time  he  opened  a  store  in  Aledo.  In  1880  he 
removed  to  his  farm  northwest  of  Norwood,  his  business  being  con- 
ducted by  his  partner.  His  first  wife  died  December  1,  1854.  He 
was  again  married  February  19,  1863,  to  Miss  Barbara  J.  Allison,  a 
native  of  Pennsylvania,  who  died  December  23,  1873.  His  third 
mari-iage  occurred  June  6,  1876,  Miss  Mary  W.  Carson,  a  native  of 
Ireland,  being  the  next  connubial  partner.  Mr.  Evans  has  two  chikh'eu 
livinw  both  of  whom  were  born  to  him  bv  his  second  wife.  Their 
names,  in  the  order  of  their  ages,  are  as  follows:  Mary  E.,  aged 
eighteen,  and  Robert  A.,  aged  sixteen  years.  He  is  a  prominent 
member  of  the  United  Presbyterian  church,  with  which  he  united  in 
1853  at  Ripley,  Ohio.  Mr.  Evans  is  a  man  of  kindly  manner,  and 
the  stranger  being  thrown  upon  his  hospitality  is  treated  with  great 
courtesy. 

John  Lu-^ferty,  whose  portrait  appears  in  this  book,  son  of  John 
and  Ann  Lafferty,  was  born  July  28,  1816,  in  Trumbull  county,  Ohio. 
In  the  spring 'of  1840,  he,  in  company  with  his  brother,  William,  emi- 
grated to  Illinois  and  bought  land  in  the  N.  E.  J  Sec.  21,  Suez  town- 
ship. Mr.  Lafferty  was  married  June,  1843,  to  Miss  Grizell  Stewart, 
a  native  of  Indiana.  The  fruits  of  the  union  are  eio-ht  children,  w^hose 
names  are  as  follows  :  James  IL,  Harriet  A.,  Nancy  A.,  AYilliam  A., 
John  S.,  Susan  E-,  and  Mary  E.  He  is  a  member  of  the  United  Pres- 
byterian church,  with  which  he  united  in  1850.  Mr.  Lafferty  is  spoken 
of  by  his  neighbors  as  an  excellent  citizen,  and  possesses  the  love  and 
esteem  of  all.  A  spirit  of  liberality  has  ever  chacterized  his  actions, 
and  to  all  charitable,  educational,  and  religious  purposes  he  has  given 
with  a  willing  hand. 

John  Mauk,  son  of  Peter  and  Catharine  Mauk,  was  born  in  1814, 
in  the  picturesque  valley  of  the  Shenandoah,  Virginia.  His  father, 
Peter  Mauk,  was  born  January  4,  1775.  His  family  are  of  German 
origin.  For  many  years  Mr.  Mauk  was  employed  as  an  engineer  on 
the  Mississippi  and  Ohio  rivers.  In  1836  he  emigrated  to  Warren 
county,  Illinois.  In  1840  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Amerett 
Tinkham,  a  native  of  Windom  county,  Vermont.  The  names  of  their 
children,  in  the  order  of  their  ages,  are  as  follows:  Martha  A.,  Benja- 
min (deceased  in  his  fourteenth  year),  Mary  E.,  Anna  L.,  Alice,  Peter, 
George  P>.  In  1838  he  came  to  Mercer  county,  and  settled  in  Suez 
township.  In  1841  he  removed  to  Davenport,  Iowa,  and  was  em- 
ployed as  an  engineer  on  the  ferry  boat  plying  between  the  cities  of 
Davenport  and  Rock  Island.  In  1841  he  returned  to  his  farm  in  Suez 
township.    He  was  for  several  years  engaged  in  the  dry  goods  business 


SUEZ   TOWNSHIP.  643 

at  Bridger'S  Comers.  Mr.  Mauk  died  at  his  residence  June  19,  1879, 
and  liis  departure  was  mourned  by  many  friends,  some  of  M'liom  liad 
often  received  favors  at  the  hands  of  the  deceased. 

William  P.  Morgan,  son  of  Sankey  and  Ann  (Brown)  ^forgan,  was 
born  in  Bedford  county,  Pennsylvania,  Marcli  18,  1839.  lie  received 
his  early  education  in  a  log  school-house  in  Pennsylvania.  In  1858 
the  familv  emio;rated  to  Mercer  countv,  Illinois,  and  located  on  section 
19,  in  Suez  township.  Mr.  Morgan  was  married  in  1868  to  Miss 
Martha  J.  Atchison,  a  native  of  Ohio.  The  fruits  of  this  union  are 
seven  children,  six  sons  and  one  daughter.     He  enlisted  August  9, 

1862,  in  company  E,  102d  111.   Inf      Pie  was  discharged  October  18, 

1863,  at  Laveme,  Tennessee.  Mr.  Morgan  is  a  member  of  the  United 
Presb}i:erian  church  with  which  he  united  in  1868.  lie  is  also  justice 
of  the  peace. 

BicHARD  C.  McClellan,  SOU  of  Richard  and  Susana  McClellan, 
was  born  in  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania,  September  25.  1838. 
Mr.  McClellan  received  his  education  at  what  is  now  known  as  the 
Jeiferson  College,  in  Washington  county.  In  February,  1865,  he 
enlisted  in  the  8Tth  Penn.  Inf,  and  was  with  the  regiment  until 
mustered  out.  He  was  married  October  26,  1866,  to  Miss  Martha 
McCutcheon,  a  native  of  Ohio.  The  fruits  of  the  union  are  live  chil- 
dren, whose  names,  in  the  order  of  their  ages,  are  as  follows :  Nathaniel 
P.,  Evart  S.,  Clarence  P..  Minnie  G.,  and  Armadilla  S.  Mr.  ^McClel- 
laii  is  a  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian  church,  with  which  he 
united  in  1866. 

Gus  Bruixgtox,  son  of  Alfi-ed  and  Adeline  Bruington.  was  born  in 
Suez  township,  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  September  22,  1846.  He  was 
married  in  1871  to  Miss  Annie  Lafferty,  a  daughter  of  William 
Lafferty,  Sr.,  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  Suez  township.  Mr. 
Bruington,  although  quite  young,  has  surrounded  himself  by  all  the 
luxuries  and  comforts  the  country  affords,  and  has  before  him  a  bright 
and  prosperous  future. 

Joshua  II.  Browx,  son  of  Benjamin  and  Lucinda  Brown,  was  bom 
in  the  town  of  Xorth  Henderson,  July  6,  1841.  His  father  was  one  of 
the  pioneer  settlers  of  Mercer  county.  Mr.  Brown  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  public  school  of  Xorth  Henderson.  July  22,  1862.  he 
entered  the  service  of  his  country  in  Co.  II,  84th  111.  Inf.  and 
remained  in  that  regiment  until  June  16,  1865.  On  January  1,  1867, 
he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mrs.  Mary  (Dilley)  Podgers,  a  native  of 
Mercer  county,  and  daughter  of  William  Dilley,  of  Ohio  Grove  town- 
ship. The  names  of  his  childi-en.  in  the  order  of  their  ages,  are  as 
follows  :  Vinnie  P.,  Cyrus  D.,  Gus  B.,  and  Lucinda  M.  (deceased  in 


(iiJr  IIISTOKY    OF   MERCER   AA'D    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

infancy}.  In  August,  1878,  Mr.  Brown  was  nominated  for  slierifi:  at 
the  republican  convention,  at  Aledo.  In  the  following  November  he 
was  elected,  receiving  as  man}-  votes  as  both  his  greenback  and  demo- 
cratic opponents.  Mr.  Brown  is  a  member  of  the  Universalist  church, 
of  Suez. 

Henry  T.  Bridger,  son  of  Henry  and  Elizabeth  Bridger,  was  born 
April  28,  1832,  in  Kenssalaer  county,  Xew  York.  In  18o(i,  the  family 
moved  to  Mercer  county.  In  the  fall  of  1862,  Mr.  Bridger  enlisted  in 
Co.  E,  102d  111.  Inf.  He  remained  in  the  service  of  his  country  about 
one  year,  being  discharged  on  account  of  disabilities.  In  December, 
1867,  he  was  united  in  the  holy  bonds  of  matrimony  to  Miss  Sarah 
J.  McLaughlin,  a  native  of  Mercer  county,  Pennsylvania.  The  fruits 
of  this  union  are  three  children  :  Amy  M.,  William  J.,  and  Edna  E. 
The  family  are  attendants  at  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

Thomas  G.  Brown,  son  of  Harison  and  Martha  Brown,  was  born 
in  jS^orth  Henderson  township,  Mercer  county,  March  25,  1836.  Mr. 
Brown  received  his  early  education  in  a  log  school-house  that  stood  on 
section  6,  JSTorth  Henderson  townshi}).  In  December,  1862,  he  enlisted 
in  Co.  E,  102d  111.  Inf.,  and  was  with  that  regiment  in  every  engage- 
ment until  mustered  out  of  service.  He  was  discharged  June  7,  1865, 
at  Chicago.  In  February,  1869,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Louisa  Coleman,  a  native  of  Ohio.  The  fruits  of  this  union  are  two 
children,  Kellie  and  Peter  F.  It  will  be  seen  that  Mr.  Brown  was  one 
of  the  first  white  children  born  in  the  county.  His  father,  Harison, 
spoken  of  elsewhere  in  the  work,  is  one  of  the  few  surviving  pioneers 
of  Mercer. 

William  L.,  son  of  James  and  Jane  Stewart,  was  born  in  LTnion 
county,  Indiana,  in  1827.  In  1835  the  family  emigrated  to  Illinois, 
and  his  fatlier  bought  the  claim  owned  by  George  Blake,  in  section  21. 
In  1858  he  was  married  to  Miss  Harriet  Dryden,  a  native  of  Ohio,  who 
died  in  1859.  March  7,  1861,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  M. 
Caldwell,  a  native  of  Shelby  county,  Ohio.  The  names  of  his  children 
in  the  order  of  their  ages  are:  Nanc}'  J.,  Mattie  E.,  Mira  L.,  AYilliam 
J.,  Mary  J.,  Ettie  F.,  and  Earl  O.  In  August,  1862,  Mr.  Stewart 
enlisted  in  Co.  E,  102d  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  remained  with  that  regi- 
ment until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  is  a  member  of  the  United  Pres- 
byterian church,  with  which  he  united  in  1858.  In  politics  he  is  a 
republican.  His  father,  James  Stewart,  now  residing  in  Alexis,  was 
one  of  the  earliest  settlers  in  Suez  township,  and  assisted  in  preparing 
some  notes  for  the  historical  association. 

Thomas  J.  Greenwood,  son  of  John  and  Catharine  (Filony)  Green- 
wood, was  born  in  Suez  townshi]),  Mercer  county,  September  23,  1849. 


/■"- 


■'*^J  iav^a^a- 


THOMAS    LIKELY 


SUEZ    TOWXSIIII'.  6J:T 

In  1866  lie  left  the  quiet  life  of  the  farm  and  went  to  Galesburg  and 
attended  school  at  the  Lombard  imiversitv.  He  remained  here  one 
year.  In  1881  he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace  for  a  term  of  four 
years.  In  1878  he  was  elected  assessor  for  one  term,  and  in  this 
office,  as  in  all  others  which  he  has  filled,  he  gave  excellent  satis- 
faction. September  22,  1881,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Jennie  Goddard,  a  native  of  Warren  county,  Illinois.  Mr.  (Treenwood 
owns  a  fine  farm  of  120  acres,  on  sections  10  and  15,  and  we  predict 
for  him  a  bright  and  prosperous  future.  He  is  a  prominent  republican, 
and  takes  an  active  part  in  political  affairs.  Mr.  Greenwood  is  a 
member  of  I.O.O.F.  lodge,  526,  at  Alexis,  with  which  he  united  in 
August,  1880.  He  has  many  friends  throughout  the  country,  and  is 
highly  respected  by  all. 

JoHX  DiNGWELL  was  bom  in  county  Donegal,  Ireland,  in  March, 
1814.  At  an  early  age  he  came  to  xVmerica,  and  followed  the  star  of 
empire  westward  to  Illinois,  locating  in  North  Henderson  township, 
Mercer  county.  .  In  1S40  he  bought  a  farm  near  Norwood,  in  Suez 
townsliip.  In  1849  he  went  to  Galesburg  and  began  a  course  of  study 
in  the  academy  at  that  place.  At  the  end  of  two  years  he  returned  to 
Mercer  county,  and  in  1852  was  married  to  Mrs.  Mercy  Crabtree,  a 
native  of  England.  In  the  same  year  he  bought  land  in  section  3,  in 
Suez  township.  The  names  of  his  children  are:  Jennie  E.,  (deceased 
in  her  twenty-fourth  year),  AVilliam  G.  (now  residing  in  Suez  town- 
ship), and  John  (deceased  in  infancy).  Mr.  Dingwell  died  Nov.  4, 
1873.  The  timeral  services  were  perf'ormed  in  the  United  Presbyterian 
church,  at  Viola.  In  his  early  life  Mr.  Dingwell  had  been  a  Cove- 
nanter, but  later  united  with  the  United  Presbyterian  denomination. 

Hexry  W.,  son  of  David  and  Elizabeth  (Snyder)  Mauk,  was  born 
in  Harrison  countv,  Indiana,  June  14,  1830.  When  ts\'entv-four  vears 
of  age  he  came  to  Mercer  county,  and  in  1856  purchased  land  in 
section  11,  in  Suez  township.  In  August,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Co. 
E.  102d  111.  Inf.,  and  was  with  that  gallant  regiment  until  June, 
1865.  He  was  married  January  4.  1871,  to  Miss  Annie  Smith,  a 
native  of  Warren  county,  Illinois.  The  names  of  their  children,  in 
the  order  of  their  ages,  are :  David  R.  (deceased),  Freddie  G.  (de- 
ceased), Ora  B.,  and  Alta  M.,  who  are  twins. 

Robert  Campbell,  son  of  IMatthew  and  Hannah  Campbell,  was 
born  November  26,  1822,  in  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania.  In 
1848  he  came  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  and  in  1850  he  bought  land 
in  section  30,  in  Suez  township.  His  father's  family  are  of  Scotch 
and  Ii-ish  descent,  and  his  mother  was  born  in  the  land  of  freedom. 
In  1844  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Rachel  Morgan,  a  native  of 
37 


648  HISTORY    OF   >LERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

Pennsylvania,  who  died  in  1874.  In  1875  he  was  married  to  Mrs. 
Amanda  M.  Cantrall.  The  names  of  his  children,  in  the  order  of 
their  ages,  are  as  follows:  Hannah  R.,  Matthew  F.,  Ann  E.,  Frank- 
lin P.,  Helen  C,  Robert  I.,  Martha  J.,  Mary  N.,  Lydia  M.,  Sarah  L. 
(deceased),  and  Eugene  R.  ;  the  last-named  is  by  the  second  wife. 
Mr.  Campbell  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church,  and  his  wife  is  a 
member  of  the  old  school  Presbyterian  church.  He  has  a  farm  of  120 
acres  of  excellent  land  in  Suez  township. 

George,  son  of  George  and  Maiy  Bruington,  was  born  in  Breck- 
enridge  county,  Kentucky,  in  1821.  In  1852  he  emigrated  to  Mercer 
county,  Illinois,  and  bought  land  in  section  24,  Suez  township.  Mr. 
Bruington  was  married  in  18^2  to  Miss  Dowel,  also  a  native  of  Ken- 
tucky. The  names  of  their  children,  in  the  orderof  their  ages,  are  as 
follows :  Benjamin,  James,  and  Amanda.  He  is  a  member  of  no 
church,  but  tries  to  do  his  duty  toward  God  and  his  fellow  men. 

James  H.  Brownlee,  son  of  William  and  Catharine  (Hutchison) 
Brownlee,  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania,  May  1, 
1828.  His  family  are  of  Scotch  origin.  He  received  his  education 
in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  county.  In  1853  the  family  came 
to  Illinois,  and  locating  in  Mercer  county,  purchased  land  in  section 
31,  in  Suez  township.  His  father  now  resides  in  Labette  county, 
Kansas.  Mr.  Brownlee  was  married  September  20,  1855,  to  Miss 
Martha  J.  Barclay,  a  native  of  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania. 
Their  children,  in  the  order  of  their  ages,  are  as  follows:  Etlia  L., 
Blanch  M.  (deceased),  Elmer  F.,  Ulysses  G.,  Albin  B.,  Ennis  R., 
jN^ora  K.,  and  Roy.  In  the  winter  of  1855  he  bought  land  on  the 
N.  E.  ^  of  Sec.  31,  and  he  is  now  the  possessor  of  a  one-half  section 
of  fine  land.  Mrs.  Brownlee  is  a  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
church,  having  united  early  in  life.  The  family  are  highly  respected 
by  all,  and  many  and  true  are  their  friends. 

Martin  Pease,  son  of  Pelatiah  and  Nancy  Pease,  was  born  in  1824, 
in  Waldo  county,  Maine.  In  1837  the  family  emigrated  to  Mercer 
county,  Illinois,  and  located  on  section  20,  in  Suez  township,  the 
nearest  postofiice  being  Spring  Grove.  He  saw  the  men  building  the 
first  school-house  in  the  township,  which  was  of  logs,  and  stood  on 
section  21.  In  1847  he  was  married  to  Miss  Martha  A.  Pollok, 
daughter  of  Robert  Pollok,  one  of  Mercer  county's  pioneers.  The 
fruits  of  this  marriage  are  seven  children:  Alonzo  U.,  Nelson  S.  (de- 
ceased), Edwin  (deceased),  Charles  R.  (deceased),  Mary  I.,  Martin  A., 
and  May.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pease  are  both  members  of  the  United  Pres- 
byterian church,  with  which  they  united  in  1850.  In  1850  he  bought 
land  in   section  20,    and  now  owns  a   fine  farm  of  150  acres.     On 


SUEZ    TOWNSHIP.  649 

October  24,  1880,  his  liouse  took  fire  from  a  defective  flue,  and  burned 
to  tlie  ground.  Loss  $200,  and  no  insurance.  In  1881  Mr.  Pease 
erected  a  handsome  residence  on  the  same  foundation.  He  has  many 
friends  and  is  respected  wherever  lie  is  known. 

JosKi'H  Pkask,  son  of  Pelatialu  and  Nancy  Pease,  was  born  in  Knox 
county,  Maine,  February,  5,  1822.  Tlie  family  on  his  father's  side  are 
of  English  origin.  In  1837,  the  family  emigrated  to  Mercer  county, 
and  bought  a  claim  in  Suez  township.  October  14,  1845,  he  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Caroline  Libby,  who  died  March  15,  1852. 
January  24,  1853,  he  married  Miss  Sarah  Stewart,  who  died  Sep- 
tember 27,  1864.  March  15,  1866,  he  was  again  married  to  Miss 
Christiana  Sprowl.  The  names  of  his  children  are:  Zorah  E. 
(deceased),  Laura  G.,  Nancy  F.  (deceased),  Joseph  S.,  Campbell  B., 
John  A.,  Pelatiah,  Ausley,  Elizabeth  J.,  Sarah  L.  (deceased),  Mary 
L.,  and  George  W.  Mr.  Pease  is  a  member  of  the  United  Presby- 
terian church,  with  which  he  was  united  in  1876.  He  is  one  of  Mercer 
countyjs  pioneers,  and  did  his  part  toward  paving  the  way  for  civil- 
ization. 

John  A.,  son  of  Joseph  and  Sarah  Pease,  was  born  in  Suez  town- 
ship, June  23,  1858.  He  was  married  Febiniary  14,  1878,  to  Miss 
Susan  Lalferty,  daughter  of  John  Laiferty,  of  Suez  township.  He  and 
his  wife  are  members  of  the  United  Presbyterian  church,  with  which 
they  united  in  1879. 

A.  Pease,  son  of  Joseph  and  Sarah  Pease,  was  born  in  Suez  town- 
ship, Mercer  county,  May  8,  1859.  He  was  married  January  23,  1879, 
to  Miss  Maggie  A.  Wallace,  a  native  of  Warren  county,  Illinois.  They 
have  one  child,  whose  name  is  Guy  C.  Mr.  Pease  owns  land  in  sec- 
tion lt>,  where  he,  with  his  pleasant  family,  resides. 

James  H.  Lafferty,  son  of  John  and  Grizelle  Lafferty,  was  born 
in  Suez  township,  Mercer  county.  May  24,  1844.  He  remained  at 
home  until  August  8,  1862,  when  he  entered  the  service  of  his  country, 
in  Co.  E,  102d  111.  Inf.,  and  remained  with  the  regiment  until  June  9, 
1865,  when  he  received  his  discharge.  On  February  28,  1867,  he  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  A.  Porter,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania. 
The  fruits  of  this  union  are:  Frank  S.,  Mattie  G.,  John  (deceased),  and 
Guy  C  In  1874,  Mr.  Lafferty  engaged  in  the  stock  business  and 
keeps  on  hand  from  fifty  to  one  hundred  head  of  short  horn  cattle. 
While  at  his  farm  the  writer  had  the  ])leasure  of  being  shown  s(mie 
veiy  handsome  animals,  a  few  of  which  were  recently  imported  from 
England.  His  farm  is  admirably  adaj)ted  to  the  business,  and  this 
fact,  together  with  the  enterprise  of  the  proprietor,  will,  doubtless, 
render  his  labors  highly  successful. 


650  HISTORY  OF  mp:rcer  a^'d  hendersox  counties. 

John  L.,  son  of  Henry  and  Jane  McLaughlin,  was  born  in  Mercer 
county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1817.  His  father  and  mother  were  both  of 
Irish  descent.  His  mother  was  a  niece  of  Gen.  Potter,  of  Revolution- 
ary fame.  In  1856,  he  emigrated  to  Illinois,  and  in  1857,  bought  land 
in  section  2,  Suez  township.  His  father  died  in  September,  1881, 
a^ed  eighty-six,  and  w^as  buried  in  the  Norwood  cemeterv.  Mr. 
McLaughlin  was  nian-ied  in  18-14  to  Miss  Martha  J.  Angelo,  also  a 
native  of  Mercer  county.  The  names  of  the  children  born  to  them  are : 
Sarah  J.,  James  H.  (deceased),  Cassius  C,  Willis  J.,  Marv  M.,  and 
Josephine.  Both  are  members  of  the  United  Brethren  church,  at 
Suez. 

George  W.  Sedwick  was  boru  in  Mercer  county,  Pennsylvania, 
His  father's  given  name  was  AYashington,  and  his  mother's  Elizabeth. 
When  thirteen  years  of  age  he  went  to  Williamsport,  Ohio,  and  entered 
a  machine  shop,  for  the  purpose  of  learning  the  trade.  After  working 
liere  two  years  he  went  to  Mount  Jackson  and  worked  two  j^ears  more 
under  instruction.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  went  to  New  Castle, 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  remained  until  1861.  In  that  year  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Caroline  Peeble,  a  native  of  Bayaria.  Their  children's 
names  are  as  follows  :  Willis  D.,  Harry  L.,  and  an  adopted  child, 
Lillie  R.  In  the  spring  of  1861,  Mr.  Sedwick  came  to  Mercer  county, 
Illinois.  In  1864  he  bought  land  in  section  16,  in  Suez  township.  In 
1870  he  sold  his  farm  and  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  at  Suez, 
which  he  continued  until  1874,  when  he  closed  out  his  stock  and  bought 
a  farm  in  section  9,  where  he  now  resides.  He  and  Mrs.  Sedwick  are 
both  members  of  the  Ignited  Brethren  church. 

The  Brownlee  family  are  of  Scotch  origin.  David  S.,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  Trumbull  county,  Ohio,  January  1,  1820. 
His  father's  name  was  David,  and  his  mother's  Betsey.  In  1839  his 
father  and  family  emigrated  to  Warren  county,  Illinois,  and  located 
near  Little  York.  In  1842  the  subject  of  this  sketch  came  to  Mercer 
county,  and  for  about  a  year  was  engaged  in  breaking  prairie  and 
threshing.  In  1843  he  bought  land  in  section  16,  Suez  township. 
In  1873  Mr.  Brownlee  was  elected  supervisor  of  Suez  township,  in 
which  capacity  he  served  for  several  terms.  He  was  married  in  1845 
to  Miss  Margaret  Pollok,  daughter  of  Robert  Pollok,  one  of  the  earliest 
settlers  in  Mercer  county.  His  lirstwife  died  November  23,  1872,  and 
he  was  again  married  January  11,  1877,  to  Miss  Maria  Montgomery. 
May  27,  1881,  his  second  wife  died.  The  names  of  his  children,  in 
the  order  of  their  ages,  are  as  follows  :  Robert  B.,  Addie  A.,  and  Ida 
M.  Mr.  Brownlee  is  a  member  of  the  Ignited  Presbyterian  church, 
with  which  he  united  in  1848. 


SUKZ    TOW.VSIIIl'.  05 J 

Dk.  James  F.  McCutchan  was  born  in  Adams  county,  Ohio,  in 
1833.  His  early  life  was  spent  on  the  farm.  When  twenty-two  years 
of  age  he  entered  college  at  Washington,  Iowa,  and  graduated  from 
that  institution  in  May,  1861,  Immediately  after  completing  his 
studies  he  enlisted  in  Co.  II,  2d  reg.  Iowa  Vol.  Inf  During  his 
connection  with  that  regiment  he  became  personally  acquainted  with 
Gen.  James  B.  AYeaver.  In  the  fall  of  1863  he  was  nuide  captain  of 
Co.  D,  Dth  reg.  Iowa  Vol.  Cav.,  and  acted  in  that  ca})acity  until 
the  close  of  the  war.  Pre\nous  to  his  promotion,  however,  he  partici- 
pated in  several  engagements  with  the  2d  Iowa,  among  which  was  the 
battle  of  Fort  Donelson,  wliei-e  that  regiment  won  for  itself  a  name 
that  will  go  down  into  the  pages  of  history.  The  doctor  was  dis- 
charged in  May,  and  was  married  in  August,  1865,  to  Miss  M.  J.  S. 
Graham,  a  native  of  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania.  The  names 
of  their  children,  in  the  order  of  their  ages,  are  as  follows:  Mary 
Edna  and  Sarah  Edith  (twins),  were  born  November  13,  1866;  A. 
Joseanna,  born  December  14,  1870;  Alma  O.,  born  June  12,  1876; 
and  Clara  G.,  born  April  2,  1881.  In  the  fall  of  1865  he  entered  the 
office  of  Dr.  Webster  at  Monmouth,  and  was  under  that  gentlenum's 
instructions  one  vear.  In  the  fall  of  1866  he  became  a  student  at 
Keokuk,  Iowa,  and  received  his  diploma  in  the  spring  of  1868.  In 
that  year  he  located  at  Norwood,  and  since  that  time  has  practiced  in 
that  vicinity.  In  conversing  with  the  doctor  the  writer  found  him  to 
be  a  gentlemen  of  more  than  ordinary  intelligence,  Huent  in  conversa- 
tion, and  progressive  in  all  things. 

James  M,  Lee,  son  of  John  and  Eliza  Lee,  was  born  in  Centre 
county,  Pennsylvania,  in  May,  1836.  In  the  spring  of  1857  he  came 
to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  where  he  worked  at  carpentering  until  the 
spring  of  1861.  August  8,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  E,  102d  reg. 
111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  was  with  that  regiment  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
lie  was  married  November  22,  1866,  to  Miss  Harriet  A.  Lalferty, 
daughter  of  John  Lafterty,  of  Suez  township.  Their  children's  names 
are:  John  A.,  Miriam  E.,  Marietta,  Lela  I.,  and  Ethel  A.  They  are 
both  members  of  the  United  Presbyterian  church. 


652  HISTORY    OF    irERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 


ge«:ene  township. 

GEOLOGY. 

CONTRIBUTED   15V  DK.  J.  V.  FRAZIEK,  OF  VIOLA. 

Greene  township  is  traversed  throughout  its  length  from  east  to 
west  by  an  irregular,  broad  and  elevated  phiteau  or  water-shed,  the 
drainings  from  which  on  the  north  bear  a  north  and  westerly  direction 
to  the  Edwards  river,  while  on  the  south  the  water  courses  bear  south 
and  westerly  to  join  Pope  creek. 

The  Edwards  river,  coming  from  the  east,  flows  just  north  of  and 
along  the  northeastern  portion  of  the  township,  for  two  and  a  half 
miles,  when  it  enters  the  township  about  midway  of  the  north  line  of 
section  3,  running  thence  nearly  west  until  it  passes  beyond  our  town- 
ship's line  on  section  8.  Pope  creek  enters  the  township  at  near  the 
the  southeast  corner  and  passes  in  a  westerly  direction  entirely  through 
it  on  its  southern  border.  The  Donohue  and  Skunk  runs,  as  also  two 
or  three  unnamed  deep-cut  water-ways,  fed  here  and  there  by  springs, 
carry  the  surface  waters  from  the  north  half  of  the  township  into  the 
Edwards  river,  while  North  Pope,  Collins,  or  "Nigger"  run,  with 
two  or  three  deep  ravines,  serve  to  drain  the  south  half  into  Pope 
creek. 

These  streams  and  water-courses,  while  furnishing  an  abundant  sup- 
ply of  water,  at  the  same  time  shape  the  surface  of  the  country'  and 
determine  the  quality  of  the  soil.  Not  more  than  three-fifths  of  the 
township  is  prairie.  Along  the  immediate  valleys  of  the  larger 
streams  there  is  a  deep  black  soil,  rich  in  humus,  and  in  some  places 
covered  by  heavy  growths  of  timber,  while  upon  the  ridges  bordering 
the  water-courses  are  the  so  called  ' '  barrens. "  The  soil  of  the  prai- 
ries is  mostly  deep  and  of  a  blackish  or  chocolate  colored  loam,  with  a 
yellow  or  light  brown  cla}-  subsoil.  The  soil  of  the  "barrens"  is 
similai-  to  that  of  the  ])rairies,  only  lighter  colored  and  less  in  de]>tli, 
becoming  of  a  light  brown  or  yellowish  color  along  the  sides  and 
over  the  tops  of  the  ridges,  on  account  of  the  character  of  the  sub- 
soil which  comes  near  the  surt'ace. 

The  surface  deposits  of  the  townshij)  comprise  the  ordinary  sub- 
divisions of  the  quarternary  period,  alluivium,  loess,  and  drift.  The 
alluiviuin  deposits  are  mostly  confined  to  narrow  belts  along  the  lai-ger 
streams.  Some  of  this  land  is  so  low  as  to  be  too  much  subject  to 
ovei-fiow  for  growing  cereals,  but  affording  excellent  meadow  and 
grazing  grounds. 


GRKENE    TOWXSHII'.  653 

The  loess  deposit  is  found  sparingly,  ca])ping  some  of  the  high 
points  along  Pope  creek,  but  not  sufficient  in  cpiantityto  require  special 
notice. 

Drift. — The  deposits  of  this  subdivision  consist  of  a  series  of  brown 
and  blue  clays,  mixed  here  and  there  with  sand,  gravel  and  small  peb- 
bles, which  are  S])read  over  the  entire  surface  of  the  townshi]).  Quite 
a  number  of  boulders  of  igneous  or  metamorphic  rocks  lie  scattered 
along  the  borders  of  the  streams  and  in  the  valleys  of  most  of  the  tem- 
porary water  courses. 

Coal  Measures. — The  stratified  rocks  exposed  in  this  township  all 
belong  to  the  coal  measures  and  include  the  lower  groups,  from  cf)al 
No.  3  of  the  Illinois  section  down  to  near  the  base  of  this  formation. 
They  consist  of  various  strata  of  limestone,  sandstone,  clay,  shale,  and 
coal,  and  are  supposed  to  reach  a  thickness  of  from  100  to  150  feet.  A 
boring  on  section  1-1,  near  Viola,  reaches  130  feet  without  passing 
entirely  through  this  formation. 

There  luive  been  three  seams  of  coal  found  and  more  or  less  worked 
in  the  township,  although  No,  3  and  No.  1  have  been  the  most  exten- 
sively mined.  Coal  No.  3  has  been  found  only  on  sections  31  and  32. 
The  mines  of  Mr.  Martin  and  Mr.  Morrow  are  on  this  seam,  while 
about  twenty-five  feet  lower  down  coal  No.  2  was  formerly  woi-ked  by 
Mr.  Martin  by  a  drift  into  the  hill.  The  discovery  of  the  thicker  and 
more  profitable  vein  No.  3  above  caused  its  abandonment  several 
years  ago.  Coal  No.  3  at  Martin's  bank  varies  from  three  to  five  feet 
in  thickness,  is  safely  and  profitably  worked,  and  affcjrds  one  of  our 
very  best  fuel  coals. 

Coal  No.  2  of  the  Illinois  group,  in  all  the  exposures  thus  far  made 
in  the  township,  has  shown  too  thin  a  vein  for  profitable  mining  at 
preseht,  varying  from  one  and  a  half  to  two  feet  in  thickness.  This 
seam  has  been  found  at  several  points,  notably  on  the  Gilmore  farm. 
S.  W.  \  of  Sec.  23,  on  the  Morey  farm,  N.  E.  \  of  Sec.  27,  and  at  Mar- 
tin's bank  in  the  S.  W.  \  of  Sec.  31.  Besides  the  mining  formerly 
done  on  this  vein  on  Martin's  bank,  the  openings  on  the  Gilmore  farm 
and  on  B.  F.  Morey's  old  farm  attbrded  a  fair  quantity  of  fuel  coal,  but 
were  never  operated  except  for  the  use  of  the  owners'  families  and  some 
of  their  neighbors.  At  the  two  last  named  farms  the  coal  was  mined 
by  strip|)ing  the  soil,  clay  and  slate  overh'ing  it,  but  the  increasing 
depth  of  the  overlying  clay  and  shale  as  they  neared  the  higher  ground 
rendered  its  mining  unprofitable  by  this  process,  and  the  promise  of  a 
poor  "  roof"  over  the  coal  discouraged  the  owners  from  running  a  drift 
into  the  hills. 


654  HISTORY    OF    Mf:RCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

From  the  shales  overlying  coals  No.  3  and  No.  2  our  amateur 
geologists  have  gathered  many  of  the  fossils  peculiar  to  tlie  coal 
measures  of  this  part  of  the  state.  Besides  several  species  of 
bryozora,  these  sections  furnish  conularia.  haniproartes  creuistro, 
lima  retifero,  spirifer  lunitus,  attryrus  subtitito,  productus  nebrascensis, 
pleurophorus  solenifornius,  etc.  The  greater  portion  of  the  coal  pro- 
duced, for  which  our  township  is  somewhat  famous,  comes  from  coal 
No.  1  of  the  Illinois  section.  This  seam  varies  in  thickness  from  three 
and  a  half  to  four  and  a  half  feet,  the  general  average  reaching  about 
four  feet.  The  deposit  of  this  coal  seam  stretches  across  the  township 
fi'om  east  to  west,  being  a  part  only  of  the  great  Edwards  river  seam. 
It  has  been  found  and  extensively  mined  on  sections  2,  3,  4,  5,  6  and 
the  N.W.  ^  of  11.  The  principal  shafts  now  in  operation  are  N.  B. 
Frazier's,  on  the  S.  E.  of  section  2,  Russell  Park's  and  H.  Boone's  on 
section  3,  Wm.  Blaine's,  W.  P.  Collins'  and  Gutlirie's  shafts  on  section 
4 ;  Bell  Brothers'  on  section  5 ;  Geo.  Pinkerton's  and  Hegg's  works 
on  section  6.  This  vein  of  coal  probably  underlies  a  very  considera- 
ble portion  of  the  township,  particularly  along  the  northern  half,  but 
will  be  found  at  a  considerable  depth,  if  found  at  all,  under  the  higher 
water  shed  of  the  township,  all  the  openings  heretofore  made  being 
located  in  the  valleys  of  the  streams,  fully  150  feet  below  the  plateau 
upon  which  Yiola  stands.  This  vein  shows,  in  some  localities,  a 
peculiarity  worthy  of  mention.  Starting  from  the  east  side  of  the 
township,  where  we  find  but  little  admixture  of  slate,  there  is  a  gradual 
development  of  this  material  westward  until  we  reach  section  4,  where 
it  constitutes  a  parting  strip  of  about  four  inches,  about  midway  of  the 
seam,  and  from  thence  west  thickens  out  so  rapidly  that  on  section  6  it 
forms  a  parting  varying  in  thickness  from  eighteen  to  twenty  inches. 
While  this  layer  of  shale  between  the  upper  and  lower  coal  does  not 
impair  its  quality  seriously,  still  it  renders  mining  tedious  and  expen- 
sive on  account  of  the  necesssity  of  taking  care  of  so  much  refuse 
matter. 

Potteri  Clay. — A  test  of  some  of  the  whitish  or  ]3ale  blue  clay 
found  above  coal  No.  1,  proves  it  to  possess  excellent  qualities  for 
the  manufacture  of  stoneware.  Several  barrels  of  it  were  shipped, 
a  few  years  ago,  to  a  firm  in  Iowa  who  pronounced  it,  after  a  thorough 
trial,  worthy  of  the  attempt  to  erect  a  factory  near  by  it.  Some 
negotiations  were  entered  into  with  the  manufacturer  alluded  to  and 
parties  here,  but  the  enterprise  was  finally  abandoned. 

A  superioi-  deposit  of  clay,  suitable  for  the  manufacture  of  sewer 
tile  and  fire-bi'ick  has  been  developed  within  the  ])ast  few  years.  This 
deposit  is  just  below  coal  No.  2.  and  the  heaviest  body  of  it  is  found 


GREENE    TOWNSHIP.  055 

on  the  S.W.  ^  of  Sec.  35.  The  Momnoutli  Mamifacturing  Company, 
of  Monmouth  Illinois,  purchased  forty  acres  of  this  land  and  have 
shipj)ed,  ior  several  years  past,  as  high  as  150  tons  per  year  of  their 
clay,  the  greater  portion  of  which  they  use  in  making  fire-brick  and  in 
heavy  sewer  tile.  They  claim  it  to  be  the  best  clay  in  the  west  for 
their  purposes. 

Lime. —  Some  of  the  blue  limestone  found  above  coal  Xo.  1  has 
been  burned  for  and  yielded  a  fair  quality  of  lime,  but  on  account  of 
impurities  needs  to  be  sorted  and  screened  before  using,  and  the 
amount  so  obtained  is  comparatively  small,  rendering  its  manufacture 
scarcely  profitable. 

Building  Stone. — The  sandstone  lying  just  above  Coal  No.  2,  Illi- 
nois section,  is  of  a  light  color,  varying  from  a  dull  white  to  yellow, 
and  soft  when  first  quarried,  but  hardens  on  exposure.  There  are 
several  quarries  of  this  rock  in  the  towTiship,  some  of  which  are  yield- 
ing a  fine  quality  of  building  stone.  In  some  of  the  quarries  it  can  be 
taken  out  in  blocks  of  almost  any  desired  size.  This  stone  is  found  on 
section  33,  near  F.  McGaughey's  house ;  on  the  N.  W.  \  of  Sec.  26 ; 
on  the  K.  E.  J  of  Sec.  34 ;  and  inferior  (pialities  at  other  places.  The 
best  and  most  extensive  quarry  is  that  of  H.  Gilbert  on  section  ;i4, 
from  which  has  been  taken  a  large  portion  of  all  the  sandstone  for 
cutting  and  use  in  heav}-  masonry  about  Viola  and  the  surrounding 
country. 

The  limestone  which  overlies  Coal  Xo.  1,  of  the  Illinois  section,  is 
a  drab-colored,  impure  limestone,  varying  from  eight  to  fifteen  feet  in 
depth,  with  about  two  feet  of  a  very  solid  blue  limestone  just  below. 
In  some  localities  we  find  a  flinty  limestone  interi)Osed  between  the  blue 
and  gray.  The  blue  limestone  is  of  small  value  for  building  material, 
as  it  soon  falls  to  pieces  on  exposure  to  the  atmosphere.  This  drab- 
colored  rock  is  extensively  quarried  on  sections  3,  4,  and  5,  and  is  held 
in  high  esteem  for  building  purposes,  many  hundreds  of  tons  having 
been  hauled  out  into  other  portions  of  the  county  for  economic  uses. 
The  rock  is  found  mostly  in  layers  from  two  to  eight  inches  in  thick- 
ness, the  layers  growing  thicker  gradually  from  above  downward. 
Some  of  the  lower  layers  can  be  broken  into  almost  any  desired  sizes, 
up  to  ten  or  twelve  feet  square.  The  large  slabs  that  form  the  floors 
and  roofs  of  the  cells  in  the  county  jail  were  quarried  on  section  4, 
as  also  the  large  slabs  lining  and  covering  tlu'  vaults  of  the  Aledo 
bank. 

From  the  shale  above  the  coals  of  Greene  township  and  the  over- 
laying limestones  are  gathered  nearly  every  species  of  our  ^Mercer 
ceunty  coal  measures  fossils ;  in  fact,  the  fossils  found  in  this  township 


656  HISTORY    OF   MERCER    AND    HEN'DERSON    COUKTIES. 

are  the  typical  fossils  of  the  coal  measures  in  the  county.  It  would  be 
tedious  and  uninteresting  for  many  of  your  readers  were  we  to  name  a 
tenth  part  of  these  interesting  relics  of  a  by-gone  period  of  our  earth's 
growth,  which  have  only  in  recent  years  possessed  anything  of  interest 
or  signiticance  to  human  understandings ;  but  we  will  say,  in  general 
terms,  that  in  addition  to  those  already  noted  above,  we  find  some 
species  of  the  nautilus,  the  goniatite,  the  straparolus,  murchisonia, 
pleurotomaria.  bellerophon,  productus.  and  several  varities  of  cren- 
oidise.  more  or  less  broken  and  fragmentary. 

Of  fossil  ferns,  some  of  them  very  well  preserved,  we  have  several 
species,  while  fragments  of  the  rhododenden  and  sigillaria.  with  the 
roots  of  the  latter  (stigmaria),  are  common  trophies  of  our  amateur 
collectors. 

That  inany  of  the  monster  mammals  of  the  quarternary  period 
once  had  a  home  in  our  neighborhood  and  roamed  over  the  then 
marshy  and  fern-clad  plains,  which  now  constitute  the  high  rolling 
prairie  and  grass-covered  valleys  of  Greene  township,  there  can  be  but 
small  doubt.  Their  bones,  which  were  buried  here  in  that  distant  age, 
are  now  and  then  recovered  from  their  unmarked  burial  grounds,  and 
stand  as  witnesses  of  their  former  occupancy  of  the  soil.  In  my  cabi- 
net are  a  part  of  a  tooth  of  the  mastodon,  and  a  large  and  well-pre- 
served tooth  of  the  elephas  primogeneous  (0  found  on  section  3  in  this 
township.  The  locality  where  found  bore  evidence  of  having  been  in 
former  times  a  marsh  or  swamp,  and  the  evidences  from  the  place  and 
its  surroundings  are  strongly  suggestive  that  the  monsters  whose  teeth 
now  grace  my  cabinet  died  where  the  teeth  were  found. 

EARLY   SETTLE:MENT. 

^  Tlie  first  actual  settler  in  what  is  now  known  as  T.  14,  R.  2,  west 
of  the  4th  P.M.,  was  David  Williams,  who  came  in  1836  and  entered 
a  claim  on  the  S.  W.  J  of  Sec.  14.  In  the  following  year  came  Xathan 
McChesney,  who  located  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  township,  and 
Thomas  Weir,  who  located  in  section  !♦.  In  the  spring  of  1839  John 
Collins,  formerly  a  resident  of  Columbiana  count v,  Ohio,  came  from 
the  eastern  part  of  the  county,  where  he  had  located  in  1837  near  the 
present  site  of  Joy.  !Mr.  Collins  located  on  the  W.  ^  of  ^.  E.  ^  of 
Sec.  15.  He  erected  a  log  cabin  about  twenty  rods  east  and  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  road  from  the  present  residence  of  his  son, 
William  P.  Tlie  last  vestige  of  this  rude  habitation  has  disappeared, 
and  immediately  over  the  spot  daily  passes  the  "iron  steed,  switler 
tlian  eagles  fly." 

In  the  same  year  came  John  Cowden,  who  located  on  the  N.  W.  ^ 


GREENE    TOW.NSIIII*.  657 

of  Sec.  IT  ;  William  Brownleo,  who  located  on  the  N.  E.  ^  of  Sec.  17; 
John  Linn,  who  located  on  S.  E.  J  of  Sec.  14;  and  Elijah  Stewart, 
who  bought  the  claim  of  David  Williams.  John  Caniahan,  Sr.,  for- 
merly of  Mercer  county,  Pennsylvania,  came  and  located  on  section  18. 
His  sons,  AVilliam  and  David,  and  his  son-in-law.  Frank  Anderson, 
took  claims  in  the  same  section. 

William  Pinkerton,  Sr.,  came  in  1S40,  and  also  settled  on  section  18. 
John  Walker  also  came  at  a  very  early  day.  The  Park  family  came 
in  1889.  George  McFerren,  Matthew  Doak,  and  Henry  Griffin  were 
also  among  the  early  settlers  of  the  townshij).  Charles  Durston  was 
the  first  white  child  born  in  the  township. 

Although  the  strong  armed  pioneer  experienced  many  hardships, 
privations  and  difficulties,  his  life  was  not  destitute  of  sunshine.  His 
rude  log  cabin,  with  its  inmates,  was  as  dear  to  him  as  though  it  had 
been  a  palace.  After  a  hard  day's  work  in  the  ''clearing,''  he  would 
retire  to  rest  with  his  loved  ones  about  him.  and  was  rewarded  for  his 
toil  by  a  night  of  sound  sleep 

"Unbroken  by  tbe  woli's  l(jng  howl, 
Or  the  panther  springing  by." 

Being  neighbors  and  companions  in  a  wilderness  cut  off  from  civil- 
ization, a  genial  spirit  of  friendship  generally  existed  among  the  set- 
tlers, and  a  neighbor  was  as  welcome  to  share  the  rude  comforts  of  the 
pioneer's  cabin  as  a  brother.  Xor  did  the  settlers  lack  for  amusement. 
"Corn  huskings,"  "spelling  schools,"  "taffy  pullings,"  and  "shooting 
matches,"  were  frequent,  young  and  old  pai'ticipating,  and  on  the 
"puncheon  floor"  the  young  men  and  blushing  maidens  trip|)ed  the 
"light  fantastic  toe"  as  merrily,  if  not  as  gracefully,  as  the  more 
accomplished  dancers  of  the  present  day.  AVhile  the  traditional 
"back  woods'  tiddler"  patted  the  fioor  with  his  number  ten  "cow- 
hides," and  made  the  log  cabin  ring  with  such  melodies  as  the  "tisher's 
horn-pipe,"  and  the  "devil's  dream." 

If  a  "new-comer"  desired  to  build  a  house,  he  had  the  services  of 
all  the  settlers  in  the  surrounding  neighborhood  at  his  disposal.  Car- 
pentering was  then  in  its  sim])licity,  a  broad-ax,  an  auger,  and  a 
cross-cut  saw  constituted  a  set  of  cai*penter"s  tools,  ami  out  of  a  }>ile  of 
logs  of  various  sizes  a  cabin  was  soon  constmcted,  the  cracks  "chunk 
and  dobbed,"  with  a  kind  of  mortar  made  of  clay  and  prairie  grass.  A 
chimney  and  fire-[>lace  made  of  the  same  material,  and  the  house  was 
ready  for  its  occupants. 

One  of  the  worst  enemies  the  settlers  had  to  c(mtend  with  was  the 
prairie  tire.      Hunters  would  frecpiently  set  tire  to  the  tall  grass,  which. 


658  HISTORY    OF    >rERCER    AXD    HENDERSON    (jOUNTIES. 

in  the  fall,  would  readily  ignite ;  the  prairie  would  soon  be  a  sea  of 
Hame,  and  woe  unto  the  unlucky  farmer  who  had  not  taken  the  proper 
precautions  to  protect  his  property.  These  ftres  were  sometimes 
arrested  in  their  flight  by  the  settlers,  who  would  turn  out  and  ''flght 
them. "  Mr.  AV.  P.  Collins  states  that  be,  in  company  with  his  father, 
brother,  and  several  neighbors  once  fought  a  fire  from  Saturday  until 
Sunday  night,  without  food,  water  or  sleej).  The  manner  in  which 
this  was  done  was  to  plow  a  furrow  in  front  of  the  fire,  and  then  burn 
the  grass  between,  being  careful  in  the  beginning  to  prevent  the  grass 
on  the  opposite  side  from  igniting. 

The  people  also  experienced  great  difficulty  in  getting  breadstufi". 
Mills  being  scarce,  they  were  frequently,  in  case  of  bad  weather,  com- 
pelled to  manufacture  their  own  meal,  which  was  done  by  grating  the 
corn  while  on  the  ear.     Corn  bread  and  pork  constituted  the  bill  of 
fare. 

William  Terry  was  also  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  in  Greene  town- 
ship, having  came  in  1836,  from  New  York  state.  lie  entered  in  all 
about  440  acres  of  land,  160  of  which  was  entered  in  his  son's  name. 
Mr.  Terry  is  now  nearly  eighty-four,  and  is  apparently  as  rugged  as 
when  the  writer  first  saw  him  a  score  of  years  ago.  His  mind  is  as 
clear  and  his  memory  as  retentive  as  in  his  boyhood.  He  is  familiarly 
spoken  of  as  "Uncle  Billy.'"'  During  an  interview  with  this  venerable 
gentleman,  the  writer  listened  to  many  amusing  incidents  illustrative 
of  pioneer  life.  When  Mr.  Terry  came  to  Mercer  county,  there  was 
but  one  other  settler  in  Ureene  township.  Game  of  all  kinds  abounded 
He  states  that  he  has  seen  as  many  as  fifty  deer  in  a  drove,  browsing 
on  Pope  creek  bottom.  Lynx  and  wolves  were  also  very  plentiftil. 
One  evening,  while  driving  his  cows  down  to  the  creek  bottom,  he 
heard  a  rustling  in  the  .bushes  near  at  hand,  and  on  walking  up  nearer 
to  ascertain  the  cause,  a  huge  black  wolf  sprang  at  him,  with  glaring 
eyes  and  open  jaws.  Uncle  Billy  sprang  across  a  little  stream  that  ran 
near  by,  and  started  homeward  at  a  rate  which  he  thinks  was  the  fast- 
est on  record  at  that  time.  He  ari'ived  safely  at  home,  minus  his  hat. 
On  the  following  morning  he  went  back  to  the  scene  of  the  fright  and 
found  from  its  tracks,  that  the  wolf  had  pursued  him  as  far  as  the  water 
and  stopped.  He  was  returning  home  one  evening  from  Bridger's 
corners,  where  he  had  been  transacting  some  business  which  had  not 
gone  to  suit  him.  This  rendered  his  feelings  very  unamiable,  and  as 
he  was  passing  through  Pope  creek  timber,  his  mind  was  very  sud- 
denly diverted  from  his  financial  aftairs  by  the  appearance  of  a  large 
gray  wolf,  immediately  in  front  of  him  and  i-ight  in  his  i)ath.  He 
stopped  for  a  moment,  and  the  wolf  raised  himself  on  his  haunches, 


GKEKNE   'rOWXSHII'.  659 

and  sat  glaring  at  him  in  a  very  threatening  manner.  But  Uncle 
Billy's  eombativeness  would  not  allow  him  to  Hee,  nor  to  turn  from 
the  path.  He  seized  a  club,  started  toward  the  animal,  and  it  politely 
stepped  aside,  allowing  him  to  pass,  but  he  states  that  he  kept  one  eye 
on  his  wolfshi])  until  he  disappeared  in  the  distance.  Mr.  Terry  states 
that  the  settlers  in  that  })art  of  the  county  did  their  trading  at  Hender- 
sonville,  Knox  county,  where  they  paid  as  iiigh  as  twenty  dollars  per 
barrel  for  Hour,  and  other  commodities  in  proportion.  His  family 
once  subsisted  for  several  weeks  on  bread  made  from  wheat  ground  in 
a  coffee  mill.  The  first  religious  services  Mr.  Terry  attended  in 
Illinois  were  held  in  the  cabin  of  Mr.  James  Mann,  in  North  Hender- 
son township.     People  then  drove  to  church  with  ox  teams. 

Hopkins  Boone,  now  a  resident  of  Viola,  was  the  second  settler  in 
Preemption  township,  having  located  on  Edwards  river  in  the  fall  of 
1835.  Mr.  Boone  first  made  a  trip  to  Illinois  in  1830  and  had  decided 
to  make  his  home  in  the  southern  part  of  the  state.  But  on  returning 
after  the  close  of  the  Black  Hawk  war  he  found  that  locality  tf)0  thickly 
settled  to  suit  his  ideas  of  a  new  country,  and  he  accordingly  came 
farther  north.  .Vt  that  time  and  for  several  years  subsequent  the 
county  was  divided  into  three  voting  precincts,  his  being  called  the 
Pichland  Grove  precinct.  The  polling  place  was  then  at  the  residence 
of  a  Mr.  Parker  in  what  is  now  Richland  Gi'ove  township.  On  election 
day  in  1836  Mr.  Boone,  in  company  with  a  neighbor,  walked  to  Mr. 
Parker's  to  cast  their  votes.  On  their  arrival  they  fV)und  fifteen  or 
twenty  settlers  from  other  parts  of  the  precinct  who  had  congregated 
there  for  the  same  purpose.  They  had  no  printed  tickets,  and  as  not  a 
soul  of  them  knew  the  names  of  the  electors,  it  was  impossible  for 
them  to  vote,  and  after  laughing  and  joking  considerably  over  their 
predicament  they  returned  to  their  respective  homes. 

Mr.  Boone  states  that  at  that  time  there  was  no  road  leading  north 
and  south  except  an  Indian  trail,  which  could  be  traveled  only  oji 
horseback,  and  which  lay  between  Monmouth  and  Rock  Island.  He 
states  that  there  had  been  a  state  road  laid  out  from  Beardstown  to 
Rock  Island,  but  as  there  had  been  no  work  done  on  it  through  Mer- 
cer county  it  could  not  be  traveled  by  wagon. 

Until  after  they  had  raised  a  crop  the  settlers  were  obliged  to  get 
their  provisions  from  Knox  and  AVarren  counties.  In  order  to  reach 
Monmouth  by  wagon  they  were  obliged  to  go  west  to  the  Mississippi 
and  there  take  a  road  running  from  New  Boston  to  that  place,  which 
made  a  roundabout  journey. 

For  several  years  after  locating  at  Farlow's  Grove  their  nearest  mill 
was  one  situated  on  the  Cedar  fork  of  Henderson  creek  in  Warren 


660  HISTORY    OF   IVIEKCER   AJTD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

county.  As  tliere  was  but  little  wheat  raised  the  settlers  were  obliged 
to  subsist  principally  on  corn  bread,  and  occasionally  on  ''•  hog  and 
hominy."  As  game  was  plentiful  a  piece  of  venison  or  a  wild  turkey 
frequently  broke  the  monotony.  Mr.  Boone  states  that  a  drove  of  wild 
hogs  was  seen  along  the  river  in  1836  and  some  of  them  were  shot  by 
the  settlers. 

Mr.  Boone  erected  the  first  saw-mill  built  on  Edwards  river  and 
did  work  for  settlers  for  many  miles  around: 

He  is  one  of  the  four  remaining  pioneei-s  of  Mercer  county.  He  is 
a  distant  relative  of  the  famous  Daniel  Boone,  and  like  him,  in  his 
younger  days,  excessively  fond  of  life  in  a  wild  country.  He  says  the 
happiest  days  of  his  life  were  spent  in  a  log  cabin.  In  early  times  he 
could  stand  in  the  door  of  his  rude  habitation  and  look  far  up  and 
down  the  river  and  across  the  country  for  miles,  seeing  nothing  but 
prairie,  mth  here  and  there  a  belt  of  timber ;  hills  adorned  with 
flowers  of  every  hue,  between  which  glided  the  silvery  waters  of  the 
i-iver,  and  here  and  there  herds  of  deer  feeding  on  the  plain. 

But  what  a  change  time  has  wrought.  Civilization  in  its  onward 
march  has  blotted  out  all  traces  of  the  cabin,  and  where  the  bounding 
deer  dwelt  and  the  wild  flowers  bloomed,  are  school-houses,  dwellings 
and  fields  of  gi-ain. 

The  canoe  of  the  swarthy  savage  is  seen  no  more  darting  up  and 
down  the  stream,  while  in  the  distance  can  be  heard  the  shriek  of  the 
locomotive  and  the  clanging  of  the  church  bells. 

He  like  many  others  has  stepped  out  of  the  busy  whirlpool  of  life, 
aud  is  living  in  quiet  retirement.  He  has  the  satisfaction  of  knowing 
that  he  assisted  in  paving  the  way  for  civilization  and  for  progress,  and 
in  his  later  years  his  memory  loves  to  dwell  on  the  past,  which  for  him 
has  been  marked  by  many  hardships  and  dangers,  yet  has  not  been 
without  its  pleasures 

ORGANIZATION. 

Greene  township  assumed  organization  in  1854.  The  name  of 
Greene  was  suggested  by  John  Collins,  with  whom  General  Greene  of 
revolutionary  fame  was  a  great  favorite.  The  first  town  meeting  was 
held  in  a  school-house  that  stood  on  a  hill  in  what  is  now  the  eastern 
part  of  the  village  of  Viola.  John  Collins  was  chosen  chairman  Ijy 
acclamation,  after  which  Uri  Smith  was  chosen  moderator,  and  Henry 
Hoagland,  clerk  pro  tern.  The  polls  being  opened  the  following 
ofiicers  were  chosen  by  ballott :  Elisha  Miles,  supervisor ;  Henry  Hoag- 
land, town  clerk  ;  William  P.  Collins,  assessor  ;  Alexander  McGauhey, 
collector  ;  John  Frazier,  overseer  of  the  poor  ;  Samual  E.  Russell,  John 


GKEENE   TOWNSHIP.  661 

H.  Park  and  David  Somerville,  Jr.,  commissioners  of  highways; 
John  Griffin  and  Henry  Iloaghxnd,  justices  of  the  peace  ;  William  T. 
McGauhey  and  W.  P.  Collins,  constables  ;  Jeremiah  Boyer,  and  David 
Somerville,  Jr.,  pound  masters  ;  Alexander  M.  Stewart,  Van  R.  Har- 
riott, and  C.  Doty,  overseers  of  highways. 

VIOLA. 

The  village  of  Viola  was  laid  out  by  Ford,  Shepard  and  Perkins  in 
1856.  As  that  time  the  old  Air  Line  railroad  was  being  surveyed 
through  the  country,  and  Viola  was  one  of  the  points  selected  for  a 
station.  The  name  was  conferred  upon  the  infant  village  by  Judge 
Perkins,  and  is  said  to  have  been  suggested  to  him  by  one  of  his  daugh- 
ters. In  1856-7  the  judge  erected  the  large  brick  hotel,  supposing  that  a 
prosperous  town  would  soon  surround  it.  But  owing  to  the  collapse  of 
the  railroad  scheme  the  great  building  stood  almost  alone  in  its  glory 
for  several  years  aftei',  and  proved  to  have  been  a  very  unprotitabte 
investment  to  the  builder. 

The  first  business  house  erected  after  the  laying  out  of  the  village 
was  that  of  Dyer  Ford,  father  of  M.  M.  Ford,  one  of  the  proprietors 
of  the  town.  Soon  after,  the  Crosby  brothers  erected  a  building  and 
opened  up  a  stock  of  general  merchandise.  The  tirst  drug  store  was 
opened  by  Mr.  Balkam.  The  postoffice  was  established  in  the  village 
in  1856  at  the  residence  of  Samuel  Perry,  Mr.  Perry  officiating  as 
postmaster  for  a  short  time,  resigned,  and  was  succeeded  by  Dyer 
Ford.  The  names  of  the  successive  postmasters  down  to  the  present 
time  in  the  order  of  their  appointment  are  as  follows  :  B.  F.  Warner, 
resigned,  E.  S.  Fugate,  resigned,  X.  H.  Pond,  resigned,  E.  T.  Crosby, 
resigned,  E.  L.  McKinnie,  removed,  and  V.  R.  Harriott.  The  latter 
named  gentleman  was  appointed  in  1880,  and  has  discharged  his 
duties  faithfully  and  satisfactorily. 

For  a  period  of  nearly  twelve  years  after  the  laying  out  of  the 
village,  but  little  growth  or  progress  was  made,  but  after  the  comple- 
tion of  the  branch  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  railroad  in 
1869,  it  began  to  show  some  signs  of  life,  and  entered  upon  an  era  of 
prosperity  and  growth  which  surprised  the  most  sanguine.  In  1869 
Park  &  McKinnie  erected  a  handsome  drug  store.  In  1870  Crosby  & 
Phares  erected  a  building  in  the  same  block.  In  1871  H.  B.  Frazier 
built  a  handsome  two-story  store  building  22x60  feet,  and  has  since 
added  twenty  feet  in  length.  In  the  winter  of  1869-70  John  G. 
Gilbert  erected  a  store  buildinii;  and  masonic  hall  on  the  corner  of 
Shepard  and  Eighth  streets.  Since  that  time  he  has  added  two  other 
handsome  store-rooms,  nuiking  the  entire  building  6*^X64  feet.     The 


662  HISTORY    OF    ISIERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

first  stock  of  hardware  was  put  in  by  Y.  R.  Harriott,  in  the  old  hotel 
building.  In  1869  an  elevator  was  built  bj  Mack,  Reynolds  tfe  Co.,  of 
Galesburg,  which  was  operated  by  the  Manning  brothers.  In  1880 
E.  J.  Morgan  also  erected  a  large  grain  elevator  west  of  the  former 
one,  which  is  now  owned  by  Pinkterton  Brothers.  The  capacity  of 
this  building  is  20,000  bushels. 

During  the  winter  of  1880-81,  400,000  bushels  of  corn  were 
shipped  from  Yiola,  which  we  presume  was  not  exceeded  at  any  point 
in  the  county.  The  village  was  incorporated  Marcli  19,  1870,  Dr.  J. 
Y.  Frazier,  E.  J.  Morgan,  Henry  Allen,  P.  L.  McKinnie,  and  W.  K. 
Garwood  being  the  first  trustees.  During  the  twelve  years  of  her  in- 
coi-porated  existence  Yiola  has  had  a  licensed  saloon  within  its  limits 
but  two  years.  During  that  time  king  alcohol  held  undisjjuted  sway, 
and  with  his  polluting  breath  sent  misery  and  wretchedness,  want  and 
despair  into  many  households.  With  his  subtle  power  he  tore  the 
dimpled  arms  of  the  laughing  child  from  about  its  father's  neck,  and 
changed  him  from  a  loving  father  to  a  demon.  Thanks  to  the  unceas- 
ing labors  of  the  temperance  people,  he  was  checked  in  his  devilish 
career.  They  declared,  through  the  ballot,  that  the  saloonkeeper  must 
go,  and  he  has  gone,  let  us  hope,  forever. 

NIGGER  RIDGE. 

For  several  years  previous  to  and  during  the  war,  the  people  in  the 
western  part  of  the  township  are  said  to  have  been  large  stockholders 
in  the  underground  railway.  A  depot  or  station  was  established  in 
the  neighborhood,  and  many  a  dusky  slave,  fleeing  from  the  cruelty  of 
the  master's  lash,  was  by  those  kind-hearted  people  assisted  on  his 
way  toward  the  star  in  the  north,  and  owing  to  such  humane  acts,  to- 
gether with  the  fact  that  the  people  in  the  vicinity  were  almost  unani- 
mous in  the  most  radical  abolition  principles,  the  neighborhood  won 
the  name  of  Nigger  Ridge.  Rather  an  uncouth  nickname  it  is,  yet 
one  of  which  they  may  justly  be  proud.  With  it  are  mingled  the 
recollections  of  the  child  being  torn  from  the  arms  of  its  dark-skinned 
mother  and  sold  at  the  auction  block,  of  the  cruel  lash,  of  the  savage 
bloodhound,  of  the  four  long  years  of  war  that  struck  the  shackles 
from  the  arms  of  millions  of  slaves. 

FIRES. 

In  June,  1865,  the  residence  of  Dr.  J.  Y.  Frazier  took  fire  from  a 
defective  flue,  and  was  burned  to  the  ground  ;  loss,  $1,500. 

In  1866  the  drug  store  of  E.  S.  Fugate  took  fire,  burning  the  north- 
west corner  of  tl;e  building,   and  destroying  his  books  and  papers  ; 


,.-ar- 


JOHN     LAFFERTY 


(JREKNK    TOWNSnU'.  665 

loss,  about  $80U.     Owing  to  the  timely  assistance  of  the  citizens,  the 
building  was  saved  from  entire  destruction. 

In  1878  the  residence  of  B.  N.  Peck  took  lire,  and,  with  almost  its 
entire  contents,  totally  destroyed.  The  dwelling  was  insured,  and 
Mr.  Peck  received  the  entire  amount. 

EPISODES. 

In  February,  1881,  the  postoffice  was  entered,  and  stamps  and  reg- 
istered letters,  amounting  to  $100,  taken.  The  perpetrator  was  never 
captured. 

July  3,  1875,  a  large  crowd  assembled  at  Viola  for  the  puqDOse  of 
celebrating  the  Fourth,  that  day  coming  on  Sunday.  During  the  after- 
noon a  crowd  of  miners  got  into  a  melee  with  the  police,  and  a  general 
row  ensued,  in  which  some  bravery  and  a  great  deal  of  cowardice  was 
manifested.  Titus  Snj^der,  Samuel  Park,  and  one  or  two  others  having 
been  authorized  to  act  as  policemen,  contended  for  a  time  with  a  howl- 
ing mob  of  infuriated  drunkards,  and,  although  severely  handled,  they 
succeeded  in  leveling  half  a  dozen  of  the  ruffians  to  the  earth,  after 
which  quiet  was  restored. 

In  the  fall  of  1876  George  Parrot,  a  traveling  salesman  stopping  at 
the  village  hotel,  committed  suicide  by  taking  morphine. 

On  the  night  of  November  17,  1878,  a  burglar  named  Loth  ringer 
tried  to  elfect  an  entrance  into  the  dry  goods  store  of  H.  B.  Frazier  & 
Co.  George  Goding,  a  brother  of  one  of  the  firm,  was  sleeping  in 
the  store  at  the  time,  and  was  suddenly  awakened  by  the  cracking  of 
glass  in  the  rear  end  of  the  building.  He  seized  his  revolver  and 
crept  quietly  back  until  he  felt  the  cold  air  coming  through  the  hole  that 
had  been  made  in  the  glass  in  the  panel  door.  The  head  and  shoulders 
of  the  burglar  soon  appeared,  and  he  was  in  the  act  of  crawling  in, 
when  Goding  fired,  the  ball  taking  eftect  in  his  breast.  He  turned 
and  ran.  across  the  street,  where  he  fell  and  was  captured.  He  was 
afterward  sent  to  the  state  prison. 

ORGANIZATIONS. 

77ie  United  Predjyterian  Church — Was  organized  in  1855  by  the 
Rev.  Matthew^  Bigger,  and  was  at  that  time  known  as  the  Twin  Grove 
congregation.  The  names  of  the  first  trustees  elected  are  as  follows : 
John  Mitchell,  chairman ;  W.  P.  Collins,  sec:retary ;  trustees,  S.  E. 
Kussell,  J.  B.  Mitchell,  and  W.  P.  Collins.  The  membership  then 
numbered  twenty-eight,  and  was  organized  under  the  care  of  the 
Associate  Reform  Presbyter}^  at  Monmouth.  John  Collins,  John 
Mitchell,  Sr.,  and  Samuel  Ross  were  members  of  the  session.  The 
:)8 


666  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AKT>    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

first  regular  pastor  was  the  Rev,  D.  C.  Cochran,  who  was  installed  in 
the  spring  of  1857.  There  has  been  since  the  organization  of  the 
society  about  325  members  united  with  them.  The  present  member- 
ship is  110.  The  largest  number  of  members  attending  services  at 
any  one  time  was  130.  The  present  pastor  is  the  Rev.  W.  S.  McClan- 
nahan.  The  present  session  is  composed  of  the  following-named 
members :  Richard  Gardner,  J.  C.  Pinkerton,  Leonard  Hogg.  Richard 
Aitkin,  James  Stewart,  and  S.  E.  Russell.  The  present  trustees  are : 
W.  C.  Breckenridge,  John  Ashenhurst  and  S.  E.  Russell.  The  Sabbath 
school  in  connection  is  in  a  very  flourishing  condition  and  numbers 
about  100  members.  This  congregation  is  one  of  the  largest  and  most 
prosperous  in  the  county.  The  church  building  was  erected  in  1857; 
in  1876  additional  improvements  were  made.  The  entire  cost  of  the 
building  was  about  $4,500. 

Methodist  J^jyiscojxil. — This  society  was  organized  in  1867.  The 
iirst  trustees  being  Delos  Crosby,  Jonah  Flora,  James  M.  Walker, 
E.  J.  Morgan,  Elias  Beachlor,  George  Griffin,  and  O.  R.  Morey.  The 
church  building  was  completed  in  1870.  The  first  pastor  was  the  Rev. 
Theodore  Hoagland.  Owing  to  very  imperfect  records  the  data  in 
regard  to  this  organization  are  very  meagre.  The  society  was  first 
organized  by  the  Rev.  J.  Fleharty,  who  held  meetings  in  the  old  brick 
school-house,  and  through  whose  earnest  efibrts  many  converts  were 
brought  into  communion  with  Christ. 

Congregational  ChwcJi. — This  society  was  organized  in  1857,  by 
the  Rev.  C.  H.  Eaton,  who  acted  as  the  first  regular  pastor.  The 
church  building  was  erected  the  same  year.  The  first  trustees  were : 
B.  C.  Perkins,  Joseph  Schofield,  George  Bolton,  Thomas  Merriman, 
John  A.  Hoft'man.  This  organization  was  in  a  very  flourishing  condi- 
tion until  about  1865-6,  but  having  been  originally  composed  of  mem- 
bers who  had  previously  belonged  to  other  denominations,  it  began  to 
decrease  in  number  and  soon  became  practically  extinct. 

Preshyterian.-=-Th\B,  society  was  organized  April  22,  1872,  in  the 
old  Congregational  church  building,  and  was  made  up  principally  of 
persons  who  had  formerly  been  members  of  the  Edwards  river  congre- 
gation, and  the  old  Congregationalist  church  at  Yiola.  The  first  pastor 
was  the  Rev.  E.  Robb,  licentiate  of  Auburn,  New  York,  seminary. 
The  first  elders  were  Russell  Park  and  Hopkins  Boom.  In  1878  the 
society  erected  a  church  building  at  a  cost  of  about  $2,700.  This 
building  is  pleasantly  located,  surrounded  by  a  natural  grove,  and  is 
an  ornament  to  the  village.  The  interior  of  the  building  is  handsomely 
finished,  and  furnished  to  correspond.  The  congregation  is  in  a  pros- 
perous condition,  and  is  at  present  under  the  supervision  of  the  Rev. 
R.  H.  Fulton. 


GREENE   TOWNSHIP.  M 


>«»< 


Bethel  Church. — About  four  miles  west  of  Viola  a  society  was 
organized  in  1854,  and  was  called  the  Bethel  Free  Presbyterian  Cliurch. 
At  the  time  of  organization  the  membership  numbered  twenty.  .1.  R. 
Whittim  was  the  first  pastor,  and  the  tirst  trustees  were  James  McClure, 
William  M.  (/arnahan,  and  John  Carnuhan,  The  church  was  known 
by  the  above  name  until  1866,  when  slavery  had  ceased  to  Vje  an  issue 
and  the  name  was  changed  to  Wesleyan  Methodist,  and  since  has  gone 
by  that  name. 

Lodge  No.  577.,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.,  was  organized  July  16,  1867, 
with  the  following  officers  :  Master,  J.  B.  Longley  ;  Senior  "Warden, 
B.  F.  Morey  ;  Junior  Warden,  S.  B.  Atwater ;  Treasurer,  Russel 
Park  ;  Secretary,  V.  R.  Harriott  ;  Senior  Deacon,  Warren  L.  Smith  ; 
Junior  Deacon,  Robert  Park  ;  Tyler,  M.  K.  Flory.  F(jllowing  are  the 
names  of  the  charter  members  :  Allen  Robinson,  W.  L.  Smitli,  ]\[.  K. 
Flory,  Edward  Lynes,  John  J^)axter,  Levi  McLaughlin,  Russell  Park, 
B.  F.  Morey,  J,  M.  Erne,  Robert  Park,V.  R.  Harriott,  S.  B.  Atwater, 
S.  R.  Moore,  W.  D.  Morford,  J.  B.  Longley,  Allen  McLaughlin,  Rich- 
ard Cooper.  The  Lodge  was  conducted  under  dispensation  until  1868, 
when  they  received  their  charter.  The  names  of  the  present  officers  are 
as  follows  :  Worshipful  Master,  H.  B.  Frazier  ;  Senior  Warden,  P.  F. 
Mauk  ;  Junior  Warden,  B.  C.  Bowers ;  Treasurer,  Russell  Park  ; 
Secretary,  V.  R.  Harriott ;  Senior  Deacon,  W.  L.  Smith  ;  Junior 
Deacon,  J.  E.  Greenwood  ;  Stewards,  Reuben  Perry,  M.  K.  Flory  ; 
Tyler,  J.  B.   Smith.     The  present  membership  of  the  lodge  number 

forty-three. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  first  school  in  the  towmship  was  taught  by  Elizabeth  Collins,  in 
the  rear  part  of  her  father's  (John  Collins),  residence,  in  1840,  which, 
during  its  existence,  was  kept  up  by  subscription.  The  first  public 
school  building  in  the  townshij)  was  erected  in  1842,  and  stood  on  a 
hill  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  village  of  Yiola,  north  of  the  ])resent  site 
of  the  steam  mill,  and  was  used  until  1856,  when  a  two  story  brick  build- 
ing was  erected,  about  forty  rods  southwest  of  it,  which  was  occupied 
until  1871,  when  the  large  increase  in  attendance  made  it  necessary  to 
erect  a  new  and  larger  building.  Accordingly,  the  people  of  the  dis- 
trict held  a  meeting,  for  the  purpose  of  ascei'taining  the  sentiment  in 
regard  to  it,  and  it  was  decided  to  jvroceed  at  once  with  the  work. 
Dr.  J.  V.  Trazier  drew  up  and  submitted  to  the  meeting  a  plan  for  the 
proposed  building,  which  was  ado})ted,  and  Delos  Crosby  employed  to 
superintend  the  construction  of  the  same.  The  grounds  selected  upon 
which  to  erect  the  building  are  in  block  114,  where  two  lots  were  pur- 
chased, at  a  cost  of  about  $500.     The  building,  one  of  the  best  in  the 


i^6S  HISTORY    OF    ^IKRCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES, 

« 

county,  WHS  completed  in  IS 71,  and  school  opened  in  the  fall  of  that 
year,  Miss  Sarah  Hayes  being  the  first  principal.  For  reasons  which 
might  be  mysterious  to  some  and  transparent  to  others,  the  accounts  of 
the  expenditures  on  the  building  were  very  imperfectly  kept ;  in  fact 
they  were  not  kept  at  all,  and  the  people  of  the  district  are  to-day 
ignorant  of  the  cost  of  their  school  edifice.  An  investigating  commit- 
tee was  once  appointed  to  look  into  the  matter,  but  their  labors  were 
rewarded  by  the  same  success  that  usually  attends  such  eft'orts.  They 
were  obliged  to  guess  at  both  the  cost  of  the  building,  and  the  disposal 
that  was  made  of  the  public  funds.  We  will  state  that  their  opinion 
in  regard  to  the  former,  but  will  withhold  it  in  reference  to  the  latter. 
According  to  their  estimate,  the  building,  including  grounds,  cost 
about  $7,000.  The  building  is  two  stories  in  height,  the  main  build- 
ing, .")4x32  teet  in  size,  and  the  wing  17x20.  It  is  divided  into  four 
departments,  which  are  designated  in  alphabetical  order,  beginning  at 
A.  Mr.  S.  P.  Wiley,  of  Aledo,  is  the  present  })rincipal,  and  is  con- 
vducting  the  school  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  the  j)eople  of  the  district. 

THE  CEMETERY. 

The  cemetery  is  located  about  a  half  a  mile  north  and  west  of  the 
village.  The  around  was  donated  to  the  United  Presbvterian  church 
by  -lohn  Collins.  The  first  burial  that  took  place  here  was  the  remains 
of  John  Kennedy.  It  is  now  used  as  a  public  cemetery  and  has 
recently  been  enlarged. 

It  is  admirably  located  on  gently  rolling  ground,  and  is  surrounded 
by  a  grove  of  forest  trees.  In  visiting  this  burial  place  one  is  struck 
by  the  surrounding  beauty,  by  the  hallowed  stillness,  broken  only  by 
the  twittering  of  wild  birds,  and  cannot  but  realize  how  well  the  loca- 
tion was  chosen.     John  Collins,  the  donor,  is  buried  here. 

The  cemetery  in  connection  with  Bethel  church  was  established  in 
185(5  on  land  donated  by  William  and  Porter  Carnahan.  It  is  k)cated 
in  section  18,  and  is  used  is  a  public  burial  place. 

THE  VIOLA  VINEYARD. 

Prominent  among  the  places  of  interest  in  Mercer  county  is  the 
vineyard  owned  by  J.  M.  Erne,  contiguous  to  the  village  of  Viola.  In 
1875  Mr.  Erne  purchased  twenty-two  acres  of  timber  land,  joining  the 
village  on  the  north  and  east,  and  by  ceaseless  labor  and  excellent  man- 
agement he  has  removed  the  timber  and  is  now  the  proprietor  of  the 
largest  vineyard  in  the  county.  Pie  carries  on  the  business  in  a  scien- 
tific and  skillful  manner.  The  hillsides  facing  the  southeast  are  orna- 
mented by  rows  of  vines,  numbering  in  all  about  (>,000,  and  consisting 


GRKKXE    TOWNSHIl'.  (iCl* 

of  about  thiitv  varieties  of  grapes.      In  1880  these  vines  produced  about 
lift  J  tons  of  fruit. 

In  addition  to  these  lie  has  about  r)00  apple  trees,  among  which 
about  twenty  varieties  of  apples  are  represented.  He  also  has  about 
fifteen  different  varieties  of  strawberries,  six  of  raspberries  and  three  of 
cherries.  He  is  experimenting  with  German  prunes  and  several  other 
kinds  of  fruit  which  have  heretofore  been  unknown  in  the  American 
vineyards. 

Among  the  novelties  to  be  found  in  his  vineyard  is  the  ''  Viola 
Crab,"  which  is  indebted  to  Mr.  Erne  for  its  name,  and  which  is  des- 
tined to  figure  prominently  among  the  tine  fruits  of  the  country.  The 
tree  from  which  the  grafts  were  taken  was  discovered  by  ]\Ir.  Erne  in 
the  timber  south  of  Viola,  and  seemed  to  be  a  cross  between  the  tame 
apple  and  wild  crab  apple.  The  fruit  resembles  the  Roman  stem  in 
shape  and  color,  and  Mr.  Erne  thinks  it  superior  to  any  fruit  of  the 
crab  genus  in  existence.  This  fruit  is  supposed  to  be  transcendent. 
Mr.  Erne  is  carefully  cultivating  this  novelty  and  thinks  his  labor  will 
be  rewarded  by  his  being  known  as  the  disco verei*  of  a  fine  species  of 
fruit. 

He  is  also  experimenting  with  seedling  grapes  and  the  result  of  his 
experiments  are  several  new  varieties  of  that  delicious  fruit,  upon 
which  he  has  not  yet  conferred  names.  He  has  developed  an  extra 
fine  white,  and  a  fine  copper  colored  fruit,  and  also  a  kind  that  grows 
in  very  compact- clusters.  He  has  also  developed  a  seedling  peach  that 
ripens  early  in  July,  called  the  Early  Mercer. 

Mr.  Erne  deserves  great  credit  for  his  perseverance  and  untiring- 
diligence  in  developing  this  fruit  enterprise.  He  also  manufactures 
large  quantities  of  wine  of  an  excellent  quality. 

GREEN  BOWER  NURSERY. 

This  enterprise,  managed  by  James  Ferry,  is  situated  about  fjur 
miles  southeast  of  Viola.  For  manv  vears  Mr.  Ferry  and  his  father 
have  devoted  a  great  deal  of  their  attention  to  fruit  growing,  and  in 
1889  James  opened  his  nursery.  It  is  handsomely  situated  and  the 
trees  and  shrubs  so  tastefully  arranged  as  to  present  a  pretty  view. 
The  land  on  which  it  is  located,  consisting  of  about  twenty-two  acres, 
is  rolling,  the  hills  sloping  to  the  south  and  east.  Mr.  Ferry  keeps  on 
hand  about  sixty  varieties  of  apple  trees,  and  a  dozen  of  rasi)berries  ; 
in  blackberries  he  makes  a  si)ecialtv  of  the  ''snvder"  and  "killina;'" 
in  grapes  of  the  '•'concord.'"'  Of  strawben-ies  he  keeps  about  ten 
varieties.  Aside  from  these  are  fouiul  all  kinds  of  ornamental  trees. 
The  nursery  is  well   protected  on   all   sides  by  a  natural  grove  of  («ik 


670  HISTORY    OF    MERCER    AKD    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

trees.  It  is  also  ■well  drained,  and  Matli  these  natural  advantages, 
together  with  the  enterprise  and  excellent  judgment  of  the  proprie- 
tor, we  see  no  reason  why  it  should  not  be  a  long-lived  success. 

THE  STEAM  MILL. 

Early  in  the  spring  of  1869,  an  elderly  gentleman,  of  suave  man- 
ner, appeared  on  the  streets  of  Yiola,  introducing  himself  to  some  of 
the  citizens  as  "William  Cannon.  His  business  in  the  village  was  to 
ascertain  the  feeling  of  the  people  in  regard  to  having  a  steam  mill 
added  to  their  list  of  enterprises.  After  finding  the  sentiment  favorable 
to  his  project,  he  very  modestly  stated  that  he  would  need  a  little 
pecuniary  aid  in  constructing  the  building,  and  proposed  that  in  case 
the  citizens  raised  him  $2,500,  to  proceed  at  once  with  the  work. 
Enough  kind-hearted  gentlemen  were  soon  found  to  make  up  the 
desired  amount,  and  as  security  they  were  given  a  lien  on  the  property. 
At  the  expiration  of  two  years,  the  time  when  the  money  was  to  have 
been  refunded,  the  double-barreled  firm  of  Cannon  &  Cannon  collapsed, 
and  the  wily  creditors  pounced  down  on  the  property.  After  gaining 
possession  of  the  same  they  were  informed  that  other  parties  held 
claims  on  the  mill  amounting  to  nearly  $5,000.  After  liquidating 
these  liens  the  property  was  sold  to  L.  S.  Hunter,  the  present  proprie- 
tor, for  $1,800.  Just  how  much  these  philanthropic  gentlemen  realized 
from  the  speculation,  except  that  the}^  had  been  swindled,  is  not 
known. 

WAR  RECORD. 

In  sending  out  troops  to  aid  in  the  suppression  of  the  rebellion, 
(Treene  was  not  behind  her  sister  townships.  She  furnished  troo]:)s  for 
the  8th  Kansas,  ITth  Illinois,  30th  Illinois,  45th  Illinois,  65th  Illinois, 
83d  Illinois,  8Ith  Illinois,  2Tth  Illinois,  102d  Illinois,  ISith  Illinois, 
140th  Illinois  and  53d  Illinois,  and  12th  111.  Cavalry.  Upon  the  alter 
of  her  country  she  laid  her  sacrifice.  Some  of  her  brave  sons  who  had 
gone  out  full  of  life  and  health,  had  returned,  sick  and  emaciated  from 
the  effects  of  hardships  and  exposure,  to  their  old  homes  to  die  with 
their  loved  ones  about  them,  while  the  graves  of  others  are  scattered 
over  the  soil  of  Tennessee,  of  the  Carolinas,  of  Georgia,  on  the  banks  of 
the  Mississippi,  and  on  the  shore  of  the  moaning  sea.  The  tales  of 
their  deeds  of  heroism  have  been  "enshrined  in  song  f'  a  stately  shaft 
of  marble  has  been  erected  to  their  memory,  and  tlieii-  e]>ita])hs  are 
written  on  the  hearts  of  the  American  people. 


GKKEXE    TOWNSHIP.  671 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Among  the  many  prominent  men  of  wliicli  Mercer  county  can 
boast,  none  are  more  deserving  of  the  respect  of  her  citizens  than  Dr. 
Jesse  V.  Frazier.  Dr.  Frazier  is  a  son  of  John  and  Nancy  (Veach) 
Frazier,  and  was  born  in  Hubbard,  Trumbull  county,  Ohio,  February 
15,  1824.  Jesse  remained  on  the  farm  with  his  father  until  eighteen 
years  of  age,  when  he  went  to  Youngstown,  Ohio,  and  began  a  course 
of  study  in  the  academy,  and  with  the  exception  of  two  winters,  during 
which  he  taught  school,  continued  his  studies  three  years.  In  the 
spring  of  1845  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  in  the  office  of  Dr. 
B.  F.  Richardson,  who  has  since  been  made  a  professor  in  one  of  the 
medical  colleges  in  Cincinnati.  He  studied  in  the  office  of  that  gen- 
tleman until  the  s})ring  of  1847.  when  he  and  his  father  started  for 
Illinois.  Taking  passage  on  a  boat  at  Pittsburgh  they  went  down  the 
Ohio  to  Cairo,  thence  up  the  Mississippi  as  far  as  Keokuk,  where  they 
found  the  river  clogged  with  ice  to  such  an  extent  as  to  stop  further 
progress  of  the  boat.  Walking  across  on  the  ice  to  the  Iowa  side,  they 
walked  to  Burlington,  where  they  hired  a  man  to  row  them  across  the 
channel  to  where  the  ice  was  sufficiently  solid  to  permit  them  to  walk 
ashore.  This,  although  a  very  perilous  operation,  was  accomplished 
without  accident.  Having  made  their  way  to  the  Illinois  side,  they 
started  toward  their  destination  on  foot,  and  arrived  at  Yiola  on  the 
second  of  March.  They  bought  a  farm  one  and  a  half  miles  from  that 
village,  and  while  the  father  returned  to  Ohio  for  the  family,  Jesse 
attended  to  putting  in  their  crops.  Shortly  after  the  arrival  of  the 
family  he  went  to  Rock  Island  and  resumed  his  medical  studies  in  the 
office  of  Dr.  AVinslow  S.  Peirce,  now  of  Indianapolis.  In  the  fall  of 
1847  he  attended  lectures  at  McDowel's  medical  college  in  St.  Louis. 
In  the  latter  part  of  1848  he  began  practising  in  ^lillersburg,  and  in 
February,  1849,  received  a  diploma  from  the  Rock  Island  medical  col- 
lege. During  his  studies  in  these  two  cities  he  distinguished  himself 
as  a  student  of  more  than  ordinary  talent,  and  in  his  final  examination 
acquitted  himself  with  the  highest  honors,  and  received  the  most  Mat- 
tering encomiums  from  his  fellow  students  and  professors.  In  Septem- 
ber he  was  stricken  with  a  fever  which  detied  the  contents  of  an 
apothecary  store  as  well  as  the  skill  of  any  human  physician,  and  for 
which  there  was  no  antidote  nearer  than  the  (jold  mineHof  California. 
He  accordingly  prescribed  for  himself  a  trip  to  that  country.  In  com- 
pany with  his  friend  Dr.  Peirce  he  took  a  boat  to  New  Orleans,  and 
there  took  passage  in  a  steamer  bound  for  Panama.  Shortly  after 
landing  in  Gorgonia,  he  in  company  with  several  others  stepped  into  a 
restaurant  for  dinner.      Having  partaken  of  the  bountiful  repast,  he 


f>72  HISTORY    OF   MERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

])ut  his  hand  in  his  pocket  and  made  the  startling  discovery  that  his 
money  was  gone.  Jlis  pochet  had  heen  picked.  His  feelings  may 
easily  be  imagined  on  finding  himself  penniless  in  a  strange  land 
whose  inhabitants  spoke  a  language  unknown  to  him.  He  went  to 
the  American  consul,  located  in  that  city,  and  stated  his  ease  and  jDro- 
dueed  his  diploma.  Having  convinced  that  official  of  the  truthfulness 
<  >f  his  story,  he  received  the  promise  of  a  commission  as  surgeon  on  the 
first  vessel  that  would  depart  for  San  Francisco.  The  first  vessel  to 
come  in  was  the  ''Sea  Queen,"  a  British  vessel  from  Dundee,  Scotland, 
laden  with  coal.  After  being  unloaded  this  vessel  was  cleaned  up, 
bunks  and  berths  put  in  and  made  ready  for  can-ying  j^assengers.  This 
completed  she  soon  hove  anchor  and  departed  for  San  Francisco,  in 
which  port  she  landed  on  the  evening  of  January  9,  1850.  On  his  ari'ival 
here  he  was  prostrated  by  a  fever  contracted  during  his  stay  in  Panama. 
After  remaining  a  short  time  he  managed,  with  the  assistance  of  a 
friend,  to  get  to  Marysville,  where  they  lived  in  a  tent  until  his  recov- 
ery, when  they  went  to  a  mining  camp  known  as  Rough  and  Ready,  in 
iS^evada  county,  and  began  work  in  the  mines.  The  Doctor  remained 
here  until  September  when  he  sold  his  claims  and  bought  two  ox  teams 
with  which  he  engaged  in  hauling  supplies  from  Sacramento  to  the 
mines.  In  the  spring  of  1851  he  again  entered  the  mines,  and 
remained  until  January,  1852,  when  he  received  an  appointment  as 
hrst  clerk  in  the  state  comptroller's  office,  by  his  old  friend  Dr.  Peirce, 
who  Jiad  been  elected  to  that  position.  Ill  health  soon  compelled  him 
to  abandon  that  pursuit,  however,  and  he  resolved  to  try  his  fortune  in 
Los  Angelos,  where  he  embarked  in  the  live  stock  business,  which 
proved  to  have  been  a  very  lucrative  one,  and  in  which  he  exhibited 
great  financial  shrewdness.  He  continued  dealing  in  stock  until 
January,  1853,  by  which  time  he  had  accumulated  about  $10,000,  and 
had  resolved  to  return  to  Illinois.  A  treacherous  partner,  however, 
vetoed  that  decision  by  absconding  with  all  but  about  $500  of  the 
doctor's  money,  and  that  was  consumed  in  paying  detectives  and 
vainly  searching  for  the  miscreant.  Undaunted  by  this  terrible  mis- 
fortune, he  went  to  Sonora  and  again  entered  the  mines.  In  1856  the 
doctor  was  chosen  by  the  republican  element  of  the  county  as  a  candi- 
date for  the  legislature,  and  although  that  party  was  in  its  infancy,  and 
so  decidedly  in  the  minority  as  to  render  his  election  hopeless,  he 
entered  the  contest  with  the  same  vim  and  enthusiasm  that  has  ever 
characterized  his  actions.  He  "stumped"  the  eiitii-e  district  and  came 
within  eighty  votes  of  being  elected.  May  1,  1857,  he  sailed  for  New 
York  and  arrived  in  that  city  about  the  last  of  the  month.  After 
spending  several  months  visiting  the  princi])al  cities  of  the  east,  he 


(iKEKNK    TOWXSIIII'.  673 

returned  to  tlie  sucker  state,  wliich  lias  since  been  his  liome.  The 
doctor  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  scientific  and  liistorical  associa- 
tion of  Mercer  county,  of  which  or<i;anization  lie  was  the  first  president, 
also  a  member  of  the  state  medical  association.  Tie  was  married  in 
185!)  to  Miss  Salina  P.  Cowden,  whose  father  was  one  of  the  ])ioneer 
settlers  of  the  county.  He  is  the  father  of  tiye  children,  four  of  whom 
are  liyinu;:  Kate  M.,  born  August  10,  18(38;  Charles  Edward,  born 
August  12,  1866;  Pearl,  born  September  3,  1870  (died  October  12, 
1870);  and  Lena,  born  September  30,  1873.  The  Doctor  located  in 
Yiola  in  March,  1861,  and  since  that  time  has  devoted  his  entire  atten- 
tion to  his  professional  duties.  Although  a  politician  of  great  foresight 
and  sagacity,  he  has  never  been  an  office  seeker,  and  contrary  to  the 
wishes  of  his  many  friends,  he  has  furthered  tlie  ])()litical  interests  ot 
others  rather  than  those  of  his  own. 

Hugh  B.  Frazier,  son  of  John  and  Xancv  (Veach)  Frazier,  was 
born  in  Trumbull  county,  Ohio,  in  1835.  In  1847  the  family  removed 
to  j\[ercer  county,  where  Hugh  assisted  his  lather  on  the  farm  in  the 
summer  and  attended  a  district  school  in  the  winter,  until  1854,  when 
he  went  to  Rock  Island  and  attended  school  during  the  years  of 
1854-5.  Li  the  fall  of  1826  he  went  to  Detroit,  ]\[ichigan,  and  attended 
school  four  months  at  Gregorie's  commercial  college,  from  which  insti- 
tutitm  he  graduated.  In  1858  he  went  to  Kansas  and  bought  land 
near  Olathee,  intending  to  devote  his  attention  to  farming,  but  becom- 
ing dissatisfied  with  the  monotony  of  farm  life  he  returned  to  Illinois, 
where  he  remained  until  August,  1862,  when  he  enlisted  as  a  ])riyate 
in  Co.  D,  83  111.  Inf.,  and  was  with  that  regiment  during  all  its  weary 
marches,  all  its  hardships  in  camp  and  on  the  battle-field.  He  was 
soon  promoted  to  the  position  of  sergeant,  then  to  1st  sergeant,  finally 
to  2d  lieutenant,  and  acted  in  tliat  ca])acity  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
He  relates  an  incident  that  occurred  near  Bowling  Green,  Kentucky, 
which,  like  many  other  occurrences  of  a  like  nature,  is  not  found  in  gen- 
eral histories.  He  in  company  with  his  father-in-law,  Lieut.  Robb, 
and  five  other  soldiers,  were  detailed  to  guard  a  train  on  the  Louisville 
&  Memphis  railroad  en  route  for  Bowling  Green.  The  train  was  thun- 
dering along  at  the  rate  of  twenty  miles  an  hour,  when  it  suddenly  left 
the  track  and  plunged  into  a  steep  embankment,  and  almost  simulta- 
neously witli  the  crash  came  a  volley  of  musketry  from  the  hill  above, 
accompanied  by  oaths  and  a  demand  for  all  ''on  board  to  surrender." 
Two  of  the  union  soldiers  were  shot  dead  the  first  volley,  but  the 
remaining  five  seizing  their  arms  returned  the  fire,  killing  four  rebels, 
one  of  whom  was  the  ca]>tain,  after  which  the  guerillas,  for  such  they 
were,  beat  a  hasty  retreat.       A  telegraph  wire  was  cut  and  an  engine 


674  HISTORY    OF    AfERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

telegraphed  for  which  nrnved  ^Yithin  an  hour  and  the  train  proceeded 
on  its  way.  Lieut.  Robb  afterward  received  a  very  complimentary 
letter  from  Gen.  Rosseau,  congratulating  him  and  his  brave  little  band 
that  saved  the  train.  In  June,  1865,  the  regiment  was  mustered  out 
at  Nashville,  Tennessee,  and  returned  to  Chicago,  where  after  receiving 
their  pay  they  disbanded.  In  October  of  the  same  year  Mr.  Frazier, 
in  company  with  his  br()ther-in-law%  V.  R.  Harriott,  embarked  in  the 
dry  goods  and  grocery  business  in  Viola.  Since  that  time  Mr.  Frazier 
has  been  one  of  the  most  active  business  men  in  the  county  and  has 
exhibited  excellent  business  qualifications  and  great  financial  skill  in  all 
his  undertakings.  Mr.  Frazier  was  married  on  July  4,  1864,  to  Miss 
Mary  Robb,  a  daughter  of  Lieut.  Robb,  and  is  father  of  six  children  : 
John,  Fred,  Ada  II.,  Xannie  A.,  Edwin  R.,  and  Sadie  R.  Mr.  Frazier 
is  a  member  of  Masonic  Lodge,  No.  577,  with  which  he  united  August 
24,  1871,  and  is  worshipful  master  of  that  lodge,  also  a  member  of 
Horeb  Chapter,  No.  4,  at  Rio,  and  Everts  Commandery,  No.  18,  at 
Rock  Island.  Mr.  Frazier  started  out  in  the  world  with  nothing  in  the 
way  of  wealth,  but  possessing  an  ambitious  disposition,  he  has  accumu- 
lated a  large  competence,  besides  winning  for  himself  the  reputation 
of  being  a  successful  business  man. 

William  P.,  son  of  John  and  Eleanor  Collins,  was  born  in  the 
town  of  East  Liverpool,  Columbiana  county,  Ohio,  in  18!^8.  John 
Collins  was  a  merchant  in  that  village,  and  continued  business  until 
the  spring  of  1837,  when  he  came  west  to  Illinois.  With  his  family 
and  personal  effects  loaded  on  a  flat  boat,  without  sail  or  rudder,  he 
floated  down  the  Ohio  river  as  far  as  Cincinnati.  A  buggy  box,  which 
was  fastened  on  the  roof  of  the  craft,  and  the  wheels,  suspended  from 
the  sides  by  ropes,  attracted  attention  on  the  voyage,  and  in  passing 
steamboats  was  the  subject  of  frequent  jests.  They  were  often  asked 
if  they  intended,  in  case  the  river  went  dry,  to  proceed  on  wheels.  At 
Cincinnati  the  clumsy  vessel  was  exchanged  for  two  bari'els  of  flour, 
and  the  family  took  passage  on  a  steamboat,  and  arrived  at  New  Bos- 
ton, without  having  encountered  any  mishaps  worthy  of  note,  in  May, 
1837.  On  landing,  a  gang  of  red  men,  loaded  with  fish  and  trinkets, 
came  on  board  the  boat  for  the  purpose  of  trading  with  the  whites. 
This  circumstance  reminded  them  that  they  were  in  a  wild  country. 
As  the  trials  and  liardships  of  the  early  settlers  during  the  pioneer 
period  will  be  portrayed  in  the  general  history,  we  will  pass  over  tluit 
part  of  Mr.  Collins"'  life,  and  speak  of  his  career  since  he  arrived  at  the 
years  of  manhood.  Mr.  Collins  was  married  in  1857  to  Miss  Mary 
R.  Bradford,  and  is  the  father  of  ten  children,  nine  of  whom  are  living: 
Ella  M.,  Clara  A.  (deceased),  Lottie  E.,  William  R..  John  B.,  Eftie  J., 


OREKXK    TOWNSHIP.  G75 

Samuel  E.,  Charles  H.,  Mary  E.,  Mattie  Bell,  lie  is  a  prominent 
member  of  the  United  Presbyterian  church,  witli  which  he  united 
several  years  previous  to  the  oi'ganization  of  the  Yiola  congregation. 
By  hard  labor  and  skillful  financiering,  Mr.  Collins  has  acquired  a 
large  ])ropertv.  Me  has  excellent  advantages  for  stock  raising,  and 
turns  his  attention  mostly  to  that  business.  Having  come  west  wheti 
Illinois  was  almost  a  wilderness,  he  has  lived  to  see  cities  and  villages 
take  the  place  of  the  log  cal)in  and  the  Indian  wigwam.  Where  he 
once  saw  the  bounding  deer,  and  listened  to  the  wolf's  long  howl„  are 
heard  the  shriek  of  the  locomotive  and  the  chiming  of  church  bells. 
His  father  and  mother  now  lie  in  the  cemetery,  north  of  Viola,  and 
their  quiet  resting  ])lace  is  marked  by  a  granite  shaft.  Hand  in  hand 
they  walked  down  the  journey  of  life,  shaiing  its  sorrows  find  its  joys, 
and  after  a  long  career  of  usefulness  Mr.  Collins  grew  weary  and  laid 
down  his  burden  by  the  wayside.  Mrs.  (^ollins  remained  on  earth  but 
a  few  years  after,  and  they  now  lie  side  by  side  in  death,  leaving  as  a 
legacy  to  their  descendants  a  noble  exam])le,  which,  if  followed,  will 
win  for  them  the  respect  of  the  entire  community  in  which  they  live. 

Moses  Iv.  Flokv,  wagon  manufacturer,  son  of  Jonas  and  Catharine 
Flory,  was  born  in  Harrison  county,  Ohio,  March  1,  1832.  In  1889, 
the  family  removed  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  and  located  in  what  is 
now  North  Plenderson  township.  For  a  few  years  after  locating  here 
his  father  ran  a  saw-mill,  located  on  Pope  creek.  While  operating 
this  mill,  he  did  work  for  the  settlers  for  many  miles  around,  his  being 
the  only  mill  from  the  eastern  part  of  the  county  to  the  Mississijjpi. 
Moses  received  his  education  in  an  old  log  school-house  that  stood 
about  a  mile  south  of  the  residence  of  James  Bridger.  This  building 
was  one  of  those  traditional  structures,  with  a  puncheon  floor,  clapboard 
roof,  and  hewn  seats.  In  1844  Moses,  then  a  mere  lad,  went  to 
Galena,  Illinois,  and  worked  a  season  in  the  lead  mines.  In  1848  he 
went  to  Ohio,  and  worked  two  years  at  carpentering,  near  Toledo. 
Returning  in  1850,  he  began  working  his  sister's  farm,  which  he  con- 
tinued three  years.  In  18.)4  he  again  resumed  car))enter  work  in 
company  with  John  Longley,  of  Rivoli  townshij).  In  August,  1861, 
Mr.  Flory  enlisted  in  Co.  A,  30th  111.  Inf.,  and  was  with  that  regiment 
in  the  battles  of  Belmont,  Fort  Henry,  Donelson,  Raymond,  dackson 
(Mississijipi),  Fort  Gibson  and  Cham])ion  Hill.  He  was  taken  prisoner 
at  Fort  Donelson,  February  15,  1862,  and  was  taken  to  Memphis, 
where  he  was  kept  twenty-eight  days,  thence  to  Tuscaloosa,  where 
he  remained  three-  months,  after  which  he  was  removed  to  ^lacon, 
(ieorgia,  where  he  was  kept  four  months,  and  was  then  taken  to  Rich- 
mond, where  he  was  paroled  October  19,  1862,  and  sent  to  AVashing- 


676  HISTORY    OF    >rERCKR    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

ton.  tlience  to  Springlield,  Illinois,  and  from  there  to  Benton  barracks, 
St.  Louis,  whence  he  was  sent  to  rejoin  his  regiment,  at  Memphis. 
During  a  part  of  his  imprisonment,  he  was  under  the  care  of  the  notori- 
ous Captain  Wirtz,  whose  name  will  go  down  as  the  archfiend  of 
American  history.  After  doing  duty  at  Eock  Island  eight  months,  he 
was  discharged,  and  again  i-eturned  to  his  old  home,  having  faithfully 
and  bravely  discharged  the  duty  to  which  his  country  called  him.  In 
1866  Mr.  Flory  located  in  Viola,  where  he  built  a  wagon  shop. 
Being  naturally  endowed  with  an  inventive  genius,  lit-  invented  a 
revolving  hay  rake,  upon  which  he  received  a  patent  in  1872.  He 
began  manufacturing  for  the  wholesale  trade  in  that  year,  and  has  no 
trouble  in  selling  all  he  has  the  capacity  to  make.  Mr.  Flory  is  a 
prominent  member  of  the  A.F.A.M.  lodge,  I^o.  577,  at  Viola. 

Joseph  A.  Goding,  son  of  Amos  and  Lucinda  Goding,  was  born 
near  Farmington,  Franklin  county,  Maine,  February  2,  1848.  He 
received  his  education  in  tlie  public  and  state  normal  school  at  Farm- 
ington, graduating  from  the  latter  institution  June  4.  1868.  In  October, 
1869,  he  came  to  Chicago,  and  taught  school  six  months  near  Dunton, 
in  Cook  county.  In  the  summer  of  1870  he  came  to  Mercer  county, 
and  began  teaching  in  the  "Brickyard""'  school-house  in  Xew  Boston 
township.  He  was  married  May  14,  1872,  to  Miss  Sarah  E.  Xoble, 
daughter  of  E.  J.  Noble,  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  New  Boston 
township.  After  his  marriage  he  retui-ned  to  his  native  state,  and 
farmed  two  seasons  on  the  old  homestead,  teaching  in  the  winter.  In 
1874  he  again  returned  to  Mercer  county,  and  was  employed  as  princi- 
j)al  of  the  Millersburg  public  schools.  He  taught  two  years  and  three 
months  in  that  village  and  then  came  to  Viola,  having  been  made 
principal  of  the  scliools  in  that  village.  After  teaching  two  years  he 
bought  an  interest  in  the  dry  goods  tirm  of  II.  B.  Frazier  &  Co..  and 
has  been  engaged  in  that  business  until  the  present  time.  The  names 
of  Mr.  Goding's  children  in  the  order  of  their  ages  are  as  follows : 
Lena,  Clara,  Bertha,  Delia,  and  Maurice  R.  He  is  a  prominent  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  with  which  he  united  in  the 
fall  of  1876. 

Van  R.  Harriott  was  born  in  Mercer  county,  Pennsylvania,  in 
1831.  When  he  was  ten  years  of  age  the  family  removed  to  Laporte 
county,  Indiana,  where  they  remained  until  1846.  In  that  year  they 
removed  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  and  located  near  Norwood.  Van 
worked  on  a  farm  in  Greene  township  two  seasons  and  then  went  to 
breaking  prairie  with  an  ox  team,  which  he  continued  for  several 
seasons.  Tn  the  spring  of  1859  Mr.  Harriott,  in  com])any  with  a 
number  of  acquaintances,  started  across  the  ])lains  with   an  ox  team. 


GREENE   TOWNSHir.  077 

and  arrived  at  I*ike's  Peak  in  July,  after  a  long,  tedious  journey.  Soon 
after  arriving  there  a  company  was  formed,  of  wliich  Mr.  Harriott  was 
a  member,  and  tlie  party  began  work  in  the  mines.  Xot  being  fortu- 
nate in  h)C-ating  their  daiiiis.  a  part  of  the  company  returned  to  Illinois 
in  September.  In  iSCidt  Mr.  Harriott  enlisted  in  the  140th  reg.  111. 
Vol.  Inf.,  which  regiment  enlisted  for  a  hundred  days.  From  Dixon 
they  were  sent  to  Springfield;  thence  to  Mem])his,  where  they  did 
guard  duty  on  the  Memphis  cV:  Charleston  railroad  for  about  three 
months.  At  the  expiration  of  that  time  the  regiment  came  to  Chicago, 
and  from  there  were  sent  to  ^Nfissouri,  where  they  remained  two  weeks, 
after  which  they  returned  to  Chicago  and  were  mustered  out.  Mr. 
Harriott  was  married  in  1852  to  Miss  ]\rary  R.  Frazier,  a  native  of 
Trumbull  county.  Ohio.  The  fruits  of  the  union  are  four  children: 
Jesse  C.  (now  of  Sherman  county,  Xebraska).  Lillian  A.  (wife  of 
Frank  E.  Kitzmiller).  Salina  M.,  and  Arthur  V.  ]\Ir.  Harriott  united 
with  the  Congregationalist  church  in  1.S77,  and  is  also  a  Mason,  having 
been  initiated  into  its  mysteries  in  1865,  and  has  twice  been  master  of 
the  Yiola  lodge.  In  18fi5  Mr.  Harriott  embarked  in  the  dry  goods  and 
grocery  business  in  Yiola,  in  comj^any  with  his  brother-in-law,  H.  B. 
Frazier.  In  1869  the  firm  dissolved,  and  Mr.  Harriott  entered  the 
liardware  and  grocery  business  in  the  brick  hotel  building.  In  1871 
Mr.  Harriott  closed  out  liis  business  and  engaged  in  farming  on  land 
half  a  mile  south  of  the  village,  which  he  had  bought  in  18(38.  During 
the  years  that  followed  he  was  engaged  in  various  pursuits  imtil  the 
fall  of  1880,  when  he  again  embarked  in  the  dry  goods  and  grocery 
business  in  company  with  M.  K.  Florv.  He  is  now  in  the  grocery 
business  in  company  with  John  Ashenhurst,  and  the  firm  is  doing  a 
lucrative  business.  Mr.  Harriott  is  the  present  postmaster  at  Viola, 
and  discharges  lus  duties  in  that  capacity  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of 
the  people. 

Fraxcis  A.,  son  of  Henry  and  Sarah  Hoagland,  was  born  in  Xew 
Bedford,  Pennsylvania,  April  5,  1838.  In  1 846  the  family  emigrated 
to  Mercer  county  and  located  in  Greene  township.  His  father  was  the 
first  justice  of  the  peace  in  the  township,  and,  with  the  exception  of  a 
few  months,  held  the  position  until  the  time  of  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  1880.  Frank  remained  at  home  with  his  ])arents  until 
September,  1801,  when  he  enlisted  in  Co.  G,  30th  111.  Inf.  He  was 
with  that  regiment  during  the  battles  of  Belmont,  Brittian's  Lane,  Fort 
Henry,  Fort  Donelson,  Corinth,  Grand  Gulf,  Champion  Hill,  Ray- 
mond, siege  of  Vicksburg,  and  in  the  Atlanta  campaign.  He  states 
that  during  the  siege  of  that  city  the  ])ic-ket  lines  were  only  about  forty 
yards  ajnut.  and  the  boys  in  blue  and  those  in  gray  exchanged  remarks 


678  HISTORY    OF    MERGER    AJS'D    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

as  familiarly  as  though  they  had  been  neighbors  and  friends  instead  of 
foes.  He  also  |)articipated  in  the  battle  of  Jonesboro  and  many 
other  severe  skirmishes.  He  was  discharged  at  S})ringtield,  Illinois, 
in  August,  1685,  after  which  he  returned  home  and  resumed  his  labors 
on  the  farm.  For  many  years  after  he  was  engaged  in  breaking  prairie. 
He  was  married  September  21,  1881,  to  Miss  Jane  A.  Storey,  and 
now  resides  on  a  farm  he  recently  purchased  in  section  28  in  Greene 
township. 

John  W.  McCreigiit,  son  of  Matthew  and  Elizabeth  McCreight, 
was  born  in  Adams  county,  Ohio,  December  29,  3  828.  In  1851  Mr. 
McCi'eight  came  to  Mercer  county  and  located  at  Sunbeam.  In  1854 
he  purchased  land  in  Section  31,  Greene  townshi]).  In  February  of 
that  year  he  was  married  to  Miss  Rebecca  E.  Nevius,  daughter  of 
William  I.  Nevius,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Mercer  county.  It  is  sup- 
posed by  the  early  settlers  that  Mrs.  McCreight  was  the  first  white 
female  child  born  in  the  county.  The  names  of  the  children  born 
to  the  couple  are:  Joel  S.,  Walter  E.,  William  S.,  Henry  A.,  Effie  L. 
(deceased  in  her  infancy),  Lora  N.,  and  Louisa  B.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
McCreight  are  members  of  the  I'nited  Presbyterian  church,  having 
united  with  that  organization  early  in  life. 

Robert  Guthrie,  son  of  Andrew  and  Susan  Guthrie,  was  born  in 
Dumbartonshire,  Scotland,  August  10,  1844.  In  1849  the  family  emi- 
grated to  Canada,  where  they  remained  until  the  fall  of  1864,  when 
they  removed  to  Mercer  coimty,  Illinois,  and  settled  in  the  southern 
part  of  Preemption  township.  He  was  married  March  1,  1870,  to 
Miss  Isabella  Stewart,  a  native  of  Scotland.  The  names  of  their 
children,  in  the  order  of  their  ages,  are  as  follows  :  Jennie  S.  (deceased), 
Susie  A.,  Minnie  B'.  (deceased),  Andrew  W.,  and  Charles  S.  Mr. 
Guthrie  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian  church, 
with  which  he  united  in  1869  at  Viola.  He  owns  a  tine  farm  of  850 
acres  in  sections  4  and  5  in  Greene  township. 

Robert  M.  Pinkerton,  son  of  Joseph  and  Violet  (Scott)  Pinkerton, 
was  born  in  Trumbull  county,  Ohio,  in  1841.  In  1850  the  family  re- 
moved to  Mercer  county,  and  located  on  section  6  in  Greene  township. 
In  1859  Robert  was  afflicted  with  a  severe  attack  of  the  gold  fever, 
and  consequently  started  for  Colorado  territory,  with  an  ox  team ;  the 
party,  consisting  of  several  wagons  and  men,  arrived  at  the  foot  of  the 
Rocky  mountains  after  a  long,  tedious  journey  of  sixty-three  days. 
Mr.  Pinkerton  iirst  entered  the  Gregory  mines,  forty-four  miles  west  of 
Denver,  and  joined  in  the  great  struggle  for  wealth.  He  remained  in 
the  mountains  until  the  fall  of  18()2.  During  his  stay  there  he  traveled 
over  the  ground  where  Leadville  now  stands,  little  dreaming  of  the 


GREENE    TOWNSHIP.  679 

fabulous  wealth  hidden  under  his  feet.  On  returning  home  he  turned 
his  attention  to  farming  and  coal  mining  on  his  father's  farm,  which  he 
continued  until  1868,  when  he  bought  a  farm  in  section  5  and  began 
business  for  himself.  Mr.  Pinkerton  was  married  in  1863  to  Miss 
Caroline  el.  Breckinridge,  and  is  now  father  of  six  chiklren  :  Archie  M., 
Cecil,  Guy,  Robert  C,  Allie  V.,  and  Maggie  Z.  In  1877  he  removed 
to  Viola,  and  embarked  in  the  grain  and  lumber  business.  Since  that 
time  his  brother  William  joined  him  in  business,  and  the  firm  pur- 
chased the  elevator  formerly  owned  by  E.  J.  Morgan.  Mr.  Pinkerton 
is  a  member  of  the  I.O.O.F.,  lodge  No.  336,  at  Aledo,  with  which  he 
recently  united,  and  also  a  prominent  member  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church,  to  which  he  has  belonged  since  1866.  April  4,  1882,  he 
was  elected  supervisor  of  the  township,  and  being  a  man  of  excellent 
judgment  will  make  an  efficient  officer. 

Matthew  B.  Kennedy,  butcher,  son  of  John  and  Margaret  Ken- 
nedy, was  born  in  Beaver  county,  Penns^'lvania,  March  1-t,  1889. 
When  ten  years  of  age,  the  family  emigrated  to  Moi-gan  county,  Ohio, 
where  they  resided  until  the  spring  of  1856,  when  they  removed  to 
Mercer  county,  Illinois,  and  bought  land  in  sections  19  and  20  in 
Greene  township.  In  1857  the  father  died,  leaving  a  family  of  four 
children,  Brice  being  the  eldest.  The  old  gentleman  was  the  first  to  be 
buried  in  the  Viola  cemetery.  Brice  remained  at  home  with  the 
family  until  May  3,  1861,  when  he  enlisted  in  Co.  F,  17th  reg.  111.  Vol. 
Inf ,  and  was  with  that  regiment  at  Fort  Donelson.  Shortly  after  this 
battle  he  was  taken  sick,  and  was  sent  to  Cairo,  Illinois,  where  he  was 
detailed  at  the  soldiers'  home  for  a  time,  and  then  made  provost-guard. 
He  remained  here  about  five  months,  when  he  again  joined  his  regi- 
ment, then  at  Lake  Providence,  Louisiana.  He  went  with  the  regi- 
ment to  Vicksburg,  and  was  again  taken  ill  and  sent  to  Memphis, 
where  he  remained  about  two  weeks,  when  he  and  a  friend  stole  away, 
got  aboard  of  a  boat  and  again  joined  the  regiment.  He  was  dis- 
charged November  3,  1863,  and  returned  home  and  resumed  his  labors 
on  the  farm.  He  contracted  heait-disease  while  in  the  service  of  his 
country,  from  which  he  has  not  yet  recovered.  Mr.  Kennedy  was 
married  in  1866  to  Miss  Bell  J.  Carnahan,  a  native  of  Lawrence 
county,  Pennsylvania,  and  is  the  father  of  six  children,  whose  names, 
in  the  order  of  their  ages,  are  as  follows:  Nannie  A.,  Maggie  L., 
David  C,  George  M.,  John  C,  and  Ralph  W.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  United  Presbyterian  church,  with  which  he  united  in  1859. 

Frank  E.  KrrzMirxER  was  born  in  Mansfield,  Ohio,  July  19.  1848. 
AV^hen  he  was  five  years  of  age  the  family  emigrated  to  Williams 
county,  Ohio.     Frank  remained  home  with  his  parents  until  February 


680  HISTORY    OF   JVtERCER    ASD    HENDERSON    COrXTIES. 

2:^.  1<S63,  wlien  he  enlisted  in  Co.  B,  38tli  Ohio  VoL  Inf.,  and  was 
with  that  regiment  in  the  battles  of  Mission  Ridge,  Jonesboro,  and 
Raleigh,  also  the  Atlanta  and  Carolina  campaigns,  and  the  siege  of 
Savannah.  Mr.  Kitzmiller  came  to  Illinois  in  18i)T.  and  located  in 
Morris,  where  he  remained  until  the  spring  of  1869,  when  he  came  to 
Yiola  and  opened  a  paint  shop.  He  remained  in  the  painting  business 
until  1879,  when  he  was  employed  as  clerk  for  the  firm  of  II.  B.  Fra- 
zier  cV:  Co.,  in  Yiola.  He  was  married  June  7,  1870,  to  Miss  Lillian 
Harriott,  daughter  of  Y.  R.  Harriott,  of  Yiola.  The  names  of  his 
children,  in  the  order  of  their  ages,  are  as  follows  :  LelaiidY.  (deceased), 
Ray,  Bert,  and  Harry.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church 
with  which  he  united  in  1870.  Also  a  member  of  I.O.O.F.,  lodge 
:No.  236,  at  Aledo. 

Edwin  T.  Crosby,  son  of  Carlos  and  Emily  Crosby,  was  born  in 
Peoria,  Illinois,  October  21,  1847.  When  Edwin  was  two  years  of  age 
the  family  removed  to  Pekin,  Illinois,  where  his  father  was  engaged  in 
the  drug  and  jewelry  business  until  1856,  when  he  removed  to  Yiola, 
and,  in  company  with  his  brother,  Delos,  embarked  in  the  dry  goods 
and  ijrocery  business.  The  iirm  of  Crosby  Brothers  was  one  of  the 
tirst  in  the  villao;e.  When  Edwin  was  seventeen  years  of  ae^e  his 
fatlier  died,  and  he  was  throvni  upon  his  own  resources  to  make  his 
way  in  the  world.  He  began  clerking,  and  worked  for  different  jmrties 
in  that  capacity  until  1870,  when  he,  in  company  with  Martin  Phares, 
now  of  Galesburg,  embarked  in  the  grocery  business.  He  was  made 
postmaster  in  that  year  and  held  the  office  until  1875.  His  business 
career  has  been  one  of  success  and  prosperity.  Although  compelled 
to  contend  with  many  disadvantages,  he  has  gradually  worked  to  the 
top,  and  through  his  financial  shrewdness  and  energy  has  placed  him- 
self among  the  foremost  business  men  of  the  county. 

Tno^rAs  Leary,  farmer,  son  of  Dennis  and  Mary  (Downey)  Leary, 
was  born  in  county  Cork,  Ireland,  in  1822.  When  twenty  years  of  age 
Thomas  emigrated  to  Canada  West,  where  he  remained  two  years,  after 
which  he  went  to  IS^ew  York.  After  remaining  one  year  in  that  state, 
during  which  time  he  worked  in  a  brick-yard  in  Buffalo,  he  removed 
to  Ohio,  where  he  assisted  in  laying  the  track  on  the  Sandusky  &  Mans- 
tield  railroad,  which  was  the  first  road  built  in  the  state.  In  August, 
1845,  he  turned  his  face  westward  and  arrived  in  Chicago  in  the  latter 
part  of  that  month.  At  that  time  the  city  was  but  a  struggling  village, 
and  little  did  he  dream  that  he  would  live  to  see  a  great  city  of  600,000 
inhabitants  rise  as  if  by  magic  on  the  ground  that  was  then  covered 
by  water,  rushes,  and  prairie  grass.  Mr.  Leary  worked  three  years  on 
the  Illinois  canal,  after  which  he  went  to  Indiana,  and  remained  about 


WILLIAM    STUART. 


GKEEXE    TOWXSIIIP.  683 

ten  years.  In  the  fall  of  185(1  he  came  to  Mercer  county,  and  bought 
land  in  section  12,  Greene  township.  Mr.  Leary  was  married  in  1848 
to  Miss  Mary  Dwyer,  a  native  of  Ireland,  who  died  in  1864.  The 
names  of  the  children,  in  the  order  of  their  ages,  are  as  follows  :  Mary 
A.,  Joseph  P.,  Daniel  (deceased),  Catharine,  Cornelius  (deceased), 
John,  Bridget,  and  Ellen.  He  and  his  family  •  are  members  of  the 
Eoman  Catholic  church,  witli  which  he  united  \ery  early  in  life.  Mr. 
Leary  is  one  of  the  leading  farmers  in  the  township,  and  is  highly 
respected  by  the  entire  comnnmity.  He  furnishes  an  example  of 
energy,  resolution,  and  hard  labor ;  of  how  a  young  man  with  nothing 
but  a  pair  of  strong  hands  and  a  iirm  will  may  carve  himself  a  heritage 
arid  a  good  name. 

AViLLiAit  M.  Pixkp:rtox,  dealer  in  lumber  and  grain,  son  of  Joseph 
and  Violet  (Scott)  Pinkerton,  was  born  near  Warren,  Trumbull  county, 
Ohio,  in  1828.  Wlien  twenty  years  of  age  William  came  to  Mercer 
county.  In  the  winter  of  1848-9  he  made  his  home  with  Judge  Gil- 
more  and  taught  school  in  that  district.  In  the  spring  of  1849  he 
bought  land  in  section  16,  in  Greene  township,  and  began  farming. 
He  was  present  at  the  organization  of  the  township  in  1854,  and 
remained  in  the  township  until  187T,  when  he  removed  to  Mercer 
township  and  located  on  land  he  had  bought  in  1856.  Mr.  Pinkerton 
was  married  October  30,  1850,  to  Miss  Eliza  (Jarnahan.  The  Carna- 
han  family  have  been  in  the  United  States  since  1770,  when  the  grand- 
father of  Mrs.  Pinkerton  emigrated  to  the  "new  world"  and  located  in 
Adams  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  the 
revolution.  Mrs.  Pinkerton's  father  was  bom  February  2,  1792,  in 
Allegheney  county,  Pennsylvania.  The  names  of  Mr.  Pinkerton's 
children,  in  the  order  of  their  ages,  are  :  AVillard  S.,  John  Ward 
(deceased),  James  and  Julian  (both  deceased),  Mary  L.  (deceased), 
Maria  M.,  Alice  M.,  Abraham  L.,  and  Jennie  V.  Willard  married  a 
daughter  of  Jeremiah  Boyer,  and  the  eldest  living  daughter,  Maria, 
married  John  Netf,  now  a  resident  of  Bayard,  Iowa.  Mr.  Pinkerton  is 
a  member  of  the  Congregational  church,  with  which  he  united  in  1 875 
in  Aledo.  In  1862  Mr.  Pinkerton  enlisted  in  the  83d  111.  Inf.  and  was 
with  the  regiment  when  it  made  the  gallant  fight  in  defense  of  Fort 
Donelson.  The  last  eighteen  months  of  his  service  was  spent  in 
detached  service  in  a  corps  of  topographical  engineers  connected  with 
the  headquarters  of  Gen.  Thomas,  at  Nashville.  During  his  absence 
Mrs.  Pinkerton  took  charge  of  financial  afi'airs  at  home  and  conducted 
them  skillfully  and  successfully.  On  his  return  he  entered  more 
largely  into  stock  raising,  and  success  has  ever  attended  his  efibrts. 
He  has  one  of  the  finest  farms  in  Mercer  county  and  is  now  enjoying 
3{> 


684  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

the  fruits  of  liis  toil.  In  ISTovember,  1881,  Mr.  Pinkerton  removed  to 
Viola,  where,  in  company  with  his  brother  Robert,  he  entered  the 
grain  and  lumber  business,  having  purchased  the  elevator  owned  by 
other  parties,  and  the  firm  of  Pinkerton  Brothers  are  doing  an  exten- 
sive grain  and  lumber  business. 

Dr.  Ebenezer  L.  McKinnie,  physician,  was  the  son  of  Ebenezer 
and  Ruhamah  McKinnie,  and  was  bom  in  the  village  of  Cadiz,  Harri- 
son county,  Ohio,  February  24,  1848.  The  family  resided  in  that 
county  until  1856,  when  they  emigrated  to  Ogle  county,  Illinois,  where 
they  remained  about  nine  months,  and  then  removed  to  Millersburg, 
Mercer  county,  where  they  resided  a  year  and  removed  to  Crawfords- 
ville,  Iowa.  Ebenezer  received  his  education  in  the  high  school  at  that 
place  and  immediately  after  completing  his  studies  he  began  teaching 
in  the  adjacent  country,  which  he  continued  until  1869,  when  he  came 
to  Yiola  and  began  a  course  of  medical  study  in  the  office  of  his  brother. 
Dr.  P.  L.  McKinnie,  now  of  Moline.  In  1871  he  purchased  the  stock 
of  drugs  owned  by  Park  &  McKinnie  and  embarked  in  that  business. 
In  1880  he  received  his  diploma  from  the  College  of  Physicians  and 
Surgeons,  at  Keokuk,  Iowa,  and  began  the  practice  of  medicine  at 
Viola,  where  he  has  since  had  a  very  lucrative  practice.  The  doctor 
was  married  in  October,  1870,  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Moore,  a  native  of 
Mahoning  county,  Ohio.  He  is  a  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
church,  having  united  with  that  society  at  Crawfordsville,  Iowa,  in  1865. 

Oliver  Ellis,  farmer,  son  of  Manoali  and  Deidema  Ellis  was  boiTi 
in  Berkshire  county,  Massachusetts,  in  1808.  The  family  on  the 
father's  side  are  of  English  origin,  his  great  grandfather  having  emi- 
grated from  that  country  at  an  early  day  and  located  on  Cape  Cod.  Pie 
had  five  sons,  one  of  whom  was  the  grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  who  spent  his  younger  days  on  the  sea.  When  Oliver  was  six 
years  of  age  his  father  emigrated  to  Crawford  county,  Pennsylvania. 
Here  Oliver  resumed  his  education  in  a  log  school  house  two  miles 
distant  from  his  father''s  cabin.  Mr.  Ellis  was  married  in  1830  to  Miss 
Mary  Hill,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  The  pair  had  four  children  born 
to  them,  namely  :  James,  Olive  (now  Mrs.  Wilson),  Calkins,  Ph(jebe 
(wife  of  Jerry  Mathews),  and  Amelia  (wife  of  George  Griffin),  who  re- 
cently died  from  injuries  sustained  from  being  kicked  by  a  horse.  In  1850 
Mr.  Ellis  emigrated  to  Illinois  and  bought  land  in  section  12  in  Greene 
townshi}).  For  many  years  he  performed  his  labors  with  oxen.  By 
hard  labor  and  economy  he  has  accumulated  a  respectable  portion  of 
the  world's  goods  to  maintain  him  in  his  declining  years. 

Russell  Park,  farmer,  son  of  John  H.,  and  Elizabeth  (Gottshall) 
Park,   was  born  in  Northumberland   county,   Pennsylvania,   October 


GREENE   TOWNSHIP.  685 

23,  ISHl.  His  tather  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  August  19,  1803.  lie 
and  his  wife  were  both  members  of  the  old  school  Presbyterian 
church  and  their  remains  now  lie  in  the  cemetery  at  Farlow's  Grove. 
The  old  gentleman  was  at  one  time  a  merchant  in  Milton,  Northum- 
berland county,  Pennsylvania,  but  in  1839  decided  to  try  his  fate  on 
the  broad  prairies  of  the  west.  He  accordingly  loaded  his  earthly 
possessions  into  a  country  wagon  and  set  out  on  his  journey  toward 
the  setting  sun,  arriving  in  Mercer  county  in  August  of  that  year,  and 
bought  a  claim  near  Edwards  river  for  $150,  erected  a  cabin  thereon 
and  began  the  laborious  task  of  improving  his  farm.  By  the  aid  of 
his  sons  he  had  accumulated  and  was,  at  the  time  of  his  death,  the 
owner  of  520  acres  of  land.  The  first  coal  known  in  the  countv  was 
discovered  on  his  farm,  in  1840,  and  in  1845  he  began  to  develop  a 
mine.  The  Farlow's  Grove  postoffice  was  removed  to  his  residence  in 
an  early  day,  and  he  was  the  first  postmaster  in  Greene  township,  which 
position  he  held  until  the  othce  was  established  at  Viola.  Russell 
Park  when  twenty-one  years  of  age  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  from 
his  father  in  the  S.  W.  +  of  Sec.  3,  built  a  house,  and  was  married 
November  17,  1852,  to  Miss  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Alexander  and 
Margaret  Ilenry.  They  are  parents  of  the  following  named  children  : 
James,  Russell,  Mary,  Elizabeth,  Maggie,  William  A.,  Joseph  D., 
Mary,  Emma,  Rachel,  William  Henry,  John  Alexander,  and  Julia  E. ; 
of  the  these  William  A.,  John  A.,  Mary  E.,  and  Joseph  D.,  are  dead. 
James  is  married  to  Miss  Agatha  Budlier,  and  Maggie  to  Stephen 
Farwell  of  Preemption  township.  In  1865  Mr.  Park  sunk  a  coal  shaft 
near  his  house,  and  in  1873  a  second  shaft,  opening  up  a  four-foot 
vein  of  very  fine  coal,  from  which  lie  has  taken  as  high  as  50,000 
bushels  per  year.  Mr.  Park  has  increased  the  original  size  of  his 
farm  to  300  acres,  which  he  and  his  son  carry  on  in  connection  with 
his  coal  business.  He  is  a  member  of  the  masonic  order,  and  with  his 
wife  united  with  the  old  school  Presbyterian  church.  Miss  Elizabeth 
Collins  was  his  first  school  teacher.  Without  any  educational  advan- 
tages more  than  was  afforded  by  the  district  school,  he  has  made  him- 
self an  intelligent  and  successful  business  man.  Pie  has  been  four 
times  elected  to  the  office  of  supervisor,  and  was  recently  ap])ointed 
to  fill  the  place  of  the  incumbent,  who  is  about  to  remove.  ^Ir.  Park 
is  a  man  of  worth  in  the  community;  kind,  sociable  and  fair  in  his 
dealings,  he  is  respected  by  all. 

William  Stuart  (deceased),  the  subject  oi'  this  sketch,  was  born 
in  county  Donegal,  Ireland,  in  1814.  In  1844,  he  came  to  America, 
making  the  voyage  from  Liverpool  to  New  Orleans  in  a  sailing 
vessel.     From  New  Orleans  he  came  u})  the  river  to  New  I'oston, 


68fi  HISTORY    OF   >rERCER   AJTD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES, 

tlience  eastward  across  the  country.  Being  attracted  by  the  fertile 
prairies  of  what  is  now  Suez  township,  he  purchased  a  claim  and 
located  on  section  19.  Mr.  Stuart  was  married  in  1S46,  to  Miss  Jane 
Patterson,  also  a  native  of  county  Donegal,  Ireland.  Three  ^ons 
were  born  to  the  couple,  all  of  whom  are  living,  and  whose  names,  in 
the  order  of  their  ages,  are  as  follows:  Joseph,  A.  C,  and  Amzi. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  died  August  6,  1881,  of  dropsy  of  the  heart. 
The  funeral  ceremonies  were  performed  at  his  residence,  and  the 
remains  interred  in  the  Xorwood  cemetery.  The  large  tract  of  land 
accumulated  by  the  deceased,  during  his  industrious  life,  is  now  under 
the  supervision  of  his  worthy  sons. 

Georoe  L.  F.  Robinsdx,  attorney  and  teaclier,  son  of  William  C. 
and  Fanny  (Bouene)  liobinson,  was  born  in  Siockb ridge,  Berkshire 
county,  Massachusetts,  September  27th,  1832.  His  father  had,  in  his 
younger  days,  been  a  teacher  by  profession,  having  been  a  precepter 
in  the  Attleboro  academy,  ^Massachusetts.  He  removed  from  there  to 
Eutland  county,  Vermont,  in  about  the  year  1810,  and  engaged  in  the 
manufacturing  business  and  continued  about  four  years,  and  subse- 
quently removed  to,  and  remained  in,  the  birth  place  of  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  who,  having  received  the  advantage  of  a  Xew  England 
academical  education,  commenced  teaching  among  the  Berkshire  hills, 
when  a  mere  youth,  and  ha\ing  had  the  advantages  of  parents  highly 
accomplished  in  b(jtli  nnisic  aud  literature,  and  also  inheriting  a  gift  of 
nature  in  that  direction,  early  sought,  with  precocious  intention,  the 
fav.ored  ^'ocations,  for  which  he  seems  to  have  been  so  admirably 
adapted.  Coming  to  Illinois  when  the  school  system  of  the  west  was 
in  its  infancy,  he  has  for  long  years  been  prominently  identified  with 
those  interests,  and  having  enjoyed  first  grades  from  every  superin- 
tendent in  the  county,  also  having  acquitted  himself  with  great  credit 
in  adjoining  counties,  and  although  a  pioneer  teacher,  is  live,  progres- 
sive, and  awake  to  the  advancement  that  has,  and  is  being  made,  in 
our  present  admirable  school  system.  When  the  war  broke  out,  Prof 
Ivobinson,  although  denied  the  privilege  of  becoming  a  soldier,  was 
none  the  less  active  in  furthering,  by  every  means  in  his  power,  the 
triumph  of  right  over  wi'ong,  as  his  record  fully  shows.  It  is  no  won- 
der, when  we  see  his  standing  on  the  superintendent's  record,  that  his 
services  are  being  sought  in  this  and  adjoining  counties,  where  he  is 
teaching  for  the  third  term  with  the  same  success  that  has  ever 
attended  his  eftbrt. 

Joseph  Pinkertox,  farmer,  was  boiTi  in  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania, 
Jimuarv  9,  1798.  His  father,  William  Pinkerton,  was  also  a  native  of 
that  state.     His  mother's  maiden  nanu-  was  Hannah  Kennedv.  also  of 


<;reexe  TiAVN^Hii'.  687 

Peinisylvania.  His  grandfather.  "William,  was  a  native  of  I>on(lon- 
(lerrv.  Ireland ;  his  grandmother  on  his  fathers  side  was  Elizabeth 
Criswell.  also  of  Pennsylvania.  The  maiden  name  of  his  grand- 
motlier  Kennedy,  was  Agnes  McMahon.  a  native  of  Scotland,  and  his 
grandfather  Kennedy  was  from  Tyrone.  Ireland.  AVlien  the  subject  ot 
this  sketch  was  twenty -eight  years  old  his  parents  removed  to  Trum- 
bull countv,  Ohio,  and  there  his  fatlier  died,  at  the  age  of  eijrhtv-two, 
and  his  mother,  in  her  eightieth  year.  He  purchased  a  fann  in  the 
town  of  Berzetta,  in  Trumbull  county,  and  was  married  in  Howland,  in 
March  '2Z,  1827,  to  Miss  Violet  Scott,  a  native  of  Chester  county. 
Here  he  had  twelve  children  born  to  him.  Their  names,  in  the  <.)rder 
of  their  ages,  are:  William  M..  James  S.,  Hannah  L.  (wife  of  Joseph 
Carnahan),  John  C,  Jane  G.  (wife  of  Richard  Cabeen).  Mary  E.  (wife 
of  Robert  Cabeen),  George  W.,  Robert  ^I..  Alice  L.  (wife  of  Hiram 
Dunlap\  Thirza  A.  (wife  of  Xe%vton  Dunlap).  !Margaret  R.  (deceased  in 
her  fourteenth  year),  and  Amanda  T.  (wife  of  Otis  Morey).  All  of  this 
number  came  to  Illinois  bv  teams,  in  1850.  and  onlv  the  eldest 
dauirhter  has  removed  from  fiercer  countv.  she  being  in  Kansas.  In 
Ohio.  Mr.  and  ^Irs.  Pinkerton  were  connected  with  the  Presbyterian 
church,  and  subsequently  in  Illinr»is.  but  that  organization  becoming 
extinct,  they  united  with  the  Methodist  church,  at  Viola.  This  ven- 
erable couple  are  widely  known  in  Mercer  county,  and  possess  the 
respect  of  all.  With  them,  the  shadows  of  life  are  lengthening  toward 
the  east,  and  when  the  hour  comes  for  them  to  lie  down  by  the 
wayside,  there  will  be  many  other  mourners  besides  the  sons 
and  daughters  they  have  reared,  and  to  whom  they  leave  a  noble 
example. 

John  C.  Pixkkrtox.  farmer,  son  of  Joseph  and  Violet  (Scott )  Pink- 
erton. was  born  in  Trumbull  county.  Ohio.  September  27,  1883.  In 
1850  the  family  emigrated  to  Illinois,  and  located  in  Greene  township, 
Mercer  county.  ^Ir.  Pinkerton  received  his  educati<in  in  a  district 
school.  He  remained  at  home,  assisting  his  tather  on  the  farm,  until 
tsventy-one  years  )f  age.  when  he  began  breaking  prairie  with  an  ox 
team,  which  oc  tpation  he  followed  for  about  live  years.  In  1>>56  he 
bought  eighty  aores  of  land  in  sections  5  and  8,  and  began  farming  for 
himself.  He  remained  here  until  1875,  when  he  purchased  the  farm 
formerly  owned  by  D.  Y.  Cowden  in  section  1 7.  By  hai-d  labor  and 
good  management  he  has  accumulated  200  acres  of  excellent  land  and 
a  beautiful  home.  Mr.  Pinkerton  was  married  in  the  spring  of  1859 
to  Miss  ^[ary  J.  Jackson,  a  native  of  Peimsylvania.  The  names  of 
their  children,  in  the  order  of  their  ages,  are:  Herbert  AV..  Robert  G., 
William  J.,  John  S..  and  Riiymond.      He  is  a  prominent  member  of 


688  HISTORY    OF    IVIERCER   AJv'D    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

the  United  Presbyteriim  church,  witli  which  he  united  in  1870,  having 
formerly  been  a  Methodist. 

John  C.  Gardner,  fanner,  son  of  Richard  and  Sarah  Gardner,  was 
born  in  Mercer  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  March,  1846.  AVhen  John 
was  seven  years  of  age  the  family  emigrated  to  Illinois,  and  located 
near  Oxford,  Henry  county.  He  remained  at  home  and  assisted  his 
father  on  the  farm  until  March  23,  1864,  when  he  enlisted  in  Co.  C, 
112th  reg.  111.  Yol.  Inf ,  and  was  sent  to  join  that  regiment  at  Kene- 
saw  mountain.  He  was  with  the  regiment  during  the  Georgia  cam- 
paign. The  regiment  moved  from  Atlanta  to  Decatur,  where  they  re- 
mained ten  days,  when  Hood  drove  the  union  forces  back  to  Columbus, 
where  they  held  the  rebels  in  check  for  a  time.  He  also  participated 
in  the  terrible  conflict  at  Franklin  and  also  the  battle  of  j^ashville. 
after  which  they  marched  to  the  Tennessee  river,  driving  Hood  before 
them.  Here  they  took  transports  and  went  to  Cincinnati,  thence  to 
Columbus,  and  thence  to  Alexandria,  Virginia,  by  way  of  Washington. 
They  remained  eleven  days,  and  were  then  sent  to  Fort  Fisher,  JSTorth 
Cai-olina.  After  this  Mr.  Gardner  was  with  liis  regiment  during  the 
battles  of  Wilmington,  North  Carolina,  and  Fort  Anderson,  After  a 
series  of  skirmishes  the  army  arrived  at  Raleigh,  and  was  there  during 
the  review.  He  was  discharged  in  July,  1865,  at  Raleigh,  with  the 
65th  reg.  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  having  been  transferred  to  that  regiment  a 
short  time  previous.  After  his  discharge  he  returned  home,  and  began 
farming  in  Mercer.  Mr.  Gardner  was  married  December  24,  1869,  to 
Miss  Rebecca  H.  Carroll,  a  native  of  Milbrook,  Mercer  county,  Penn- 
sylvania. The  names  of  Mr.  Gardner's  children,  in  the  order  of  their 
ages,  are  as  follows:  William  W.,  Edith  B.,  and  Harry  C.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  with  which  he  united 
in  1869. 

John  G.  Gilbert,  son  of  Henry  and  Sally  A.  Gilbert,  was  born  in 
Muskingum  county,  Ohio,  June  12,  1845.  In  1856  the  family  came 
to  Illinois,  and  bought  land  in  section  35  in  Greene  township.  John 
remained  at  home,  working  on  the  farm,  until  seventeen  years  of  age, 
when  he  enlisted  in  Co.  F,  140th  reg.  111.  Vol.  Inf,  and  was  discharged 
October  27,  1864.  In  1866  he  began  working  at  the  carpenter  trade 
with  E.  J.  Morgan,  with  whom  he  learned  the  trade.  In  1869  he  em- 
barked in  business  for  himself,  the  first  contract  being  the  residence 
now  owned  by  A.  Park.  Since  that  time  he  has  erected  buildings  in 
Mercer,  Warren,  Knox,  Henry,  and  Rock  Island  counties.  His  su})e- 
rior  workmanship  is  testified  to  by  all  who  have  secured  his  services. 
In  the  winter  of  1869-70  he  erected  a  business  house  on  the  corner  of 
Shei)ard  and  Eighth  streets  in  Viola.     Since  that  time  he  has  con- 


GREENE   TOWNSHIP.  689 

stnicted  extensive  additions  to  tlie  original  corner  building,  and  is  now 
the  owner  of  three  handsome  store-rooms,  forming  a  building  04x04 
feet.  In  1878  he  erected  a  handsome  residence  in  the  eastern  part  of 
the  village,  where  he  now  resides.  Among  the  silent  testimonials  of 
his  mechanical  skill,  are  the  residences  of  Robert  Park  (two  miles 
north  of  Viola),  Mrs.  Mauk  (at  Suez),  also  those  of  S.  E.  Russell, 
Mrs.  Bissell,  and  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Viola;  also  the  school 
building  and  two  churches  at  Cable,  the  former  being  the  finest  of  its 
kind  in  the  county.  Mr.  Gilbert  was  married  in  December,  1872,  to 
Miss  Lizzie  Ramsey,  a  native  of  Tennessee,  and  is  the  father  of  two 
children,  Vinnie  R.  and  Harvey.  B.,  aged  eight  and  six  years.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  masonic  lodge.  No.  577,  at  Viola,  with  which  he 
united  in  1869,  also  a  member  of  Horeb  Chapter,  No.  4,  at  Rio. 

Jacob,  son  of  John  P.  and  Christine  E.  Krause,  was  born  in  Baden, 
Germany,  near  Munheim,  June  3,  1842.  In  1844  the 'family  emi- 
grated to  America,  and  located  in  Bennington,  Wyoming  county,  New 
York.  Jacob  remained  at  home  assisting  his  father  on  the  farm  until 
the  fall  of  1861,  when  he  turned  his  face  toward  the  setting  sun  and 
landed  in  Richland  Grove  townshij),  where  he  farmed  until  August  8, 
1862,  when  he  enlisted  in  Co.  C,  102d  111.  Inf.,  and  was  with  that  gal- 
lant regiment  at  Resacca,  Cassville,  Newhope  church,  Kenesaw  Moun- 
tain, ('hattahoochee  Heights,  Peachtree  creek,  and  in  the  Atlanta 
cam])aign  in  all  its  marches  and  hardshi})S  while  defending  the  integi"ity 
of  the  country's  flag.  He  was  discharged  June  14,  1865, 'at  Chicago. 
July  4,  1866,  Mr.  Krause  was  married  to  Sarah  L.  Tenney,  a  native  of 
Mercer  county,  by  whom  he  is  the  father  of  six  children:  Millie  M., 
William  S.  (deceased),  Ora  L.,  Jennie  L.,  Maud  M.,  and  Clara  A. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  with  which  he 
united  in  1869,  at  Oxford. 

Samuel  E.,  son  of  William  and  Ann  (Stuart)  Russell,  w^as  born  in 
Trumbull  county,  Ohio,  April  11,  1819.  At  the  age  of  twenty-three 
he  came  to  Illinois,  and  entered  land  in  section  23,  Greene  townshi]). 
For  fifteen  years  after  locating  in  Greene  township,  Mr.  Russell  worked 
at  wagon  making,  having  erected  a  shoj)  near  the  site  of  his  present 
residence.  In  1857  he  abandoned  that  business  and  commenced  im- 
proving his  farm,  and  since  that  time  has  devoted  his  entire  attention 
to  farming  and  stock  raising.  Mr.  Russell  was  married  in  1844  to 
Miss  Ann  Collins,  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  a  daughter  of  John  Collins, 
one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  the  county.  In  1852  his  first  wife  died, 
and  in  September,  1854,  he  was  again  married  to  Miss  Eftie  Cabeen, 
of  Ohio  Grove  township.  The  fruits  of  the  latter  union  are  seven 
children:    Annie  ('.,  Maggie  J.,  Mary  (deceased  in  her  ninth  year), 


690  HISTORY    OF   MERCEK   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

Eunice,  James  E.,  Eicliard,  and  William  C.  Mr.  Russell  is  a  member 
of  the  United  Presbyterian  church,  with  which  lie  united  in  1846,  at 
what  is  now  known  as  Sunbeam.  Wlien  the  Viola  cono-reeration  was 
organized,  he  united  with  them  and  has  since  been  prominently  iden- 
tiHed  with  that  society,  and  has  been  one  of  the  pillars  of  the  church. 
During  the  rebellion  Mr.  Russell  used  all  his  iniiuence  toward  promot- 
ing the  union  cause,  and  lias  always  been  a  staunch  republican. 
Through  economy  and  industry  he  has  accumulated  a  respectable  por- 
tion of  the  world's  goods,  and  is  a  citizen  of  worth  in  all  respects.  He 
is  not  an  office  seeker,  but  on  the  contrary  has  refused  being  a  candi- 
date when  his  numerous  friends  have  urged  him  so  to  do.  His  deeds 
of  good  are  done  in  a  quiet,  unassuming  way,  as  he  does  not  care  to 
win  the  approval  of  the  public,  but  derives  his  satisfaction  from  the 
consciousness  of  having  done  his  duty. 

William'  C,  son  of  James  and  Hannah  Gillespie,  was  born  in 
Mercer  county,  Pennsylvania,  December  13,  1829.  In  January,  1853, 
he  came  to  Illinois  and  located  in  Mercer  county.  In  1854  his  father 
came  and  bought  land  in  section  12,  Mercer  township.  In  the  spring 
of  1860  William  went  to  Colorado  where  he  engaged  in  the  mining 
business,  in  Russeirs  gulch,  near  Central  City.  He  remained  there 
until  December,  1861,  wdien  he  returned  to  Moline,  Illinois.  He 
desired  to  enlist  but  the  quota  of  Illinois  being  full  at  that  time  he 
went  to  Leavenworth,  Kansas,  and  enlisted  in  Co.  H,  8tli  Kan.  Inf. 
He  remainecl  with  that  regiment  about  sixteen  months,  when  he  was 
discharged  on  account  of  liaving  very  sore  eyes.  He  returned  to 
Illinois,  and  his  eyes  becoming  better  under  medical  treatment,  he 
again  enlisted  in  the  140th  111.  Inf ,  and  was  with  that  regiment  until 
they  were  mustered  out.  Mr.  Gillespie  was  married  February  22, 
1871,  to  Miss  Sarah  M.  Decker,  a  native  of  Mercer  county.  The 
names  of  their  children,  in  the  order  of  their  ages,  are:  Hannah  M., 
John  C,  and  Ida  E.  He  in  a  member  of  lodge  No.  252,  A.F.A.M., 
with  which  he  united  in  1865,  at  Aledo. 

Ammi  Bissell  (deceased)  was  the  son  of  Porter  and  Margaret 
Bissell,  and  was  born  in  Mahoning  county,  Ohio,  in  1833.  In  1854 
the  family,  consisting  of  the  fathei*,  mother  and  six  childi'en,  came  to 
Mercer  county.  Ammi  tirst  bought  land  of  John  Geiger  in  section  1, 
in  Greene  township,  and  began  farming  for  himself  During  the  war 
he  availed  himself  of  the  excellent  op])f)rtunities  the  prices  then  afforded 
to  either  make  or  break,  and  began  dealing  in  stock.  During  the 
remaining  years  of  his  life  he  dealt  largely  in  live  stock,  and  added 
every  year  to  his  large  tracts  of  land.  Mr.  Bissell  was  married  in  May, 
1857,  to  Miss  Mary  McKennan,  and  the  couple  had  five  children  born 


GREENE    TOWNSHIP.  (591 

to  them,  whose  names  in  the  order  of  their  ages  are:  William  H., 
Cleon  (deceased),  John  L.  (deceased),  Ethelbert,  and  Frank.  Mr. 
Bissell  was  an  excellent  financier,  and  by  shrewd  manai>;ement  he 
accumulated  a  large  amount  of  property,  having  at  the  time  of  his 
death  nearly  1,100  acres  of  land,  besides  a  great  deal  of  stock. 
He  was  a  man  who  would  trade  for  anything,  and,  altliough  a  close 
dealer,  was  never  accused  of  dishonesty,  or  of  taking  advantage  of 
the  poor.  He  died  from  the  effects  of  injuries  sustained  by  being 
thrown  from  a  horse,  and  was  buried  November  26,  1873.  His  death 
was  deeply  mourned  by  the  entire  community.  Mrs.  Bissell  now 
resides  in  Viola,  where  she  recently  erected  a  handsome  residence,  and 
where  she  has  a  large  circle  of  friends. 

William  C.  Breokeneidge,  merchant,  Viola,  was  born  in  Mahon- 
ing countv,  Ohio,  February  18,  181:3.  Here  the  family  resided  until 
William  was  fifteen  years  of  age.  In  1851:  his  father  died,  leaving  a 
family  of  six  children,  William  being  the  second  oldest.  In  1858  the 
family  came  to  Illinois,  and  bought  land  of  John  Geiger  in  sections  1 
and  12,  Greene  township.  In  January,  1862,  William  went  to  Kansas, 
and  soon  after  enlisted  in  a  brigade  that  was  being  made  up  to  send  to 
New  Mexico  ;  but  that  expedition  being  abandoned,  they  were  consoli- 
dated with  the  8tli  Kansas  at  Fort  Leavenworth.  They  first  went  to 
Fort  Riley  and  then  returned  to  the  city  of  Leavenworth  ;  thence  down 
the  Missouri  and  Mississippi  rivers  to  Columbus,  Kentucky,  where  they 
landed  and  marched  to  Corinth  and  joined  the  main  army.  This 
regiment  participated  in  the  battles  of  Murfreesborough,  Chickamauga, 
Mission  Ridge,  Franklin,  and  Nashville.  Mr.  Breckenridge  did 
excellent  service  for  his  country,  and  was  twice  wounded.  He  was 
discharged  in  January,  1866,  after  which  he  returned  to  Mercer 
county  and  resumed  his  labors  on  the  farm.  He  was  married  in  1868 
to  Miss  Ella  Gardner,  and  is  now  the  father  of  five  children,  whose 
names  in  the  order  of  their  ages  are  :  Frank  O. ,  Ina  (deceased),  Almy, 
Edna,  and  Sue.  He  is  a  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian  church, 
with  which  he  united  in  1866.  In  1877,  he  began  business  in  Viola, 
first  putting  in  a  stock  of  groceries,  but  is  now  a  member  of  the  dry 
goods  firm  of  H.  B.  Frazier  &  Co. 

Benjamin  F.,  son  of  Charles  F.  and  Polly  Morey,  was  born  in  the 
town  of  McKean,  Erie  county,  Pennsylvania,  March  10,  1822.  At 
tho  age  of  nineteen  he  came  to  Warren  county,  Illinois,  where  he 
landed  with  $4  in  money  in  his  pockets,  and  an  old  suit  of  clothes, 
which  constituted  his  entire  stock  of  worldly  possessions.  He  began 
working  in  a  brick-yard  in  Monmouth.  While  in  that  city  he  was 
present  at  the  trial  of  the  notorious  Jo.  Smith,  who  had  been  arrested 


692  HISTOEY    OF   MEECEK   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

for  being  accessory  in  the  murder  of  Gov.  Boggs,  of  Missouri.  He 
remained  in  the  vicinity  of  Monmouth  about  tliree  years,  working  at 
various  pursuits  in  the  summer  and  teaching  in  the  winter.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  first  board  of  supervisors  in  Warren  county  in  1854. 
Mr.  More}'  was  married  March  12,  IS-tl:,  to  Miss  Philetta  Higgins,  a 
native  of  Vermont.  He  was  a  resident  of  Warren  county  until  the 
spring  of  1861,  when  he  removed  to  Mercer  county  and  bought  land 
in  sections  26  and  27,  Greene  township.  In  the  spring  of  1864  he  was 
elected  supervisor  of  the  township,  and  since  that  time  has  acted  in 
that  capacity  for  twelve  years,  the  last  two  terms  being  chairman  of  the 
board.  In  the  winter  of  1864  Mr.  Morey  was  appointed  by  the  town- 
ship to  attend  to  filling  the  quota  of  troops,  in  order  to  prevent  a  draft. 
He  went  to  Quincv  vested  with  the  proper  authority  and  arranged  mat- 
ters so  that  no  draft  was  made.  The  names  of  Mr.  Morey's  children 
in  the  order  of  their  ages  are  as  follows :  Otis  R.  (now  a  resident  of 
Audubon  county,  Iowa),  Orinda  O.  (wife  of  W.  L.  Smith,  deceased  in 
her  thirty -fifth  year),  Ella  (wife  of  Charles  Park,  now  residing  in  Cloud 
county,  Kansas),  Orlin,  Oscar,  Cornelius,  Eunice,  Lettie,  and  Dollie. 
Mr.  Morey  is  a  member  of  lodge  ]^o.  577,  A.F.A.M.,  at  Viola,  of 
wliich  institution  he  was  one  of  the  first  membei's.  He  is  a  member 
of  no  church ;  but  his  wife  and  five  of  his  children  belong  to  the 
Methodist  denomination.  During  his  residence  in  Mercer  county  Mr. 
Morey  has  taken  a  prominent  part  in  public  affairs,  and  honesty  and 
integrity  have  ever  characterized  his  actions. 

William  S.,  son  of  John  and  Martha  (Wright)  McClannahan,  was 
born  in  Adams  county,  Ohio,  January  26,  1836.  His  parents  resided 
in  that  state  until  1855,  when  they  removed  to  Monmouth,  Illinois, 
where  tliey  located  a  farm  part  of  which  was  within  the  corporate  limits 
of  the  city.  William  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm  until  1856  when 
he  began  a  course  of  study  in  the  Monmouth  College,  from  wliich 
institution  he  graduated  in  1860,  and  in  the  fall  of  that  year  entered 
the  theological  seminary  at  that  place.  After  having  attended  a  term 
in  that  institution  he  was  employed  as  principal  of  the  West  ward 
school.  About  this  time  he  became  convinced  that  duty  called  him  to 
another  field  of  action  where  muskets  instead  of  ferrules  were  in 
vogue,  and  consequently  after  teaching  a  week  he  enlisted  in  the  17th 
111.  Inf.,  and  set  out  for  the  theatre  of  war.  He  acted  as  orderly  in 
in  that  regiment  until  August,  186-3,  when  he  was  promoted  to  second 
lieutenant.  Shortly  after  his  ])romotion  he  returned  to  Monmouth, 
and  resumed  his  studies  in  the  seminary,  which  he  continued  until  the 
spring  of  1864,  when  a  company  was  organized,  composed  principally 
of  students,  and  of  which  Mr.  McClannahan  was  made  captain.     This 


GREEXE   TOWNSHIl'.  fi93 

company  entered  the  138tli  Til.  Inf.,  and  were  mustered  out  in  Sep- 
tember of  186i.  In  the  winter  of  lvS64  he  again  resumed  his  studies 
and  C'onipk^ted  them  in  the  spring  of  1865.  He  was  then  sent  as  stated 
supply  to  Dayton,  Ohio,  where  he  had  charge  of  a  congregation  one 
year,  when  he  returned  to  (xrandv' iew,  Iowa,  where  he  took  charge  of 
two  congregations,  and  for  two  years  was  princijjal  of  the  Grand  view 
Academy.  After  remaining  in  Iowa  four  years,  his  services  were 
engaged  by  the  United  Presbyterian  congregation  at  Viola.  lie  has 
been  pastor  of  that  church  since  1870,  and  during  that  time  has  won 
the  love  and  respect  of  his  entire  congregation.  Mr.  McC'annahan 
was  married  Api-il  23,  1868,  to  Miss  Mary  J.  Potter,  whose  fathei- 
resides  near  Wapelh),  Iowa,  and  the  fruits  of  the  union  are  six  chil- 
dren, whose  names  in  the  orde4'  of  their  ages  are  :  Victor  A.,  Zenis 
H.,  May  M.  (deceased),  Enoch  Potter  (deceased).  Amy,  and  Paul  II. 
It  is  well  to  add  that  four  members  of  the  McClannahan  family  enlisted 
in  the  service  of  their  country.  The  father,  Capt.  Mc(  lannahan,  and 
three  sons,  the  youngest  of  which  was  the  junior  member  of  a  family 
of  seventeen  children.  The  father  fell  at  Fort  Donelson,  where  pre- 
vious to  his  death  he  had  conducted  himself  with  heroic  bravery,  and 
among  all  the  dead  who  fell  in  that  terrible  conflict  under  the  shadow 
of  the  banner  they  made  free,  none  were  more  deeply  mourned  than 
the  gray-haired  captain. 

John  B.,  son  of  Edward  and  Rebecca  (Reasoner)  Smith,  was  born 
in  Muskingum  county,  Ohio,  in  1818.  In  1848  the  family  removed  to 
Delvalb  county,  Indiana,  where  they  resided  eight  years.  In  1856 
his  parents  removed  to  Mercer  county  and  bought  land  in  Mercer  towTi- 
shi]).  Mr.  Smith  was  married  December  26,  1839,  to  Miss  Margaret 
Boyle,  a  native  of  Knox  county,  Ohio.  The  names  of  his  children  are  : 
Edward,  Kancy  Harriet  (wife  of  Henry.  Nesbitt),  Randolph  D.,  Jane 
(wife  of  Mark  Cannum),  JoliuE.,  E[)hriam  ]>.,  Louisa  (wife  of  David 
Robb),  Perry  A.,  Henry,  William  (deceased),  Mary  Elizabeth  (de- 
ceased). Two  of  Mr.  Smith's  sons  enlisted  in  the  service  of  their  coun- 
try, Edward  in  the  early  i)art  of  1862  in  the  88th  lud.  Inf.,  Randolph 
D.  in  1864  in  the  4r)th  111.  Inf.  Mr.  Smith  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  with  which  he  united  in  1842,  and  is  also 
a  member  of  the  A.F.A.M.  lodge,  No.  577,  at  Viola.  Mr,  Smith 
has  been  constable  in  the  different  localities  wdiere  he  has  resided  for 
the  past  twenty-five  years.  He  is  a  citizen  of  worth,  respected  by  all 
who  know  him. 

Wallace  W.,  son  of  William  and  Rachel  Pinkerton,  was  born  in 
Trumbull  county,  Ohio,  ^laj  6,  1842.  When  an  infant  his  father 
came  to  Illinois  and  entered  aclaim  on  section  18,  In  Greene  township. 


694  HISTORY   OF   MERCER    AND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  remained  at  home  until  the  fall  of  1S56.  In 
1859  he  went  to  Colorado  and  engaged  in  mining  in  Russell  Gulch, 
near  Central  City,  and  remained  there  until  the  fall  of  1861,  when  he 
returned  to  Illinois,  where  he  farmed  until  August,  1862,  when  he 
enlisted  in  Co.  D,  83  111.  Int^  Was  with  the  regiment  but  one  year, 
after  which  he  did  detached  duty,  until  tlie  close  of  the  war.  In  Sep- 
tember, 1863,  he  and  his  three  companions  rode  up  to  a  house  in 
which  were  hidden  seven  guerrillas.  A  skirmish  followed  in  which 
Mr.  Pinkerton  was  shot  in  the  hand,  tearing  one  finger  from  the 
socket.  They  succeded  in  dispatching  six  of  them  and  the  company 
that  was  coming  up  behind  captured  the  seventh.  Mr.  Pinkerton  was 
discharged  June  15,  1865,  after  which  he  returned  to  Illinois.  During 
his  residence  in  Illinois  he  has  been  engaged  in  farming  and  coal  min- 
ing. He  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  J.  Carroll,  who  died  in 
1875.  He  was  again  married  in  1878  to  Miss  Nancy  Dilley.  He 
is  father  of  two  children,  whose  names  in  the  order  of  their  ages  are  : 
Kate  and  Myrtle.  Mr.  Pinkerton  is,  at  the  present  writing,  still  a 
resident  of  Illinois,  but  is  making  preparations  to  start  on  a  long  jour- 
ney toward  the  setting  sun,  and  intends  to  cast  his  lot  among  the 
mountains  of  the  west. 

lioswELL  C,  son  of  Roswell  and  Elizabeth  Sexton,  was  born  in 
Herkimer  county,  New  York,  in  1803.  His  parents  resided  there  until 
he  was  nine  years  of  age,  when  they  removed  to  Meadville,  Crawford 
county,  Pennsylvania.  His  father  and  mother  were  both  natives  of 
Connecticut.  During  their  residence  in  Meadville  his  father  was  the 
proprietor  of  a  hotel  at  that  place,  and  it  was  here  that  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  received  his  education.  In  1832  he  went  to  Centerville,  in 
the  same  county,  and  was  married  there  in  1833  to  Miss  Mary  Peek,  a 
native  of  New  York.  He  remained  in  Pennsylvania  over  twenty 
years  after  his  marriage.  In  1857  he  came  west  and  located  near  Ox- 
ford, Henry  county,  where  he  remained  until  1860,  when  lie  came  to 
Viola  and  began  keeping  hotel  in  the  Perkins  building.  The  names 
of  Mr.  Sexton's  children,  in  the  order  of  their  ages,  are:  William  H., 
now  county  clerk  in  Warren  county;  Prior  B.,  who  resides  on  a  farm 
near  Viola ;  Amelia,  deceased  in  her  eighteenth  year ;  Dora,  wife  of 
H.  Southwell,  present  superintendent  of  schools  in  Rock  Island  county; 
Theodore  F.,  who  resides  in  Viola;  and  Dora,  wife  of  L.  Menold,  also 
of  Viola.  Two  of  Mr.  Sexton's  sons  enlisted  in  the  service  of  their 
country,  in  defense  of  the  princi})les  they  ever  held  dear.  William 
enlisted  in  August,  1862,  in  Co.  D,  83d  111.  Inf ,  and  Theodore  in 
March,  1865,  in  the  same  regiment  and  coni})any.  William  was  quar- 
termaster of  his  regiment,  and  acted  in  that  capacity  until  the  close  of 


GREENE    TOWNSHIP.  695 

the  war.  The  family  are  all  prominent  members  of  the  Presbj'terian 
church,  with  which  the  father  united  in  1828.  Mr.  Sexton  and  sons 
are  all  citizens  of  great  worth,  and  are  univ^ersally  respected.  The  old 
people  are  well  advanced  in  years,  and  can  look  back  over  the  pathway 
of  life  with  })leasure,  and  console  themselyes  with  the  thought  that  for 
their  sons  and  daughters  they  leave  as  a  legacy  a  noble  example,  a 
spotless  name. 

George  W.,  son  of  Joseph  and  Violet  (Scott)  Pinkerton,  was  born 
in  Trumbull  county,  Ohio,  January  3,  1889.  When  eleven  years  of  age 
his  father's  family  emigrated  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois.  George  re- 
mained at  home  on  the  farm  until  August,  1861,  when  he  enlisted  in  a 
company  at  Rock  Island  which  was  attached  to  the  14th  Mo.  Inf.,  and 
was  sent  to  Lexington.  In  the  battle  of  that  place  the  company  was 
taken  prisoners,  and  shortly  afterward  were  paroled  and  sent  to  St. 
Louis  where  they  were  discharged.  Mr.  Pinkerton  returned  home  and 
remained  until  July,  1862,  when  he  again  enlisted  in  Co.  D,  83d  111. 
Inf.,  and  w^as  with  that  regiment  until  it  was  mustered  out  in  July,  1865. 

L^RBAN  D.,  son  of  Merritt  A.  and  Betsy  G.  Lathrop,  was  born  in 
Chenango  county,  New  York,  December  5,  1848.  When  two  years  of 
age  his  parents  emigrated  to  Waukegan,  Illinois.  Aftei-  remaining 
here  about  three  months  they  removed  to  Bureau  county.  Soon  after 
his  father  began  work  in  the  ministry,  as  a  local  preacher,  in  the 
United  Brethren  chui'ch,  and  since  that  time  has  devoted  about  twenty- 
five  years  of  his  life  to  ministerial  labor.  L^rban  remained  at  home  on 
the  farm  until  February  6,  1865,  when,  although  a  mere  lad,  he  left 
school  and  enlisted  in  Co.  A,  151st  111.  Inf ,  and  was  discharged  in 
February  of  the  follo\\'ing  year  at  Springfield,  Illinois,  after  which  he 
returned  home  and  resumed  his  labors  on  the  farm.  The  following 
winter  he  went  to  Linn  coimty,  Iowa,  where  he  began  a  course  of  study 
in  the  college  at  that  place.  In  February,  1872,  having  received  his 
license  from  the  Wesleyan  Methodist  church,  he  took  charge  of  a  cir- 
cuit in  Bureau  county.  In  1878  he  received  a  call  from  the  Hopewell 
and  Hamlet  circuit  in  Mercer  county,  and  he  accordingly  located  in 
the  parsonage  at  Bethel  three  miles  west  of  Viola.  Mr.  Lathrop  was 
married  October  15,  1871,  to  Miss  Sarah  C.  Cartwriglit,  a  native  of 
Indiana.  The  fruits  of  the  union  are  five  children,  whose  names,  in 
the  order  of  their  ages,  are  as  follows:  Arme  P.,  Elmer  P.,  Urban  C, 
John  M.,  and  Ora  E.  Mr.  Lathrop  is  ])resident  of  the  Illinois  confer- 
ence, to  which  he  was  elected  the  third  term,  in  the  fall  of  1881. 

John,  son  of  Samuel  and  Xehusta  Griffin,  was  born  in  the  town  of 
Lee,  Berkshire  county,  Massachusetts,  March  29,  1795.  He  remained 
at  home  with  his  parents  until  seventeen  years  of  age,  when  he  went 


696  HISTORY    OF   FIERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

to  Athens,  New  York,  where  he  was  apprenticed  to  learn  the  weaving 
trade.  He  followed  that  business  until  nineteen  years  old,  when  he 
was  drafted,  and,  with  a  New  York  regiment,  sent  to  Brooklyn 
Heights,  where  he  took  part  in  the  war  of  1812.  He  was  married 
in  1816  to  Miss  Mary  Hoag,  a  native  Columbia  county.  The  family 
emigrated  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  in  the  spring  of  1841,  and  bought 
land  in  section  13  in  Greene  township.  He  lived  on  his  farm  until 
June,  1865,  when  he  "was  called  away,  leaving  a  large  circle  of  friends 
and  relatives  to  mourn  his  departure.  His  widow,  Mary  Griffin,  still 
resides  on  the  old  homestead.  She  was  born  in  Pittstown,  New  York, 
June  17,  1798.  She  united  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  in 
1821,  and  has  ever  adhered  to  the  faith.  She  states  that  the  family 
fi'equently  walked  to  Farlow's  Grove,  a  distance  of  four  miles,  to  attend 
religious  services.  The  names  of  the  children,  in  the  order  of  their 
ages,  are  as  follows :  William  H.  (deceased),  Henry  G.  (now  a  resident 
of  Henry  county,  Illinois),  James  M.  (deceased),  Sarah  (deceased), 
Huldah  G.  (now  the  wife  of  Anson  Calkins,  of  Henry  county),  Mary  E. 
(deceased),  Septimus,  and  George  (deceased).  The  grim  harvester  has 
robbed  her  of  many  of  her  loved  ones,  and  she  will  probably  soon 
follow,  leaving  a  noble  example  for  those  who  survive  her. 

Charles  AV^.,  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Southern,  was  born  in  Giles 
county,  Virginia,  in  1829.  AVhen  thirteen  years  of  age  his  father's 
family  emigrated  to  Cedar  county,  Iowa,  where  he  remained  until  1850, 
when  he  came  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  and  bought  land  in  section 
21,  Greene  township.  Mr.  Southern  was  married  in  1851  to  Miss  Ruth 
Hoover,  a  native  of  Ohio.  The  names  of  their  children  in  the  order  of 
their  ages,  are  as  follows  :  Catharine  E.  (now  the  wife  of  George 
Martin),  Sarah  E.  (now  the  wife  of  Taylor  Ashenhurst,  I'esiding  in 
Adair  county,  Iowa),  William  L.,  and  Levi  M.  Mr.  Southern  devoted 
his  entire  attention  to  farming  until  March,  1865,  when  he  enlisted  in 
Co.  A,  83d  Ills.  Inf.  He  was  discharged  September  11  in  the  same 
year.  Mr.  Southern  has  served  as  commissioner  of  highways  six  years 
and  is  an  efficient  officer. 

William,  son  of  Thomas  and  Hannah  Terrey.  was  born  in  Smith- 
town,  Long  Island,  May  17,  1799.  In  1808  his  father  s  family  removed 
to  New  York  city.  In  1811  William  went  to  Ti-ov  and  remained  one 
year,  after  which  he  went  to  Vermont,  where  he  remained  until  the 
latter  part  of  1814,  when  he  returned  to  Troy,  and  while  there  wit- 
nessed the  peace  celebration  that  took  place  in  January,  1815.  While 
in  that  city  he  was  engaged  as  a  clerk  in  a  hardware  store,  which  lie 
continued  until  the  fall  of  1836,  wlien,  owing  to  the  state  of  his  health 
he  resolved  to  try  a  change  of  climate.     Although  his  physician  told 


GREENE    TOWNSHIP.  (597 

him  he  coukl  not  live  two  years  he  still  survives,  and  for  one  of  his  age 
is  hale  and  hearty.  He  came  to  Buffalo  bv  canal  and  there  took  a 
schooner  bound  for  Cliicago.  When  off  North  Point  on  Lake  Erie  a 
severe  storm  struck  them  and  all  the  heavy  articles,  including  a  stock 
of  hardware  belonging  to  Mr.  Terrey,  was  thrown  overboard.  This 
mishap  left  him  without  anything  to  speak  of,  and  after  reaching 
Chicago  he  came  out  to  Mercer  ccjunty  and  bought  a  claim  in  what  is 
now  section  36,  Greene  township,  borrowing  money  at  twenty-five  per 
cent  with  which  to  make  the  purcluise.  Mr.  Terrey  was  married 
December  J  2,  1824,  to  Miss  Barbara  Vanalstyne,  a  native  of  New 
York,  born  December  16,  1806.  The  fruits  of  the  union  was  four  chil- 
dren, all  of  whom  are  dead,  and  whose  names  are  as  follows :  Mary  E. 
(deceased  February  22,  1826),  Isaac  B.  H.  (deceased  September  17, 
1833),  Catharine  A.  (deceased  May  11,  1837),  and  Emily,  (deceased 
July  24, 1840).  James  AVilliam,  adopted  shortly  after  the  death  of  Mary 
E.,  was  born  February  17,  1826.  His  wife,  Barbara,  died  in  August, 
1866.  He  was  again  married  in  October,  1868,  to  Mrs.  Chloe  H. 
Burrill,  a  native  of  New  York.  In  1843  Mr.  Terrey  was  elected  county 
assessor,  which  office  he  held  six  terms.  In  1849  he  was  elected  county 
treasurer  and  served  four  years  in  that  capacity.  AVhen  he  first 
assessed  Keithsburg  there  were  but  three  houses  in  the  village. 

Warren  L.,  son  of  Uriah  and  Rhoda  Smith,  was  born  in  Medina 
county,  Ohio,  April  27,  1842.  The  family,  consisting  of  his  father, 
mother  and  five  children,  emigrated  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  in  1851, 
and  located  on  section  27,  Greene  township.  His  father,  in  early  times, 
took  an  active  part  in  public  affairs,  and  was  deputy  sheriff  during  the 
years  of  1856,  1857-8.  Warren  remained  at  home,  assisting  his  father 
on  the  farm  imtil  February  15,  1862,  when  he  enlisted  in  Co.  B,  65th 
111.  Inf.  In  1864,  he  re-enlisted  at  Louisville,  Kentucky,  and  was  with 
that  regiment  during  all  the  terrible  battles  in  which  it  took  part.  He 
was  mustered  out  July  15,  1865,  at  Greensborough,  North  Carolina.  He 
was  married  August  30,  1866,  to  Miss  Orinda  Morey,  daughter  of  B. 
F.  Morey,  Esq.,  of  Greene  township.  The  fruits  of  this  union  are  three 
children,  namely  :  Arthur  W.,  Charles  L.,  and  Nellie  L.  Mrs.  Smith 
died  January  25,  1882,  in  her  thirty-fifth  year,  leaving  a  large  circle  of 
friends  and  relatives  to  mourn  her  loss,  Mr.  Smith  is  a  member  of  the 
A.F.A.M.  lodge.  No,  577,  of  which  he  is  a  charter  member,  and 
was  the  first  Senior  Deacon.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episco])al  church,  with  which  he  united  in  1867. 

George  W.,  son  of  John* and  Emeline  Morris,  was  born  September 
25,  1853,  near  Keithsburg,  Mei'cer  county,  Illinois.  In  1879,  he  pur- 
chased the  farm  commonly  known  as  the  Cohran  farm,  in  section  16, 


698  HISTORY   OF   FIERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

consisting-  of  eighty  acres.  Previous  to  that  time,  he  had  made  his 
home  with  his  father.  He  was  married  March  13,  IS 79,  to  Miss  Anna 
Jolmston,  daughter  of  William  H.  Johnston,  of  Preemption  township. 
The  names  of  their  children  are  George  L.,  and  Frank.  Mr.  Morris 
is  a  farmer  of  enterprise  and  industry,  and  we  predict  for  him  a  bright 
and  pi"osperous  future. 

Edwin,  son  of  John  and  Emeline  Morris,  was  born  in  Cuyahoga 
county,  Ohio,  in  1849.  He  came  west  with  his  father  in  1851,  and 
has  always  devoted  his  attention  to  farming  and  stock  raising.  He 
was  married  December  12,  1877,  to  Miss  Emma  J.  McFate,  daughter 
of  Samuel  McFate,  of  Greene  township.  Mr,  Morris,  although  quite 
young,  has  accumulated  160  acres  of  excellent  land  in  sections  10 
and  15. 

Lucius  E.,  son  of  Israel  A.  and  Emma  Jane  Smith,  was  born  in 
Medina  county,  Ohio,  December  24,  1844.  In  the  year  1850  the 
family,  consisting  of  the  father,  mother,  and  four  children,  emigrated  to 
Mercer  county,  Illinois,  and  located  on  section  27,  Greene  township. 
Israel,  the  father,  and  the  mother,  Emma  J.,  were  members  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  church,  with  which  they  united  after  coming  to 
Illinois.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  remained  at  home  until  March, 
1864,  when  he  enhsted  in  Co.  I,  83d  111.  Inf.,  serving  with  that  regi- 
ment until  mustered  out,  after  which  he  served  two  months  in  the  61st, 
being  discharged  in  September  of  the  same  year.  Married  in  April, 
1872,  to  Miss  Harriet  F.  Thompson,  a  native  of  Iowa.  The  names  of 
their  children,  in  the  order  of  their  ages,  are  as  follows :  Edith, 
Lyman,  and  Leonard.  Mr.  Smith  now  resides  on  section  28,  in 
Greene  township. 

John  Morris  was  born  in  Somersetshire,  England,  May  27,  1816. 
His  father  and  family  came  to  America  in  1840,  arri\dng  at  New  York 
on  July  3.  They  came  to  Ohio,  where  the  subject  of  this  sketch  bought 
a  farm  near  Cleveland.  On  March  1,  1847,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Emeline  C.  Hicks,  at  Zanesville.  In  1851  Mr.  Morris  and  family 
came  to  Illinois,  by  wa}'  of  the  lakes  to  Chicago,  and  thence  by  teams 
to  Mercer  county,  locating  near  Keith sburg.  His  father  died  here  in 
1856,  in  his  sixty-eighth  year.  After  residing  in  Mercer  county  five 
years,  Mr.  Morris  moved  to  Warren  county,  but  again  returned  to 
Mercer  in  1865,  and  bought  a  farm  in  section  9  in  Greene  township, 
to  which  he  has  added,  by  purchase,  other  land  in  the  vicinity  of 
Viola.  Their  children,  named  in  the  order  of  their  ages,  are :  Yie- 
toria  M.,  Edwin  and  Edmond  (who  are  twins),  George  W.,  Clara, 
Eugene  (deceased),  Elwood  J.,  Ida  S.,  and  Cora  M. ;  besides  the  above 
named,  three  sons  and  one  daughter  have  been  buried  in  infancy. 


COMPANY    K,    NINTH    KEGUVffiNT.  TOl 


COMPANY   E,  NINTH  liEGIMEMT. 

The  Nintli  Illinois  Regiment  was  one  of  the  six  regiments  organ- 
ized at  S|)ringtield  for  the  three  montlis'  service.  The  regiment  was 
mustered  into  service  April  28,  1801,  and  ordered  to  Cairo,  where  it 
remained  during  the  three  months''  service  in  the  brigade  commanded 
bj  Bridadier  C.  M.  Prentiss. 

July  26  the  regiment  was  mustered  into  the  three  years"  service  by 
Capt.  Pitcher,  P.S.A.  About  500  of  the  three  months' men  re-enlisted 
for  three  years,  and  on  September  1,  iNOl,  the  regiment  nund)ered 
104:0.  Se})tember  o,  1861,  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  Paducah, 
where  it  passed  the  winter.  During  the  winter  exj^editions  were  made 
to  Milburn,  Maylield,  A'iola,  Calloway  Landing,  and  elsewhere  in 
Kentucky.  Three  hundred  men  of  the  ninth,  under  command  of  Maj. 
Jesse  .1.  Phillips,  sin-prised  and  attacked  a  force  of  200  rebel  cavalry 
at  Saratoga,  Lyon  county,  Kentucky,  killing  eight,  wounding  several, 
and  taking  thirty-six  prisioners,  besides  many  horses  and  equipments. 

On  February  5,  1862,  the  regiment  moved  up  the  Tennessee  river 
to  Fort  Henry,  and  was  in  the  1st  Brig.,  2(1  Div.,  Army  of  the  Ten- 
nessee, Col.  John  McArthur  commanding  the  brigade  and  Oen.  (\  F. 
Smith  commanding  the  division.  The  brigade  moved  U|»  the  left  bank 
of  the  Tennessee  river,  driving  the  rebels  from  Fort  Ileiman  and  cap- 
turing all  camp  equipages  and  stores  there.  February  12  they  moved 
to  Fort  Donelson,  and  were  engaged  in  that  battle  with  eight  com- 
panies, sustaining  a  loss  of  35  killed,  1(56  wounded  and  6  prisoners. 
The  part  taken  in  this  action  by  Col.  McArthur's  brigade,  of  which 
this  regiment  formed  a  })art,  has  no  place  in  any  official  report  of  that 
action.  His  brigade,  which  formed  a  part  of  Gen.  Smith's  division, 
was  detached  to  the  support  of  the  first  division,  commanded  by  Brig. 
Gen.  McClernand,  and  was  engaged  on  the  right  of  our  army  during 
the  lighting  of  Saturday,  February  15,  where  most  of  the  severe  light- 
ing took  place. 

February  22  they  moved  up  the  Cumberland  river  and  occupied 
Clarksville.  February  27  they  moved  to  Nashville,  and  returned 
March  1.  March  6  they  embarked  for  Paducah  and  up  the  Tennessee 
to  Pittsburg  Landing,  where  they  disembarked  March  1!».  The  regi- 
ment was  engaged  at  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  April  (>  and  7,  and  sustained 
a  loss  on  the  6th  of  61  killed,  287  wounded  and  two  prisoners.  Out 
of  the  twenty-six  officers  of  field,  stafit'  and  line,  twenty-one  were  killed 
or  wounded.  The  second  brigade  was  commanded  by  I>rig.-(ien.  Jolni 
McArthur  and  the  division  by  l>rig.-Gen.  AV.  II.  L.  Wallace. 
4(J 


702  iiisTOKY  OF  :mercer  and  hendekson  counties. 

During  tlie  advance  upon  Corinth  the  brigade  was  commanded  by 
Brig. -Gen.  J.  R.  Oglesby  and  the  division  bj  Brig. -Gen.  Thomas  A. 
Davies.  On  the  evacuation  of  Corinth  the  division,  attached  to  the 
third  armv  corps  (Maj.-Gen.  John  Pope  commanding),  pursued  the  re- 
treating enemy  to  Booneville,  twenty-five  miles  south.  They  remained 
in  camp  at  Corinth  from  Jure  13  to  August  16,  and  at  Rienzi,  iifteen 
miles  south  of  Corinth,  until  October  1.  The  brigade  was  engaged  at 
the  battle  of  Corinth,  October  3  and  4,  and  sustained  a  loss  of  nine- 
teen killed,  eighty-two  wounded  and  fifty-two  prisoners.  After  the 
engagement  the  regiment  was  ordered,  one  battalion  to  Danville  and 
one  to  Rienzi,  ft'om  whence  they  were  ordered  to  Corinth  November 
27.  December  13  the  regiment  was  ordered  out  on  a  reconnoissance 
to  Gemtown,  Saltillo,  Tupelo,  and  Marietta,  Mississippi.  The  brigade 
(9th  reg.  111.  Vol  Inf.,  81st  Ohio  Inf.,  1st  batt.  Stewart/ s  111.  Cav.,  and 
two  guns  of  Tanrath's  battery),  commanded  by  Col.  Aug.  Mersey, 
captured  seventy-eight  prisoners  and  a  large  number  of  horses  and 
mules. 

As  originally  organized,  Alexander  G.  Hawes,  of  Belleville,  was 
captain  of  Co.  E,  whicli  was  largely  raised  in  Mercer  county.  William 
D.  Craig,  of  Aledo,  was  first  lieutenant,  and  Roswell  B.  Patterson,  of 
Belleville,  was  second  lieutenant.  The  first  and  last  named  served  in 
their  respective  oftices  until  the  experiation  of  their  terms  in  1S64. 
Wm.  D.  Craig  was  promoted  June  8,  1862,  to  the  ofiice  of  first  assist- 
ant surgeon,  and  retained  that  position  until  the  expiration  of  his  term, 
August  20,  1864. 

T^ear  the  expiration  of  their  term,  the  regiment  was  reorganized  and 
consolidated,  and  Thomas  C.  Kidd,  of  Springfield,  was  chosen  captain 
of  Co.  E,  Thomas  F.  McClintock,  of  Aledo,  first  lieutenant,  and  Wm. 
P.  Reese,  second  lieutenant.  David  D.  Bigger,  of  Henderson,  was 
surgeon ;  Charles  B.  Fleming,  of  Keithsburg,  was  second  lieutenant  of 
Co.  A,  and  was  afterward  promoted  to  first  lieutenant.  For  some 
time  before  and  after  the  consolidation,  the  regiment  followed  the 
fortunes  of  Sherman's  bummers,  as  they  were  styled,  through  to 
Savannah,  and  north  through  the  Carolinas.  In  all  the  9th  is  credited 
with  being  in  110  battles  and  skirmishes.  Thirteen  of  Mercer  county's 
best  citizens,  members  of  Co.  E,  gave  their  lives  as  a  sacrifice  for  their 
country's  salvation. 


COMPANY    (',    TWEN'IT-SIXTH    INFANTRY.  703 


COMPANY  C,  TWEKT^'-SIXTII  INFANTRY. 

This   coinpanv  was  made  u])  largt-ly  of  men  from  Millersburg  and 
vicinity.     The  rest  of  the  company  was  from  Bond  county.     It  was 
organized  August  23,  1861,  and  mustered  into  service  the  same  day. 
George  W.  Keener,  of  Bond  county,  was  elected  caj)tain,  Thomas  L. 
Vest,  of  the  same  county,  iirst  lieutenant,  and  James  A.  Dugger,  of 
Millersburg,  second  lieutenant.     Dugger  was,  upon  the  resignation  of 
the  captain,  and  again  of  the  first  lieutenant,  promoted  to  each  jjosi- 
tion,  and  in  the  otfice  of  captain  he  was  serving  when  he  was  killed, 
July  16,  1863.     James  H.  Comer,  of  Millersburg,  served  awhile  as 
second  lieutenant,  and  James  Manies  and  John  McAllister,   of  the 
same  place,  each  served  as  first  lieutenant.     This  company  was,  how- 
ever,   considered   a    Bond   county  company,   and    in   the   main  was 
officered  by  men  from   tliat  county.      Seventeen  members,   formerly 
residents  of  Mercer  county,  were  either  killed  or  met  their  death  from 
disease  contracted  in  the  army. 

The  !2Bth  regiment  was  partially  organized  at  Camp  Butler,  August 
31,  1861,  and  were  ordered  to  Quincy  for  the  protection  of  that  place. 
Their  first  arms  were  as  primitive  as  could  be  desired,  being  simply 
hickory  clubs.  During  the  latter  part  of  the  year  they  changed  their 
munitions  of  war  to  something  but  little  better,  the  old  English  mus- 
ket. These  did  quite  well,  however,  as  they  were  not  called  u])on  to 
put  them  into  active  use  until  three  other  companies  (the  original  num- 
ber being  seven)  were  added.  The  marches,  engagements,  skirmishes 
and  privations,  from  that  time  forth,  were  all  that  the  most  lieoric 
could  desire.  At  New  Madrid  the  regiment  was  first  engaged,  after 
which  Fort  Pillow,  siege  of  Corinth  (Co.  G  of  this  regiment  being  the 
.first  to  enter  after  evacuation ),  luka,  siege  of  Jackson  (where  Captain 
Dugger  was  killed).  Mission  Ridge,  were  scenes  of  conflict  in  which 
the  regiment  was  engaged.  At  the  last  named  place  the  regiment 
suftered  greatly,  losing  in  killed  and  wounded  one-tenth  of  the  regi- 
ment. On  June  1,  1864,  there  were  only  515  men  present  ready  for 
duty,  of  whom  -163  re-enlisted  as  veterans.  After  a  home  furlough  the 
regiment  went  on  the  Atlanta  campaign,  thence  to  Savannah,  and 
finally  through  the  Carolinas,  and  participated  in  the  grand  review  at 
Washington.  The  general  features  of  the  marches  and  engagements 
are  so  fully  given  in  this  book,  in  the  course  of  other  regiments,  that 
details  and  repetition  are  not  considered  advisable  at  this  time. 


7<»+  HISTORY    <iF    >[EKCER    AND    IIEXDERSON    (OUXl'IES. 


PREEMPTIOX  TOAVNSHIP. 

Than  tlie  township  of  Preemption,  as  the  traveler  now  beliolds  it, 
it  would  be  hard  indeed  to  conceive  a  place  which  attbrds  scenes  of 
greater  beauty,  homes  indicative  of  more  thrift,  or  resources  more  avail- 
able and  giving  stronger  assurance  of  wealth  and  luxury  ;  so  diversi- 
tied  is  its  surface,  so  various  its  products.  In  the  north  are  broad,  fer- 
tile prairies,  occupied  by  prosperous  farmers,  who  have  expended  no 
little  money  in  beautifying  their  homes.  Indeed,  the  gently  undulat- 
ing j)rairies  invite  irresistably  to  expend  time  and  taste  in  ornamenta- 
tion, so  fully  do  they  revealand  enhance  every  touch  of  beauty  given 
them.  They  have  accordingly  been  studded  with  tine  residences,  set 
amidst  ornamental  trees  and  shrubs  and  full-blooming  orchards  ;  their 
rich  acres  enclosed  with  neatly  trimmed  hedges,  whose  dark-green  con- 
trasts harmoniously  with  the  broad  fields  of  waving  grain. 

In  the  south  the  surface  is  sharply  broken  and  covered  in  ]:)laces 
with  a  heavy  growth  of  jack-oak  and  hazel,  but  well  adapted  to  pur- 
poses of  grazing.  Here  also  are  found  large  quantities  of  excellent 
coal  and  Imilding  stone.  The  Edwards  i-iver  affords  perfect  drainage 
to  the  entire  township,  besides  adding  to  its  varied  beauty  of  scenery 
by  the  deep  gorges  and  precipitous  ravines  cut  l)v  its  numerous  tribut- 
aries. 

Very  different,  but  scarcely  less  beautiful,  nnist  have  been  this 
favored  section  when,  in  1835,  John  Farlow^  and  Hopkins  Boone,  in- 
short  succession,  with  their  families,  entered  and  set  about  prepaiing 
homes.  Then  the  ]>rairie  stretched  away  to  the  north,  brightened  with 
the  gorgeous  hues  of  native  flowers  ;  about  him  was  the  deep  silence  of 
a  large  white  oak  forest  and  all  the  rudeness  and  lonliness  of  the  un- 
trodden wilderness.  At  their  doors  flowed  the  beautiful  but  treacher- 
ous Edwards  river,  its  banks  now  rising  rough  and  precipitous,  now 
spreading  out  into  broad,  fertile  bottoms.  Instead  of  the  busy  sounds 
of  labor,  the  cheerful  voices  of  friendly  neighbors,  were  heard  the  howl 
of  the  wolf,  the  cry  of  the  wild-cat,  the  hateful  rattle  of  the  rattlesnake. 
Instead  of  herds  of  cattle,  deer  roamed  the  ])rairies  and  started  from  the 
thickets  ;  instead  of  the  cries  of  domestic  fowd  were  heard  the  wdiir  of 
the  grouse's  wing,  the  whistle  of  the  quail,  and  the  call  of  the  wdld 
turkey,  while  multitudes  of  geese  and  ducks  covered  the  ponds  in  the 
bottoms  of  the  Edwards  river.  Yet  with  all  its  rudeness,  its  beauty 
and  promise  must  have  foreshadowed  to  the  mind  of  the  pioneer  the 
j  resent  prosperity  and  wealth  of  Preemption  township.  For  nearly  a 
year  Jolin  Farlow  and  rioj)kins  Boone  had  no  neighbors,  there  being 


I'REEMI'TION    TOWNSIIIl'.  7<>5 

no  family  between  tliem  and    Rock  river  on   the  noitli,  and  l)iit  one 
between  them  and  Monmouth  on  the  soutli. 

Tn  tlic  followinii;  s])nng  there  came  into  tlie  sctth-nient,  with  thrii- 
families,  liev.  John  Montfj^omerv,  a  Presbyterian  minister,  and  James 
Boone,  from  Pennsylvania,  and  from  Indiana,  (Tabriel  Barklev, 
diristopher  ^filler  and  Rev.  Joseph  Jones,  a  J>a})tist  j)reaeher.  Ihit 
they  wei'e  still  isolated  from  any  considerable  settU'nient.  for  thert;  was 
no  road,  the  only  line  of  communication  being  an  LnUan  trail  leading 
from  Monmouth  to  Pock  Island,  which  could  be  tra\'eled  only  on  foot 
or  on  horseback;  there  was  no  postotHce,  no  convenient  market,  no 
mill.  Ihit  this  state  of  atlairs  did  not  long  continue;  the  natural  ad- 
vantages of  the  location  attracted  settlers  ;nid  the  increasing  population 
and  production  demanded  increased  facilities  for  the  transfer  of  emi- 
grants and  the  transportation  of  crops  to  market. 

In  1832  a  road  had  been  laid  out  from  Beard stown  to  Cralena,  fol- 
lowing the  main  route  to  the  lead  mines  located  at  the  latter  place. 
This  road,  however,  was  impassable  by  wagons  on  account  of  the  river 
banks  being  so  cut  out  by  the  swift  currents  of  the  streams,  until  in  ls;',7 
the  county  built  across  the  Edwards  river,  on  section  34,  a  trestle 
bridge,  covered  with  oak  |)lank.  The  only  other  regularly  laid  out 
road  previous  to  lS-1-0  w^as  the  state  road,  leading  from  New  Boston, 
Mercer  county,  to  a  town  in  Henry  county,  now  defunct,  named  Rich- 
mond. 

In  1838  there  came  into  the  noi-thern  ])ai1;  of  the  township  Benjamin 
Clarke,  David  Little,  John  Beirbeau,  and  Charles  Minick,  settling  on 
section  1  and  2,  and  E.  J.  Farwell,  on  section  14.  Only  those  who 
went  tlirough  the  trials  of  these  early  times  can  appreciate  their  se- 
verity. Xow"  railroads  intersect  the  county  in  various  directions  ;  hard 
roads  and  good  bridges  make  stations  easily  accessible  ;  mercantile 
enterprise  brings  the  products  of  the  best  mills  and  factories  to  one's 
very  doors.  Not  so  at  the  earlv  davs  of  which  we  write.  Then  the 
settler  must  go  long  distances  to  mill  with  his  grist,  and  there  wait  his 
turn  to  have  it  ground.  The  particular  settlers  of  whom  we  write, 
were  obliged  to  go  to  Monmouth  to  mill,  forc4ing  on  their  way  both 
the  Pope  creek  and  the  Edwards  river.  To  market  their  produce  they 
must  go  miles  away  over  the  prairies  to  New  Boston,  or  to  the  town  of 
Stevenson,  now  Rock  Island.  Had  the  prices  of  their  croj)S  brought 
been  proportionate  to  the  labor  of  getting  them  to  market,  or  had  the 
cost  of  the  necessaries  of  life  been  correspondingly  low,  their  hard- 
ships, though  still  great,  would  have  been  much  relieved,  rnfortun- 
ately,  neither  condition  existed  ;  witness  the  following  schedule  of 
prices:  AVheat,  twenty -five  cents  per  busliel,  to  be  paid  for  in  goods 


706  HISTORY    C)F    MERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

(at  wluit  prices  we  sliall  presently  see) ;  corn,  if  one  could  sell  ut  all, 
ten  cents  per  bushel  ;  dressed  hogs  weighing  200  pounds  and  upward, 
$1.50  per  hundred  ;  hogs  of  lighter  weight  at  a  less  price.  Mr.  Boone 
relates,  as  a  fair  illustration,  this  incident :  learning  that  a  certain 
merchant  at  Andalusia,  Iowa,  w^as  paying  $2  pei-  hundred  for  good 
dressed  pork,  and  needing  some  salt,  he  'and  his  hand  sjjent  a  day  at 
killing  and  dressing  such  hogs  as  he  had  ready  for  market.  Proceed- 
ing by  a  laborious  route  to  Andalusia,  he  sold  his  pork,  450  pounds,  foi" 
$9.  liecrossing  the  river  at  Davenport,  to  Rock  Island,  he  bought  his 
salt,  paying  therefor  $9,  or  •150  pounds  of  dressed  pork.  In  1837  these 
settlers  obtained  a  postottice,  located  at  the  residence  of  Hopkins  Boone, 
the  second  in  the  county,  called  the  Farlow's  Grove  postoffice.  The 
postage  was  twenty-five  cents  a  letter,  just  the  price  of  a  bushel  of 
wheat.  The  mail  came  at  long  intervals  and  irregularly,  carried  on 
horseback  along  the  old  Indian  trail.  As  the  county  grew,  the  postal 
facilities  increased,  till  now  tlie  office,  removed  since  to  the  village  of 
Preemption,  receives  and  sends  daily  mails.  With  the  growth  of  the 
farming  interests,  the  development  of  the  mineral  resources  has  kept 
equal  pace.  The  demand  for  stone  has  steadily  increased  with  the 
population.  The  quarries  have  furnished  the  stone  for  most  of  the 
cellars  and  wells  of  the  township.  Shortly  after  the  settlement  of  the 
township,  coal  was  found  cropping  out  in  various  places.  It  has 
proved  to  be  of  good  quality,  abundant  in  (iuantitv.  easily  accessible. 
One  vein  is  live  feet  in  thickness.  The  depth  of  the  veins  "below  the 
surface  varies  from  twenty-five  to  seventy-five  feet.  This  industry  has 
far  outgrown  the  demands  of  the  township  and  surrounding  country, 
and  the  railroad,  built  by  Mr.  Cable,  finds  lucrative  employment  in 
conveying  to  other  points  the  surplus  production  of  this  and  Richland 
Grove  township  mines.  This  brief  sketcff  but  very  insufficiently  indi- 
cates the  great  resources  of  the  township.  Perhaps  the  best  indication 
of  what  is  in  store  for  its  citizens  in  the  future  will  be  a  statement  of  its 
present  wealth,  accumulated  in  less  than  a  half  century  since  the  first 
settler  pitched  his  tent  within  its  limits.  The  population  has  increased 
to  1,410  in  1880.  In  ^1881  the  assessed  value  of  lands  was  $362,743  ; 
of  town  lots,  $1,170  ;  of  personal  property,  $125,104.  But  this  can  be 
hardly  more  than  an  earnest  of  what  is  yet  to  be  attained  here  in  point 
of  wealtli.  Besides  all  this  there  has  grown  up  a  busy  village  with  excel- 
lent buildings  and  enterprising  merchants.  The  first  hotel,  opened  by 
PI.  E.  Wright  in  1 854,  has  given  place  to  the  excellent  house  of  Mrs. 
Robt.  Hammond.  The  business  of  blacksmith  shop  of  Xorton  Griffith, 
established  in  1853,  the  wagon  ^hop,  opened  by  W.  C.  Gray  in  1855, 
has  been  augmented  by  the  beautiful  drug  store  of  Dr.  Jas.  H.  Seyler, 


PREEMITION    TOWNSHIP.  707 

the  extensive  general  store  of  AVm.  Hammond,  Mr.  Brigg"s  grocery, 
the  large  mill  o])eratecl  by  Mr.  Carver,  the  lumber  yard,  and  the 
creamery,  controlled  respectively  by  J.  E.  Otto,  and  D.  W.  Little. 
From  this  list  must  not  be  omitted  the  name  of  the  veteran  merchant, 
Mr.  Pliilli])  E.  Stevens,  successor  with  Mr.  Wright  to  Messrs.  Whar- 
ton &  Crawford,  the  Urst  general  merchants  of  the  township. 

The  titles  to  the  lands  occupied  by  the  early  settlers  upon  the  tract 
lying  between  the  Illinois  and  Mississii)pi  rivers,  upon  the  security  of 
which  depended  so  largely  the  pros})ority  and  peace  of  the  settlement, 
were  not  established  without  difficulty  and  the  exercise  of  much  de- 
cision and  courage  on  the  part  of  the  ])ioneers.  At  the  time  the 
settlers  came  the  land  had  not  been  offered  for  sale,  and  there  were 
no  ])reemption  or  other  laws  to  protect  the  settlers  in  their  claims  and 
improvements.  Two  classes  of  persons  sought  to  take  advantage  of 
this  to  reap  profits  of  the  frontiersman's  sacrifices  and  labors, — the 
claim-jumper  and  the  moneyed  speculatcn-.  The  former  sought  to 
obtain  a  claim  upon  land  already  occupied  and  im[)roved  by  settling 
upon  it ;  the  latter  b}'  bidding  against  the  settlers  at  the  ])ublic  land 
sales.  This  conflict  of  claims  had  been  the  fruitful  source  of  serious 
difficulties  and  the  occasion  of  some  murders.  To  prevent  any  such 
trouble,  the  settlers  of  Preemption  and  some  other  townships  formed 
an  association  for  mutual  protection.  One  of  their  number,  Mr.  Hop- 
kins Boone,  was  chosen  recorder,  and  the  claim  of  each  settler  duly 
recorded,  according  to  its  location  on  the  prairie;  each  settler,  more- 
over, being  limited  in  the  size  of  his  claim  to  a  reasonable  amount  of 
land.  Previous  to  the  sale  of  the  lands  of  this  township,  two  claims 
were  "jumped.''  In  b(^th  cases  the  settlers  at  once  sent  a  committee 
and  ordered  the  parties  to  "leave  the  diggins.""  They  left.  The  land 
of  Preemption  township  came  into  market  October  30,  1844,  the  last 
of  Mercer  county  to  be  sold.  The  fact  that  ])rior  to  this  sale  the  set- 
tlers of  this  township  held  their  homes  under  the  preemption  law,  gave 
it  its  name — Preemption. 

For  voting  purposes,  this  section  belonged  to  the  Richland  drove 
precinet.  It  is  rehxted  that  at  the  presidential  election  of  1830,  the 
people  of  this  precinct  gathered  to  vote  ;  but  vainly  had  they  come, 
for  no  one  knew  who  were  the  electors.  Converting  their  disai)point- 
ment  into  a  resolve  that  some  one  in  the  settlement  must  take  a  news- 
paper thereafter,  they  had  a  neighborly  chat  and  went  home.  That 
they  were  so  far  neglected  by  the  solicitous  politician  is  most  con- 
■sdncing  proof  (jf  their  complete  isolation.  The  first  election  in  the 
township  was  held  the  following  year,  at  Hopkins  Boone's  residence. 
The  township  organization  was  effected  in  IS.">4.     The  officers  elected 


"OS 


HISTORY    OF    MERCER    AXD    HENDERSON    rOUNTIES. 


at  this  and  the  successive  elections  are  given  in  the  following  list, 
furnished  by  the  courtesy  of  Mr.  Thomas  L.  Johnson,  appointed,  at 
the  last  town  meeting,  clerk,  in  place  of  Mr.  11.  J.  Stewart,  during  the 
latter's  illness : 


18.>1 

18.Mi 
1&')7 

18.".9 
1860 
1861 
1862 
1863 
1864 
1865 
1866 
1867 
1868 
1869 
1870 
1871 
1872 
1873 
1874 
1875 
1876 
1877 
1878 
1879 
1880 
1881 
1882 


SlPEKVLSOR. 


David  Little.... 
Drtviil  Little.... 

David  Little 

.loliii  Wliitsitt.. 
.Tdlni  Wliit.'^itt. 
.liilui  Whitsitt.. 
•Jolni  Wliitsitt.. 

H.  Boone 

II.  E.  Wrigrht.... 
J.  ('.  Wriiflit.   .. 

J.  C.  \Vri,i;lit 

A.  N.  Hiekok... 
A.  N.  Hiekok... 
A.  N.  Hiekok... 
David  Little. 


Town  Clkuk. 


(  'ol.I.KCTOR. 


A.SSESS0I5. 


Treso H.  E.  Wright . . . 

Treuo H.  E.  Wnuht... 

.  Kile 'A.  X.  Hieliok... 

Fleteher James  Connolly. 


V 

.1 

I). 

D 

D. 

D 

D 

I) 

D 

I) 

Wni. 

David  Little jWm, 

VVm.  H.  Johnston ,Wm. 

\Vm.  H.  Jolinston |Wm. 

Wm.  H.  Jolinston iWni. 

Wm .  H.  Johnston R.J. 

Wm.  H.  Johnston K.J. 

Wm.  H.  Johnston |R.J. 

Wm.  H.  Johnston | R.  J. 

Wm.  H.  Johnston :  R.  J. 

Wm.  H.  Johnston I  R.J. 

Wm.  H.  Johnston R.  J. 

Wm.  H.  Johnston ' R.  J. 

S.  F.  Everett iR.  J. 

S.  F.  Everett R.J. 


Stevens 

Fleteher.   . 

Clarke 

Clarke 

Clarke 

Clarke 

Clarke 

Clarke 

Cliirke 

Clarke 

Hammond. 
Hammond. 
Hammond. 
Hammond. 
Hammond. 

Stewart 

Stewart 

Stewart 

Stewart 

Stewart 

Stewart 

Stewart 

Stewart 

Stewart 

Stewart 


P.  E.  Stevens 

James  Connolly. . . 
Jame.s  Connolly. .. 
James  Connollv.  . 
Robert  Ottieer.". . . . 
James  Connolly. . . 
James  Connolly.  . 
James  Connolly. .. 
James  Connolly. . . 

Leander  Stiles 

James  Connolly. . . 
James  Connolly. . . 
James  Connolly. . . 
James  Connolly. . . 
S.  T.  Briffsjs . 


Samnel  Dow. 
Samnel  Dow. 
B.  F.  Fletcher. 
B.  F.  Fleteher. 
J.  S.  Mathew* 
B.  F.  Fletcher. 
B.  F.  Fleteher. 
B.  F.  Fletcher. 
B.  F.  Fleteher. 
James  Connolly. 
II.  Boone. 
W.  Bradshaw. 
W.  ]5radshaw. 
.lames  Counolly. 
Wm.  W.  Johnston. 
J.  Weaver. 
A.  Kendall. 
A.  Kendall. 
.  A.  Kendall. 


Leander  Stiles .1.  Weaver. 

Leander  Stiles [L.  D.  Willard. 

Leander  ."Utiles |L.  D.  Willard. 

Leander  Stiles .L  L.  Smith. 

S.  T.  Brigss Leander  Stiles. 

Leander  Stiles Thos.  L.  Johnston. 

Leander  .utiles Thos.  L.  Johnston. 

W.  H.  Johnston F'red  Anthony. 

George  ( ira v F.  W.  Rathbon. 

J.  II.  Dnnn." F.  W.  Rathbon. 


The  life  of  the  pioneer  was  not  undarkened  by  domestic  sorrow,  nor 
unbrightened  by  domestic  joys.  The  minister  of  the  little  settlement 
early  found  occasion  to  share  the  sorrows  and  the  joys  of  his  neigh- 
bors, to  offer  the  consolations  of  religion  to  the  bereaved,  to  extend  his 
congratulations  and  god-speed  to  those  who  in  marriage  had  united 
heart  and  hand  to  subdue  the  wilderness,  and  make  it  blossom  as  the 
rose. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hopkins  Boone  first  claimed  the  pastor's  tender  sei- 
vices  in  the  burial  in  this  hmely  place  of  their  infant  son.  They,  too, 
were  the  first  to  hail  the  birth  of  a  child,  a  daughter,  who  lived  to 
grow  up  in  the  old  homestead,  to  assist  her  parents  in  their  hardships. 
and,  with  Mr,  Geddes,  to  make  another  home. 

With  all  their  hard  labors,  these  pioneers  still  found  time  to  woo 
and  win  the  fair  daughters  of  their  neighbors.  Scarcely  the  second 
winter  passed  since  John  Farlow  built  his  cabin  cm  the  banks  of  the 
Edwards  river,  when  (in  a  figure)  the  first  wedding  bells  called  to  the 
marriage  of  Susan,  daughter  of  -lames  and  Hannah  Boone,  to  Dr.  Joseph 
S.  Mans,  of  Pekin,  Illinois.  In  1838  another  daughter  became  the 
helpmeet  of  Mr.  Alfred  Perry. 


I'RKEMl'TIdX     ntW-NSHIP.  709 

Rapid  and  absorbing  as  has  been  the  material  development  of  this 
township,  the  claims  of  religion  have  not  been  neglected.  Among 
the  tirst  settlers  was  a  Presbvterian  minister,  Rev.  John  ISIontgomer}', 
who  became  pastor  of  the  tirst  chnrch  in  the  commnnity,  organized 
at  Farlow's  Grove  in  1889.  with  the  following  constituent  members  : 
Elder  John  Linn  and  wife,  Elder  Robert  Stewart,  wife  and  two 
daughters,  Elder  Barrows  and  daughter,  Samuel  AVhan  and  wife, 
Mrs.  H.  Boone,  Mr.  Black  and  wife,  and  others.  In  1848,  John 
Montgomery,  now  deceased,  was  followed  in  tlu'  pastorate  of  the 
church  by  Thomas  S.  Vale,  a  very  talented  man  from  Princeton 
college.  He  remained  until  alxjut  1840,  when  he  was  succeeded 
by  Rev.  L.  B.  Crittenden,  who  continued  as  pastor  till  about  1850. 
About  this  time,  Mr.  John  Whitsitt,  who  had  been  ordained  as 
elder  in  1845,  removed  his  membership  to  Rock  Island,  where  his 
children  were  at  school.  In  ISHT,  ]\Ir.  Whitsitt's  energy  procured  a 
church-building  on  his  farm  adjoining  the  village  of  Preem])tion. 
Here  in  1868  a  church  was  organized  with  Jolm  Whitsitt,  Hugh  Liv- 
ingstone, and  James  Henry  as  elders,  of  wdiom  the  latter  two  were 
elected  and  ordained  at  this  time,  the  tirst  named  having  been  ordain- 
ed vears  before  at  Farlow's  Grove.  For  manv  years  this  church  flour- 
ished,  having  in  its  membei'shi})  a  number  of  the  very  best  citizens  of 
Preemption  townshij).  In  1881  an  unfortunate  controversy  arose, 
which  has  severely  injured  the  oro;anization.  The  society  now  hold 
sei'vices  in  Hammond's  Hall.  The  church  at  Farlow's  Grove  still 
exists,  though  less  vigorous  tlian  informer  years.  They  have  no  settled 
pastor  but  have  occasional  preaching. 

METHODIST  P^PISCOPAL  CHURCH. 

The  lirst  Methodist  society  in  the  townshi]j  of  Preemption  was 
organized  in  the  year  1841,  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Benjamin  Clarke,  with 
six  members,  viz :  Benjamin  Clarke  (leader)  and  wife,  David  Little 
and  wife,  Andrew  Gilmore,  and  Margaret  Gilmore.  They  held  their 
meetings  at  this  place  until  1846,  when  a  house  of  worship  was  built, 
under  the  following  circumstances :  Judge  Savage,  who  had  been  in 
this  section  looking  after  his  real  estate  interests,  observing  the  lack 
of  means  for  the  develo})nient  of  either  or  both  educational  and  re- 
ligious interests,  and  believing,  as  do  all  intelligent  men,  that  tlirough 
these  mediums  only  come  true  prosperity  and  the  successful  building 
up  of  a  new  country,  he  deposited  in  Rock  Island  $50  to  be  used  in 
building  a  house  for  church  and  school  purposes.  This  fact  Mr. 
Savage  communicated  to  flohn  Whitsitt,  who  soon  after  conferred  with 
Mr.  C.  A.  S])ring,  an  agent  of  the  American  Sunday  School  Union  of 


710  HISTOKY    CtF   MERCER   AND    HEJfDERSOX    COUNTIES. 

ISTew  York,  who  was  tlien  here  in  the  interest  of  that  society.  Througli 
Mr.  Spring's  inliuence  Mr.  Lemuel  Brewster,  a  benevolent  gentleman 
in  New  York,  was  induced  to  build  three  houses  here,  one  at  Farlow's 
Grove  in  section  34,  one  at  Preem])tion  Corners  in  section  11,  and  one 
in  Rock  Island  countv ;  the  $50  donated  bv  Judge  Savage  was  tinally 
used  in  improving  and  fencing  the  Union  cemeterv  at  Farlow's  (irrove. 
In  this  house  at  Preemption  the  Methodists  worsliiped  until  they  erect- 
ed their  present  commodious  church  edifice  on  the  southwest  corner 
of  David  Little's  farm  in  section  2,  adjoining  the  village  of  Preemption, 
in  1867.  The  old  building  is  still  (and  may  it  for  many  years  to  come) 
standing  as  a  memorial  to  the  memory  of  its  benevolent  builder. 

The  perusal  of  the  following  pages  will  be  the  evidence  of  how  the 
All-wise  Ruler  of  all  things  crowned  these  early,  yet  feeble,  eftbrts 
with  success.  Reverting  in  the  history  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  to  1865,  we  tind  it  in  charge  of  Rev.  Amos  Morey  as  i)astor, 
with  101  members  and  fourteen  probationers.  Rev.  Mr.  Morey  filled 
this  j)()sition  up  to  1868,  when  he  reported  three  preaching  places,  123 
members  and  nineteen  probationers,  a  church  worth  $3,000,  and  a 
comfortable  parsonage.  The  pastors  succeeding  him  were :  M.  P. 
Armstrong,  W.  M.  Sedore,  and  J.  E.  Rutledge  (each  one  year),  J.  Q. 
Adams  (three  years),  Thomas  Watson  (two  years),  Charles  Atherton 
(two  years),  who  was  assisted  in  his  last  year  by  Frank  Doran.  At 
the  close  of  the  conference  year  of  1878,  the  charge  was  divided,  Rey- 
nolds taking  all  the  other  appointments,  leaving  Preemption  alone, 
tacitly  a  station  without  any  outside  appointments,  ninety-six  members 
and  three  church  buildings  going  to  the  Reynolds  circuit,  while  fifty- 
nine  members,  one  church  and  the  ])arsonage  were  left  with  Pre- 
emption. 

In  187!)  Rev.  Thomas  Watson  was  for  the  second  time  appointed 
to  this  charge.  He  died  the  May  following,  and  his  time  was  filled 
out  by  W.  C.  Knapp  and  the  Rev.  B.  C.  Dennis.  In  1880  brother 
B.  C.  Dennis  became  pastor  in  charge,  retaining  the  same  three  years, 
which  is  the  full  extent  of  time  allowed  by  the  conference  on  one 
charge.  During  the  broken  year  above  referred  to  no  change  numeri- 
ically  was  made,  but  during  the  last  three  years  of  Brother  Dennis' 
labors  the  membership  has  grown  from  fifty-nine  to  eighty-six. 

The  Sunday  school  is  in  a  specially  flourishing  condition,  and  at 
the  j)resent  time  (1882)  larger  than  any  ever  before  held  in  the  town- 
ship. Tiie  charge  is  one  of  the  best  patrons,  per  member,  of  the 
missionary  and  other  benevolent  societies  of  any  church  in  the  bounds 
of  the  conference,  if  not  of  the  state.  Their  missionary  collections  for 
the  year  1881  were  $3,000,  and  during  the  last  two  years  the  benevo- 


PREEiUTlON    ToWXSHIl'.  711 

lent  collections  of  tlio  charge  have  averaged  considerably  over  §11  per 
niemher,  while  home  ex]»enses  are  all  ])aid  up  promptly  in  advance, 
all  of  which  grows  out  of  the  fact  that  a  few  of  the  leading  liberal  and 
wealthy  men  in  the  community  apj)reciate  the  value  of  the  church  and 
the  benefits  of  its  benign  inliuence. 

Of  the  church  history  from  1845  to  1865  nothing  authentic  could  be 
obtained,  as  there  are  no  records  earlier  than  the  latter  date,  and  the 
only  party  now  living  wlio  could  give  any  reliable  information  stub- 
boi-nly  I'efused  to  do  so. 

ST.  JUSKi'lI  (  ATIiULlC  CHlUCII. 

Quite  early  in  the  history  of  Preemption  township,  the  Conways, 
Odays,  Brenens,  and  a  few  others  of  the  Catholic  faith,  settled  in  and 
aroun(i  the  southeast  part  of  the  township,  and  to  them  occasionally 
priests  from  Rock  Island  would  come  and  minister,  holding  meetings  at 
the  cabins  of  the  early  settlers.  This  was  continued  up  to  1875,  when 
steps  were  taken  to  build  a  church,  which  was  soon  accom])lislied.  On 
January  23,  1875,  a  subscription  was  drawn  up  by  Daniel  ]\fack.  who 
subscribed  slQO.  This  was  followed  by  several  other  SlOO  subscrij> 
tions.  The  Macks,  the  Conways,  the  Mc^fanises,  the  Dooleys,  and 
the  Lucuses,  leading.  Many  of  what  might  be  termed  outsiders  and 
members  of  other  churches  also  lent  a  helping  hand  to  the  enter})rise ; 
foremost  among  whom  was  William  W.  Johnston,  who  donated  twenty- 
five  dollars.  On  January  30,  1875,  the  contract  to  build  a  church,  in 
size  30x42,  of  good  material,  with  stone  foundation,  was  let  to  Mathias 
Schnell,  who  completed  the  work  the  following  July. 

On  September  9,  1875,  the  church  was  dedicated  by  Kev.  Father 
I.  P.  Powles.  The  editice  cost  $1,600,  which  was  j^romptly  paid.  In 
1878  a  vestry,  12x14  feet  was  added,  at  a  cost  of  §166.  The  building 
now  presents  a  neat  and  substantial  appearance,  and  the  interior  outfit 
and  finish  would  do  credit  to  an  older  and  wealthier  congregation. 
They  now  have  a  membei-shi]?  of  about  thirty  families,  and  have  ser- 
vices every  alternate  Sabbath.  Their  ])astor  is  a  resident  of  Keiths- 
burg,  and  as  both  this  and  the  Iveithsburg  church  are  one  charge, 
reference  maybe  had  to  the  history  of  that  church  for  the  names  of  the 
past  and  present  officiating  priests.  This,  like  all  other  Catholic  church 
property,  is  vested  in  their  bishop. 

THE  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH. 

The  first  clergyman  of  the  Protestant  Episco])al  church  who  per- 
formed missicm  labor  in  Preemption  townshi]»,  was  Rev.  Jacob  S. 
Chamberlain,  who  was  called  in  the  month  of  December  to  minister  to 


712  HISTORY    OF    MERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

the  spiritual  wants  of  Mrs.  Rachel  Johnston,  the  wife  of  Joseph  John- 
ston, Jr.,  who  was  at  the  time  on  her  death  bed.  This  was  his  intro- 
duction as  missionary  in  this  field.  Early  in  tlie  spring  of  1868,  Rev. 
Chamberlain  commenced  active  missionary  work,  which  resulted  in 
1869  in  the  erection  of  the  present  church  building  on  land  deeded  by 
Robert  Foster  and  wife  to  James  Johnston,  AVilliam  Johnston,  Thomas 
Armstrong,  and  Thomas  Doonan,  trustees,  and  described  as  a  part  of 
Sec.  -1,  T.  15,  R.  2  AV.,  bearing  date  of  June  1,  1869;  consideration 
|llOO.  Rev.  (liamberlain  closed  his  labors  in  this  iield,  as  missionary, 
in  August,  1871. 

In  October,  1872.  Rev.  Wm.  Thomas  Currie  was  appointed  mis- 
sionary in  the  same  held,  and  continued  his  labors  until  October  1, 
1875.  On  September  6,  1874,  permission  was  obtained  from  the 
standing  committee  of  the  diocese  of  Illinois  to  organize  a  parish,  and 
on  October  19,  187-1,  a  meeting  was  held  in  tlie  chui-ch,  a  parish 
organized,  and  othcers  duly  elected,  consisting  of  wardens  and  vestry- 
men, as  follows :  AVilliam  11.  Johnston,  John  Manes,  and  Thomas 
Doonan,  wardens ;  Thomas  L.  Johnston,  George  Clark,  and  Robert 
Hix,  vestrymen.  The  organization  to  be  known  as  St.  John's  Parish, 
of  Preemj)tion,  Illinois.  Shortly  after  the  termination  of  the  labors  of 
Rev.  Mr.  Currie,  as  missionary,  the  Rev.  T.  M.  Thorp  was  called  to 
the  rectorship  of  the  parish,  but  resigned  in  the  spring  of  1877.  Rev. 
N.  P.  Chariot  was  elected  as  the  rector  by  the  wardens  and  vestrymen 
in  May,  1877,  and  entered  upon  his  duties  as  such  July  1.  1877,  and 
resigned,  after  a  labor  of  hve  years,  on  July  1,  1882.  The  present 
membership  is  small,  and  but  little  interest  seems  to  be  manifested  by 
them  in  matters  pertaining  to  religion. 

MASONIC. 

Preemption  Lodge,  No.  755,  A.F.A.M.,  was  organized  June  27, 
1877,  under  dispensation,  and  so  held  meetings  till  October  21  of  the 
same  year,  when  they  received,  their  charter  from  the  grand  lodge. 
The  charter  members  were  W.  C.  Gray,  Henry  II.  Ilayford,  James  II. 
Seyler,  H.  H.  Hammond,  Win.  Steirdiauer,  Geo.  Bartlett,  B.  W. 
Thom])son,  J.'  B.  Harris,  jr.,  Wm.  H.  Hickock,  Samuel  Bailey,  S.  F. 
Everett,  Geo.  C.  Gray,  Leander  Stiles,  John  Weiler. 

The  following  officers  were  appointed  under  dispensation  and  elected 
when  organized  and  chartered:  Wm.  C.  Gray,  W.M.;  James  II. 
Seyler,  S.W. ;  Joseph  B.  Harris.  J.W. ;  1>.  W.  Thompson,  S.D. ; 
Samuel  Bailey,  J.D. ;  S.  E.  Everett,  Treasurer;  II.  II.  Ilayford,  Sec- 
retary; II.  H.  Hammond,  Tyler;  Geo.  C.  Gray  and  John  Weiler, 
Stewards.     They  now  have  a  membershi])  of  twenty-six,  with  seven  on 


PREEMPTION    TOWNSIIir.  71'> 

the  way  to  full  membership.  The  lodge  is  in  n  nourishing  condition, 
witli  the  present  board  of  officers:  James  H.  Seyler,  W.M. ;  W.  .1. 
Armstrong,  S.AV, ;  H.  II.  Hammond,  J.W.;  Wm.  Steinhauer,  Treas- 
urer ;  W.  AV.  Ilickock,  Secretai-y.  Regular  meetings  are  held  on  Fri- 
day evenings  on  or  l)efore  full  moon  in  eacli  month.  They  have  lost 
one  member  l)y  death.  l>ro.  Geo.  Bartlett,  wlio  died  in  Kansas  in  1881. 

()kax(;kmex. 

Preeni})ti()n  Loyal  Orange  Lodge  2S'o.  V\'2,  was  organized  .luly  3, 
1876,  by  Matthew  Mayne,  of  Chicago,  with  the  following  chartei"  mem- 
bers :  James  Connelly,  W.M. ;  Thomas  Doonan,  Dejiuty  W.M. ;  Wm. 
Plolden,  Secretary  ;  John  Ilolden,  Treasurer  ;  Wm.  Wilson,  Chap- 
lain ;  Thomas  Wilson,  Tylei'  ;  and  Thomas  J.  Armstrong,  James 
Gawley,  James  F.  Johnston,  Kobei-t  Wadsworth,  George  Wadsworth, 
John  Wadsworth,  James  R.  Doonan,  James  AUwell,  John  H.  Johns- 
ton :  in  all  fifteen.     There  is  now  a  membership  of  forty. 

The  tirst  year  they  lield  their  meetings  in  the  school-house  of  district 
No.  2,  after  which  they  Iniilt  a  hall  on  the  farm  of  Jose])h  B.  Johnston, 
about  two  miles  west  of  the  village  of  Preemption.  I).  AV.  Little  is  the 
present  secretary.  Their  established  holiday  is  on  the  twelfth  of  July, 
when  they  meet,  as  is  to  them  a  time  honored  custom,  and  with  sing- 
ing, speaking  and  martial  music  commemorate  the  day  when  prot- 
estantism gained  the  ascendancy  in  Ireland  at  the  battle  of  the  lioyne 
in  1690. 

,  _  SCHOOLS. 

The  first  school  was  taught  at  Farlow's  Grove  by  Miss  Boone,  and 
the  second  at  Preemption  corner,  on  section  11,  in  the  house  built  by 
Mr.  Brewster,  spoken  of  in  connection  with  the  Methodist  Ej)iscopal 
church  history.  At  the  present  writing  there  are  a  goodly  number  of 
well  patronized  schools  in  the  township.  The  houses  are  neatly  built 
and  present  a  very  attractive  a})})earance  to  the  traveler  as  he  turns 
at  many  of  the  section  corners  or  cross  roads. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

.  In  closing  this  brief  sketch,  some  little  mention  nmst  be  made  of 
the  few  noble  men  who  were  to  some  extent  the  founders  of  this 
nourishing  section.  John  Farlow  remained  here  but  a  short  time  when 
he  sold  his  claim  to  James  Boone,  made  a  short  move,  died  a  few 
years  later,  and  his  family  went,  in  1S47,  with  the  Millers,  to  Oregon, 
where  they  still  reside.  James  Boone  died  here  in  1842,  and  his  faith- 
ful wife  in  1858.  Hopkins  Boone  enjoys  the  ])rosperity  his  early  sacri- 
fices merit,  living  in  liis  comfortable  home  in  the  village  of  Viola.    .A 


714  HISTORY    OF    MEKCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

fuller  account  of  this  worthy  gentleman  will  be  found  in  the  historv  of 
that  place.  Rev.  Joseph  Jones  died  here  some  years  after  his  settle- 
ment. A  daughter  of  his,  now  Mrs.  Joseph  Pitman,  still  resides 
here.  Benjamin  Clarke  died  here  in  18J:-i,  and  his  family  still  reside 
on  the  farm  tirst  entered.  David  Little,  now  the  largest  land  owner  in 
the  township,  if  not  in  the  county,  is  still  living  on  his  first  purchase. 
He  was  born  in  county  Fermanagh,  Ireland,  in  1815,  and  came  to 
America  in  1834,  and  started  Mdthout  means  except  a  pair  of  Avilling 
hands  and  a  determined  will.  In  addition  to  the  accumulation  of  a  large 
amount  of  property,  he  has  reared  a  very  interesting  and  prosperous 
family  of  eight  children,  live  only  (^f  whom  are  now  living.  His  oldest 
son,  William  F.,  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Prairie  Grove,  Arkansas,  dur- 
ing the  late  war.  Of  Charles  Minick,  and  John  Bierbeau,  nothing  was 
ascertained.  Among  the  successful  and  hardy  pionners  may  be  men- 
tioned Mr.  J.  Conway,  who  settled  and  now  owns  a  large  farm  in  the 
southwest  part  of  the  township.  W.  W.  Johnston  also  came  in  an 
early  day,  and  has  since  become  one  of  the  large  real  estate  owners  not 
only  in  this  township,  but  also  in  Rock  Island  county.  Wm.  H.  John- 
ston, too,  will  be  remembered  as  among  the  industrious  and  enterpris- 
ing farmers  of  Preemption  township  and  for  many  years  its  supervisor. 
He  was  born  in  county  Fermanagh,  Ireland,  in  1819,  came  to  this 
township  iu  1>>48,  and  settled  on  section  16,  where  he  now  resides. 
Among  the  more  public  spirited  and  push-a-head  men  who  came  in  an 
early  day  to  tliis  township,  may  be  mentioned  Mr.  John  Whitsitt.  He 
settled  here  on  section  2,  in  1844,  and  has  devoted  much  of  his  time  to 
improving  and  beautifying  his  home.  He  has,  for  a  number  of  years, 
been  turning  his  attention  to  breeding  thoroughbred  short  horned  cat- 
tle. Judge  Wm.  Wilmerton,  whose  name  has  been  so  familiar  to  his 
fellow  citizens  since  his  coming,  in  1S42,  enjoys  the  honor  and  respect 
his  straightforward  course  has  merited.  A  full  biography  of  him  will 
be  found  in  its  proper  place. 

In  closing,  we  desire  to  mention  also  some  of  the  fine  farms  and 
residences  which  characterize  the  township.  First  among  these  we 
mention  the  beautiful  home  of  Mr.  Samuel  F.  Everett,  who  came  from 
Ohio  in  1852,  and  entered  lands  in  sections  18  and  20.  His  house  was 
erected  at  a  cost  of  $6,000,  and  is  acknowledged  the  finest  in  the  town- 
ship, and  among  the  finest  in  the  county.  Less  costly,  but  very 
elegant,  are  the  residences  of  Judge  Wilmerton,  George  Smith,  John  Y. 
Johnson,  Thomas  L.  Johnson,  D.  W.  Little.  That  so  many  residences 
are  worthy  of  special  mention  leaves  no  room  for  further  comment,  or 
prophecy  as  to  its  future  prosperity. 

William  Wilmerton  is  an  example  of  those  men  who  stand  out  a& 


PREEMPTION    TOAVNSHIP.  715 

landmarks  to  rising  young  men  to  direct  and  invite  to  success,  even 
though  life  begin  in  most  straitened  circumstances.  Many  a  poor  boy 
has  worn  the  honors,  civic  or  financial,  'ere  gray  hairs  counted  his 
allotted  years.  William  Wilmerton  was  born  May  I,  1822,  in  New 
Jersey.  He  is  the  son  of  Fenimore  and  Permila  (Van  Kirk)  Wilmer- 
ton. His  father  was  a  cousin  to  the  celebrated  American  author, 
J.  Fenimore  Cooper,  founder  of  Cooperstown.  His  father  died  soon 
after  his  (William's)  birth,  so  that  the  boy  was  left  to  the  cold  graces 
of  the  world.  .Vt  the  age  of  six  years  he  found  a  home  with  a  Quaker 
family,  with  whom  he  remained  till  (juite  able  to  su})port  himself.  He 
then  became  a  common  laborer  at  whatever  might  otfei-,  applying  his 
earnings  to  the  acquirement  of  an  education.  He  attended  college 
some  years,  gaining  a  good  fund  of  general  information.  In  the  sum- 
mer of  1842  he  made  his  way  to  Preemption  township,  Mercer  county, 
Illinois.  The  first  summer  he  spent  in  prospecting  for  a  location  suita- 
ble to  general  purposes.  He  taught  school  the  first  winter.  He 
bought  a  surveyor's  outfit  and  engaged  in  surveying  for  some  time. 
His  first  purchase  was  eighty  acres  of  land,  necessitating  the  expendi- 
ture of  all  he  had.  He  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace  in  1846,  which 
ofiice  he  filled  for  over  twenty  years,  doing  a  very  extensive  business. 
His  business  was  largely  making  collections.  This  was  before  the  days 
of  so  many  banks.  He  was  trusted  by  everybodv  and  performed  his 
business  with  satisfaction  to  all.  He  also  served  four  years  as  judge. 
He  has  accumulated  his  savings  and  his  earnings  till  he  now  owns 
more  than  1,000  acres  of  land,  a  mark  of  his  unusual  success.  Just 
subsequent  to  the  war  he  was  commissioned  an  attorney,  that  he  might 
prosecute  soldiers'  claims  without  the  ceitificate  of  a  regular  attorney 
living  at  a  distance.  Mr.  Wilmerton  was  married  December  10,  1850, 
to  Miss  Rhoda  A.  Kelsey,  a  native  of  New  York  state.  They  have 
three  children :  Louisa  (wife  of  N.  J.  McDonald,  of  Davenjiort,  Iowa), 
Frank  (real  estate  agent  in  La  Mars,  Iowa),  and  William  W.  (at  home). 
Prior  to  the  war  Mr.  Wilmerton  was  democratic  in  politics ;  since  that 
time  he  has  voted  independently. 

The  family  of  John  Whitsitt  originated  in  Scotland,  but  his  more 
recent  ancestors  were  natives  of  Ireland.  His  father  was  Benjamin 
Whitsitt  of  county  Fermanagh,  in  the  province  of  Ulster.  His 
mother's  maiden  name  was  Sarah  Fitzgerald.  He  was  a  land  proprie- 
tor, and  also  engaged  in  mercantile  and  milling  business.  There 
were  eleven  children,  of  whom  only  now  are  living  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  and  his  sister,  Margaret  J.  (married  to  Mr.  J.  (\  Morehead),  in 
Ireland.  In  1871,  his  father  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-four  years,  and 
his  mother  many  years  previous,  when  forty-eight  years  of  age.      A 


716  HISTORY    OF    MKRCEK    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

second  wife  still  survives  tlie  eldest  Mr.  Wliitsitt  in  thecountrv  of  their 
birth.  Mr.  John  Whitsitt,  the  second  son,  fourth  chihl,  was  born  in 
Itosslea,  Fermanagh  county,  Ireland,  June,  7,  181(i.  He  was  reared 
with  good  advantages  of  education  for  business  purposes,  and  also 
made  familiar  with  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  was  married 
August  12,  1836,  to  Miss  Eliza  Henrev,  a  native  of  Monaghan  county, 
Ireland,  and  of  Scotch  ancestry.  In  IS-i-i  Mr.  AVhitsitt  and  family 
sailed  from  Liverpool  for  New  Orleans,  where  they  arrived  after  a 
forty-three  days'  passage,  and  from  that  ])lace  by  river  to  St.  Louis  and 
thence  to  Kock  Island.  He  selected  land  in  section  3,  Preemption 
township,  and  bought  the  claim  of  Ezekiel  Morey,  and  entered  the 
same  at  the  land  office  in  Dixon.  All  the  rest  of  his  ])resent  premises 
of  600  acres,  he  bought,  excepting  forty,  at  various  prices  from  time  to 
time.  The  dairy  business  lirst  occupied  them,  and  their  ])roduct  was 
carried  to  Rock  Island  and  shipped  to  Galena,  then  crowded  with 
miners  and  abounding  with  wealth.  When  help  was  absent  Mr.  Whit- 
sitt  and  wife  have  milked  twenty  cows  per  day,  and  it  is  not  surpris- 
ing that  the  energy  and  ])rudence  thus  exhibited  brought  wealth  and 
comfort  in  their  train.  Their  brand  of  butter  always  commanded  the 
highest  market  price,  and  their  commission  merchants,  Messrs.  Cam]> 
bell  &  Smith,  were  always  anxious  to  handle  their  article.  In  the 
com*se  of  ten  years  Mr.  Whitsitt  began  to  make  a  specialty  of  handling 
blooded  cattle,  and  he  was  one  of  the  tirst  in  this  i-egion  to  a})preciate 
the  importance  of  this  interest.  He  brought  on  his  farm  some  choice 
selections  from  Mr.  Alexander's  celebrated  Kentucky  herds.  He  has 
disposed  of  many  tine  cattle  at  private  and  public  sale,  and  has  at 
present  some  whose  pedigrees  are  traced  back  to  imported  stock  and 
entered  in  the  American  Herd  Book,  Vol.  XIII.  In  1875  he  had  on  his 
place  two-year  ojd  and  coming  three,  cattle  that  weighed  1,600  lbs.  and 
upward.  Misses  Elizabeth  and  Sarah,  his  two  daughters,  are  li\'ing 
with  their  ])arents  m  their  ha])py  home  near  the  village  of  Preemption. 
A  son,  Benjamin,  the  oldest,  who  is  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Bitty, 
is  living  near  them  on  a  part  of  the  original  home  farm,  and  another 
son,  Bichard  11.  (married  to  Miss  Henrietta  Fitzgerakl),  also  lives 
u])oii  a  ])ortion  of  his  father's  place.  Both  sons  have  had  a  due 
appointment  from  their  father  upon  their  outstart  in  life.  There  were 
two  children  additional  to  the  above  named  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Whitsitt,  now  deceased  ;  one  was  an  infant,  Robert,  and  the  other  a 
daughter,  Mary  Ann,  who  died  in  Illinois  in  her  fourteenth  year,  and 
whose  funeral-mound  grows  green  beneath  the  orchard  trees  of  her 
early  home.  Mr.  Whitsitt  has  never  been  a  politician,  but  lias  always 
held  decided  views  u])on  the  leading  questions  of  the  day.     Lie  was  not 


S.  F.     EVERETT. 


PREEMPTION    roWNSlin'.  719 

a  republican,  l)ut  when  the  question  of  sup])ortiniz;  the  administration 
of  his  adopted  country  came  up  against  the  other  issues  of  rebellion, 
Mr.  AV.  was  on  the  side  of  the  union  witli  his  money  and  influence  to 
assist  in  lillinii;  uj)  the  quota  of  the  townshi}).  His  personal  integrity  and 
worth  were  always  recognized  bv  his  nei2;lil)ors,  so  that  for  four  terms 
he  was  returned  as  supervisor  of  his  township  when  the  party  with 
which  he  was  identilied  was  always  in  a  two-thirds  minority.  With 
Mrs.  Whitsitt,  who  has  always  been  a  devoted  wife  and  mother,  and 
partner  in  all  the  plans  and  purposes  of  his  life,  he  visited  the  home 
and  the  scenes  of  her  early  years.  Mr.  Whitsitt's  affections  and  duty 
are  fidly  given  to  the  country  of  his  adoption.  They-  are  connected 
with  the  Presbyterian  church,  that  stands  on  land  donated  by  Mr. 
AVhiti-'itt  ujmn  a  corner  of  his  farm. 

Samuel  F.  Everett  was  born  in  Mari(;n  county,  Ohio,  February 
12,  1834.  He  is  the  son  of  Samuel  F.  and  Sarah  (Karr)  Everett.  His 
father  was  a  native  of  Vermont,  of  Scotch  and  Irish  ancestry,  while 
his  mother  was  born  in  Meigs  county,  Ohio.  He  was  reared  on  a 
farm  where  he  enjoyed  the  advantages  of  good  schools,  linishing  his 
education  with  a  course  at  the  Marion  academy.  In  the  spring  of 
1852  he  came  on  a  prospecting  tour  to  Illinois.  Liking  the  land,  and 
other  advantages  being  equal,  he  entered  a  half  section  in  sections  18 
and  20,  Preemption  township,  Mercer  county,  and  returned  to  Ohio. 
In  the  fall  of  tlie  same  year,  in  com])any  with  his  motlier,  sister  and 
sisters  husband,  G.  D.  Miller,  he  came  b}^  team  to  the  new  home. 
After  his  arrival  here  he  at  once  began  to  make  and  improve  his  home, 
which  is  now  one  of  the  most  pleasant  in  this  part  of  Mercer  county, 
having,  in  1880,  built  a  very  tine  and  beautiful  residence,  at  a  cost  of 
;ik.out  $6,000.  His  real  estate  comprises  550  acres.  June  4,  1872,  he 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Sarah  E.  McIIard,  a  daughter  of 
William  and  Mary  Mellard.  She  was  born  in  Mercer  county,  Illinois, 
January  5,  1840,  and  is  one  among  the  first  born  here  now  living. 
They  are  the  parents  of  two  children,  William  R.,  and  Sarah  R.  Mr. 
Everett's  father  died  in  Ohio  about  1842,  and  his  mother  died  at  his 
home  in  this  township  in  the  winter  of  1868.  Mr.  Everett  is  now 
actively  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  is  now  filling  his 
second  term  of  supervisor. 

As  a  man  who  not  only  merits  but  enjoys  the  respect  and  confidence 
of  his  fellow  citizens,  David  Andrew  Ci-arke  occupies  no  second 
place.  He  was  born  October  24,  1885,  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania, 
where  his  parents  were  married  October  31,  1834.  In  1838  they  came 
to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  and  permanently  located  on  Sec.  1,  T.  15, 
R.  2,  Preemption,  and  there  Mr.  Clarke,  David's  father,  died  in  1844, 
41 


720  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

leaving,  besides  his  wife  who  still  sui-vives.  live  children,  three  of 
whom  are  living:  David  A..  Maggie,  and  Mary  (wife  of  Ilenrv  Ketzel, 
of  Perrvton  township).  Those  deceased  were :  Jane  (who  died  in 
1866),  Henry  B.  (died  in  Xew  Orleans  aged  twenty  years,  during 
the  late  war,  a  victim  of  the  malarial  fevers  of  a  southern  clime). 
David  A.  now  owns  and  occupies  the  old  home  farm  of  360  acres,  and 
is  actively  engaged  in  stock  raising  and  farming.  He  served  the 
township  eight  years  as  clerk,  and  in  1876  was  elected  justice  of  the 
peace,  which  trust  and  honor  he  still  holds.  He  is  also  a  prominent 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  contributes  largely  of 
his  means  for  its  support  and  prosperity.  Himself  and  mother  have 
been  longer  residents  in  the  township  than  any  others  now  living 
within  its  borders.  His  father,  Benjamin  Clarke,  was  born  in  the 
county  Fermanagh,  Ireland,  in  1802,  and  was  reared  a  farmer,  follow- 
ing that  vocation  through  hfe.  His  mother  was  also  a  native  of  Ire- 
land. Mr.  Clarke  was  married  in  186-1  to  Sarah  Ellen  Little,  daughter 
of  David  Little.     She  died  in  1865,  and  he  has  not  since  married. 

Jesse  Carver.  In  the  colony  founded  by  William  Penn  in  1682 
were  three  brothers  by  the  name  of  Carver.  One  of  these  (John 
Carver)  settled  in  that  part  afterward  set  off  as  Bucks  county,  Penn- 
sylvania. He  became  prominent  in  the  colonial  history  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. Jesse  Carver,  the  subject  of  these  lines,  is  the  son  of  John 
Carver  and  the  grandson  of  John  Carver,  and  a  descendant  of  the 
John  Carver  above  noted.  The  Carvers  were,  of  course,  Quakers  or 
Friends  in  early  days.  Jesse  Carver  was  born  in  Bucks  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, January  29,  1816.  His  education  was  limited  to  the  common 
school  of  his  day.  Farming  has  been  his  avocation  all  his  years,  hav- 
ing been  sufficiently  successful  to  save  a  competency  for  old  age.  He 
was  married  August  23,  1838,  to  Miss  Sarah  W.  Lewis.  She  was  born 
March  10,  1810,  in  Bucks  county,  Pennsylvania.  She  is  connected 
with  the  Elicott  family,  thoroughly  wiitten  up  in  a  book  set  apart  to 
that  family  alone.  After  marriage  Mr.  Carver  rented  a  farm  near 
Buckingham,  Pennsylvania.  In  1851  he  emigrated  westward,  settling 
in  Preemption  township,  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  where  he  entered 
land  in  section  14.  In  the  following  year  he  built  and  soon  moved 
into  his  own  housCj  a  consummation  sought  for  many  years.  No 
longer  a  tenant  but  a  lord.  He  has  added  to  his  first  purchase  till  he 
owns  over  360  acres  of  good  land.  He  has  eight  children  :  Watson  T., 
Letitia  L.  (now  Mrs.  Jackson  Thornton  of  Millersburg),  Readding  L., 
Thomas  E.,  Edward  W.,  Winfield  S.,  John  M.,  and  Marietta  (wife  of 
Harvey  T.  Trovillo). 

Readding  L.   Carver  was  born   in  Bucks  county,  Pennsylvania, 


PREEMPTION   TOWNSHIP.  721 

]\Iai-ch  (i,  1843.  He  has  spent  the  hirger  i)art  of  his  life  in  Mercer 
county.  He  enlisted  in  Co.  C,  102d  reg.  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  August,  18G2. 
He  carried  the  colors  through  the  war  to  the  restoration  of  peace.  He 
was  wounded  at  Kesacca,  Georgia,  having  three 'teeth  shot  out  and  his 
mouth  badly  shattered.  His  career  is  the  career  of  the  102d  regiment. 
At  his  return  he  resumed  farming,  but  soon  engaged  in  the  mainifac- 
ture  of  sorghum.  In  1877,  at  the  solicitation  of  many  of  his  friends, 
he  was  induced  to  embark  in  the  milling  business,  and  he  began  build- 
ing in  that  year  in  Preemption.  His  mill  has  grown  from  incipiency 
to  flour  and  feed  mill,  general  machine  and  repair  shops,  and  grain 
elevator.  Mr.  Carver  was  married  June  19,  1872,  to  Mrs.  Jane 
Geigei-,  a  native  of  Ohio  and  daughter  of  William  David.  They  have 
live  children  :  "William  D.,  Laura,  Emma  0.,  Janies  R.,  and  Jesse. 

Prominent  among  the  early  settlers,  and  members  of  the  Cath- 
olic church,  may  be  mentioned  Mr.  Joseph  Conway,  who  was  born 
in  county  Clare,  Ireland,  in  1826.  He  was  reared  to  the  prin- 
ciples of  economy  and  industry.  He  emigrated  to  America  in  the 
summer  of  1846.  He  sailed  from  Limerick  Jime  25  in  the  sailing 
ship  Emma,  and  after  a  voyage  of  many  weeks  landed  in  Oswego 
August  20.  Eor  the  following  six  years  he  applied  himself  to  any 
honorable  employment  which  would  turn  an  honest  penny.  In  the 
fall  of  1852  he  came  to  Rock  Island,  Illinois,  and  the  following  Feb- 
ruary put  his  axe  on  his  shoulder  and  walked  to  Preemption  townsliip, 
and  began  to  improve  the  land  he  had  entered.  The  following  June 
he  received  the  ])atent  for  his  land,  signed  by  President  Pierce.  July 
10,  1854,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  ^liss  Bridget  Ayers,  a  native 
of  L'eland.  She  died  January  6,  1870,  at  the  early  age  of  thirty-nine 
years,  leaving,  besides  her  loving  husband,  six  children  to  mourn  her 
early  death.  The  children's  names,  in  the  order  of  their  birth,  are : 
Thomas,  Margnretta,  Joseph  Patrick,  Mary  A.,  Lizzie  (deceased),  and 
Martin  W.  Mr.  Conway,  since  the  death  of  his  comj)anion,  has  re- 
mained single.  His  estimable  daughter  is  his  housekee])er,  and  cheers 
his  home  by  her  pleasant  and  affable  manner.  AVhen  Mr.  Conway 
first  settled  on  section  30  in  this  township  he  had  but  8200 ;  money 
earned  in  this  country,  and  when  he  landed  at  Oswego,  New  York,  he 
had  but  one-quarter  of  a  dollar.  But  honest  industry  has  its  reward, 
and  he  has  long  since  been  the  independent  owner  of  680  aci'es  ot 
land. 

John  Y.  Johnston  (deceased),  came  from  the  county  Fermanagh, 
Ireland,  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  in  the  spring  of  1864,  bringing 
Muth  him  his  wife,  Mai"v,  and  two  children,  one  of  whom  was  born  to 
them  while   on   the  way.     They  permanently  located  in  Preemption 


iJ. 


22  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 


township,  on  Sec.  9,  T.  15,  R.  2,  where  they  reared  a  family  of  six 
children.  Mr.  Johnston  died  in  January,  1870,  and  Mrs.  Johnston 
August  6,  1866.  James  Y.  Johnston,  their  second  child,  was  born  on 
the  Mississippi  river  in  April,  1846,  while  on  their  way  from  Xew 
Orleans  to  Rock  Island.  He  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  educated  in 
the  common  schools.  July  3,  1871,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Matilda, 
daughter  of  John  H.  and  Jane  (Welch)  Johnston.  She  was  born  in 
Preemption  township,  October  22,  1852.  They  are  the  parents  of 
three  children,  whose  names,  in  the  order  of  their  birth,  are  Nina  A., 
Henry  A.,  and  Mary  J.  Mr.  Johnston  now  owns  and  occupies  the  old 
home  farm  and  other  land  adjoining,  to  the  number  of  236  acres,  and 
is  engaged  in  tarming  and  stock  raising. 

John  Y.  Johnston  is  a  son  of  William  AY.  and  Margaret  (Lipton) 
Johnston,  and  was  born  in  this  township,  April  1,  1857.  He  was 
reared  on  the  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools,  with  the 
additional  advantage  of  a  college  course  at  Abingdon,  Illinois,  and 
Davenport,  Iowa.  March  10,  1881,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Rebecca 
Johnston,  the  daughter  of  William  H.  and  Jane  (Allen)  Johnston  ;  she 
was  born  in  this  township,  February  7,  1859.  In  1881  Mr.  Johnston 
built  his  present  tine  residence  on  his  farm  on  the  N.  E.  J  of  Sec.  18. 
His  father  is  now  living  near  Reynolds,  in  the  northwest  part  of  Pre- 
emption township,  and  is  one  of  the  wealthy  land  owners  of  this  county, 
after  having  given  to  each  pf  his  sons  a  good  farm. 

Thomas  L.  Johnston,  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  is  a  son  of  William 
W.  and  Margaret  (Lipton)  Johnston,  and  was  born  in  Rock  Island 
county,  Illinois,  November  16,  18-18.  With  the  exception  of  from 
1852  to  1855,  with  his  parents  in  California,  his  years  have  been  spent 
in  Preemption  township,  actively  engaged  in  farming.  His  educational 
advantages  were  good  and  well  improved.  Pie  remained  at  home  with 
his  father  until  about  the  age  of  twenty-six  years,  and  was  well  re- 
warded by  the  gift  from  his  father  of  a  good  160  acre  farm ;  the  N.  E. 
J  of  Sec.  7,  on  which,  in  1880,  he  built  a  tine,  two-story  residence  at  a 
cost  of  over  $3,0o0.  July  1,  187-1,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  J. 
Goodner,  a  daughter  of  William  p.  and  Edith  J.  (Griswold)  Goodner. 
She  was  born  in  Indiana,  August  7,  1850,  and  came  with  her  parents 
to  Mercer  county,  in  1853.  They  are  the  parents  of  four  children  : 
Edward  W.,  Edith  E.,  Maggie  B.,  and  an  infant.  Mr.  Johnston  is 
engaged  in  farming,  but  devotes  much  of  his  time  to  buying,  feeding 
and  sliipping  stock. 

William  Connolly  is  a  son  of  James  and  Elizabeth  (Little) 
Connolly,  and  was  born  in  the  county  Fermanagh,  Ireland,  May  21), 
LS32.     In  November,  181:6,  with  his  ])arents,  he  left  the   land  of  his 


i'KKE:sri'Ti(;)N  townshii'.  7:^3 

birth,  and  sailing  for  America,  landed  in  New  Orleans  early  in  the 
winter  of  1847.  Soon  after  tlieir  arrival  in  New  Orleans  they  started 
up  the  ^Mississippi  river,  landing  at  Rook  Island  on  April  -l-th  of  the 
same  year.  They  soon  after  purchased  land  in  Sec.  3,  T.  l.').  K.  •!  AV.. 
in  Preemption  township,  where  our  subject  still  lives,  and  where  his 
parents  lived  till  the  time  of  their  death.  The  father  died  in  Septem- 
ber, ISSl,  aged  eighty-two  years,  lie  was  an  enthusiastic  Orangeman, 
and  through  his  instrumentality  a  lodge  of  that  order  was  organized  at 
Preemption,  in  this  county,  and  one  at  Ih-ooklyn,  Iowa.  In  the  work- 
ings of  these  organizations  he  used  largely  of  his  means,  having  twice 
visited  Canada  in  the  interest  of  the  order.  The  mother  died  in  180!) 
at  the  age  of  seventy-eight  years.  They  were  the  jiarents  of  seven 
children  :  Mary  (now  the  wife  of  Dr.  Mai'tin),  James,  ^Margaret  (now 
Mrs.  William  Vye),  William  (the  subject  of  this  notice),  Jane  (wife  ot 
Thomas  Burchby),  Eliza  (wife  of  Frank  Johnston),  and  Sarah  A.  (wife 
of  William  J.  Ransom).  William  was  mari-ied  February  14,  iSfH.  to 
Miss  Elizabeth  A.  Moffett,  a  native  of  Fermanagh  county,  Ireland. 
She  died  in  1873.  Mr.  Connolly's  second  marriage  was  on  Xovember 
12,  1874,  with  Miss  Fanny  Motfett,  who  was  born  in  Rock  Island 
county,  Illinois,  April  24,  1849.  He  is  the  father  of  eight  children, 
whose  names  in  the  order  of  their  birth  are  :  James  W.,  William  F., 
Elizabeth,  Robert,  and  Lucinda,  by  his  iirst  wife,  an<l  Edward  W., 
Mary  A.,  and  Gilbert  H.,  by  his  present  wife,  who  is  an  excellent 
mother  to  the  whole  family.  Mr.  Connolly  is  taking  great  interest  in 
the  education  of  his  children. 

David  W.  LrrxLK,  the  thrifty  and  enter})i-ising  proprietoi-  of  the 
Preemption  creamery,  is  a  son  of  David  and  Elizabeth  (Wiltshire) 
Little,  and  was  born  in  this  townshij)  March  28,  1851.  He  received  a 
good  common  school  education  while  growing  up  on  tlu'  farm,  to  which 
he  added  several  terms  at  Abingdon,  Illinois,  and  Mount  Vernon, 
Iowa.  He  was  married  December  18,  1874,  to  Miss  Clara  E.  Goudy, 
daughter  of  William  H.  and  Margaret  (Smith)  Goudy,  of  Mount  Yer- 
non,  Iowa.  She  was  born  in  Linn  county,  Iowa,  April  5,  1853.  They 
are  the  [)arents  of  four  children  :  William  II.,  Elizabeth  E.,  Benjamin 
F.,  and  Margaret  A.  After  his  marriage  Mr.  Little  engaged  in  farm- 
ing, but  since  1880  he  has  turned  his  attention  exclusively  to  the  man- 
ufacture of  butter.  The  prospect  of  success  in  1882  induced  him  to 
establish  a  branch  creamery  in  Rivoli  township,  and  he  has  extended 
the  buying  of  cream  into  the  adjoining  counties. 

William  Bri(;gs,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  about  1^07 
in  Ireland,  where  he  spent  his  early  life.  When  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
tive  he  came  to  America,  in  company  with  his  brother  Thomas,     They 


724  HISTOKY    OF    MERCEK   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

first  landed  on  the  British  Islands,  in  Canada.  Thej  stayed  there  two 
months,  and  then  went  to  IS^ew  York,  where  he  followed  teaming  and 
weaving.  He  next  moved  to  Illinois  in  1846,  iirst  stop])ing  at  Rock 
Island  ;  from  there  lie  moved  to  Swedonia,  where  he  found  employ- 
ment at  ilfty  cents  per  day  for  ten  years.  In  the  meanwhile  he  bought 
a  small  piece  of  land  ;  but  not  having  a  team  of  his  own,  he  was  forced 
to  hire  one,  for  which  he  gave  his  own  labor  in  excliangc  for  the  use 
of  a  horse.  He  bought  his  first  eighty  acres  of  Levi  Wasson  and  paid 
for  it  in  trade.  He  next  bought  some  government  land  from  a  man 
who  had  entered  it.  He  was  married  in  New  York  in  1834  to  Miss 
Isabella  Clay.  By  this  marriage  they  had  live  children  born  to  them, 
one  only  of  wliom  was  born  in  Illinois.  John,  the  oldest,  married 
Miss  Ann  Armstrong,  who  is  deceased.  He  was  married  a  second 
time  to  Lena  Colter.  They  have  one  child  living  and  one  dead. 
Henry  married  Miss  Vina  Smitli,  and  they  have  one  child.  In  Mr. 
Briggs''  father's  family  there  were  live  boys  and  three  girls,  all  of  whom 
were  born  in  Ii-eland :  Margaret,  John,  Richard,  Jane,  Mary,  Mur- 
phy, Thomas  and  Robert.  Margaret  is  deceased  ;  John  lives  in  New 
York ;  Richard  died  at  Pleasant  Hill  ;  Jane,  wife  of  David  Bates, 
I'esides  in  Ireland ;  Mary  married  John  Murphy ;  Robert  married  in 
Nesv  York.  When  the  war  of  the  rebellion  broke  out  Mr.  Briggs 
furnished  two  soldiers  from  his  family.  Robert  entered  the  service  as 
a  private  and  was  promoted  second  lieutenant,  and,  at  the  time  of  his 
discharge,  a  captain's  commission  was  forwarded  by  the  governor.  He 
was  a  brave  officer,  and  was  with  his  regiment  through  all  the  various 
battles  with  the  western  army,  and  was  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Lex- 
ington. He  was  a  member  of  Co.  B,  65th  reg.-Ill.  Vol.  Inf  Thomas, 
a  merchant  of  Preemption,  was  a  member  of  the  140th  reg.  111.  Vol. 
Inf.,  commanded  by  Col.  Sherman.  He  entered  the  service  in  1864  at 
Dixon.  Ai\er  his  return  home  he  met  with  an  accident,  a  misfortune 
which  necessitated  the  amputation  of  his  arm.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Briggs 
are  members  of  the  Episcopal  church,  of  Preemption. 

Potter  Kelly,  son  of  Samuel  and  Sarah  Kelly,  was  born  in  Jefl'er- 
son  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1843.  He  attended  a  common  school 
until  sixteen  years  of  age,  when  he  began  a  course  of  study  in  Glade 
Run  Academy,  in  Armstrong  county.  After  attending  here  two  ses- 
sions he  began  teacliing.  In  the  summer  of  1860  he  came  west  to 
Jackson  county,  Iowa,  where  he  taught  one  year.  In  the  spring  of 
1867  he  came  to  Mercer  county,  IlHnois,  and  began  teaching  one 
mile  south  of  Bridger's  Corners,  in  Suez  township.  Since  that  time 
Mr.  Kelly  has  pursued  the  profession  of  teaching  in  that  and  adjoining 
townships  in  Mercer  county,  and  his  labors  have  always  been  attended 
by  success.  , 


PREEMPTION   TOWNSHIP.  725 

Peter  Cameron  was  born  in  Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania,  De- 
cember 28,  1820.  In  his  father's  family  there  were  nine  children, 
of  whom  our  subject  is  the  sixth  child.  His  father  was  nuirried  about 
1819  to  Miss  Sarah  Jones,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  whose  father 
came  from  Wales  in  an  early  day  and  settled  in  that  state.  His  father, 
John  Cameron,  was  born  of  Scotch  parents,  on  the  highlands  of  Scot- 
land. He  came  to  Pennsylvania  and  settled  near  the  Juniata  river, 
where  he  died.  Mr.  Cameron  came  to  Illinois  in  1850,  in  company 
with  a  brother  and  sister.  They  first  settled  in  Ohio  Grove  township, 
near  the  line  between  Ohio  Grove  and  Abington,  where  he  entered  a 
piece  of  government  land  containing  a  quarter  section.  Before  his 
removal  to  this  state  he  followed  milling  and  worked  with  his  fatliei'. 
Our  subject  was  married  in  Pennsylvania,  February  26,  1861,  to  Miss 
Margaret  E.  Crabtree,  whose  parents  had  moved  to  Illinois  a  short 
time  prior  to  Mr.  Cameron's  arrival  here.  By  this  union  they  have 
had  four  children  born  to  them  as  follows :  Malinda  (wife  of  Frank 
Ilumpstead,  of  DeKalb  county),  Lewis  E.,  born  January  25,  1866, 
George  M.,  born  September  29,  1868,  Clarence  F.,  born  November  2, 
1872.  When  the  war  broke  out  Mr.  Cameron  entered  the  service  and 
was  engaged  in  all  the  battles  with  his  regiment,  from  Chattanooga  to 
Hardeeville,  (South  Carolina),  and  was  wounded  at  Resacca,  May  15, 
1864.  Mrs.  Cameron's  parents  on  her  father's  side,  were  of  English 
descent,  and  on  her  mother's  side,  Irish.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cameron  are 
both  members  of  the  Methodist  church. 

Robert  Hicks  was  born  in  Ireland,  May  24,  1817,  and  came  to 
America  in  1844.  He  landed  in  New  York  and  from  there  went  to 
Butfalo,  Chicago,  and  Canada,  and  finally  to  Galena,  where  he  found 
employment  in  the  mines  in  the  winter,  and  in  the  summer  worked 
upon  a  farm.  Being  industrious  and  saving,  he  laid  up  a  part  of  his 
earnings  and  in  1856  invested  in  160  acres  of  raw  prairie  land.  He  at 
once  began  to  improve  the  same,  to  accomplish  which  he  was  forced  to 
borrow  money,  for  which  he  paid  fifteen  per  cent  interest.  Mr. 
Hicks  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  church. 

Julius  E.  Otto  was  born  in  Berlin,  Prussia,  June  16,  1847.  His 
early  youth  was  partly  spent  on  a  farm,  but  before  his  majority  he  had 
learned  the  trade  of  shoemaker  with  his  father.  In  18()6  he  left  the 
home  of  his  birth  and  sailed  for  America,  with  a  view  of  securing  a 
home  in  a  land  of  plenty.  After  his  arrival  he  engaged  as  a  hand  in  a 
brick-yard,  at  Whitewater,  Wisconsin,  where  he  remained  until  1868, 
when  he  removed  to  Davenport,  Iowa,  and  there  and  in  Rock  Island 
worked  in  a  lumber-yard  till  November,  1878.  Then  he  came  to  Pre- 
emption to  take  charge  of  the  station  on  the  Rock  Island  &  Mercer 


726  HISTOKY    OF   FIERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

County  railroad.  Here  lie  is  also  engaged  in  selling  himber  on  com- 
mission. October  4,  1870,  lie  married  Miss  Philepene  Ehrhard,  a 
daughter  of  Jolin  Ehrhard.  She  is  a  native  of  Rhein  Baiern,  (ler- 
many.  She  came  to  America  in  the  fall  of  1868,  landing  here  January 
1,  1867.  They  have  four  children,  August  H.,  Ludwig  L.,  Amelia  T., 
and  Edward  J.  They  are  mi-mbers  of  the  Lutheran  church,  of  Rock 
Island. 

Among  the  leading  physicians  of  Mercer  county  may  be  mentioned 
Dr.  James  H.  Seyler.  He  was  born  in  central  Pennsylvania,  Jan- 
uary 6,  1842.  His  early  years  were  spent  on  the  farm  and  in  the 
common  schools,  beginning  at  the  age  of  sixteen  to  attend  the  higher 
grade  of  schools.  In  his  seventeenth  year  he  entered  the  academy  at 
Glade  Run,  remaining  nearly  four  years.  He  then  became  a  student 
at  Jefferson  literary  college,  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  where  he 
graduated  with  the  class  of  1865,  receiving  his  diploma  from  the  united 
AVashington  and  Jefferson  college.  He  then  began  reading  medicine 
with  Dr.  Scott,  o*f  Cleveland,  Ohio.  He  also  attended  medical 
lectures  at  Cleveland.  He  finally  entei'ed  the  medical  department  of 
the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  from  which  he  received  his  degree  of 
M.D.,  in  1868.  After  practicing  his  profession  one  year  at  Sharps- 
burg,  Pennsylvania,  he  removed  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  and  per- 
manently located  at  Preemption,  where  he  has  established  an  enviable 
reputation  as  a  successful  physician.  In  1881  he  erected  a  fine  brick 
building  which  he  occupies  as  a  drug  store.  In  November,  1874,  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Lauretta  Criswell,  daughter  of  Mattliew  Criswell, 
Esq.,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  but  at  that  time  a  resident  of  Rock 
Island  county.  One  child,  Sarah  F.,  was  born  to  them  in  1876.  Dr. 
Seyler  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  masonic  fraternity,  and  lie  and 
wife  are  active  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

William  Hammond  is  a  son  of  Robert  and  Margery  (Bird)  Ham- 
mond, and  was  born  in  Mercer  county,  Pennsvlvania,  June  3,  1839. 
His  early  youth  was  spent  on  a  farm  where  he  received  a  good  com- 
mon school  educati(m,- which  he  finished  with  two  years  at  Westminster 
college.  In  August,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  the  Co.  B,  lOOtli  Pa.  Vol.  Inf., 
as  first  lieutenant,  from  which  he  was  promoted  to  captain.  He  partici- 
pated in  the  following  battles  :  Port  Royal  and  Port  Royal  ferry,  S.  C. ; 
James  Island,  Bull  Run  and  ( 'hantilla,  Va. ;  South  Mountain  and  An- 
tietam,  Md.;  Fredericksburg,  Ya. ;  Vicksburg  and  Jackson,  Miss.; 
Blue  Si)rings,  Campbell's  Stations  and  siege  of  Knoxville,  Tenn;  the 
battles  of  the  wilderness,  Spotsylvania,  Spotsylvania  court-house,  North 
Ann  river.  Cold  Harbor,  Petersburg,  Va. ;  and  ]\Iine  explosion.  At  the 
latter  place  he  was  wounded  for  the  third  time  during  the  service,  and 


PREEMPTION   TOWNSHIP.  727 

was  sent  to  Georgetown  hospital,  D.  C,  from  wliicli  he  was  tinallj 
discharged.  After  the  restoration  of  ])eace  and  his  return  home,  he 
spent  some  time  in  prospecting  in  several  states,  for  a  suitable  place 
to  settle,  and  in  1866  came  to  Preemption.  He  was  at  once  impressed 
with  the  beauty  of  the  country,  and  settled  in  Preemption,  and  for  a 
short  time  engaged  in  the  drag  business  but  soon  run  into  a  general 
store,  selling  out  the  drug  department.  In  1877  he  built  his  present 
fine  brick  store,  where  he  is  now  engaged  in  a  prosperous  trade. 
March  12,  1867,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Olive  M.  Morey, 
a  daughter  of  Ezekiel  and  Esther  (Underhill)  Morey,  who  were  among 
the  early  pioneers  of  this  county.  She  was  born  in  Preemption  town- 
ship, March  11,  1844.  They  have  one  child  living.  Will  D.;  Bird  U. 
died  November  24,  1878,  aged  over  four  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ham- 
mond are  j)rominent  members  of  the  Presbyterian  chui'ch. 

George  Smith  is  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Mary  (Potts)  Smith.  He 
was  born  in  Ireland,  July  2,  1827.  In  1846,  his  parents,  with  their 
nine  children,  came  to  America,  sailing  from  Belfast  in  the  ship  Annie. 
They  lirst  settled  in  Bytown,  now^  Ottawa,  Canada,  where  they  re- 
mained six  years.  They  then  removed  farther  west  in  Canada,  and 
settled  in  the  county  of  Bruce,  west  of  Toronto,  where  the  parents  re- 
mained until  the  time  of  their  death.  George,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  was  the  third  son.  He  was  reared  like  his  father,  a  farmer, 
at  the  same  time  receiving  a  good,  common  school  education,  as  well 
as  early  training  in  the  way  of  thrift  and  industry.  Xovember  ;^),  1858, 
he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Jane  Wadsworth,  daughter  of 
John  and  Jane  (Johnston)  Wadsworth.  She  was  born  February  11, 
1836,  in  the  county  Fermanagh,  Ireland,  and  came  with  her  parents  to 
the  United  States  in  1847.  They  are  the  parents  of  an  interesting 
family  of  eleven  children,  whose  names,  in  the  order  of  their  birth, 
are :  Emma  J.  (wife  of  Thomas  Johnston,  of  Rock  Island  county), 
William  J.,  Caroline  Y.,  Mary  E.,  George  A.,  Sarah  E.,  Jemima  K., 
Angeline  M.,  Harriett  E.,  Charles  E.,  and  Losada  L.  After  his  mar- 
riage Mr.  Smith  engaged  in  farming  till  1865.  when  he  sold  his  Cana- 
dian home  and  removed  to  Mercer  county,  settling  in  Preemption 
townshij),  on  section  16.  For  his  first  eighty  acres  he  paid  S2,0(»(t,  for 
his  second  he  paid  $4,500,  and  for  his  last  forty  acres,  bought  in  1882, 
he  paid  $3,000.  Mr.  Smith  is  now^  (1882)  actively  engaged  in  stock- 
raising  and  farming.  The  raising  of  pork  for  market  has  been  with 
him  a  decided  success.  Himself  and  his  estimable  wife  are  memliers 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

Daniel  Mack  is  a  son  of  John  and  Bridget  (Conway)  !Mack.  and 
was  born  in  county  Clare,  Ireland,  in  May  1840.     His  father  died,  and, 


728  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AJSTD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

early  in  the  spring  of  1853,  he,  with  his  mother  and  her  family,  set 
sail  for  America  in  the  sailing  ship  Mary  Pleasant,  and  all  safely 
landed  in  Philadelphia  on  May  10,  1853.  In  the  spring  of  1855  they 
removed  to  Pock  Island,  Illinois,  where  our  subject  spent  the  next 
four  and  a  half  years  clerking  in  a  hotel  and  working  at  otlier  odd  jobs 
from  which  he  could  earn  an  honest  penny,  at  the  same  time  making 
the  best  use  he  could  of  all  spare  time  in  securing  an  education. 
Though  he  did  not  have  the  advantage  of  a  college  course  of  instruc- 
tion, he  is  one  of  those  practical,  self-made  men  occasionally  found 
among  the  emigrants  to  tins  coimty  who  were  by  poverty  thrown  upon 
their  own  resources.  After  coming  to  Preemption  township,  in  1859, 
he  engaged  in  breaking  prairie,  and  became  known  as  Dan.  Mack,  the 
prairie  breaker.  In  August,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  H,  84th  111.  Vol. 
Inf ,  and  served  his  ado])ted  country  until  the  close  of  the  war.  While 
in  the  service  he  was  wounded  at  Chickamauga,  September  19,  1853. 
January  1,  1866,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Catharine  Oday,  a  daugh- 
ter of  John  and  Margaret  (Burk)  Oday,  who  is  also  a  native  of  Ire- 
land, and  came  to  America  in  about  1860.  They  are  the  parents  of 
seven  children,  living:  John  W.,  Daniel,  Thomas  F.,  Elizabeth,  Will- 
iam, James  P.,  Joseph  C,  and  three  deceased.  Though  Mr.  Mack 
began  a  poor  boy,  he  is  now  the  independent  owner  of  510  acres  of  land 
in  this  township,  and  is  actively  engaged  in  stock  raising  and  shi^^ping 
as  well  as  farming. 

R(iBERT  Foster  is  a  son  of  Robert  and  Margaret  (Nickson)  Foster. 
He  was  born  in  the  county  Fermanagh,  Ireland,  in  1820,  and  was 
reared  on  a  farm,  at  the  same  time  receiving  a  good  education.  On 
March  IT,  1845,  with  his  brother  John  and  others  of  his  father''s 
family  he  left  his  native  home  for  America,  and  about  May  1  of  the 
same  year  arrived  at  Rock  Island,  Illinois.  The  first  summer  was 
spent  by  him  working  in  a  brick-yard  at  Rock  Island,  while  John 
worked  the  first  season  in  Preenipti(jn  township  for  John  Whitsitt, 
Esq.  Thus  they  made  their  start  "  slow  but  sure."  The  brothers 
finally  pu)-chased  land  in  section  3,  in  Preemption  township,  where 
Robert  still  lives,  and  where  John  lived  till  the  time  of  his  death, 
December  30,  1881,  in  the  seventieth  year  of  his  age.  He  was  a 
devoted  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  to  which  he  gave 
liberally  of  his  means,  making  it  a  point  to  give  annually  fifty  dollars 
toward  the  support  of  the  church  of  which  he  was  a  membei".  Some 
years  before  his  death  he  gave  a  house  and  lot  in  Rock  Island  to  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  there  to  be  used  as  a  parsonage,  and  a  short 
time  previous  to  his  death  he  willed  to  the  missionary  society  of  Rock 
Island  property  to  the  value  of  $2,000,  the  proceeds  of  which  is  to  be 


COMPANY    A,    THIRTY-SEVEXTH    REGIMENT.  729 

used  in  foreign  missionary  work,  and  during  the  last  year  of  his  life 
he  contributed  in  cash  $100  to  the  missionary  fund.  In  1859  Kobert 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Elizabeth  Kennedy,  a  native  of 
county  Fermanagh,  Ireland,  by  whom  he  became  the  father  of  twelve 
children,  seven  of  whom  are  now  living :  Matilda,  John,  William, 
Walter,  Sarah  J.,  Abba  M.,  and  Robert  D.  The  oldest  daughter,  aged 
twenty  years,  and  the  third  son,  aged  fifteen  years,  fell  victims  to  that 
dread  scourge  diphtheria,  as  well  as  did  some  of  his  family  in  younger 
years.  Mr.  Foster  and  wife  are  consistant  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church. 


COMPANY  C,  TITIPvTY-SIXTII  REGIMENT. 

Quite  a  number  of  Mercer  county  jnen  entered  this  company,  which 
was  organized  in  Warren  county  and  was  othcered  almost  entirely  by 
men  from  that  county.  The  organization  took  place  August  20,  1861, 
and  the  muster-in  took  place  about  one  month  later  at  Aurora.  A  day 
or  two  after  the  organization  the  regiment  went  to  Quincy,  Illinois,  and 
thence  to  St.  Louis,  Missouri.  Some  of  the  principal  battles  in  which 
this  regiment  was  engaged  were  :  Bentonville,  Pea  Ridge,  Perry^dlle, 
Stone  river,  Chickamauga  creek.  Many  other  skirmishes  and  light 
engagements  were  partici})ated  in  by  this  regiment.  Nine  of  Mercer 
county's  citizens  died  at  the  enemy's  hands  (H-  from  disease  contracted 
in  the  service. 


COMPANY  A,  TiriRTY-SEYENTII  REGIMENT. 

This  was  a  Rock  Island  county  company,  and  like  many  other  com- 
panies and  regiments  from  adjoining  counties,  drew  liberally  on  Mer- 
cer county  for  men.  The  regiment  was  made  up  of  squads  from  all 
parts  of  the  state  and  from  other  states.  Company  A,  to  which  the 
Mercer  county  boys  attached  themselves,  was  organized  August  14, 
18f)l,  and  a  month  and  a  few  days  later  the  regiment  was  organized 
and  the  men  mustered  into  service  at  Chicago.  The  war  had  then 
begun  to  be  a  reality  and  troops  were  not  ke[)t  in  the  state  long  for 
show  or  drill,  but,  as  was  the  case  with  the  thirty-seventh,  were  sent 
immediately  to  the  scene  of  action.  The  next  day  after  the  com[)letion 
of  the  organization  this  regiment  was  sent  to  St.  Louis,  and  a  few  days 
later  to  Booneville,  Otterville  and  Springfield.  On  January  24,  1862, 
the  regiment  was  in  the  battle  of  Pea  Ridge  and  September  29  at  New- 
tonia,  the  battle  of  Fayetteville  soon  after  being  the  scene  of  an  engage- 


730  HISTOKY    OF   >rERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

ment  in  which  this  regiment  participated.  The  regiment  was  mustered 
out  May  15,  1866.  Twelve  iiam^s  on  the  monument  at  Aledo  attest 
the  devotion  of  Mercer  county's  heroes  to  the  okl  flag. 


COMPAXY  I,  SEVENTEENTH  REGIMENT. 

Co.  I,  of  the  17th  reg.  111.  Yol.  luf ,  was  raised  from  men  at  New 
Boston,  Keithsburg  and  Aledo.  Dr.  E.  P.  AYood,  of  New  Boston 
(afterward  lieutenant-colonel  of  tlie  regiment),  Geo.  W.  Sanders, 
William  Avery,  E.  S.  Bruington,  and  D.  T.  Hind  man  were  leading 
spirits  in  organizing  the  company.  Enos  P.  Wood  was  afterward 
(April  20,  1861)  elected  captain,  and  a  month  later,  on  the  organization 
of  the  regiment,  elected  lieutenant-colonel ;  Edward  S.  Bruington, 
second  lieutenant  (afterward  captain);  and  Geo.  W.  Sanders,  who  also 
afterward  was  promoted  to  the  captaincy,  as  first  lieutenant.  William 
Avery  succeeded  from  second  to  first  lieutenancy  on  the  formation  of 
the  regiment.  Wm.  A.  Lorimer  was  promoted  to  second,  then  to  first 
lieutenant,  and  was  mustered  out  as  captain  of  the  company.  Tlieo- 
dore  Glancey  was  chosen  second  lieutenant  April  2,  1863,  and  after- 
ward, and  until  the  expiration  of  his  term,  promoted  to  second 
lieutenancy. 

The  company  left  New  Boston  April  19,  1861,  for  Monmouth, 
whither  they  marched.  At  Monmouth  they  tarried  four  days,  and  in  the 
meantime  were  met  by  company  F,  of  Warren  county.  April  23  they 
took  the  cars  to  Peoria,  and  went  into  camp,  the  cam})  being  named 
Camp  Mather.  Company  I  was  raised  as  a  three  months'  company,  but 
the  call  for  the  three  months'  men  was  already  full  and  overflowing  when 
they  arrived  in  camp.  It  was  generally  understood  before  arriving 
there  that  such  was  the  case,  and  nearly  all  were  ready  to  enlist  for 
three  years.  A  few,  however,  declined  and  returned  home.  May  2-1 
the  regiment  was  organized,  and  company  I,  with  as  brave  a  lot  of  men 
as  ever  carried  the  musket,  was  assigned  the  position  indicated  by  the 
letter  given  above. 

One  item  in  the  history  of  this  company  will  be  remembered  as 
long  as  a  member  of  it  remains.  Though  rough  usage  and  privations 
incident  to  army  life  left  their  impressions,  yet  they  were  not  sufi'ered 
to  sink  so  deeply  into  the  heart  of  the  rough  soldier  as  did  the  act  of 
kindness  of  the  citizens  of  Monmouth  during  the  four  days  of  their 
stay  in  that  city.  The  best  and  foremost  peoj^le  of  the  town  opened 
their  doors,  their  cupboards,  and  their  hearts  to  the  boys,  and  nothing- 
was  considered  too  good  for  them.    Long  years  have  ])assed  and  many 


COMPANY    I,    SEVENTEENTH    REGIMENT.  731 

of  the  incidents  of  the  war  have  been  obliterated  from  the  minds  of 
the  grim  warriors,  but  these  acts,  which  went  down  deep  into  tlie 
heart,  are  as  fresli  as  thougli  ])eiformed  but  yesterchiy. 

The  Seventeenth  llegiment  of  III.  Vol.  Inf.,  was  nuistered  into  the 
the  United  States'  service  at  Peoria,  Illinois,  on  May  24,  1861,  and 
left  camp  on  the  ITth  of  June  for  Alton,  Illinois,  for  the  purpose  of 
more  fully  completing  its  organization  and  arming.  Late  in  July  it 
proceeded  from  Alton  to  St.  Charles,  Missouri,  remaining  but  one  day  ; 
thence  went  to  AVarrenton.  Missouri,  where  it  remained  in  camp  about 
two  weeks:  company  A  being  detailed  as  body  guard  to  General  John 
Pope,  with  headquarters  at  St.  Charles. 

The  regiment  left  Warrenton  for  St.  Louis,  and  embarked  on 
transports  for  Bird's  point  Missouri  ;  remained  at  Bird's  point  some 
weeks,  doing  gai-rison  duty  ;  then  proceeded  to  Sulphur  Springs  Land- 
ing ;  debarking  there  proceeding  via  Pilot  Knob  and  Ironton,  to 
Predericktown,  Missouri,  in  pursuit  of  General  Jeff.  Thompson,  and 
joined  General  B.  M.  Prentiss'  command  at  Jackson,  Missouri.  They 
thence  proceeded  to  Kentucky  and  aided  in  the  construction  of  Fort 
Holt.  They  were  then  ordered  to  Elliott's  mills  ;  remained  there  a 
short  time  and  returned  to  Fort  Holt.  They  went  from  thence  to  Cape 
Girardeau,  and  with  other  regiments  were  again  sent  in  pursuit  of  Gen. 
Jelf.  Thompson's  forces  ;  participated  in  the  engagement  near  Green- 
field ;  lost  one  man  killed  and  several  wounded,  and  returned  to  Cape 
Girardeau,  doing  provost  duty  until  early  in  February,  1862,  when  they 
were  ordered  to  Fort  Henry ;  participated  in  that  engagement  and  Fort 
Donelson,  losing  several  men  killed,  -wounded  and  taken  prisoners. 
They  then  proceeded  to  Metal  Landing,  Tennessee  river,  and  embarked 
for  Savannah,  Tennessee  ;  from  thence  to  Pittsburg  Landing  and  were 
assigned  to  the  First  Division,  Army  West  Tennessee,  under  Gen. 
John  A.  McClernand  ;  were  engaged  in  the  battles  of  April  6  and  7, 
and  suffered  great  loss  in  killed  and  wounded 

They  were  with  the  advance  to  Corinth.  After  the  evacuation  of 
Corinth  they  marched  to  Purdy,  Bethel  and  Jackson,  Tennessee,  and 
remained  there  until  July  17,  when  the  regiment  was  ordered  to 
Bolivar,  and  was  assigned  to  duty  as  provost  guard.  They  remained 
at  Bolivar  until  November,  1862,  during  which  time  they  participated 
in  the  expedition  to  luka,  to  reinforce  Gen.  Rosecrans,  and  afterward 
at  the  battle  of  Ilatchie.  They  returned  again  to  Bolivar,  and 
remained  there  until  the  middle  of  November.  They  were  then 
ordered  to  Lagrange,  rep(jrting  to  Major  Gen.  John  A.  Logan,  and 
were  assigned  to  duty  as  provost  guard.  Col.  Norton  being  assigned 
to  the  command  at  that  post.       Early  in  December  they  marched  to 


732  HISTORY    OF   FIERCER   AND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

Holly  Springs  ;  tlience  to  Abbeyville  guarding  railroads,  and  tlience  to 
Oxford.  After  tlie  capture  of  H0II3'  Springs  tlie  regiment  was  assigned 
to  the  Sixth  Division,  Seventeenth  Army  Corps,  under  Maj.  Gen. 
McPherson.  They  then  proceeded,  via  Moscow,  to  Collierxalle ; 
from  there  to  Memplis,  and  the  regiment  was  assigned  to  duty  at 
the  navv  yard.  They  remained  there  until  January  16,  and  then 
embarked  for  Yicksburg  ;  re-embarked  and  proceeded  to  Lake  Provi- 
dence, Louisiana,  then  the  headquarters  of  the  Seventeenth  Army 
Corps,  doing  duty  there  until  the  investment  of  Yicksburg  commenced. 
Arriving  at  Milliken's  Bend,  on  or  about  May  1,  they  commenced  to 
march  across  the  Delta  to  Perkins'  landing,  on  the  Mississippi  river  ; 
thence  to  the  crossing  below  Grand  Gulf,  advancing  with  McPherson's 
command,  via  Raymond,  Champion  Hills,  Jackson,  Big  Black,  and  to 
the  final  investment  of  Vicksburg.  After  the  surrender  of  that  city, 
the  regiment  remained  there  doing  garrison  duty  and  making  incur- 
sions into  the  enemy's  country  as  far  east  as  Meridian,  and  west  as  far 
as  Monroe,  Louisiana.  Returning  to  Vicksburg  they  remained  there 
until  May,  1864,  the  term  of  service  of  the  regiment  expiring  on  May 
24,  of  that  year. 

The  regiment  was  ordered  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  for  muster-out 
and  final  discharge,  when  and  where  those  of  the  original  organization 
who  did  not  re-enlist  as  veterans  were  mustered  out  and  discharged. 
A  suificient  number  not  having  re-enlisted  to  entitle  them  to  retain 
their  regimental  organization,  the  veterans  and  recruits  whose  term 
of  service  had  not  expired  consolidated  with  the  8th  111.  Yol.  Inf ,  and 
were  finally  mustered  out  with  that  regiment  and  discharged  in  the 
spring  of  1866. 

Seventeen  names  are  engraved  on  Mercer  county's  soldiers'  monu- 
ment as  having  given  up  their  lives  for  their  country's  warfare.  Some 
of  these  were  killed  on  the  battle-field ;  some  were  wounded,  and,  after 
long  and  painful  sufiering,  died  from  the  eftects  of  wounds  ;  and  some 
were  victims  of  diseases  brought  on  by  exposure  in  the  camp  and  on 
the  march. 


RICHLAND  GROYE  TOWNSHIP. 

EARLY  HISTORY. 

Arasmith  Grove  was  changed  to  Richland  Grove  in  1837.  The 
circumstances  connected  with  the  change  were  these :  Josiah  Jordan 
was  building  a  house,  and  a  talk  arose  as  to  the  name  of  the  grove. 
He  proposed  to  those  present  that,  as  some  did  not  like  the  name 


RICHLAND    GROVE    TOWNSHIP.  733 

Arasmitli,  tliey  there  and  then  change  the  name  to  Ricliland  Grove. 
Tlie  name  was  almost  nnanifnously  a<lo})ted,  and  has  come  down  to 
the  present  time.  In  1834  tlie  township  was  a  solitary  tract  of  desert 
waste,  not  a  single  house  having  yet  been  built. 

The  first  house  was  built  by  Abner  Arasmitli,  in  the  S.  AV.  ^  of 
Sec.  13.  The  first  store  was  kept  by  Asa  McMurtry,  and  the  second 
by  Willis  Peckingpaugh.  The  first  blacksmith  shop  was  kept  by 
George  Lorance  and  the  second  by  Luther  Barnard. 

Chancy  Stanard,  the  hero  of  those  early  days,  taught  the  first 
school,  in  the  winter  of  1837-8,  in  a  log-house  (size  12x14  feet) 
which  stood  on  the  Peter  Metzler  farm  (S.  E.  I  of  S.  E.  I  of  Sec.  14). 
Chancy  Stanard  also  conducted  the  first  Sunday  school,  in  1837,  near 
the  same  place. 

In  1835  Wesley  Arasmitli,  Sr.,  Abner  and  Alvin  Arasmitli,  and 
Thomas  Sellers  constituted  the  settlers.  In  1836  Peter  and  John 
Metzler,  George  and  John  Love,  Hugh  Montgomery,  Charles  Norman, 
Sr.,  Henry  Stowers,  Henry,  George  and  John  Peckingpaugh,  Thomas 
Chires,  Sr.  and  Jr.,  William  Parker,  Hugh  McMullen,  Almond  Wilcox, 
James  Manning,  Daniel  Valentine,  and  Levi  Shaw,  came  to  the 
township. 

In  1837  James  Glenn,  Alden  Perce,  Chancy  Stanard,  Alfred 
Dorsee,  Parker  Tinney,  Wm.  Lowther,  Jonathan  Smith,  and  Albert 
Merrvman  settled  here,  and  in  1838  Thomas  J.  Jordan,  John  A. 
Jordan,  John  Rhodenbaugh,  Lucius  Dimmock,  L.  F.  Langford,  Joseph 
B.  Trego,  John  Morey,  and  Abner  Yanmeter.  Of  those  named 
who  are  known  to  be  living  there  are :  John  Metzler,  George  Love, 
Charles  Xorman,  Sr.,  Henry  Stowers,  Thomas  (Jhires,  Jr.,  Alfred 
Dorsee,  John  A.  and  Thomas  J.  Jordan,  Parker  Tinney,  L.  F.  Langford, 
Albert  Mei-ryman,  John  Rhodenbaugh,  Joseph  B.  Trego,  and  John 
Morey.  The  graveyard  west  of  Swedona  contains  many  honored  dead 
of  those  early  days,  and  as  the  early  settler  talks  of  his  old  associates, 
the  tears  will  fill  his  eyes,  thinking  of  the  many  happy  days  spent 
together. 

VILLAGE  OF  SWEDONA. 

Tlie  village  now  known  by  the  above  name  was  laid  out  in  1838  by 
Abner  Arasmitli,  now  of  Kansas.  Being  located  on  what  was  known 
as  the  state  road,  between  Knoxville  and  Rock  Island,  it  became  quite 
a  thriving  village,  reaching  at  one  time  a  po])ulati<)n  of  about  500.  The 
first  store  building  was  erected  by  Asa  Mc^Iurtry.  The  name  was 
changed  from  Berlin  to  Swedona  in  1869,  and,  as  the  name  implies, 
the  population  consists  largely  of  Swedes. 


734  HISTORY    OF    MERCER    A^D    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CHUECH,  SWEDONA. 

The  society  of  American  Methodists  was  organized  by  Rev.  Asa 
McMurtrv  in  1837.  The  leader  was  Chancy  Stanard.  Some  did  not 
join  for  some  time,  bnt  all  remember  the  early  days.  The  names  are  : 
Chancy  Stanard,  leader,  Mrs.  Stanard,  William  and  Mrs.  Lewis, 
Lucins  Dimmock,  Alvin  and  Mrs.  Arasmith,  Thomas  and  Mrs.  Cliires, 
Thomas  Chires,  Jr.,  Ann  and  Sarah  Chires,  Mary  Love,  Stephen  and 
Mrs.  Smith,  Thomas  and  Mrs.  Brittingham,  Mrs.  William  Smitli,  John 
Khodenbaugh,  Stower's  family  (four),  Mr.  Consider,  and  Mrs.  Barney, 
Sr.,  Jose])h  Crawford,  Irvin  and  Mrs.  Stone. 

The  building  now  occupied  by  the  congregation  was  completed  in 
1848,  although  services  had  been  held  in  it  years  previous  to  that  date. 

EVANGELICAL  LUTHERAN  (SWEDISH),  SWEDONA. 

The  Lutheran  church  society  was  organized  by  Rev.  Jonas  Swanson 
in  1858  with  fifty  communicants.  The  church  was  built  in  1859.  This 
society  has  continued  to  grow  until  now  it  is  one  of  the  largest,  if  not 
the  largest,  in  the  county.  There  are  now  over  500  communicants, 
and  they  always  have  a  large  congregation.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  N.  M. 
Chilberg,  who  are  the  oldest  Swedish  settlers  in  the  township,  still  live 
near  the  church,  and  they  look  back  with  pleasure  over  the  history  of 
the  society. 

UNITED  BRETHREN  IN  CHRIST. 

The  American  Society  of  United  Brethren  was  organized  by  the 
Rev.  Abner  Norman  in  the  winter  of  1871-2,  with  a  membership  of 
about  thirty.     The  church  building  was  erected  in  1873. 

The  Swedish  Methodist  Episcopal  church  society  was  organized  by 
Rev.  Victor  Yitting  in  1856  with  a  small  membership.  The  church 
was  built  in  1860.  The  society  has  continued  to  grow  and  is  now  large 
and  prosperous. 

GRIFFIN  BROTHERS'  TILE  WORKS. 

On  "the  S.  W.  J  of  Sec.  34,  are  situated  the  tile  works  owned  and 
operated  by  the  Griffin  Brothers.  The  works  were  established  in 
1879,  and  since  that  time  these  enterprising  gentlemen  have  been 
scarcely  able  to  meet  the  great  and  increasing  demand  for  their  tile. 
The  clay  underlying  their  land  is  of  a  very  line  quality,  and  is  pro- 
nounced by  Prof.  Weber  equal  to  any  in  the  state.  These  gentlemen 
are  sons  of  William  E.  Griffin,  Esq.  (deceased),  who  was  for  many 
years  supervisor  of  the  township. 

[For  the  above  matter,  collected  from  John  A.  Jordan,  we  are 
indebted  to  B.  F.  Eckley,  Esq. — Ed.] 


w 


.^•^  -■.^^■^.. 


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Mi 


SAMUEL     CLARK 


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EC  EASE 


°) 


RICHLAND    GROVK    T(  >\\  ASIlll".  737 

CA15LE. 

The  population  of  tliis  village  consists  chiefly  of  miners  in  the  em- 
ploy of  the  Cable.  A  shaft  and  slope  are  operated  here  under  the 
su})ervision  of  Robert  Lee.  The  aggregate  capacity  of  the  two  mines 
being  about  80,000  tons  annually,  about  400  men  are  constantly  em- 
ployed, besides  eight  mining  machines,  each  performing  the  labor  of 
about  six  men.  The  coal  is  transported  over  the  Mercer  County  rail- 
road to  Rock  Island,  and  thence  to  surrounding  towns. 

On  the  afternoon  of  June  5,  1844,  a  mass  of  angry  clouds  were 
seen  gathering  west  of  Swedona,  which,  owing  to  their  peculiar  appear- 
ance, attracted  considerable  attention.  About  five  o'clock  in  the  even- 
ing they  began  to  move  rapidly  eastward,  and  in  a  few  moments  the 
storm  burst  with  terrific  fury  upon  the  village  and  surrounding  country. 
The  air  seemed  full  of  electricitv,  the  crackling):  of  which  sounded  like 
the  discharge  of  musketry.  Huge  trees  were  torn  oft",  a  great  many 
barns  and  dwellings  were  badly  damaged,  and  a  number  of  })eople 
killed,  among  whom  were  Mr.  Trego  and  son  a  few  miles  northwest 
of  Swedona.  This  storm  was  probably  the  severest  ever  known  in 
this  locality,  but  the  country  being  very  sparsely  settled  the  fatality 
was  not  so  great  as  attends  some  of  those  whirling  monsters  of  later 
days.  An  eye  witness  states  that  for  some  time  after  the  storm  had 
subsided,  streaks  of  phosphorescent  light  were  seen  creeping  over  the 
ground,  and  the  air  hud  a  peculiar  smell  resembling  sulphur.  The 
storm  moved  eastward  strewing  death  and  desolation  in  its  patli,  and 
was  last  heard  of  in  Henry  and  Bureau  counties. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Among  the  many  men  and  women  who  in  early  times  bade  farewell 
to  friends  and  kindred  and  took  up  their  abode  in  the  wilds  of  Illinois, 
none  are  more  deserving  of  the  reverence  of  posterity  than  Samuel 
Clark,  and  his  wife,  Sarah  Clark.  The  burden  of  life  which  they 
had  borne  together  through  so  many  years  has  been  laid  down  by  the 
wayside,  and  the  venerable  coui)le  rest  side  by  side  in  the  peaceful 
sanctuary  of  the  tomb.  Samuel  Clark  was  born  near  Londonderry, 
Ireland,  in  1813.  He  emigrated  to  America  in  1833,  and  located  in 
Brooklyn,  New  York,  where  he  remained  two  and  a  half  years.  In 
the  fall  of  1836  he  came  to  Mercer  county,  and  located  on  section  12. 
He  was  married  in  1838  to  Miss  Sarah  Huyck,  of  Dayton,  Ohi(x 
Five  children  were  born  to  the  couple,  whose  names  are  as  follows : 
James  G.,  Jennie  (deceased  wife  of  Dr.  Ansley),  Louisa  (deceased  in 
infancy),  Florence  (deceased),  and  Florence  (now  residing  in  Swedona). 
Mrs.  Clark  died  April  5,  1878,  and  Mr.  Clark  in  May,  1882. 
42 


738  HISTOKY    OF   MERCER   AJ^D    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

George  Eckley  was  born  in  Ricliland  county,  Ohio,  January  5, 
1821.  He  emigrated  with  his  parents  to  Fulton  county,  Illinois,  in 
1834,  and  from  there  to  Stark  and  Knox  counties,  in  the  latter  of  which, 
ISToyember  23,  1843,  he  married  Miss  Melinda  Cullenson.  Together 
they  removed  to  Riyoli  township,  Mercer  county,  in  1851,  and  finally 
to  Richland  Groye  township.  Swedona,  where  they  now  liye.  In 
August,  1862,  Mr.  Eckley  enlisted  in  Co.  C,  102d  reg.  111.  Vol.  Inf , 
and  seryed  until  the  close  of  the  rebellion.  After  the  rebellion  he  was 
the  leader  in  the  long  struggle  against  saloons  in  Old  Berlin,  and  they 
were  finally  banished  the  place.  His  education  is  limited,  but  with 
many  other  earl}^  day  men  he  has  good  general  information.  He  is  an 
ardent  republican  and  supporter  of  republican  principles.  A  member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  for  many  years  leader  of  the 
class  in  Swedona.  Mr.  Eckley  is  a  man  of  energy  and  firmness,  and 
when  he  undertakes  a  work  he  is  determined  to  carry  it  through. 
Mrs.  Melinda  Eckley  was  born  in  Knox  county,  Ohio,  J^ovember  18, 
1821,  and  came  to  Illinois  with  her  parents  in  1842,  and  marrying 
Mr.  George  Eckley  November  23,  1843,  her  work  has  been  to  assist  in 
all  that  could  make  home  pleasant  and  prosperous.  They  are  the 
parents  of  eight  children,  four  of  whom  are  liying:  Rebecca  Jane, 
Margery  Ellen,  Susan  Caroline,  and  Benjamin  Franklin.  If  you  ever 
yisit  Swedona  be  sure  and  call  and  see  uncle  George,  who  still  liyes 
on  his  farm  west  of  the  yillage. 

C.  Beecher  Bristol,  was  born  in  Oxford,  Connecticut,  Septem- 
ber 14,  1798.  His  great  grandfather  was  born  on  the  ocean,  in  1714. 
He  located  in  Connecticut  when  the  ]^ew  England  states  were  almost 
a  wilderness,  cleared  a  farm  and  built  a  home  where  our  subject  and 
his  father  and  grandfather  were  born.  Early  in  life  Mr.  Bristol  experi- 
enced a  desire  to  enter  the  ministry,  and  he  began  studying  for  that  pur- 
pose. After  having  received  an  academical  education,  he  entered  the 
Princeton  seminary,  receiving  his  diploma  from  that  institution  at  the 
end  of  three  years.  He  officiated  as  pastor  of  various  congregations  until 
1856,  when  he  came  to  Preemption  township,  where  he  was  sent  as 
stated  supply.  He  was  married,  shortly  after  completing  his  studies,  to 
Miss  Maria  Henderson.  Four  sons  and  four  daugliters  were  the  fruits 
of  this  union,  two  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  One  of  his  sons,  Beecher, 
enlisted  in  the  60th  111.  Inf,  and  after  two  years  re-enlisted  as  veteran. 
He  is  now  located  in  Monmouth,  as  is  also  a  younger  son,  Leavitt,  who 
recently  graduated  from  Monmouth  college.  This  venerable  gentleman 
has  lived  to  a  ripe  old  age,  and  can  feel  that  he  has  not  lived  in  vain. 

Dr.  J.  M.  Ansley  was  born  in  Westmoreland  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, May  21,  1833.     He  received  an  academical  education  at  Glade 


RICHLAXD    GROVE   TOWXSIIIP.  739 

run  academy,  after  which  he  went  to  Philadelphia,  where  he  received 
his  medical  education,  graduatin*;  from  Jefferson  college.  After  finish- 
ing liis  studies  he  practiced  about  five  years  in  his  native  state,  after 
which  he  came  to  Illinois  and  located  at  Swedona,  where  he  now  has 
a  very  lucrative  practice.  In  February,  1869,  he  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Mrs.  Jennie  (Clark)  Trego,  daughter  of  Samuel  Clark,  one 
of  the  pioneers  of  Mercer  county,  who  died  in  May,  1873.  Two  children 
were  born  to  this  cou]»le,  Clark  F.  and  Charley;  of  these  the  latter 
died  in  infancy. 

Jamks  G.,  son  of  Samuel  and  Sarah  Clark,  was  born  in  Richland 
Grove  township,  November  7,  1840,  and  is  consequently  a  production 
of  Mercer  county.  He  received  his  education  in  the  district  schools, 
attending  his  first  term  at  Oxford,  Illinois.  He  is  the  eldest  of  a 
family  of  five  children,  whose  names  are  given  elsewhere.  He  was 
married  February  2(>,  1873,  to  Miss  Emma  Iv.  Engle.  The  names  of 
the  children  born  to  this  worthy  couple,  are  as  follows:  Charles  A., 
Grace,  Jennie,  and  Samuel.  Mr.  Clark  was  elected  supervisor  in 
1879,  and  is  now  serving  in  that  capacity  a  third  term.  He  is  highly 
spoken  of  by  his  neighbors,  and  we  believe  has  established  a  character 
and  reputation  that  are  above  reproach. 

Jaisies  S.,  son  of  Jesse  and  Ann  Quaintance,  was  born  in  Crawford 
county,  Ohio,  September  5th,  1831.  In  1854  he  came  to  Illinois  and 
located  on  section  15,  Richland  Grove  township.  Married  in  February, 
1857,  to  Miss  Martha  A.  Hardenbrook.  The  fruits  of  this  union  are 
seven  children,  whose  names  in  the  order  of  their  ages  are  as  follows  : 
El-wood  J.,  Stella  A.,  Hadley  W.,  Adeline  M,,  Bertha  B.,  Harry,  and 
Jesse  C.  Mr.  Quaintance  is  a  member  of  the  A.F.A.M.,  Xew 
"Windsor  lodge.  He  is  also  assessor  in  Richland  Grove  township,  and 
is  highly  respected  by  all  who  know  him. 

David,  son  of  David  and  Elizabeth  Sherrard,  was  born  in  Franklin 
county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1818.  He  was  married  in  1836  to  Miss 
Eliza  Sawers,  a  native  of  Mercer  count}',  Pennsylvania.  The  names 
of  their  children,  in  the  order  of  their  ages,  are  as  follows  ;  Rachel  H., 
James  W.,  David  II.,  John  Y.,  Olive,  Vance  S.,  and  Frank  AV.  In 
1854  he  came  to  Mercer  county,  and  located  on  section  4,  Richland 
Grove  township,  where  he  has  since  resided.  By  hard  labor  and 
industry  he  has  accumulated  a  large  property. 

Hexry,  son  of  Albert  and  Jane  Merryman,  was  born  in  Richland 
Grove  township,  in  January,  1843.  ]\farried  December  29,  1870,  to 
Miss  Flora  Peters,  a  native  of  AVhitesides  county,  Illinois.  The  names 
of  their  children,  in  the  order  of  their  ages,  are  as  follows :  Winnifred 


740  HISTORY    OF   IVrERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

(deceased),    Ethel    L.,    Harry   L.,    Bertlia   M..    and   Edith   L.     Mrs. 
Merryman  is  a  member  of  the  Weslejan  Methodist  clmrch. 

John  B.,  son  of  William  and  Mary  (Butler)  Adams,  was  born  in 
Columbia  county,  Pennsylvania.  When  twenty-five  years  of  age  he 
came  to  Illinois  and  entered  land  in  sections  31  and  32,  Richland 
Grove  township.  He  was  married  in  the  spring  of  1S54  to  Miss  Han- 
nah E.  Crossley,  also  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  El  wood,  Harvey, 
Jennie,  Dallas  B.,  George,  William,  and  John,  are  the  names  of  their 
children. 

Albert  D.,  son  of  Timothy  and  Elizabeth  Merryman,  was  born  in 
Cumberland  county,  Maine,  Novembei*  7,  1812.  His  father  was  a 
soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  In  the  fall  of  1836  the  family  emigrated  to 
Fulton  county,  Illinois.  In  the  spring  of  1837  they  located  on  section 
27,  Richland  Grove  township.  Our  subject  was  married  August  25, 
1836,  to  Miss  Jane  Patten.  The  names  of  the  children  born  to  the 
couple  are  as  follows :  Emily,  Amanda,  Joseph  P.  (deceased),  Plenry, 
Thomas  J.,  William  A.  (deceased),  Ann  E.  (deceased),  Sidney,  and 
Marion. 

David  D.,  son  of  Timothy  and  Elizabeth  Merryman,  was  born  in 
Kennebec  county,  Maine,  in  1819.  In  the  fall  of  1836  the  family 
came  to  Fulton  county,  Illinois,  and  remained  until  the  following 
spring,  when  they  came  to  Mercer  county  and  located.  Mr.  Merry- 
man was  married  in  August,  1816,  to  Miss  Phrebe  A.  Hibbard,  who 
died  June  22,  1848.  He  was  again  married  in  1852  to  Miss  Mary  M. 
Evans,  who  was  born  in  Galena,  Illinois,  October  8,  1827.  The 
names  of  their  children  are  as  follows  :  Freeman,  Flora  A.,  Florence 
A.,  Nelson  I.,  Perry  A.,  Charles  A.,  George  E.,  Frank  L.,  and  Fannie 
A.     His  eldest  son  was  a  member  of  Co.  C,  102d  111.  Inf 

D^vNiEL,  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Shiffler)  Mo  wry,  was  born  in 
Washington  county,  Maryland,  October  6,  1819.  In  1856  he  emigrated 
to  Mercer  county,  and  located  on  section  3.  Richland  Grove  township. 
He  was  married  Nos^ember  14,  1843,  to  Miss  JSTancy  Newcomer,  also  a 
native  of  Maryland.  Following  are  the  names  of  the  children  born  to 
the  worthy  couple:  George  D.,  and  Charles  M.,  both  of  whom  now 
reside  in  Nodaway  county,  Missouri;  Cornelia  J.,  wife  of  B.  F.  Trego, 
of  Rock  Island  county;  Otho  J.,  and  Lena  J.  (deceased  in  her  third 
year).  ( )ur  subject  and  wife  are  both  members  of  the  United  Brethren 
church,  with  which  they  united  in  1852.  The  Mowry  family  are  of 
German  origin.  Mrs.  Mowry  was  born  in  1818.  Her  mother's  maiden 
name  was  Elizabeth  Garber.  In  1871  Mr.  Mowry  was  elected  super- 
visor of  Richland  Grove  township,  in  which  caj)acity  he  served  five 
terms,  giving  universal  satisfaction. 


HICIII.ANI)    GROVE    TOWNSHIP.  741 

David,  son  of  Samuel  and  Charlott  AVilson,  was  born  in  Rensselaer 
county,  New  York,  June  1,  1820.  Tlis  father  liad  charg-e  of  the  com- 
missary department,  at  East  Troy,  (hu-ing  the  war  of  1812.  In  184-1- 
our  subject  came  to  Mercer  county  and  located  at  Berlin  (now  known 
as  Swedona),  where  he  remained  four  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time 
he  went  north,  where  he  was,  for  ten  ^^ears,  engaged  in  the  lumbering- 
business.  He  enlisted  in  the  spring  of  1804  in  Co.  A,  156tli  111.  Inf., 
and  served  until  the  following  Se})tember.  He  was  nuirried  in  1841  to 
Miss  Caroline  Ilungford,  a  native  of  New  York,  who  died  in  1848. 
lie  was  again  married  in  1858  to  Miss  Mary  Abbott,  a  native  of 
Minnesota.  He  is  the  father  of  one  son,  Ilartland,  who  was  born  to 
him  by  his  tirst  wife. 

Charles  Engle,  son  of  Joseph  and  Hannah  Engle,  was  born  in 
Burlington  county.  New  Jersey,  August  3,  1822.  In  the  spring  of 
1844  he  joined  the  throng  of  emigrants  })ouring  westward,  and  con- 
tinued his  journey  toward  the  setting  sun,  until  he  reached  Mercer 
county.  He  located  on  section  4,  in  Richland  Grove  townsln'p. 
He  was  married  September  11,  1846,  to  ]\[iss  Sarah  Kinsey,  daugh- 
ter of  Edmund  Kinse}',  who  came  to  the  county  in  1841,  having 
formerly  been  a  resident  of  Knox  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  Mrs. 
Engle  was  born.  The  names  of  the  chiklren  born  to  them  are  as  fol- 
lows :  Joseph,  (now  of  Dallas  county,  Iowa),  Emma  K.  (wife  of  James 
Clark,  Esq.),  Martha  K.  Trego  (deceased  in  her  twenty-sixth  year), 
Mary  E.  (wife  of  Frank  Trego,  of  Orion,  Illinois),  William  H.,  Edgar 
W.,  Fred,  and  Sadie  K.  The  family  are  of  Quaker  descent,  which 
fact  may  partially  account  for  the  kindness  and  courtesy  with  wliicli 
even  a  stranger  is  greeted,  who  visits  their  ha])py  home. 

Although  at  jjresent  a  resident  of  Rock  Island  county,  Capt.  John 
A.  Jordan  deserves  a  place  in  the  history  of  Mercer.  He  was  born  in 
Rockland,  Maine,  January  11,  ISIJ).  The  family  are  of  English  origin. 
The  grandfathers  on  both  sides  were  soldiers  in  the  revolution.  His 
father  participated  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  our  subject  and  tw^o  of  his 
sons  took  u})  arms  in  defense  of  the  flag,  in  the  late  rebellion.  Tluis 
have  the  Jordan  family  took  part  in  all  the  great  struggles  that  have 
taken  place  upon  American  soil  since  the  birth  of  the  republic;  a  re- 
markable fact,  and  one  of  which  they  and  their  ancestors  may  well  be 
proud.  His  father,  Robert  Jordan,  was  a  seaman  by  profession,  hav- 
ing spent  twenty  years  of  his  life  on  the  ocean  wave.  Tlie  family 
emigrated  to  Tiffin,  Ohio,  wlien  our  subject  was  in  his  youth.  Here 
his  father  died  on  November  4,  1832.  In  1838  the  two  brothers,  John 
A.  and  Thomas  J.,  came  to  Illinois  and  located  on  section  14,  Ricli- 
land  Grove  township.     In  1841  oui-  subject  Avas  nuirried  to  Miss  Rachel 


742  HISTORY    OF    MERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

Metzler,  of  Coshocton  county,  Ohio.  The  names  of  the  chikh-en  born 
to  them  are  as  follows:  Byron,  Edwin  T.,  Olive  M.  (deceased  in  her 
seventeenth  year),  and  William  IT.  In  August,  1861,  Mr.  Jordan, 
with  that  promtitude  and  enthusiasm  which  characterize  his  every 
action,  raised  and  organized  Co.  A,  37th  111.  Inf ,  of  which  he  was 
made  captain.  On  January  1,  1862,  he  resigned  his  position  on  account 
of  disabilities,  but  raised  one  full  company  and  part  of  another  after 
his  return  home.  The  captain  now  resides  in  Kural  township.  Rock 
Island  county,  and  is  its  present  supervisor.  He  is  a  man  of  more 
than  ordinary  intelligence,  and  his  kind,  genial  ways  leave  pleasant 
impressions  upon  those  who  have  ever  enjoyed  his  hospitality. 

Dr.  James  S.  Rosenberry  was  born  in  Warren  county,  New  Jersey, 
in  1837.  In  1849  the  family  emigrated  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  and 
located  in  Perryton  township.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  began  the 
study  of  medicine  in  1855,  in  the  otlice  of  Dr.  James  S.  Mathews,  of 
Preemption  township,  under  whose  instructions  he  remained  three 
years.  August,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  the  66th  Illinois  Sharpshooters,  in 
which  regiment  he  acted  as  hospital  steward  during  the  term  of  his 
enlistment,  which  expired  August  31,  1864.  On  his  return  he  entered 
the  medical  university  of  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan,  where  he  took  one 
course  of  lectures.  He  then  entered  the  Keokuk  university,  from 
which  institution  he  received  his  diploma.  May  30,  1865.  He  then 
located  at  Coal  Valley,  Illinois,  where  he  practiced  five  years.  In 
1870  he  located  in  Richland  Grove  township,  where  he  still  resides. 
He  was  married  in  1867  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Tenny,  who  died  in  1872. 
Again  married  in  January,  1881,  to  Miss  Sarah  E.  Rains,  a  native  of 
Scott  county,  Iowa. 


RIVOLI  TOWNSHIP. 

This  township,  which  is  designated  in  the  government  surveys  as 
T.  14  K,  R.  1  W.  of  the  4th  P.M.,  was  originally  called  North  Pope, 
but  its  name  was  changed  to  Rivoli,  at  the  suggestion  of  Hon.  R.  H. 
Spicer,  one  of  the  earliest  pioneers. 

The  first  settler  in  this  township  was  Mr.  James  Bridger,  who 
located  liere  in  the  spring  of  1836,  having  previously  located  in 
Schuyler  county,  this  state,  where  he  arrived  from  New  York  Decem- 
ber 9,  1833.  Mr.  Bridger  was  born  in  Sussex,  England,  August  1, 
1802,  emigrating  to  America  in  the  spring  of  1822,  arriving  in  New 
York  in  April  of  that  j'ear.  He  made  the  trip  across  the  Atlantic  in  a 
sail  vessel  in  the  then  unprecedented  time  of  seventeen  days.     In  1 835 


RrV'OLI   TOWNSHIP.  743 

Mr.  Bridger  accompanied  a  gentleman  from  Scliiiyler  county  on  a 
liorseback  trip  to  Kock  Island,  where  the  gentleman  had  business, 
Mr.  Bridger  going  for  the  sake  of  seeing  the  country.  liock  Island  at 
that  time  comprised  two  log  cabins,  giving  but  very  little  earnest  of  its 
present  population,  wealth  and  business.  Going  to  Rock  Island  they 
followed  a  trail  that  led  them  near  the  present  county  line  between 
Mercer  and  Henry  counties. 

Returning  they  struck  for  Monmouth,  following  the  old  military 
trail  as  it  was  called,  which  was  very  near  the  present  line  of  road 
from  Rock  Island  to  Monmouth.  After  passing  a  cabin  near  the 
present  site  of  Milan  the  next  habitation  they  saw  was  that  of  Hopkins 
Boone  on  Edwards  river.  They  reached  the  ford  on  North  Henderson 
after  dark,  and  not  knowing  its  character,  they  did  not  like  to  venture 
in.  Seeing  a  light  from  the  cabin  of  AYilliam  Stewart,  who  lived  then 
near  the  ford  on  the  south  side  of  the  stream,  thev  hailed,  and  were 
answered  by  Mr.  Stewart  in  person,  who  brought  a  torch  and  lighted 
them  across  the  stream,  bidding  them  welcome  to  the  hospitality  of 
his  cabin  in  true  pioneer  style. 

This  trip  resulted  in  Mr.  Bridger  removing  to  this  county  the  fol- 
lowing spring,  and  improving  a  claim  on  the  W.  i  of  the  S.  W.  of 
Sec.  31  in  this  township,  where  he  still  resides,  enjoying  the  fniits  of 
bis  early  industry  and  economy.  Mr.  Bridger  figures  in  the  initial 
history  of  this  township  in  more  points  than  that  of  being  the  iirst 
settler.  The  death  of  his  first  wife,  which  occurred  in  June,  1836, 
was  the  first  death  in  the  township.  She  was  buried  in  the  Mann 
cemetery  on  section  6,  in  North  Henderson  township,  and  was  the  first 
burial  in  that  cemetery  and  the  first  in  that  township,  in  fact.  His 
marriage  in  January,  1837,  to  Mrs.  Eliza  Longley  was  the  first  mar- 
riage in  the  township,  and  his  son  (Ira  G.),  born  October  14,  1837, 
was  the  first  birth.  In  his  cabin  occurred  the  preaching  of  the  first 
sermon  in  the  township,  by  Rev.  Samuel  P.  Burr,  who  was  two  years 
in  the  Mercer  circuit  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  an  old 
pioneer,  having  settled  in  Edgar  county,  Illinois,  in  1820.  He  was 
born  in  Langdon,  New  Hampshire,  September  8,  1809,  and  died  in 
Madison  county,  Nebraska,  November  25,  1881.  The  winter  of 
1836-7  his  cabin,  which  was  14x18  feet  dimension,  sheltered  a  family 
of  fourteen  persons,  but  still  they  had  room  to  entertain  any  belated 
traveler  who  chanced  to  come  that  way. 

In  the  summer  of  1841  a  band  of  Pottawattomie  Indians  on  a  hunt- 
ing expedition  were  encamped  near  Mr.  Bridger's  for  a  month  or  more. 
While  there  a  son  of  the  chief  was  sick  and  died,  and  thev  buried  him 
on  a  hill  on  the  south  side  of  Pope  creek,  in  the  N.  E.  ^  of  Sec.  6,  in 


744  HISTOEY    OF   MERCER    AXD    HEXDERSON    COFXTIES. 

Xortli  Henderson  township,  erecting  a  tall  white  oak  pole  by  the  grave, 
to  the  top  of  which  was  attached  a  white  flag.  This  pole  remained 
standing  for  many  years,  but  the  grave  was  marked  longer  by  the  re- 
mains of  a  pen  of  heavy  rails  that  enclosed  it.  which  could  be  identi- 
fied until  quite  recently,  if  it  cannot  be  even  yet. 

Ira  G.,  the  oldest  son.  married  Miss  Susan  E.  Brown,  a  native  of 
N'orth  Henderson  township,  daughter  of  Benjamin  F.  Brown,  an  old 
pioneer.  They  were  married  July  24,  1864,  and  lived  on  the  Bridger 
homestead  until  the  death  of  Mrs.  Susan,  which  occurred  May  15, 
isTT,  leaving  no  familv  but  her  husband,  who  still  lives  on  the  old 
place  and  cares  for  his  aged  parents.  A  younger  son  (Albert  C.) 
married  Miss  Sallie  Brown,  daughter  of  Harrison  Brown,  of  Suez 
township,  in  1SH2.  and  he  enlisted  in  Co.  E,  102d  reg.  111.  Vol.  Inf., 
the  same  year,  and  died  of  disease  at  Gallatin,  Tennesse,  December 
8,  1862,  holding  the  rank  of  sergeant  in  his  company. 

Eichard  Cox  was  among  the  first  settlers  in  the  eastern  part  of  the 
township,  locating  in  1837.  He  was  a  native  of  (3hio,  of  limited  edu- 
cation, but  of  good  native  sense  and  strictly  upright  character.  He 
was  among  the  first  elected  to  the  oflice  of  justice  of  the  peace  in  the 
eastern  part  of  the  county.  He  was  one  of  the  early  county  commis- 
sioners, also,  and  was  re-elected  to  botli  oflices  several  times.  He  was 
a  man  of  pronounced  views,  and  outspoken  in  their  advocacy,  and  was 
esteemed  and  respected  by  his  neighbors.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church;  a  whig,  while  that  party  existed,  and  a 
republican  after  the  organization  of  that  party. 

James  Durston  is  another  pioneer  who  has  left  a  very  prominent 
mark  in  the  history  of  this  township ;  born  in  Ashcott,  Sommerset- 
shire,  England,  April  24,  1806.  He  came  to  America  in  1832,  stop- 
ping first  in  the  State  of  Xew  York,  where  he  married  Philadelphia 
Bridger,  who  was  born  in  Sussex,  England,  April  18,  1817,  and  came 
thence  to  Xew  York,  in  1828.  There  their  oldest  daughter,  Maria, 
was  born,  August  19,  1833.  He  came  to  Illinois  in  1837,  and  settled 
first  on  section  36,  in  Greene  township,  where  Charles  F.,  the  oldest 
son,  was  born,  August  14,  1837,  the  first  birth  in  that  township. 
Besides  the  two  above  named  children  were  James  T.,  born  April  17, 
1839;  Sidney,  September  14,  1841;  Martha,  May  7,  1843;  Joseph, 
March  1,  1845,  died  November  10,  1846;  Samuel  L.,  June  10,  1847; 
Harriet,  July  8,  1849;  William  E.,  November  2,  1851;  Elizabeth 
Matilda,  May  22,  1854;  Alfred  Orion,  December  25,  1856;  Elmer, 
December  12,  1861,  died  January  31,  1864. 

In  1838  Mr.  D.  made  a  claim  on  section  30,  in  this  township,  which 
he  afterward  sold  to  ^Ir.  Spicer,  and  made  his  impi-ovements  on  sec- 


RIVOLI    TOWNSHIP.  745 

tion  15,  where  he  lived  until  his  death,  which  occurred  September  8, 
1879,  his  wife  having  died  April  11,  IStif).  The  family  constitute  a 
prominent  feature  of  the  township,  having  held  various  positions  of 
honor  and  trust  in  the  township  and  county.  Charles  F..  though  living 
in  Aledo  now,  owns  a  good  farm  in  the  township.  James  T.  and 
Sidnev  also  own  good  farms  on  which  thev  reside.  Samuel  L.  has 
the  old  homestead. 

On  Mr.  Durston's  place  was  built  the  first  school-house  in  the 
township,  in  1848,  the  frame  of  which  now  does  duty  in  a  granary  for 
Hon.  A.  J.  Streeter.  Mr.  Durston  was  one  of  the  original  members 
of  the  Wesleyan  Methodist  church,  organized  in  Oxford  in  August 
1847,  and  also  of  the  class  organized  at  Hopewell  in  the  spring  of  1848, 
as  part  of  that  church.  This  Hopewell  class  being  the  first  church 
organization  effected  in  that  townslii}>,  and  until  the  school-house  above 
referred  to  was  built,  their  meetings  where  held  at  Mr.  Durston's  resi- 
dence or  that  of  Mi-.  Chidester. 

Xelson  Chidester  and  his  wife,  Eebecca  (Stewart),  are  among  the 
early  pioneers  who  still  live  to  enjoy  the  advantages  their  labors  have 
helped  to  build  up  out  of  the  privations  of  pioneer  life.  Mr.  Chidester 
was  born  in  Trumbull  county,  Ohio,  May  20,  1811 ;  was  married  in 
that  state  October  29,  1834.  and  came  to  Illinois  in  1889,  spending  the 
first  winter  at  Little  York,  in  AVarren  county ;  removing  in  the  spring 
of  1840  to  the  northeast  of  section  16,  in  this  township,  where  he  still 
resides.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Chidester  were  original  members  of  the  above- 
mentioned  church,  to  which  thev  still  belong.  The  second  school 
taught  in  the  township  was  on  Mr.  Chidesters  |)remises,  occupying  a 
back  porch  when  the  weather  was  pleasant,  and  moving  into  the 
kitchen  when  it  rained.  This  school  was  tauijht  in  the  summer  of  1843 
by  Mary  Stewart.  The  next  year  (1844)  Mr.  Chidester  built  a  temporary 
building  in  his  vard  with  lumber  desia-ned  for  a  barn,  where  Miss 
Pollock,  of  North  Henderson,  taught  when  the  weather  was  pleasant ; 
when  it  rained  she  had  to  adjourn  her  school  to  the  house,  and  that  was 
a  frequent  occurrence  that  year. 

Another  pioneer  who  has  helped  largely  to  make  the  history  of  the 
townshi]),  through  the  influence  of  his  family,  which  still  resides  there, 
was  Ste[)hen  Smith,  who  was  born  in  Massachusetts,  February  22,  1801. 
Emigrated  to  Ohio  about  1820.  The  spring  of  1823  he  married  ]\Iiss 
Anna  Belt,  who  was  born  in  Licking  county,  Ohio,  August  25,  1803. 
Mr.  Smith  was  a  blacksmith  bv  trade,  having  served  a  seven  vears' 
apprenticeship  at  the  trade  in  Massachusetts.  He  worked  at  his  trade 
in  Ohio,  his  special  forte  being  the  working  of  steel  and  nuiking  axes, 
which  business  at  that  time  was  not  exclusively  in  the  hands  of  large 


746  HISTORY   OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

manufacturers  as  at  present.  In  1874  Mrs.  Smith  was  visiting  about 
her  old  home  in  Ohio,  and  was  shown  axes  still  in  use  that  Mr.  Smith 
made  before  leaving  there  thirty-four  years  previously.  In  1840  Mr. 
Smith  came  to  Illinois,  locating  first  in  Richland  Grove  township, 
where  he  lived  two  years  before  moving  into  this  township  in  1842. 
He  operated  the  first  blacksmith  shop  in  the  township  on  his  place  in 
section  4.  Mr.  Smith  died  April  10,  1847,  leaving  his  wife  to  rear  the 
family.  The  honorable  ])Osition  the  children  occupy  in  the  town  is 
ample  voucher  for  the  faithful  and  able  manner  in  which  she  executed 
the  trust. 

Maj.  McMuUen  was  another  early  settler,  making  one  of  the  first 
improvements  in  the  northeastern  part  of  the  township.  His  house 
was  blown  from  its  foundation  by  a  tornado  that  swept  up  through  the 
Edwards  valley  June  5,  1844.  For  many  years  after,  in  breaking 
prairie  or  plowing  in  the  vicinage  of  improvements  that  were  in  the 
line  of  that  storm,  peo})le  would  encounter  stakes  where  the  wind  had 
driven  fence-rails  into  the  ground  and  broken  them  off. 

In  1837  John  Heriford  (there  is  some  question  as  to  the  proper 
orthography,  as  his  deeds  from  Uncle  Sam  for  various  tracts  of  land 
entered  at  difterent  times  have  it  as  above,  and  also  Plervford  and 
Herryford)  made  a  claim  and  settled  on  section  29,  but  after  a  few 
years  he  sold  out  and  left  the  country.  Tradition  has  it  that  the  first 
school  in  this  township  was  taught  in  a  cabin  belonging  to  Mr. 
Pleriford,  which  stood  nearly  opposite  where  Zion  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  now  stands,  but  nothing  very  definite  can  be  obtained  in  regard 
to  it. 

Another  pioneer  was  Abram  Watson,  who  came  to  this  township 
in  1838,  and  was  probably  the  only  revolutionary  soldier  ever  living 
in  the  county,  if  we  except  George  Spies,  who  lived  for  a  short  time 
with  Richard  Cox,  and  afterward  lived  eight  years  with  Mr.  Bachus,  of 
Oxford,  and  died  there  some  twenty  years  ago  at  the  age  of  105  years. 
Mr.  Watson  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  enlisted  in  the  revolutionary 
army  at  the  age  of  fourteen.  He  was  engaged  at  the  siege  of  York- 
town,  and  was  present  at  the  surrender  of  Cornwallis.  He  was 
wounded  during  the  siege  by  a  bayonet  thrust  through  the  leg.  It  was 
the  custom  when  soldiers  were  standing  upon  the  breastworks,  if  any 
one  saw  a  pufi'  of  smoke  arise  in  front  of  them,  indicating  the  discharge 
of  a  gun  by  the  British,  to  call  shot !  when  they  would  instantly  seek 
the  shelter  of  the  trenches.  On  one  occasion  of  this  kind,  Mr.  Watson, 
bo3'-like,  without  looking  behind  him,  leaped  backward  from  the  top 
of  the  parapet,  receiving  the  bayonet  of  a  fellow-soldier  in  the  calf  of 
his  leg.     He  lived  ou  his  claim  in  section  29  until  his  death,  which 


RIVOLI    TOWNSHIP.  747 

occurred  in  May,  1847,  when  over  eighty  years  of  ago,  and  was  buried 
on  his  chiim.  lie  emigrated  from  Virginia  to  Kentucky  at  an  early 
day,  and  thence  to  this  state,  at  what  time  is  not  known,  as  he  had 
been  living  in  Warren  county  prior  to  coming  to  this  county.  lie 
married  his  second  wife  in  AVarren  county,  and  she  survived  him  until 
soon  after  the  breaking  out  of  the  late  war  of  the  I'ebellion.  At  her 
death  the  neighbors  removed  his  remains  to  the  Woodhams  cemetery, 
where  they  are  buried  with  hers. 

Daniel  Jones  settled  in  this  county  in  the  spring  of  1837,  having 
came  to  the  state  a  year  previously  and  lived  at  Knoxville,  Knox 
county.  Though  his  educational  advantages  had  been  limited,  his 
energy,  his  native  good  sense  and  sterling  integrity  soon  caused  him 
to  be  held  in  high  estimation  by  his  fellow  ])ioneers.  Ilis  neighbors 
having  elected  him  to  some  local  otKce,  he  was  averse  to  its  acceptance 
because  he  was  not  a  native  of  the  United  States,  but  the  adaption  of 
the  constitution  of  1848  soon  after  cured  that  diliiculty,  and  he  served 
his  neighbors  in  numerous  official  positions  of  importance  afterward. 
He  was  among  the  first  school  trustees  of  the  township,  subsequent  to 
the  school  organization  in  1848.  At  the  third  election  for  town  offi- 
cers under  township  organization  in  1856,  he  was  elected  supervisor  for 
the  township,  and  was  re-elected  in  1858. 

Soon  after  settling  on  the  E.  ^  of  the  N.  E.  of  Sec.  25,  he  made  a 
claim  on  the  X.  E.  of  the  S.  E.  of  the  same  section,  and  had  made  rails 
and  fenced  and  broke  part  of  it,  when  another  man  came  along  and 
made  a  claim  on  the  same  tract.  Mr.  J.,  becoming  satisfied  that  through 
some  informality  he  could  not  hold  the  claim,  had  intimated  as  much 
to  some  of  his  neighbors.  One  night  shortly  after,  entirely  unknown 
to  Mr.  J.,  his  neighbors  turned  out  and  hauled  all  the  rails  off  the  dis- 
puted claim  and  piled  them  up  near  Mr.  J.'s  house.  He  is  now  at 
the  age  of  seventy-four  years  carrying  on  a  farm  of  eighty  aci'es  near 
Galesburg,  Illinois,  to  which  place  he  removed  in  1863,  overseeing  the 
business  and  taking  care  of  his  stock  himself  He  was  born  in 
Canada,  February  22,  1808,  and  on  March  2,  1830,  was  married  to 
Miss  Atlanta  Bartlett,  whose  brother,  Gardner  Bartlett,  was  sent  by  the 
Baptists  of  Vermont  as  a  missionary  to  Illinois,  in  1833.  His  labors 
and  acquaintance  in  this  part  of  the  state  influenced  Mr.  Jones  to 
remove  hither  three  years  later.  They  raised  a  family  of  six  children, 
two  daughters  and  four  sons,  all  of  whom  are  respected  and  useful 
members  of  the  communities  in  which  they  reside.  Mrs.  J.  died 
August  27,  1868. 

Orson  Jones  was  born  in  Caiiada,  January  6,  1834,  and  June  24, 
1858,  married  Amelia,  oldest  daughter  of  \l.   ( '.   Sexton,  of  Viola, 


748  HISTORY    OF   AIERCER    AXD    HENDERSON    COUXIIEP. 

Illinois,  who  (lied  three  months  after  her  marriage.  May  29,  1860,  he 
was  again  married  to  Miss  Helen  P..  daughter  of  William  C.  Bartlett, 
one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  Geneseo,  in  Henrv  coiintv.  Miss  Helen 
was  born  in  Geneseo,  October  30,  1840.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  Co.  D, 
83d  reg.  HI.  Vol.  Inf.  At  the  time  of  the  enlistment  of  the  colored 
troops,  he  applied  for  a  transfer  and  was  commissioned  as  first  lieu- 
tenant, Co.  F,  14th  reg,  U.  S.  CoFd  Yol.  Inf.,  with  which  command  he 
served  until  it  was  mustered  out  in  March,  1S66,  nearly  a  year  after 
the  close  of  the  war.  Upon  his  return  from  the  army  in  the  spring 
of  1866,  he  settled  upon  his  present  farm  of  154  acres,  situated  in 
section  7,  in  Oxford  township,  Henry  county,  where  he  continues  to 
reside. 

He  has  held  nearly  all  the  local  othces  in  the  gift  of  tlie  people  of 
his  township,  and  now  fills  the  important  office  of  county  surveyor  of 
Henry  county,  and  is  also  secretary  of  the  Eivoli  Township  Farmer's 
Insurance  Company  of  this  county,  of  which  he  is  a  member.  He  is 
one  of  those  men  who  have  made  the  most  of  their  limited  opportu- 
nities, and  he  now  stands  high  in  the  respect  and  esteem  of  his  fellow 
citizens.  Farming  and  stock  raising  have  been  his  chief  occupations. 
Kepublican  in  politics.  Religiously  he  and  his  wife  are  baptists,  but 
there  beino-  no  church  of  that  faith  near  them,  tliev  have  connected 
themselves  with  the  Congregational  society  of  Xew  Windsor.  They 
have  two  children :  Frederick  D.,  born  September  13,  1861,  and  Minnie 
G.,  born  January  1.    1867. 

The  next  son,  Xorville,  served  in  Col.  Woods'  140th  reg.  111.  Yol. 
Inf.,  and  now  resides  near  Malvern,  Iowa.  Granville  lives  near  Gales- 
burg.  Corwin,  at  Farragut,  Iowa.  Louisia  (now  Mrs.  Andreson)  at 
Malvern,  Iowa ;  and  Mrs.  Lockwood,  also  in  Iowa. 

March  3,  1870,  Mr.  Jones  (Daniel)  married  Mrs.  Ward,  of  Oxford, 
Henry  county,  who  now  shares  his  home  with  him  in  his  declining 
years.  Other  names  might  be  mentioned  here  among  the  pioneers, 
but  their  stay  was  short  and  their  trails  are  well  nigh  obliterated  by 
the  growth  of  time. 

The  Rev.  Hugh  Breckenridge  has  been  identified  with  this  county 
since  1855,  at  which  time  he  came  to  this  state  from  Mercer  county, 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  born  May  5,  1826.  The  first  four  years 
of  his  residence  here  he  worked  at  the  carpenter  trade,  mostly  in  Ohio 
Grove  township.  His  father,  William,  and  his  mother,  Jane  (Wallace) 
Breckenridge,  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  His  paternal  grandfather 
and  mother  were  natives  of  Scotland,  whence  they  emigrated  to  this 
country.  In  the  fall  of  1859  Mr.  B.  returned  to  his  native  state,  and  Fcb- 
ruarv  3,  1860,  was  married  to  INIiss  Mai-y  AVatson,  a  native  of  Mercer 


RlVdl.I    TOWXSIIII',  7i9 

county,  Pennsylvania,  and  daugliter  of  John  and  Lncinda  Watson,  of 
that  county.  Bringing  his  wife  to  Illinois  with  him,  he  settled  April 
21,  1861,  on  his  farm,  the  northwest  of  section  4,  in  Riyoli  townshij), 
building  his  present  residence  that  year.  His  farm  now  embraces  2<)U 
acres.  They  are  members  of  the  Hopewell  AVesleyan  Methodist 
cliurch,  of  which  Mr.  B.  is  now  a  regularly  ordained  minister,  haying 
been  ordained  September  20,  1874,  though  he  has  been  engaged  in 
preaching  for  the  last  sixteen  years.  For  two  years  he  was  pastor  in 
charge  of  Hopewell  circuit  and  was  on  the  Ball  Bluff  circuit  two  years. 
The  last  three  years  he  has  been  associate  ])astor  of  the  Hopewell  cir- 
cui  .  They  have  liad  six  children,  of  whom  five  survive  at  present : 
Juanita,  born  December  31,  1800;  Clara  L.,  September  23,  1862; 
WiUiamAV.,  July  13,  1865;  Sarah  L.,  January  4,  1868  (died  October 
17,  1868);  Edward  E.,  May  23,  1869;  and  Mary  A.,  June  7,  1870. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  first  official  record  of  the  schools  of  Rivoli  township,  14  N., 
R.  1  W.,  is  dated  February  26,  1848,  at  which  time  James  Bridger, 
Nelson  Chidester,  and  Jonathan  D.  Wood,  school  trustees,  met  at  the 
house  of  K.  R-.  Cox  and  appointed  the  latter  treasurer,  and  divided  the 
township  into  three  districts  as  follows  :  ''The  first  district  shall  com- 
mence at  the  southeast  corner  of  said  township  and  run  three  miles  west, 
and  then  due  north  until  it  strikes  North  Pope  creek,  then  up  said  creek 
to  the  township  line,  then  soutli  along  said  line  to  the  place  of  beginning. 
Tlie  second  district  shall  be  composed  of  all  the  said  township  north  of 
North  Pope  creek.  The  third  district  shall  commence  at  the  southwest 
corner  of  said  township  and  run  three  miles  east,  then  north  till  it 
strikes  North  Pope  creek,  then  down  said  creek  to  the  west  line  of 
said  township,  then  south  to  the  place  of  beginning."'  They  also  "or- 
dered R.  R.  Cox  to  purchase  three  books  for  the  use  of  the  treasurer, 
not  to  exceed  in  value  $2.00." 

At  the  second  meeting  of  the  trustees,  held  April  1,  1848,  they  dis- 
tributed the  funds  on  hand,  amounting  to  $19.65,  to  the  several  dis- 
tricts, of  wliich  district  number  one  was  entitled  to  receive  $6.01;  num- 
ber two,  $6.37;  an<l  number  three,  $7.27.  They  also  ordered  the 
treasurer  to  pay  E.  H.  McConoughty,  teacher,  $5.20;  L.  Chidester, 
teacher,  $1.15;  and  H.  Brown,  teacher,  $1.67.  At  the  next  meeting, 
July  1,  1848,  they  ordered  $3.49  paid  to  Sarah  C.  Westfall,  teacher. 
At  the  next  meeting,  October  7,  1848,  after  settling  with  the  treasurer, 
they  find  the  cash  on  hand  to  amount  to  $11.75,  and  order  the  same  to 
be  loaned  as  township  funds.  January  6,  1849,  they  find  $3.99  in  the 
treasurer's  hands,    which  they  order  loaned.      April    7,    1849,    they 


750  HISTOEY    OF    MERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

apportioned  $27.00  to  the  districts,  as  follows:  district  number  one, 
$8.25;  district  number  two,  $8,75;  and  district  number  three,  $10.00. 
The  teachers  ordered  paid  at  that  time  were  L.  Cawkins,  A.  B. 
McChesney,  and  John  Libby.  It  is  also  recorded  at  this  meeting  that 
"The  trustees  do  hereby  agree  to  act  as  directors  of  schools  in  said 
township."  July  7,  1849,  "  This  day  the  trustees  were  to  meet,"  but 
there  was  "none  present  but  Nelson  Chidester,""  who  "  examined  the 
treasurer's  books  and  notes,"  and  "  found  all  to  his  satisfaction."  He  , 
also  "presented  a  schedule  from  district  number  two  for  $7.50,"  and 
"ordered  to  pay  Martha  Cole,  teacher,"  that  sum.  He  then  "ad- 
journed to  meet  at  the  house  of  R.  R.  Cox  on  the  lirst  Saturday  of 
October. " 

October  (i,  1849,  the  teachers  ordered  paid  were  Catharine  B.  Har- 
vey and  Martha  Cole.  At  this  time  the  trustees  returned  a  list  of  the 
children  in  the  township,  amounting  to  105,  distributed  as  follows  :  dis- 
trict No.  1,  26 ;  district  No.  2,  42 ;  and  district  No.  3,  37.  January 
12,  1850,  trustees  met  and  an  election  was  held  to  elect  a  new  board, 
which  resulted  in  the  election  of  Daniel  Jones,  James  Durston,  and 
John  L.  Stewart.  At  this  meeting  R.  H.  Spicer  presented  a  petition 
from  citizens  of  T.  14  N.,  R.  2  W.,  asking  that  all  the  territory  in  said 
town  south  of  North  Pope  creek  be  attached  to  T.  14  N.,  R.  1  W.,  for 
school  purposes,  and  be  included  in  district  No.  3  of  said  town.  The 
prayer  of  the  petitioners  was  granted.  January  19,  1850,  the  new  board 
of  trustees  met  and  appointed  R.  R.  Cox,  treasurer,  fixing  the  penalty 
of  his  bond  at  $500.  April  6,  1850,  the  trustees  found  $20.63  on  hand, 
to  which  they  ordered  $15  added,  being  "money  remaining  in  the 
hands  of  school  committee."  The  sum  of  $35.63  was  then  distributed 
to  the  three  districts  in  proportion  to  the  number  of  children.  At  this 
meeting  the  schedules  of  J.  S.  ]\fahan,  teacher  in  district  No.  1,  and 
Harmon  Brown,  teacher  in  district  No.  3,  were  approved  and  ordered 
paid.  October  5,  1850,  trustees  approve  and  order  ])aid  the  schedules 
of  Melissa  Wilber,  teacher  in  district  No.  1,  and  Martha  Cole,  teacher  in 
district  No.  2.  April  12,  1851,  the  Schedule  of  Nathan  T.  Smith, 
teacher  in  district  No.  1,  was  presented.  Settlement  with  the  treas- 
urer at  this  time  showed  a  balance  of  twenty-five  cents  on  hand,  which 
was  ordered  loaned  as  township  funds.  October  11,  1851,  trustees  filed 
census  of  children  under*twenty-one  years  of  age  in  the  town,  number- 
ing 128,  of  whom  district  No.  1  had  33,  district  No.  2  had  55,  and  dis- 
trict No.  3  had  40.  At  this  time  it  ap})ears  that  Mary  Underwood 
taught  in  district  No.  1;  Martha  Cole,  in  No.  2;  and  Lydia  Ann  Wilber, 
in  No.  3.  At  this  time  the  bond  of  Alfred  Cooper  for  one-half  acre  of 
land  for  a  school-house  site  in  district  No.  3  was  ap])roved.     It  calls 


KIVOLI    TOWNSHIP.  751 

for  such  land  as  shall  be  agreed  upon,  off  the  east  side  of  the  S.  E.  ^  of 
Sec.  30,  on  or  near  the  road  running  east  and  west.  October  4,  1851, 
appears  the  first  record  of  the  election  of  school  directors,  at  which 
time  James  Bridger  presented  to  the  trustees  a  poll  book  of  an  election 
held  at  the  school-house,  in  district  Xo.  3,  in  which  it  is  certified  tliat 
James  M.  Garrett,  liichard  Cooper  and  William  Terry  were  elected 
directors.  January  10,  1852,  an  election  was  held  at  the  school-house 
in  district  No.  2,  to  elect  three  trustees  of  schools,  resulting  in  the 
election  of  George  Ecklev,  James  Durston,  and  John  W.  Cox.  After- 
ward it  was  found  that  John  W.  Cox  would  not  serve  as  trustee 
because  he  would  move  out  of  the  township  in  a  short  time,  and  they 
neglected  returning  the  poll  book  of  said  election,  so  the  treasurer  gave 
notice  of  another  election  to  be  held  at  the  same  place  on  February  28. 
"The  legal  voters  met  on  that  day  and  concluded  that  it  would  not  be 
lawful  to  elect  three  new  trustees."  So  they  "concluded  that  the  former 
trustees  should  serve  another  term."  At  this  time  James  Bridger  was 
a])pointed  treasurei*. 

It  is  evident  from  the  record  that  some  parties  having  school  funds 
were  not  prompt  in  the  payment  of  interest,  as  the  record  of  A})ril  1 7, 
1852,  says:  "We,  the  trustees  of  schools,  do  hereby  make  it  the  treas- 
urer's duty  to  go  according  to  law  if  interest  is  not  i)aid  within  one 
month  after  due,  hereafter."  The  teachers  whose  schedules  were 
ap])roved  at  this  meeting,  were  Lewis  Cawkins,  Theodore  Iloagland, 
E.  T.  Scott,  and  E.  A.  Shaw.  At  the  October  meeting,  1852,  scliedules 
were  audited  for  Mary  Stewart,  Jane  Littlefield,  and  Lydia  Ann  Wilber, 
teachers. 

The  names  of  Thomas  I.  M cXair,  Joseph  T.  Lafferty,  Peter  Eckley, 
and  G.  W.  Freson,  teachers,  appear  on  the  record  of  the  April  meet- 
ing, 1853.  The  census  of  children  under  twenty-one  years  of  age, 
filed  October  1,  1853,  shows  176  in  the  town;  37  in  district  Xo.  1,  92 
in  district  Xo.  2,  and  47  in  district  Xo.  3.  Jane  E.  Lockwood  and 
Martha  Cole  appear  on  the  roll  of  teachers. 

January  7,  1854,  an  election  held  at  the  school-house  in  district 
Xo.  2,  resulted  in  the  choice  of  Christian  ITarshbarger,  K.  II.  Spicer, 
and  Lafayette  Chidester  for  trustees  of  schools. 

April  1,  1854,  teachers"'  roll  shows  the  names  of  X.  P.  Smith  in 
district  Xo.  1,  C.  E.  Cox  in  district  Xo.  2,  and  Peter  Eckley  in  district 
Xo.  3. 

June  3,  1854,  a  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  A.  E.  Doty,  in 
district  Xo.  1,  to  organize  the  district,  which  was  done  by  electing 
A.  E.  Doty,  James  E.  Fenton,  and  R.  R.  Cox,  school  directors. 

August  24,  1854,  a  strip  one  mile  wide  on  the  east  side  of  district 


752  HISTORY    OF    MERCER    A2iD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

No.  1,  extending  from  the  south  line  of  the  township  to  Xorth  Pope 
creek  was  attached  to  Oxford  school  district  in  Hem-y  county. 

October,  1854,  the  trustees'  census  showed  two  hundred  and  fifty-one 
children  in  the  town.  In  the  part  attached  to  Oxford  district  there 
were  twenty  children.  District  No.  1  had  50 ;  No.  2  had  134 ;  No.  3 
had  47. 

Ai)ril,  1855,  district  No.  2  was  divided  into  three  districts,  and  the 
number  of  all  the  districts  changed.  District  No.  1  comprised  Sees. 
1,  2,  11,  12,  13,  14,  and  the  N.  i  of  23  and  24.  No.  2  included  Sees. 
3,  4,  9,  10,  15,  16,  and  the  N.  i  of  21  and  22.  No.  3  took  Sees.  5,  6, 
7,  8,  17,  18,  and  the  N.  ^  of  19  and  20.  No.  4  was  comprised  of  the 
S.  i  of  Sees.  19  and  20,  and  Sees.  29,  30,  31  and  32,  to  which  was 
attached  Sees.  25  and  36,  and  the  E.  ^  of  Sec.  35  in  township  14  N., 
R  2  W.  District  No.  5  included  the  S.  i  of  Sees.  21,  22  and  23,  and 
Sees.  26,  27,  28,  33,  34  and  35 ;  leaving  the  S.  ^  of  Sec.  24,  and  Sees. 
25  and  36  attached  to  Oxford  district. 

April  23,  1855,  the  first  tax  for  general  school  jjurposes  was  levied 
by  the  trustees  at  the  rate  of  forty  cents  on  the  one  hundred  dollars  on 
all  taxable  property  and  real  estate. 

October,  1855,  the  number  of  children  in  the  town  two  hundred  and 
sixty,  divided  by  district  as  follows:  1st,  29 ;  2d,  75  ;  3d,  39 ;  4th,  46 ; 
5th,  56 ;  and  fifteen  in  the  part  attached  to  Oxford. 

March,  1856,  James  Bridger  was  reappointed  treasurer  and  directed 
to  procure  five  well  bound  books  for  the  use  of  the  board  of  school 
tmstees.  The  record  book  of  this  set  not  being  attainable  there  is  no 
more  official  history  of  the  schools  until  we  come  down  to  more  mod- 
ern times,  or  until  1866. 

In  1856  the  people  in  district  No.  3  wanted  a  school,  but  had  no 
school-house.  Mr.  Wilshire  Calkins  being  very  anxious  to  have  a 
school,  vacated  the  bedroom  in  the  southwest  corner  of  their  house,  nine 
feet  square,  and  in  this  room  schools  were  taught  during  the  summer, 
of  1856,  1857-8 ;  the  attendance  ranging  as  high  as  fifteen  and  six- 
teen pupils.  The  furniture  consisted  of  slab  benches  ])laced  against 
the  four  walls  of  the  room,  the  teacher  having  standing  room  in  the 
center  where  she  could  reach  any  schclar  in  the  room  without  leaving 
her  place.  Here  Miss  Olive  Atwater,  sister  of  our  whilom  county 
superintendent,  S.  B.  Atwater,  taught  in  1856.  One  Fridaj'  afternoon 
there  were  to  be  some  rhetorical  exercises  in  the  school,  and  Miss 
Atwater  invited  Mrs.  Calkins  to  be  present.  Mrs.  Calkins  had  pro- 
vided an  outside  door  to  the  room  so  that  the  school  need  not  pass 
through  the  house.  To  this  door  Mrs.  Calkins  went  at  the  appointed 
time,  and  thinking  there  was  so  little  room  inside  concluded  to  remain 


:'^' 


.^:!^ 


RIVOLI    TOWNSHIP.  755 

on  the  outside  and  look  in.  After  standing  some  time  with  one  foot 
on  the  ground  and  one  resting  on  the  thresliold  she  removed  the  foot 
from  tlie  threshold  to  the  ground  to  change  position.  Feeling  some- 
thing yield  under  the  pressure  of  her  foot  she  continued  to  bear  her 
weight  on  the  other  foot,  and  being  very  much  interested  at  the  time 
in  the  exercises  progressing  within  stood  some  seconds  untlioughtfully 
rolling  the  object  back  and  forth  under  lier  foot.  When  at  last 
she  thought  about  what  she  was  doing  she  concluded  to  see  upon 
what  she  was  standing.  Looking  down,  judge  of  her  surprise  at  seeing 
a  very  large  rattlesnake  stretched  at  full  length  beneath  her  feet,  and 
apparently  enjoying  the  novel  petting  of  which  it  was  tlie  recipient. 
Mrs.  Calkins  did  not  continue  the  amusement,  however,  and  without 
even  awaiting  an  invitiition  she  very  expeditiously  took  the  lioor.  No 
reporter  being  present,  however,  her  speech  cannot  be  given  the  readers 
of  this  history. 

From  the  small  beginning  reported  above,  the  schools  of  this  town- 
ship have  grown  until  the  number  of  school  children  in  the  township, 
as  shown  by  the  directors'  census  of  1881,  is  oOi,  and  $3,722.51  is  the 
amount  of  money  expended  for  school  puqioses  during  the  past  year. 

CHURCHES. 

Tlie  hrst  preaching  in  this  township  was  at  the  cabin  of  James 
Bridger,  early  in  the  forties,  by  Rev.  Samuel  T.  Burr,  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  at  that  time  on  what  was  known  as  the  Mercer  cir- 
cuit, which  included  all  of  this  county  and  part  of  Bock  Island.  Knox 
and  Warren  counties.  It  took  the  minister  a  month  to  make  the  cir- 
cuit. Elder  Joseph  Jones,  of  the  Predestinarian  Ba])tist  church,  also 
used  to  preach  occasionally  at  the  cabins  of  the  early  settlers,  and  his 
"Boys  —  ah!  come  in  off  the  fence  —  ah,  and  hear  Father  Jones  —  ah, 
preach  the  gospel  —  ah,  to  the  heathen  —  ah,*'  is  still  fresh  in  the 
memory  of  many  of  the  old  settlers. 

But  the  first  church  organi;cation  made  in  the  township  was  the 
Wesleyan  Methodist  class  formed  at  Hopewell  in  the  spring  of  1848.. 
The  church  was  organized  first  at  Oxford  in  August,  1847,  by  Rev. 
C.  H.  Drake  as  tlie  First  Wesleyan  Methodist  Church  of  Oxford,  but 
the  membership  was  mostly  resident  of  this  township,  and  the  class 
was  formed  at  Hopewell  as  part  of  the  Oxford  church.  When  first  or- 
ganized this  church  formed  part  of  the  Farmington  circuit,  afterward 
divided,  and  the  new  circuit  of  Abingdon  was  formed,  which  included 
the  Oxford  church.  Some  years  later  Abingdon  circuit  was  divided, 
and  the  new  circuit  of  Oxford  was  formed.  Since  then  both  the  Farm- 
4:^ 


756  HISTORY    OF   MIERCER    AST)    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

ington  and  Abingdon  circuits  have  ceased  to  exist,  but  tlie  Oxford  cir- 
cuit continues  in  a  prosperous  condition. 

Prior  to  1S61  this  church  was  served  by  tlie  following  pastors : 
C.  H.  Drake,  B.  F.  Haskins,  K.  F.  Markham,  and  J.  M.  Snyder. 
March  25,  1865,  Hopewell  and  Hamlet  churches  were  united  in  one 
circuit  called  Hopewell  circuit,  which  arrangement  continues  to  the 
present  time.  This  circuit  also  includes  Bethel  church  in  Greene 
township.  The  ministers  in  charge  following  Rev.  Snvder  have  been 
L.  K  Stratton,  J.  A.  McGillora,  H.  T.  Bessie,  Mikon  Smith,  A.  R. 
Brooks,  and  U.  D.  Lathrop,  with  Rev.  Hugh  Breckenridge  as  asso- 
ciate pastor  with  Mr.  Lathrop  at  present. 

The  original  membership  of  this  church,  including  those  who 
united  with  the  church  prior  to  1860,  before  which  time  jio  record  was 
kept  of  the  dates  of  union  with  the  church,  were  Govert  S.  Flehaitv, 
Margaret  Fleharty,  James  Durston,  Philadelphia  Durston,  Nelson  and 
Rebecca  Chidester,  Anna  Smith.  Martha  K.  Bridger,  William  D. 
Flehartv.  Nancv  Goodman,  Marv  T.  Underwood,  Harriet  AVoodhams, 
Martha  Shaw,  Maria  Smith,  Laird  and  Melinda  Bean,  Walter  Good- 
rich, John  Greenman,  Catherine  Braught,  Erastus  and  Louisa  Smith, 
Margaret  J.  Fleharty,  and  Margaret  E.  Roberts. 

In  1870  this  church  erected  a  neat  building  at  Hopewell  about 
32x48x18  feet  dimensions  at  a  cost  of  about  §2,500,  upon  which 
they  have  since  expended  about  $500  more.  It  was  dedicated  Sep- 
tember, 1871. 

In  January.  1856,  a  church  was  organized  at  Oak  Ridge  by  the 
United  Brethren.  The  oro-anization  was  eifected  bv  Rev.  George 
Weaver,  the  fh'st  class-leader  being  James  Meadows,  and  steward, 
Henry  Birdwell.  Besides  the  above-named  officers  the  original  mem- 
bership included  John  and  Jane  Meadows,  John  and  Mary  Shroyer, 
Asa  and  Atlanta  Streeter,  Samuel  Young.  Julia  Stevens,  Adison 
Buckly,  Cynthia  Birdwell,  and  Rebecca  Meadows.  This  church  has 
no  building,  having  used  the  Oak  Ridge  school-house  for  their 
meetings. 

Zio?i  Jlet/iodist  Episcopal  Church. — This  class  was  organized  in 
1858,  with  Christian  Harshbarger  as  class-leader,  which  office  he  held 
continuously  until  1879,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  J.  Arthur  Garrett, 
who  is  the  present  leader.  Thus  has  this  class  been  led  during  its 
twenty-four  years'  existence  by  two  leaders.  There  is  no  record  obtain- 
able of  the  original  members  of  this  class,  but  its  present  membershij) 
is  twenty-two.  In  1870  the  class  built  a  small,  ])lain  church  in  the 
S.  E.  \  of  Sec.  29,  which  they  use  for  their  public  exercises,  though  it 
has  never  been  entirely  tinished. 


Rn^OLI    TOWNSHIP.  iO< 

The  Church  of  Christy  of  Oak  liidgc,  was  organized  ]V[ay  21.  1865, 
by  Rev.  E.  Fisher.  The  original  membership  comprised  James  and 
Martha  Marford,  Rebecca  Shoyer,  Thomas  and  Matilda  Hill,  Louisa 
Braught,  P^dna  Watson,  Mary  J.  Bunyan,  Martha  J.  Thompson,  James 
and  Mary  A.  Meadows,  ]\rary  A.  Miller,  Levi  and  Margaret  J.  Spen- 
cer, and  Mary  Roosa.  James  ]\[arford  and  James  Meadows  were  the 
first  elders,  and  Thomas  Hill  the  first  deacon.  Tn  1873  the  society  was 
removed  to  New  Windsor  and  reorganized  there  by  Rev.  T.  J.  Bur- 
ton. The  society  here  purchased  a  church  building  of  the  Presbytery 
of  United  Presbyterian  church.  This  building  was  the  first  church 
edifice  erected  in  the  township,  having  been  built  in  1867.  This 
removal  proved  disastrous  to  the  society;  the  members  living  south  and 
west  of  Oak  Ridge,  being  too  far  away  from  the  church,  the  society 
lost  membership  and  became  too  weak  to  pay  for  the  church  they 
bought,  so  it  reverted  to  the  T^^nited  Presbyterian  Presbytery,  and  the 
Church  of  Christ  ceased  to  exist. 

The  First  Congregational  Chvrch^  of  New  Windsor,  was  organized 
October  11,  1870,  by  W.  W.  Allen,  Sarah  A.  Allen,  William  D. 
Fleharty,  Mary  C.  Fleharty,  Alice  Barnes,  Mary  Ann  Mayo,  Florence 

C.  Byrnes,  Delia  A.  Hammond,  and  Charlotte  Goold,  as  members, 
assisted  by  the  Rev.  L.  F.  Waldo,  W.  J.  Beecher,  R.  B.  Guild,  B.  F. 
Haskins,  and  A.  R.  Mitchell,  pastors  respectively  of  the  First  Congre- 
gational churches  of  Oneida,  Galesburg,  Galva,  Victoria  and  Viola, 
with  deacons  M.  C.  Metcalf,  and  R.  C.  Sexton,  as  delegates.  Rev.  L. 
F.  Waldo,  moderator,  and  Rev.  W.  J.  Beecher,  scribe.  W.  W.  Allen 
was  elected  clerk.  Since  the  organization  there  have  been  eighty-four 
members  admitted  to  the  church,  making  a  total  membership  of  ninety- 
three  during  the  little  more  than  eleven  vears  since  the  first  organiza- 
tion.     October  22,  1870,  W.  W.  Allen  was  elected  deacon,  and  William 

D.  Fleharty,  treasurer.  Rev.  Cyrus  H.  Eaton,  the  first  ]»astor,  began 
his  labors  April  30,  1871.  The  society  built  a  small  but  very  nice 
church  during  the  year  1872,  which  was  completed  in  the  spring  of 
1873,  at  a  cost  of  $2,381.64,  and  dedicated  May  25,  1873.  T.  B. 
Mayo,  A.  J.  Streeter,  and  William  D.  Flehartv  were  the  buildiuir  com- 
mittee.  The  pastorate  of  Rev.  C.  H.  Eaton  ceased  November  1,  1874. 
Rev,  B.  F.  Haskins  acted  as  supjily  until  the  Rev.  J.  A.  Waterworth 
began  his  labors,  May  30,  1875,  He  continued  to  serve  as  pastor 
until  June  1,  1878,  and  was  succeeded  by  the  present  incumbent.  Rev. 
R.  L.  McCord,  who  began  his  labors  in  January,  1879, 

The  United  Prei<hijterian  Churchy  of  New  Windsor,  was  organized 
in  Oxford,  Henry  county,  August  10,  18()6,  by  Joseph  i\I.  and  Nancy 
H.  Christy,  Thomas  R.,  Catharine  and  Elizabeth  McMiller,  Margaret 


758  HISTORY    OF    MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES, 

A.  Hogut',  Elizabeth  McLaughlin,  Thomas  li.  and  Sarah  Brown, 
William  II.  and  Margaret  Kerr,  Sarah  Surpluss,  Nancy  Epperson, 
Thomas  and  Eliza  M.  Ramsey,  .Fohn  M.  and  Sarah  A.  Christy,  and 
Stephen  and  Isabella  Woodburn.  The  first  elders  were  Joseph  M. 
Christy  and  William  H.  Kerr.  In  1867  this  society  built  the  first 
church  edifice  erected  in  the  township  of  New  Windsor.  After  a  four 
years'  struggle  this  society  was  dissolved  by  the  Presbytery,  some  of  its 
members  think  unjustly. 

The  JYew  Windsor  MethodiM  Ej>hcopal  CJiurch  was  organized  in 
1868,  under  the  charge  of  Rev.  Peter  S.  Garretson,  this  being  his  first 
appointment,  he  having  traveled  one  year  previously  on  the  Oricjn  cir- 
cuit as  supply.  Rev.  W.  B.  Carithers  received  his  appointment  to  this 
circuit  in  1869,  during  which  year  the  class  procured  a  lot  and  pur- 
chased a  building  26x40  feet  that  had  been  built  for  a  school-house 
and  converted  it  into  a  house  of  worship.  This  building  the  class  still 
uses  as  its  church.  Rev.  Theodore  Tloagland  was  placed  in  charge  of 
this  class  in  1870  and  was  continued  two  years.  The  preachers  in 
charge  since  Rev.  T.  Hoagland  have  been  Revs.  William  Lieber, 
U.  Z.  (lilmer,  A.  Myers,  J.  E.  Taylor,  two  years;  Geo.  Miller,  John 
McCord,  and  J.  D.  Calhoun,  two  years.  The  class  organized  in  1868, 
with  a  membership  of  eight,  John  Coleman,  Elizabeth  Colemen, 
Lovina  Coleman,  Samuel  Coleman,  Rev.  John  Abbott,  Alice  Abbott, 
W.  A.  Buckley,  and  Mary  Buckley. 

The  present  membership  of  the  class  is  forty-five.  The  church  is 
out  of  debt  and  in  a  fiourishing  condition. 

The  Swedish  Evangelical  Lutheran  Churchy  of  New  Windsor,  was 
organized  May  24,  1869,  with  Carl  A.  Johnson,  Tetes  Falk,  and  John 
M.  Blad,  as  trustees,  and  Carl  A.  Johnson,  C.  Bjorkengren,  Carl 
Adolf  Falk,  and  Carl  Falk,  as  deacons.  G.  A.  Falk,  secretary.  August 
23,  1869,  the  society  decided  to  build  a  church  edifice,  which  it  did 
that  fall,  erecting  a  building  28  X  60  X  20  ft.  dimensions,  which  rests  on 
a  stone  foundation  three  and  a  half  feet  above  the  surface  of  the 
ground.  This  building  cost  $6,726.70.  The  society  has  a  good 
commodious  parsonage  also,  which  cost  about  $1,500,  and  a  cemetery 
where  it  buries  its  dead  exclusively. 

It  has  had  three  pastors  since  its  organization :  S.  T.  A.  Lindahl, 
T.  N.  Sannquist  and  the  present  pastor,  N.  T.  Winquist,  who  has 
been  in  charge  since  Api-il,  1879.  The  latter  gentleman  being  a  fine 
scholar  and  a  verv  intelliiJ:;ent  man.  Pie  was  born  in  Stockholm, 
Sweden,  November  9,  1840,  and  received  his  education  there,  coming 
to  America  in  1867.  He  took  a  course  at  the  Swedish  Theological 
Seminary  at  Paxton,  Illinois,  since  removed  to  Rock  Island,  Illinois. 


ja\'()Li  'lowNSHiP.  759 

To  liis  other  scliolarlj  attainments  he  adds  a  knowledge  of  tlie  Hebrew 
hmguage.  This  society  has  a  membersliip  of  '2H()  comnmnicants, 
and  1()0  children,  wliich  it  regards  as  members,  making  a  total  mem 
bership  of  440. 

The  village  of  New  Windsor  was  originally  laid  out  in  1857  by  W. 
T.  Hammond,  on  the  S.  E.  ^  of  See.  13,  and  was  expected  to  be  a 
station  on  the  (xreat  Western  Air  Line  railway,  which  was  to  be  a 
trans-continental  line  spanning  the  country  from  l*hiladelphia  to  San 
Francisco.  But  the  financial  collapse  of  that  year  served  a  perpetual 
writ  of  mandamus  upon  the  construction  of  many  great  lines  of  rail- 
way. The  railroad  was  not  built,  and  the  seed  that  was  to  produce 
New  Windsor  failed  to  germinate.  In  1868  the  Chicago,  Burlington  c^ 
Quincy  Railroad  Company,  by  a  series  of  manipulations  known  to  rail- 
road magnates,  came  into  })Ossession  of  the  franchises,  right  of  way, 
etc.,  of  the  American  ( \*nti-al  railroad,  which  was  the  successor  of  the 
Great  Western  Air  Line,  and  proceeded  to  build  and  equip  the  road 
from  Galva  to  New  Boston,  having  it  ready  to  ()])erate  in  the  spring 
of  1809  as  a  branch  to  its  main  line.  With  the  buildinji;  of  the  rail- 
road,  New  Windsor  sprang  into  being  as  if  by  magic,  so  rapid  was  its 
growth. 

On  August  2,  1869,  the  people  decided  by  a  vote  of  thirty-four  to 
seven  to  incorporate  their  town.  On  August  14,  A.  J.  Moore,  J,  TI. 
Epperson,  P.  Casler,  E.  L.  Larkin  and  (t.  W.  Gregg  were  elected  the 
tirst  board  of  trustees,  and  Joseph  M.  Christy  the  tirst  police  justice. 

At  an  election  held  August  1,  1870,  the  people  of  the  town  of  New 
Windsor  voted  to  issue  $10,000  in  the  bonds  of  the  town  to  the  Rock- 
ford,  Rock  Island  &  St.  Louis  railroad,  when  said  railroad  was  com- 
pleted and  a  depot  built  in  the  incorporation.  This  measure  was 
carried  by  a  vote  of  forty-three  to  fourteen.  As  the  conditions  were 
never  complied  with  the  bonds  were  not  issued.  The  road  was  built 
three  miles  east  of  New  AV^indsor,  and  Alpha  came  into  being  at  the 
crossing  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  branch. 

April  19,  1878,  the  town  voted  thirty  to  twenty-two  to  organize  as 
as  a  village  imder  the  general  incorporaticm  law  of  the  state. 

The  present  board  of  trustees  are :  W.  11.  Gladman,  president ;  R. 
B.  Robinson,  J.  A.  Maxwell,  W.  C.  Cole,  C.  Shaw,  and  S.  T.  Sanniel- 
son ;  S.  C.  Whitcomb.  village  clerk. 

This  village  enjoys  the  distinction  of  having  the  only  telesc()j)e  for 
astronomical  i>urj)oses  in  this  part  of  the  country.  Mr.  Edgar  L.  Larkin 
having  erected  'an  observatory  here  mounting  a  six  inch  ecpiatorial, 
made  by  Alivin  Clark  &  Sons. 

February  8,  1877,  the  state  auditor  issued  a  certificate  of  organiza- 


760  HISTORY    OF    MERCER    A2sD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

tion  granting  twentv-five  years  life  to  the  '•Rivoli  Farmers'  Mutual 
Insui-ance  Company."'  with  its  business  office  in  Xew  Windsor,  and 
authorized  to  transact  business  in  its  line  in  the  townships  of  Rivoli. 
Richland  Grove.  Xorth  Henderson,  Greene,  and  Suez,  in  this  county, 
and  Oxford  township,  in  Henry  comity. 

The  company  organized  with  thirty  charter  members,  whose 
aggregate  policies  amounted  to  $60,000.  The  first  board  of  directors 
were:  S.  B.  Shumway,  ^Y.  S.  Fleharty,  H.  H.  Roberts.  A.  P.  Petrie, 
T.  D.  Merryman,  X.  P.  Smith,  J.  M.  Merrvman,  B.  Kasenberg  and 
T.  S.  Wilson.  The  officers  were :  A.  P.  Petrie,  president;  ]^.  P.  Smith, 
secretary,  and  T.  D.  MeiTyinan,  ti'easurer. 

The  last  annual  report  of  the  secretary,  January,  1882,  shows  the 
total  number  of  policies  in  full.  164.  covering  8178.468.  The  present 
officers  of  the  company  are :  S.  B.  Shumway,  president ;  Orson  Jones, 
secretary,  and  T.  D.  Merryman,  treasurer. 

Crford  Lodfje^  Xo.  367,  A.F.A.M.  was  granted  a  dispensation 
October  18,  1860,  by  the  grand  master  of  the  state,  to  open  a  new 
lodge  U.  D.,  in  Oxford,  in  Henry  county.  Tlie  lodge  worked  U.  D., 
until  October  16,  1861,  it  received  its  charter  and  number  from  Grand 
Master  Ira  A.  W.  Buck.  Its  first  officers  were:  Paul  Halm,  W.M.  ; 
Robert  Detheridge,  S.W.  ;  Wm.  Fleharty,  J.W.  ;  Samuel  Wilson, 
Treasurer;  M.  S.  Shephard,  Secretary;  Thomas  Robertson,  S.D.  ; 
George  Gale,  J.D.  ;  Samuel  Epperson,  Tyler. 

TLie  charter  members  were  P.  W.  Epperson,  Thomas  Robertson, 
Samuel  Wilson,  S.  C.  Moberly,  J.  D.  Kennedy,  J.  M.  Herbert,  M.  S. 
Shephard,  Joshua  Bruner,  and  X.  McCombers.  The  lodge  removed  to 
atid  held  its  first  meeting  in  Xew  Windsor  July  12,  1870.  It  owned 
its  liall  in  Oxford,  which  it  sold  to  S.  B.  Shumway,  and  in  September, 
1870,  bought  its  present  hall  and  undivided  half  interest  in  the  lot  on 
which  it  stands  of  J.  A.  Maxwell.  It  is  in  good  financial  condition 
and  numbers  among  its  members  some  of  the  foremost  and  best  men 
in  the  conmiunity,  ranking  as  one  of  the  best  working  lodges  in  the 
countrv.  It  has  had  on  its  roll  the  names  of  over  V6()  members,  its 
present  active  membership  being  forty-six.  During  its  twenty-one 
years'  existence  the  following  eight  members  have  filled  the  office  of 
Worshipful  Master  :  Paul  Halm,  two  years  ;  R.  Detheridge,  four  years ; 
S.  B.  Shumway,  six  years ;  M.  CoUey,  J.  M.  Timberlake,  A.  D. 
Underwood,  two  years ;  A.  P.  Petrie,  two  years  ;  and  R.  S.  Petrie, 
three  years,  The  present  officers  of  the  lodge  are  :  H.  H.  Roberts, 
W.M.-  B.  F.  Brooks,  S.W.;  J.  F.  Cox,  J.W.;  W.  W.  Parsons, 
Treasurer;  A. P.  Shroyer,  Secretary;  A.  Olson,  S.D. ;  A.  G.  McMul- 
len,  J.D,;  R.  Blair,  Tyler. 


RIVOLI   TOWNSHIP.  761 

A  chapter  of  the  Eastern  Star  was  recently  organized  in  connection 
with  this  lodge,  having  eighteen  charter  members,  seven  of  whom  are 
women.  Its  officers  are:  Mrs.  Jennie  Petrie,  W.M. ;  Mrs.  Lizzie  Mc- 
Mullen,  AV.A.;  A.  P.  Forgie,  W.T.;  Mrs.  Martha  Veeder,  Treasurer; 
C.  F.  Peterson,  Secretary. 

jSfeic  Windsor  Lodge  No.  518.,  I.O.O.F..  was  organized  June  3, 
1873,  by  Dept.  G.  M.  James  Kelly.  Charter  members  were  :  J.  B. 
Armstrong,  A.  A.  Willett,  W.  W.  Jobes,  AV.  H.  Gladman.  and  Samuel 
Adams.  Its  first  ofticers  were  :  J.  B.  Armstrong,  N.G. ;  AY.  H.  Glad- 
man,  Y.G. ;  Samuel  Adams,  Secretary;  A.  A.  Willett,  Treasurer.  Its 
roll  shows  a  total  membership  of  ninety-five  since  its  organization,  with 
a  present  active  membersliip  of  twenty -six.  It  owns  a  hall  over  the 
drug  store  of  A.  J.  Eosenbaum  and  the  undivided  half  of  the  lot  on 
which  it  stands.  The  hall  was  built  in  the  fall  of  1879.  The  lodge 
occupied  its  hall  the  first  time  jS^ovember  20,  1879.  Its  present  officers 
are:  Dr.  F.  D.  Rathburn,  X.G.;  H.  Higley,  Y.G.;  B.  F.  Brooks, 
Secretary  ;  D.  Harkness,  Treasurer  ;  W.  H.  Kerr,  "Warden  :  John 
Olson,  Cond. ;  James  Ulam,  Chap.;  J.  E.  Gould,  D.D.G.M. 

The  office  of  Xoble  Grand  has  been  held  bv  S.  Adams,  two  terms  : 
"W.  H.  Gladman,  two  terms  ;  A.  J.  Smith,  AV.  S.  Coe,  J.  L.  David,  II.  J. 
Piper,  J.  E.  Gould,  J.  L.  McXaghten,  ^\.  II.  Kerr.  A.  B.  Firkins, 
James  Ulam,  two  terms  ;  J.  X.  Cox,  and  B.  F.  Brooks. 

Thei*e  are  four  cemeteries  in  this  township. 

The  Woodhams  Cemetery  on  the  E.  \  of  the  X.  W.  of  Sec.  21. 
covers  two  acres,  which  was  set  apart  for  that  purpose  by  Mr.  "William 
Woodhams  during  his  life  and  afterward  deeded  to  the  township  by 
the  family.  Mrs.  AV.  was  the  first  one  buried  in  this  cemetery,  which 
contains  the  remains  of  several  of  the  township's  pioneers. 

Ttie  Cooper  Cemetery  on  the  S.  AV.  \  of  the  S.  E.  \  of  Sec.  30,  the 
property  of  Richard  Cooper,  was  started  as  a  private  cemetery  by  the 
Cooper  family,  and  is  occupied  mostly  by  members  of  that  family  and 
connections. 

The  Ne\r  Wnids(n'  Cemetery,  on  the  S.  E.  \  of  Sec.  12,  was  donated 
by  the  late'AYilliam  F.  Petrie,  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the  village,  and 
is  on  a  beautiful  rolling  site,  and  is  being  rapidly  improved  by  trees 
and  flowers,  which  must  soon  render  it  very  attractive. 

The  Sivedlsh  Evangelical  Lutheran  Cemetery.,  in  the  village  of  Xew 
AA'indsor,  near  the  southeast  corner  of  section  12,  and  separated  from  the 
church  by  a  street,  is  the  property  of  that  church  and  designed  exclus- 
ively for  the  use  of  members  of  that  church. 

The  following  were  the  first  township  officers  elected  after  the 
county  went  into  township  organization  in  1854  :    super\-isor.  R.   R. 


762  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   A^D    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

Cox  ;  town  clerk,  James  Bridger ;  assessor,   L.  Cliidester ;  collector, 
N.  Cliidester  ;  justice  of  tlie  peace,  C.  Harsliberger. 

The  followino-  is  the  list  of  town  officers  to  date,  with  the  number 
of  terms  that  each  held: 

Siqyerinsor. — R.  R.  Cox,  two  years ;  Daniel  Jones,  two  years ;  A. 
J.  Streeter,  five  years ;  John  W.  Mills,  two  years ;  N.  P.  SmitlL,  four 
years ;  T.  G.  Woodhams ;  A.  P.  Petrie,  nine  years ;  W.  D.  Fleharty, 
two  years ;  J.  G.  Sexton,  three  years. 

Town  Clerl'. — James  Bridger,  twelve  years;  J.  Lyman  Smith,  two 
years ;  A.  P.  Petrie ;  C.  F.  Durston,  four  years ;  Joseph  M.  Christy, 
four  years ;  S.  L.  Durston ;  A.  J.  Smith  ;  T.  B.  Mayo,  three  years ; 
J.  W.  Peterson. 

In  twenty-nine  years  nine  persons  have  filled  both  of  these  offices. 
One  of  J.  G.  Sexton's  terms  is  fractional,  having  been  appointed  to  fill 
a  vacancy  caused  by  the  resignation  of  A.  P.  Petrie. 

Assessor. — L.  Chidester ;  N.  P.  Smith,  four  years  ;  Wm.  Pitman  ; 
S.  B.  Shumway,  two  years  ;  C.  F.  Durston,  three  years ;  J.  L.  Smith, 
three  years  ;  H.  R.  West ;  Josejjh  M.  Christy,  two  years ;  A.  J.  Jmith  ; 
W.  C.  Cole ;  J.  B.  Longley,  eight  years ;  Ira  G.  Bridger. 

Collector. — ^N.  Chidester  ;  Chas.  E.  Cox  ;  H.  R.  West,  eight  years ; 
Orson  Jones ;  J.  Menold ;  T.  G.  Woodhams,  four  years  ;  J.  B.  Smith ; 
E.  B.  David ;  C.  S.  Smith,  two  years ;  Sidney  Durston ;  W.  B. 
Cullison ;  W.  W.  Jobes  ;  Ira  G.  Bridger ;  S.  L,  Durston ;  W.  W. 
Allen ;  T.  B.  Mayo ;  Geo.  W.  Gregg  ;  W.  W.  Parsons ;  O.  Roberts ; 
Royal  Chidester ;  W.  W.  Watson ;  H.  L.  Loomis. 

Justice  of  the  Peace. — Term  of  office  is  four  years  :  C.  Ilarsberger, 
two  terms ;  Peter  Eckley  ;  R.  R.  Cox ;  John  B.  Longley,  three  terms ; 
J.  W.  Peterson,  two  terms ;  M.  F,  Wliipp ;  J.  Lyman  Smith ;  James 
Meadows  ;  John  Christy  ;  C.  F.  Durston,  two  terms  ;  M.  F.  Postlewait ; 
Joseph  M.  Christy ;  W.  C.  Cole ;  W.  W.  Parsons,  three  terms ;  J.  G. 
Sexton,  two  terms. 

In  1865  the  town  auditors  levied  a  tax  of  $2.60  on  the  $100  valuation 
for  a  bounty  tax.  The  total  amount  expended  for  fifteen  volunteers  to 
fill  the  quota  of  this  township  was  $7,940.75,  of  which  $3,620  was 
raised  by  subscription. 

In  1854  the  first  assessment  under  township  organization  showed 
that  there  were  in  the  township  163  horses,  405  cattle,  5  mules,  226 
sheep,  649  hogs,  45  wagons  and  carriages,  39  clocks  and  watches ; 
moneys  and  credits  $779.  The  total  personal  property  assessed  was 
$19,821;  the  total  real  estate  assessed  was  $35,238.29;  total  assess- 
ment, $55,059.29. 

The  New  Windsor  Observatory,   located   at  New  Windsor,   and 


1^  RIVOIJ    TOWNSHIP.  763 

owned  by  Edgar  L.  Larkin,  is  an  object  of  much  interest.  It  was 
erected  for  astronomical  purjioses,  and  is  provided  witli  a  telescope 
made  especially  for  celestial  observation.  Tlie  diameter  of  the  object- 
ive is  six  inches  in  the  clear,  and  its  focal  length  is  eight  feet  ten  inches. 
The  observatory  is  in  free  telegrai)hic  communication  with  the?  Smith- 
sonian Institute  at  Washington,  D.C.,  and  with  the  Howard  College 
observatory  at  Cambridge,  Massachusetts.  Tlie  telescope  is  called  an 
equatorial ;  that  is,  it  rests  on  two  strong,  cast-iron  axes,  that  have 
motions  so  adjusted  that  when  the  telescope  is  set  on  a  star  it  will 
remain  so,  since  it  is  revolving  on  axes  that  move  as  the  earth  does. 
The  telescope  and  all  its  belongings  are  first-class,  and  it  would  be  a 
pleasure  to  note  all  of  its  peculiarities  and  ai)plianc('s,  but  space  forbids 
more  than  the  above  mention. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Reuben  H.  Spicek,  Sr.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Kent,  county  of 
Litchlield,  state  of  Connecticut,  June  24,  1810.  In  1819  his  father 
removed  to  western  New  York,  then  a  new  country.  The  schools 
there  at  that  day  were  of  the  frontier  type,  but  such  as  they  wei'e  Mr. 
Spicer  had  the  privilege  of  attending  from  two  to  three  months  during 
the  year.  Such  was  the  advantage  he  took  of  the  limited  opportunities 
that  at  the  age  of  fourteen  he  was  spoken  of  for  a  teacher.  DaboU's 
arithmetic,  Webster's  sjielling  book,  with  writing,  comprised  the  entire 
curiiculum  of  the  common  school  then,  but  through  the  ])artiality  of 
one  or  two  teachers  and  a  Baptist  minister,  Mr.  Spicer  was  enabled  to 
go  a  little  beyond  the  standard  course  and  obtain  an  introduction  to 
mathematics,  geography  and  grammar.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he 
left  the  home  farm  at  his  father's  suggestion,  and  spent  some  time  in 
southern  New  York  and  northern  Pennsylvania,  which  being  an  older 
settled  portion  of  the  country,  brought  him  in  contact  with  a  higher 
grade  of  society,  and  better  opportunities  to  gratify  his  ardent  desire 
for  knowledge  and  self-ini])rovement.  One  of  the  first  ste])S  taken  by 
him  was  to  form  a  temperance  society  of  one,  for  at  that  time  the  use  of 
liquor  was  almost  universal,  standing  upon  the  sideboaixl  of  every  well- 
to-do  gentleman,  and  in  tlie  closets  of  poorer  people;  greeting  the 
guest  upon  arrival  and  following  liis  departure  as  a  stirruj)  cup.  See- 
ing the  degradation  and  misery  which  too  frequently  resulted,  especially 
among  young  men,  from  the  use  of  intoxicating  liquors,  he  resolved  to 
deny  himself  the  use,  and  faithfully  did  he  adhere  to  that  resolution, 
and  now  as  he  reviews  his  past  life  he  does  not  hesitate  to  award  to 
that  resolve  the  credit  for  his  being  a  better  man  and  more  \iseful 
citizen  than  he  could  have  been  with  the  associations  of  those  who  had 


764  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES.  « 

a  greater  fondness  for  liquor  and  smoke  tlian  for  mental  culture.  After 
traveling  considerably  through  the  middle,  some  of  the  southern  and 
eastern  states,  in  the  fall  of  1831  he  went  to  Michigan,  the  only  new 
country  then  thought  to  be  habitable,  with  the  expectation  of  making 
it  his  home.  lie  spent  the  winter  in  Ann  Arbor,  then  a  flourishing 
town  with  good  society.  Early  next  spring  with  a  pony  he  started  out 
and  during  the  season  traversed  the  territory  in  various  directions, 
Indian  trails  being  the  substitute  for  roads.  Indians  were  numerous 
and  he  often  found  them  useful  in  mapping  the  geography  of  the 
country  for  him ;  with  their  ramrods  tracing  in  the  sand  the  course  of 
trails,  rivers,  ravines  and  sloughs,  and  marking  the  crossings,  all  with 
an  unerring  accuracy  that  would  have  done  honor  to  a  learned  pro- 
fessor. While  stopping,  for  the  night  at  Bronson,  now  Kalamazoo,  in 
the  early  summer,  the  people  were  aroused  to  great  excitement  by  the 
arrival  of  a  messenger  announcing  the  breaking  out  of  the  Black  Hawk 
war,  and  claiming  to  have  been  sent  for  aid  to  arrest  the  advance  of 
the  hostiles,  which  was  represented  to  be  rapid  and  not  far  distant. 
The  people  were  panic  stricken;  old  men  and  women  traversed  the 
streets  wringing  their  hands,  not  knowing  which  way  to  turn  for  safety. 
Mr.  Spicer's  destination,  Prairie  Ronde.  now  Schoolcraft,  led  him 
directly  toward  the  advancing  foe,  and  he  resumed  his  journey  next 
morning  against  the  earnest  protests  of  the  people  of  the  village.  He 
made  the  journey  in  safety,  transacted  his  business,  and,  returning  on 
the  second  day  met  the  volunteers  en  route  for  the  seat  of  war. 
Among  them  was  every  man  from  the  Gull  Prairie  settlement,  where 
lie  had  been  stopping,  even  Deacon  Mills,  the  old  man  of  the  settle- 
ment, with  whom  Mr.  Spicer  had  been  boarding.  By  taking  his  place 
in  the  ranks  Mr.  Spicer  induced  the  deacon  to  return  to  his  home,  and 
thus  he  was  led  into  making  a  campaign  in  the  Black  Hawk  war. 
With  the  desire  for  a  higher  education  as  strong  as  ever,  he  returned 
east  in  the  fall  of  1832,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-two  began  that  course 
of  education  that  most  young  men  now  finish  before  that  age.  For  two 
years  he  applied  himself  with  untiring  assiduity  to  his  studies.  In  the 
spring  of  1835  he  again  started  west,  this  time  with  Texas  as  his 
objective  point,  that  state  being  engaged  at  that  time  in  the  struggle  to 
free  itself  from  Mexican  rule.  Arrived  at  Cincinnati  he  found  the 
funds  too  low  to  proceed  farther,  so  crossed  over  to  Kentucky  and  pro- 
cured a  situation  in  a  school  and  began  to  teach.  He  applied  himself 
with  such  diligence  in  his  new  profession  that  he  soon  found  himself  at 
the  head  of  one  of  the  most  flourishing  local  schools  of  the  state.  Two 
years  of  such  intense  application  told  upon  his  health,  and  he  was 
forced  to  give  up  his  school.     In  the  spring  of  1837  he  married  Miss 


RivoLi  TOWNSHIP.  765 

Sopliiii  AVliiteliead,  of  Covingcton,  Ivy.,  who  was  a  native  of  London, 
England,  and  they  started  at  once  for  Illinois.  Arrived  at  Peoria  he 
found  speculation  a  numia,  corner  lots  selling  far  up  in  the  thousands. 
xVfter  inspecting  the  country  about  Peoria,  he  ])roceeded  up  the  river 
to  Peru,  thence  to  Aux  Plaines  and  Chicago.  AVhile  sto])])ing  with  a 
brother  at  Aux  Plaines  he  incidentally  heard  of  a  wondeiiiilly  fertile 
country  bordering  on  the  Mississipj)i  south  of  Rock  river.  A  place 
where  a  man  of  small  means  had  a  chance  to  become  the  peer  of  his 
neighbor  with  no  greater  means.  Chancing  to  meet  a  former  acquaint- 
ance from  the  east,  he  started  for  the  new  Eldorado  on  foot,  there 
being  few  inducements  then  for  even  stage  lines  to  traverse  the 
trackless  prairies.  After  viewing  the  country  he  purchased  a  claim 
that  is  now  embraced  within  the  limits  of  his  farm.  He  returned  to 
his  claim  with  his  wife  in  July.  The  improvements.on  the  claim  con- 
sisted of  two  acres  broken  and  a  log  cabin  erected,  14x16  feet  dimen- 
sion, with  a  place  cut  for  a  door  and  a  tire-place,  and  a  }jlace  6XS  feet 
in  one  corner  covered  by  a  puncheon  floor.  Mr.  Spicer,  writing  of 
this  cabin,  says:  ''This  domicile  had  its  conveniences.  First,  it  was 
well  ventilated,  then  the  open  door  and  lire-place  made  ample  provision 
for  the  easy  ingress  and  egress  of  itinerant  dogs  and  prowling  wolves, 
the  latter  being  much  the  more  numerous."  S])eaking  of  these  times 
Mr.  Spicer  remarked  that  ''Political  organizations  at  this  time  had  not 
disturbed  the  unity  of  the  settlements.  In  1838  the  first  breeze,  faint, 
but  yet  perceptible,  swept  over  tliese  prairies.  In  1840  the  invader 
arrived  and  the  two  parties,  democrat  and  whig,  for  the  first  time 
measured  their  strength.'"  Mr.  S[)icer  was  a  democrat,  and  though  he 
foresaw  that  the  probabilities  were  against  that  party  acquiring  a  per- 
manent ascendency,  he  j)referred  to  be  right  in  his  own  estimation 
rather  than  yield  his  opinion  to  expediency.  In  1841  he  was  sent  as 
delegate  to  the  state  convention  ;  the  first  delegate  of  either  party  from 
the  countv  to  a  state  convention.  He  found  some  difficultv  in  nuddng 
the  geographical  location  of  the  county  known.  In  answer  to  questions 
as  to  its  whereabouts,  he  replied  that  "Time  would  nuike  it  known  as 
one  of  the  first  counties  of  the  state."*  This  was  received  with  very 
incredulous  smiles.  He  there  formed  the  acquaintance  of  many  of  the 
prominent  men  of  the  state,  which  became  a  source  of  much  pleasure 
to  him  in  after  years.  In  1843  he  was  elected  to  the  legislature  from 
the  district  comyjosed  of  the  counties  of  Mercer  and  Knox.  In  1848  he 
was  put  in  nomination  for  the  state  senate  for  the  district  composed  of 
Mercer,  Rock  Island,  Henry,  Knt)x,  Warren  and  Henderson  counties. 
The  canvass  of  that  year  was  the  most  spirited  in  this  section  up  to  that 
time ;  Gov.  Joseph  B.  Wells  and  Col.  E.  D.  Baker,  candidate  for  congress, 


76  P)  HISTORY    OF   MERCER    A:S"D    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

participated.  By  the  defection  of  a  small  portion  of  his  party  in  Knox 
county  he  was  defeated.  This  vh-tually  closed  his  political  career,  as 
impediments  beyond  his  control  prevented  his  taking  any  further  part 
in  that  direction.  Yet  in  1851,  without  his  consent  or  knowledge  even, 
he  was  again  put  in  nomination  for  the  same  ofhee,  to  till  a  vacancy. 
His  business  arrangements  were  such  then  that  he  could  not  accept  it 
and  took  no  part  in  the  canvass,  lie  has  always  been  an  earnest  advo- 
cate of  the  public  schools,  laboring  olhcially  and  individually  for  their 
improvement,  having  served  over  twenty  years  as  a  school  othcer  in  his 
district  and  township.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  rebellion  he  was 
among  the  lirst  to  advocate  its  suppression,  believing  that  the  union 
must  and  should  be  preserved.  Loss  of  hearing  has  for  many  years 
been  a  serious  obstacle  to  the  transaction  of  business,  and  still  greater 
to  the  enjoyment,  of  social  intercourse,  for  which  he  is  so  eminently 
qualified,  and  from  which  he  would  derive  such  great  pleasure.  Kat- 
nrally  of  a  studious  disposition,  this  deprivation  has  caused  him  to 
turn  more  of  his  attention  to  books,  and  especially  in  that  greatest  of 
all  books,  the  book  of  nature,  where  he  finds  his  greatest  solace.  His 
father  was  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary  energy,  and  had  executive 
faculties  of  a  high  order.  Starting  with  a  very  imperfect  education,  he 
made  his  way  through  life  a  success.  Frequently  having  large  busi- 
ness operations  under  his  supervision,  he  won  the  confidence  of^an  ex- 
tended circle  of  friends.  He  held  manv  of  the  local  offices  of  his  county, 
and  when  over  sixty  years  of  age  removed  from  Xew  York  to  the 
vicinity  of  Lawrence,  Kansas,  for  the  benefit  of  his  younger  children. 
The  climate  and  change  seemed  to  afi'ect  his  health,  but  he  lived  to 
reach  nearly  four  score  years.  His  grandfather  gave  his  services  to  his 
country  during  the  entire  period  of  the  revolutionary  war.  His  grand- 
mother resided  at  Xew  London,  Connecticut,  at  the  time  Arnold 
invaded  that  place,  but  was  one  of  those  who  escaped  to  the  hills  in  the 
rear  of  the  place.  Mr.  Spicer's  first  claim  and  residence  was  on  the 
S.  E.  of  the  S.  E.  of  section  25,  in  Greene  township;  his  present  resi- 
dence was  not  built  until  IS-tl,  and  is  on  the  X.  AY.  of  the  S.  W.  of 
section  30,  in  Rivoli  township.  Of  the  ten  children,  nine  are  living: 
Sarah  A.  (wife  of  C.  Y.  Shove,  Yiola,  Illinois);  S.  Augusta  (wife  of 
AYm.C.  Garrett,  farmer,  Rivoli  township);  E.  Levis  (member  of  Co.  H, 
84th  111.  Yol.  Inf.,  was  mortally  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Stone  river, 
Tennessee,  and  was  buried  in  the  cemetery  at  Nashville) ;  Talbut  T. 
(farmer,  married  daughter  of  Elihu  Rathbun,  lives  near  Chariton,  Iowa); 
Charles  F.  ^senior  partner  of  firm  of  Spicer  it  Gilmore,  dealers  in  agri- 
cultural impk^ments,  Aledo,  Illinois);  Lucy  A.;  Reuben  IL,  Jr.  (nuir- 
ried  to  Laura  C.,  youngest  daughter  of  L.  W.  Conger,  now  of  Putnam 


UIVOLI    TOWNSIIII'.  767 

county,  Missouri);  Franklin  P.;  Minnie  I.  (wife  of  John  L.  Stewart, 
farmer,  Rivoli  townsliip);  and  Mary  E. 

Hon.  Alexander  P.  Petrie  was  born  at  "Rosendale  on  the  Hudson, 
in  rister  county,  New  York,  Aujj^ust  8],  1887.  He  came  to  Illinois 
with  his  father's  family  in  1844,  via  the  lakes  to  Chicago,  and  thence 
by  wagon  to  Kichland  Grove  township,  arriving  at  the  house  of  Samuel 
Clark,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  that  township,  Jime  6,  1844,  the  next  day 
after  the  great  tornado  that  had  blown  from  their  foundations  the 
INfcMullen  and  AVilcox  houses,  the  only  two  houses  then  on  the  prairie 
south  of  Edwards  creek.  His  youth  was  spent  on  the  farm  with  only 
the  very  limited  advantages  for  education  atforded  by  the  common 
schools  of  that  day.  He  atterward  took  a  course  in  a  commercial 
school  at  Chicago.-  On  August  9,  ISO'-},  he  enlisted  in  Co.  C,  112th 
reg.  111.  Vol.  Inf,  and  at  the  com]>any  organization  was  elected  orderly 
sergeant,  was  mustered  into  the  United  States  service  as  second  lieuten- 
ant, at  J?*eoria,  September  22,  1862,  went  with  his  regiment  to  Covington, 
and  thence  to  Lexington,  Kentucky,  where  he  wintered;  \vent  with  a 
detachment  from  his  regiment  in  the  summer  of  1864,  on  Saunder's 
raid  into  east  Tennessee,  destroying  railroads  and  confederate  supplies. 
Some  of  his  command  were  captured  near  Cumberland  Gap,  but  he 
escaped.  Reaching  Lancaster,  Kentucky,  they  celebrated  July  4,  1863, 
there,  and  afterward  rejoined  his  regiment  at  Danville,  Kentucky; 
was  at  the  siege  of  Knoxville,  Tennessee,,  and  at  Kelly's  Ford,  east 
Tennessee.  January  27,  1864,  he  was  wounded  by  a  shot  in  both  legs 
during  a  cavalry  engagement.  For  his  wound  he  received  a  furlough 
for  two  months  and  visited  his  home.  He  rejoined  his  command,  then 
a  part  of  Gen.  Sherman's  grand  army,  rendezvoused  near  Chattanooga, 
Tennessee,  in  the  spring  of  1864,  taking  part  in  that  wonderful  hun- 
dred days'  campaign  wdiicli  resulted  in  the  fall  of  Atlanta,  his  command 
being  in  the  Twenty-third  Army  Corps  under  Gen.  Schofield.  He  com- 
manded his  company  after  the  battle  of  liesacca,  in  the  spring  of 
1864,  until  after  the  battle  of  Franklin.  Tennessee,  November  30,  1864, 
in  which  his  brother,  Edward  E.,  a  member  of  his  company,  was 
killed  and  borne  from  the  tield  by  Lieut.  Peti'ie  in  person.  He  was 
also  with  his  command  in  the  right  wing  of  the  army  under  Gen. 
George  H.  Thomas,  when  Gen.  Plood  received  his  final  defeat  at 
Nashville.  His  command  having  been  sent  to  Fort  Fisher  after  the 
battle  of  Nashville,  to  take  part  with  Gen.  Sherman  in  the  (\nrolina 
campaign,  he  joined  it  at  Kingston,  North  Carolina,  in  March,  1865. 
He  was  mustered  out  at  Greensboro,  North  Carolina,  June  20,  1865, 
as  first  lieutenant,  reaching  home  on  July  9,  following.  August  28, 
1862,  Mr.  Petrie  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Alice,  daughter  of  Dr. 


768  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   JlSD    HE>T)ERS0X    COUNTIES. 

T.  S.  Fetrie.  probably  a  distant  relative,  as  botli  parties  trace  their 
linease  back  four  or  iive  tjenerations  to  one  James  Petrie,  trardener  and 
florist.  Forest.  Elginslm'e.  Scotland.  Miss  Alice  was  born  in  Liverpool, 
England.  April  1.  1S39,  and  came  to  America  with  her  parents  in 
1840,  via  Xew  Orleans  and  the  river,  to  Peoria,  Illinois,  settling  first  at 
Trivoli,  in  Peoria  county,  thence  moving  to  Brimtield.  and  thence  to 
Rivoli,  Mercer  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  F.  have  four  children,  two  sons 
and  two  daughters.  The  oldest,  Maggie,  being  now  in  attendance  at 
St.  Mary's  school,  I\jioxville,  Illinois.  In  the  spring  of  1867  Mr. 
Fetrie  was  elected  supervisor  for  Rivoli  township,  to  which  office  his 
neiichbors  continued  to  call  him  until  he  had  served  them  ten  vears. 
He  has  been  an  active  member  of  the  republican  party  ever  since  his 
majority,  but  not  in  the  roll  of  an  office  seeker,  the  offices  having 
sought  him.  In  1880  his  party  called  on  him  to  represent  the  twenty- 
second  senatorial  district  in  the  house  of  representatives  of  the  Illinois 
legislature,  which  position  he  fills  with  as  much  honor  to  himself  and 
his  constituents  as  any  of  the  new  members  of  that  body.  Mr.  T.  is  a 
member  of  the  Congregational  church,  of  Xew  Windsor,  and  of  Oxford 
Lodge,  Xo.  367,  A.F.A.M.,  of  Xew  Windsor,  of  which  lodge  he  was 
W.M.  for  two  years.  His  farm,  consisting  of  560  acres,  lies  near  the 
village  of  Xew  Windsor  ;  his  residence,  where  he  has  lived  since  Feb- 
ruary, 1866,  is  on  the  southwest  quarter  section  12.  The  farm  is  in  a 
high  state  of  cultivation  and  has  1,600  rods  of  drain  tile  laid  at  present. 
His  business  has  been  farming  and  stock  raising,  and  for  a  few  years, 
he  was  engaged  quite  extensively  in  raising  hedge  plants.  His  father, 
William  F.  Fetrie,  was  bom  at  Forest,  Elginshire,  Scotland,  April  19, 
1803,  and  came  to  America  in  1828,  and  was  overseer  se\'eral  years 
for  Commodore  Stockton,  of  the  United  States  navy,  at  his  place,  near 
Princeton,  Xew  Jersey.  Here  he  married  Miss  Ann  Regan,  who  was 
born  in  L'eland  in  1809,  and  was  at  the  time  a  nurse  in  the  family  of 
Commodore  Stockton.  Went  from  Princeton,  Xew  Jersey,  to  Posendale, 
Xew  Yoi'k,  and  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits;  then  on  to  a  farm  in 
Oneida  county,  Xew  York;  thence  to  Illinois  in  isi-l,  settling  on  the 
southwest  quarter  section  twenty-five,  in  Richland  Grove  township, 
Mercer  county.  In  1849  he  crossed  the  plains  of  California,  where  he 
remained  two  years,  most  of  the  time  plying  his  vocation  as  gardener, 
near  San  Francisco.  While  there  he  took  the  contract  to  grade  Stock- 
ton street  in  the  above  named  city.  Having  sold  his  farm  in  Richland 
Grove  township,  he  bought  land  on  sections  12  and  13,  in  Rivoli  town- 
ship, and  moved  on  to  the  northeast  quarter  section  thirteen,  in  1857. 
He  was  one  of  the  original  proprietors  of  the  ^-illage  of  Xew  Windsor, 
])art  of  the  town  plat  being  on  the  northeast  of  section  13.     Mr.  P. 


RIVOLI    TOWNSHIP.  769 

had  nine  children,  one  daughter  and  eight  sons,  four  dving  in  in- 
fancy and  one.  Edward  R..  killed  in  battle  as  mentioned  before.  The 
four  survivors  reside  in  and  near  New  Windsor,  viz  :  Mary  C,  (wife  of 
W.  D.  Flehartyi.  Alexander  P..  Richard  S..  and  Cornelius  L.  Mr.  P. 
was  an  energetic,  thorough  going  man  in  all  that  he  undertook,  being 
awarded  the  premium  three  successive  years  by  the  Merc-er  County 
Affricultural  Societv.  for  the  best  cultivated  farm  in  the  countv.  He 
died  August  19.  lJ>66.  his  worthy  wife  surviving  him  until  September 
10.  l'^74.  Their  remains  are  deposited  with  those  of  their  heroic  son, 
Edward  R..  in  the  ^Hllage  cemetery  north  of  Xew  Windsor,  the  site  for 
which  was  donated  by  Mr.  Petrie. 

Hon.  Ai;S4»x  J.  Streetee,  one  of  Mercer  c-ounty's  most  prominent 
citizens,  was  born  in  Rensselaer  countv.  Xew  York,  Januarv  18, 
1823.  His  father.  Roswell  Streeter.  was  bom  in  Massachusetts  in 
1799,  and  his  mother.  Eleanor  Kenyon.  was  bom  in  Westerly. 
Rhode  Island.  August  20.  1798.  There  were  six  sons  and  two 
daughters  the  offspring  of  this  union,  of  whom  the  subject  of  tliis 
sketch  is  the  oldest,  and  the  only  one  living  in  this  c-ounty  now.  His 
sister.  Mrs.  Shumwav.  livinor  in  Oxford.  Henrv  countv.  is  the  onlv 
member  of  the  family  living  near  him.  Mr.  Streeter  came  to  Illinois 
in  1836.  when  only  thirteen  years  old.  with  his  tather.  who  settled  at 
that  earlv  dav  in  what  is  now  Lee  Centre.  Lee  coimtv.  Illinois.  J3is 
father  died  April  11.  1850.  in  Iowa,  en  route  for  Calitbmia.  His 
mother  survived  until  June  8,  1871,  when  she  died,  in  the  seventy- 
third  year  of  her  age,  at  her  son's  residence  near  Xew  Windsor.  His 
youth  was  spent  on  the  fai*m  and  in  trapping,  hunting  and  fishing, 
which  were  his  favorite  employments  at  that  time  and  at  which  he 
was  very  successtiil.  The  fiirs  and  pelts  of  the  wolf  mink,  otter, 
muski-at,  etc..  being  about  the  only  medium  of  exchange  obtainable  at 
that  time.  He  has  treasured  up  many  interesting  incidents  connected 
with  his  early  pioneer  life,  when  the  settlers  who  had  endured  the 
hardships  to  which  they  were  subjected  at  that  early  day  were  obliged 
to  form  societies  for  mutual  protection,  to  prevent  by  the  force  of 
might  the  greedy  speculator  from  entering  their  homes,  which  the  set- 
tlers could  not  iHii-chase,  there  beins:  no  monev  in  the  c-ountr\-  with 
which  to  buy.  He  also  relates  how  they  used  to  bum  charc-oal  and 
haul  it  fourteen  miles  to  Grand  Du  Tour,  on  Rock  river,  where  one 
John  Deere  (now  of  Moline  plow  i'iune)  had  a  blacksmith  shop  with 
two  forges  in  it.  He  would  sometimes  get  titty  cents  and  sometimes  a 
•dollar  in  cash  on  his  load,  the  balance  would  be  taken  in  blacksmith- 
inff  as  it  was  needed.  It  was  when  making  one  of  these  trips  that  he 
tii-st  saw  a  steel  plow  that  would  sc<^ur,  Mr.  Deere  having  just  begim 


770  HISTORY    OF   IVLERCER   AND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

the  manufacture  of  a  diamond-sliaped  steel  plow,  the  only  plow  then 
in  use  having  a  wooden  mold-board,  with  a  piece  of  iron  fastened  on 
the  lower  edge  for  a  share.  Returning  liome  he  reported  to  his  father 
what  he  had  seen,  and  they  concluded  they  must  have  one  of  the  new 
plows.  So,  taking  a  load  of  charcoal,  he  went  to  the  shop  and  traded 
for  a  plow.  Repairing  to  a  neighboring  sand-bank  he  hitched  his  oxen 
to  the  plow  and  drove,  while  Mr.  Deere  held  the  plow,  to  scour  it,  not 
having  any  implement  to  grind  with  at  that  time.  While  living  in 
Lee  county  he  attended  two  terms  of  school  in  an  old  log  school-house. 
At  the  age  of  twenty-three,  with  an  ardent  desire  to  improve  his  edu- 
cation and  $12  of  hard-earned  savings  in  his  pocket,  he  went  to  Gales- 
burg  to  attend  Knox  college.  By  the  industrious  use  of  the  frower 
and  knife  riving  and  shaving  hard-wood  shingles,  he  maintained  him- 
self two  and  one-half  years  at  school.  In  1849  he  went  oyerland  to 
California  and  spent  two  years  in  the  mines,  returning  in  1851.  In 
1853  he  went  across  the  plains  with  a  drove  of  cattle,  and  repeated  the 
trip  again  in  1854.  On  Ins  return  from  this  last  trip  he  bought  240 
acres  of  land  in  section  11,  Rivoli  township,  to  which  he  has  continued 
to  add  until  his  farm  at  present  spreads  over  3,100  acres,  about  one- 
half  of  which  is  in  pasture  at  present  and  on  which  he  raises  large 
numbers  of  hogs  and  cattle,  having  one  of  the  finest  herds  of  thorough- 
bre4  short  horns  in  the  county.  Farming  and  stock  raising  has  been 
his  business,  and  although  his  private  affairs  have  grown  to  such  large 
dimensions  of  late  years,  he  has  always  kept  himself  posted  on  the 
course  of  current  politics,  taking  deep  interest  in  everytliing  affecting 
agriculture  and  education.  Though  having  business  interests  that 
would  seem  to  require  all  his  time,  he  has  always  held  himself  in 
readiness  to  serve  his  neighbors  in  any  position  they  have  called  upon 
him  to  fill.  He  has  represented  his  town  several  years  on  the  board 
of  supervisors.  In  1872  he  was  elected  by  the  cumulative  system  the 
minority  representative  to  the  state  legislature  from  the  twenty-second 
senatorial  district,  composed  of  Knox  and  Mercer  counties,  serving 
two  years  as  a  member  of  the  twenty-eighth  general  assembly  to  the 
satisfaction  of  his  constituents  and  honor  to  himself.  Serving  on  the 
committee  on  agriculture  and  education,  he  helped  to  shape  all  the 
legislation  upon  those  two  subjects,  in  which  he  takes  so  great  interest. 
A  democrat  until  about  1874,  he  deemed  that  neither  of  the  two  lead- 
ing parties  was  serving  tlie  people's  interests  as  it  should,  and  since 
that  time  he  has  identified  himself  with  the  national  greenback  labor 
union  party.  Standing  for  that  party  as  candidate  for  congress  from 
the  tenth  congressional  district  in  1878,  he  received  over  3,600  votes. 
Again  in  1880,  the  candidate-.of  the  same  party  for  governor  of  the 


/   _„^ 


RivoLi  TOWNSHIP.  773 

state,  lie  received  28,808  votes.  lie  is  alwavs  found  on  the  side  of  the 
masses,  battling  against  the  encroachments  of  the  great  moneyed  cor- 
porations, and  believes  most  firmly  in  enforcing  our  railroad  and  ware- 
house laws.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  chui-cli  of  New 
Windsor,  and  is  also  a  Royal  Arch  Mason.  On  his  jjhice  is  one  of  the 
curiosities  of  this  section  of  country :  a  crows'  roost.  Near  his  house 
is  a  patch  of  brusli  land  densely  covered  with  a  young  growth  of  black 
oaks.  In  this  the  crows  assemble  every  evening  to  roost,  departing 
early  in  the  morning  on  their  daily  foraging  expeditions.  When  they 
are  all  congregated  in  the  evening  they  cover  about  five  acres,  sitting 
so  closely  together  that  they  completely  cover  the  trees,  making  each  a 
veritable  quermis  niger.  Mr.  Streeter  says  they  were  there  when  he 
came,  and  he  does  not  see  that  they  have  either  increased  or  dimin- 
ished in  number  during  the  now  nearly  thirty  years  of  his  acquaint- 
ance with  them.  He  does  not  allow  them  to  be  disturbed,  and  they 
have  never  done  any  damage  on  his  place.  He  has  never  heard  of 
but  one  other  roost  in  the  state,  and  that  is  in  the  southern  part.  He 
thinks  his  crows  range  over  a  circle  whose  radius  is  more  than  one 
hundred  miles.  During  the  brooding  season  they  do  not  return  to  the 
roost,  but  as  soon  as  the  young  can  fly  they  take  them  there.  His 
children,  in  the  order  of  their  ages,  are:  George  A.,  Frank  W.,  Mary, 
Nellie  May,  Fannie  Rose,  Minnie  Grace,  and  Charles  Dallas.  The 
four  last-named  are  children  of  his  second  wife  (Susan  JVIenold),  to 
whom  he  was  married  in  August,  1861.  George  A.  married  a  daugh- 
t^  of  Joshua  Goddard,  of  Yiola.  Frank  W.  married  a  daughter  of 
Samuel  Park,  near  Viola,  and  now  lives  on  the  place,  having  charge 
of  the  farm  and  stock.  Mary  is  the  wife  of  Thomas  Burling,  and 
lives  in  Nebraska.  Minnie  Grace  died  January  23,  1882,  from  the 
eifects  of  diphtheria,  deeply  mourned  by  a  wide  circle  of  friends  and 
acquaintances.  She  was  a  girl  of  more  than  ordinary  promise,  for 
whom  a  very  brilliant  future  seemed  just  opening.  February  22,  1882, 
Nellie  May  was  married  to  Mr.  Frank  Crane,  of  Osco,  Henry  county, 
Illinois.  Fannie  Rose  and  Charles  Dallas  are  all  that  remain  at  home. 
By  energy  and  perseverance  he  has  wrested  from  the  soil  his  present 
ample  means,  and  has  earned  a  justly  merited  reputation  for  honor 
and  probity  that  is  worth  more  than  money  or  lands.  Mr.  Streeter 
resides  on  his  original  purchase  in  section  11,  two  and  one-half  miles 
northwest  of  the  vilhiij-e  of  New  Windsor. 

CoENELirs  L.   Petrie  was   born  in  Richland    Grove  townshi]),   in 

Mercer   county,  Illinois,  September  25,  1849,  son  of  William  Petrie. 

[For  family  history  see  biography  of  Hon.  Alexander  P.  Petrie].     His 

youth  was  spent  on  his  father's  farm  in  this  county.     October  6,  1880, 

44 


774  IIISTOJRY    OF   MERCER   AJSTD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

he  married  Sylvina  B.  Coleman,  daughter  of  John  Coleman,  of  this 
township,  who  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1850.  He  then  settled  on 
his  present  ])lace  in  the  southeast  of  section  12,  and  has  been  engaged  in 
farming.  His  farm  comprises  215  acres  in  excellent  cultivation.  He 
and  his  wife  are  active  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of 
New  Windsor,  near  which  village  they  live. 

John  G.  Sexton,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  tliough  not  one  of  the 
pioneers,  has  been  prominently  identified  with  the  township  during  the 
comparatively  short  period  of  his  residence  here,  which  dates  from  the 
spring  of  1S68,  when  he  came  here  from  Ohio  and  settled  on  the  W.  ^ 
of  S.  E.  of  Sec.  7,  this  township,  where  he  now  resides  in  a  good, 
commodious  frame  house,  built  in  1879,  his  farm  comprising  eighty 
acres.  He  has  held  numerous  local  offices  in  the  township.  Eive 
years  ago  he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace,  and  although  he  has  been 
called  upon  to  adjudicate  several  suits,  brought  before  him  on  change 
of  venue,  he  has  not»yet  issued  an  original  summons,  having  succeeded 
thus  far  in  getting  the  [)arties  to  compromise  or  agree  to  an  arbitration 
in  all  cases  that  have  been  brought  to  him  to  commence  suit.  In 
November,  1880,  he  was  appointed  supervisor  vice  A.  P.  Petrie, 
resigned.  In  1881  he  was  elected  to  the  same  office,  and  reelected  the 
spring  of  1882.  He  was  born  in  Mahoning  county,  Ohio,  December  2, 
1833.  His  father,  Stephen  Sexton,  was  born  in  AVashington  county, 
Tennessee,  in  1801.  His  grandfather,  Stephen  Sexton,  was  an  only 
son  and  was  born  in  Xew  Jersey  in  1762,  and  went  to  Ohio  in  1800 
and  bought  a  farm  in  Mahoning  county,  to  which  he  removed  his  family 
in  1802.  From  the  purchase  of  this  farm  in  1800  the  deed  to  his  son 
Stephen  M^as  the  only  transfer  of  the  property  until  sold  by  the  heirs  in 
1879.  He  dit'd  in  1856  when  ninety-four  years  old.  His  grandfather's 
family  consisted  of  four  sons  and  three  daughters,  of  whom  one  son 
only  survives.  His  father  married  Miss  Sarah  Gibson,  who  was  a 
native  of  Ohio.  They  had  nine  children,  eight  sons  and  one  daughter, 
all  of  whom  survive,  one  residing  in  Connecticut,  one  in  Pennsylvania, 
one  in  Iowa,  and  the  other  five  in  Ohio.     Mr.  S.  married  Miss  Eliza 

C.  Hogg,  in  Ohio,  April  29,  1856,  born  in  that  state  March  25,  1837, 
her  father,  James  Hogg,  being  a  well  known  resident  of  Viola,  Illinois, 
having  been  collector  of  his  town  for  several  years.  They  have  had 
three  children:  James  G.,  born  iai  Pennsylvania  December  20,  1857 
(married  Miss  Nettie  Jobes  April  13,  1881),  lives  in  Preemption  town- 
ship ;  Lizzie  E.,  born  March  10,   1860,  died  October  21,  1863;  and 

D.  Findlay,  born  August  20,  1866.  In  politics  Mr.  S.  is  republican. 
His  educational  advantages  were  confined  to  the  common  school. 

Sidney  Durston,   the  subject   of  this  sketch,  is   the  third  son  of 


KIVULI    TOWXSIUl'.  (  iO 

James  and  Pliiladelpliia  (Bridges)  Durst  on,  pioneers  in  this  townsliij), 
and  was  born  here  September  14,  1841.  His  oldest  brother,  Charles  F,, 
was  born  Augnst  14,  1837,  on  section  86,  in  Greene,  being  the  first  birth 
in  that  township.  In  18<)2  he  enlisted  in  Co.  D,  83d  reg.  111.  Vol.  Inf., 
and  served  with  his  command  until  it  was  mustered  out  after  the  close 
of  the  war.  September  IS,  1806,  he  married  ]\Iiss  Mary  L.  Edgerton, 
daughter  of  S.  C.  Edgerton,  born  in  Galesburg,  Illinois,  May  2,  1843. 
In  the  spring  of  1867  he  settled  on  his  farm  in  the  northwest  of  section 
10,  which  coniprises  160  acres.  Having  no  children,  in  March,  1880,  they 
adopted  two  boys,  Harry  and  Bert,  twin  sons  of  Henry  J.  Piper,  who 
were  born  March  11,  1876.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  I),  are  members  of  the 
Hopewell  AVesleyan  Methodist  church.  hi  politics  ^Mr.  Durston  is 
republican, 

Samuel  L.  Dukst<»n,  son  of  James  Durston,  was  boi-n  in  this  town- 
ship June  10,  1847,  was  brought  up  on  his  father's  farm  M'itli  such 
common  school  advantages  as  the  countrv  afforded,  to  which  he  added 
a  course  in  a  commercial  school  in  Monmouth.  A[U'il  23,  1874,  he 
married  Miss  Emma  Morton,  who  was  born  in  Peoria  county,  Illinois, 
August  22,  1855.  Her  parents  were  natives  of  the  Isle  of  Man.  Her 
mother  and  one  sister  reside  in  Galva,  Illinois,  another  sister  in  Aledo, 
Illinois,  and  a  brother  resides  in  Joliet,  this  state.  They  have  two 
children,  Lora,  born  March  19,  1875  ;  and  Jeanie,  born  A])ril  19,  1880. 
They  are  members  of  the  Wesleyan  Methodist  church  of  Hopewell,  his 
father  being  one  of  the  original  members  of  the  church  when  it  was 
organized  at  Oxford  in  ^847.  Ilis  farm  consists  of  100  acres  and  em- 
braces the  old  homestead  that  his  father  improved  forty  years  ago.  In 
politics  he  is  rei)ublican. 

William  C.  Gakrett  was  born  in  Kn^x  county,  Illinois,  Oct(*ber  18, 
1845,  and  came  with  his  parents  to  this  townshi[)  in  185(>.  His  father, 
James  M.,  was  born  in  Indiana  in  1815,  and  came  to  Illinois  with  his 
father,  George  Garrett,  as  early  as  1835,  and  settled  near  Abingt<^n,  in 
Knox  county;  his  older  brothers,  AVilliain  F.  and  John  S.,  having 
come  to  the  state  still  earlier,  being  here  to  jiarticipate  in  the  l)lack 
Hawk  war  in  1832.  His  mother  (Mary  M.  CuUison)  was  born  in  Knox 
county,  Ohio,  August  4,  1824,  and  came  to  Knox  county,  Illinois,  with 
her  parents  in  the  spring  of  1842,  settling  first  on  Haw  creek,  near  the 
present  town  of  Gilson ;  moving  to  the  vicinity  of  Victoria,  in  the 
same  county,  in  1845.  She  was  married  to  James  M.  Garrett,  in 
Knox  county,  in  December,  1844.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
married  November  25,  1869,  to  i\Iiss  S.  Augusta  Spicer,  daughter  of 
Hon.  11.  II.  Spicer,  of  this  township.     She  was  born  in  Greene  town- 


776  HISTORY   OF   MERCEE    AXD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

sbi})  April  11,  18-10.  Until  March,  1872,  they  lived  in  the  old  home- 
stead with  Mrs.  M.  M.  Garrett,  at  which  tiine  they  removed  to  a  farm 
which  they  owned  in  section  16,  this  township.  By  partition  and 
exchange  in  1876  they  came  into  possession  of  the  old  homestead 
aicain,  where  thev  now  reside.  His  farm  consists  of  220  acres.  Thev 
have  three  childi-en :  Georgia  (born  February  24,  1873),  Mortimer  S. 
(July  6,  1877),  and  E.  Roy  (January  8,  1880).  They  are  members  of 
Zion  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  William  C.  is  the  oldest  of  the 
family.  His  next  brother,  George,  died  when  a  youth ;  the  next, 
J.  Arthur,  married  Miss  Lizzie  Harbour,  and  lives  on  E.  |-  S.  E.  Sec. 
17,  in  this  towaiship.  His  only  sister,  M,  Ella,  who  is  a  graduate  of 
Hedding  College,  lives  with  her  mother  in  Abingtou. 

Clinton  Shaw.  Among  the  pioneers  to  this  county  were  Levi  and 
Martha  (Metzlar)  Shaw,  wdio  settled  in  what  w^as  then  called  Berlin 
(now  Swedona),  May  31,  1836.  The  former  was  a  native  of  Trenton, 
!New  Jersey,  and  the  latter  of  Westmoreland  county,  Pennsylvania. 
They  were  married  in  Coshocton  county,  Ohio,  February  22,  1831,  and 
<?ame  thence  to  Illinois.  Mr.  Shaw  w\is  married  twice.  Almond,  the 
only  child  by  his  first  wife,  is  now  a  resident  of  Kansas,  but  was  form- 
•erly  a  merchant  at  Swedona,  in  this  county.  He  enlisted  in  Co.  C, 
102d  reg.  111.  A^oL  Inf.,  in  1862,  and  was  made  first  lieutenant  of  his 
•company,  and  afterward,  u]ion  the  resignation  of  Capt.  Sliedd,  he 
became  captain  of  the  company.  By  his  second  marriage  Mr.  Shaw- 
had  eleven  children,  six  sons  and  five  dauo:hters,  all  of  whom  are  living 
except  the  youngest  daughter.  Clinton  was  reared  on  the  farm,  with 
the  common  school  advantages  of  that  early  day,  taking  his  start  in  life 
September  8,  1843,  at  Berlin.  When  in  his  sixteenth  year  he  was 
ci-ipjjled  by  the  accidental  discharge  of  a  shot-gun,  the  charge  passing 
through  his  right  arm,  nearl}^  severing  it.  Five  years  later  he  had  the 
misfortune  to  lose  the  use  of  his  left  eve.  He  left  the  farm  at  the  as:e 
of  eighteen  and  clerked  in  a  store.  In  1865  he  took  a  course  in  a 
commercial  school  in  Chicago,  after  which  he  clerked  three  years  for 
his  brother  Almond  at  Swedona,  and  then,  with  George  W.  Gregg  as 
partner,  became  jiroprietor  of  the  store.  In  1870,  having  sold  out  his 
business,  he  began  clerking  for  Stephens  S:  Gibson,  of  New  Windsor, 
becoming  a  ])artner  in  1872  under  the  style  of  Gibson  ct"  Shaw,  after- 
ward becoming  Gibson,  Shaw  &  Ilalberg,  from  which  latter  firm  he 
has  just  withdrawn,  the  spring  of  1882.  July  4,  1866,  he  married 
at  Swedona  Miss  Ellen  L.  Bell,  sister  of  J.  D.  Bell,  since  a  prominent 
merchant  of  Woodhull.  She  was  born  near  New  Albany,  Indiana, 
October  17.  1846,  and  came  to  Illinois  in  1865.     Thev  have  had  four 


HIVOLI   TOAVNSlIir.  777 

children,    three   of  whom   are   liWno;:    ]\Iiiniic   PL,    Genoa  V.,   and 
Cleo  JS".     ]\Ir,  Shaw  is  a  member  of  the  masonic  order. 

John  A.  Maxwp:i,i,  was  born  in  Irehmd  May  22,  1835.  Came  to 
America  in  the  fall  of  1852.  Lived  one  year  in  St.  Louis  and  one  year 
in  Rock  Island.  "Was  travelino;  most  of  the  time  until  his  marriage 
with  Mary  J.  Baker,  boi-n  February  11,  1845,  daughter  of  William 
Baker,  of  Swedona,  in  this  county,  who  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania, 
which  event  occurred  January  1,  1807.  He  then  established  himself 
in  mercantile  business  in  Swedona.  Two  years  later,  wlien  the  railroad 
was  completed  to  New  Windsor,  he  removed  to  the  latter  jilace  and 
continued  the  business  until  November,  1875,  when  he  sold  his  store  to 
C.  Cole,  who  conducts  it  at  the  present  time.  jVfr.  Maxwell  was  raised 
on  a  farm  until  eighteen  years  of  age,  and  ow^ns  a  farm  of  160  acres, 
the  S.  E.  i  of  Sec.  8,  in  Rivoli  township.  They  have  three  children : 
James  B.  (born  July  1,  1870),  Flora  J.  (born  December  1,  1873),  and 
Grace  G.  (born  October  16,  1876).     Politically  republican. 

Andrew  J.  Rosexbim  was  born  in  Wythe  county,  Virginia,  Sep- 
tember 4,  1828.  His  lather,  Anthony  Rosenbum,  was  also  a  native  of 
Virginia,  and  emigrated  to  Kentucky  about  the  year  1829,  settling  in 
Barren  county.  He  moved  thence  to  Monmouth,  Illinois,  in  1835, 
opening  the  Urst  blacksmith  shop  in  the  place  where  he  continued  to 
work  at  his  trade  for  fifteen  years.  He  died  ta  Monmouth  in  1S51. 
His  mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Hoffman,  had  two  brothers  in 
Monmouth,  who  were  wagon  makers,  and  Mr.  Rosenbum  did  their  iron 
work.  His  mother  died  in  Henry  county  in  1874.  Mr.  Rosenbum 
attended  school  ten  years  in  the  first  school-house  built  in  Monmouth, 
which  stood  on  the  present  site  of  the  Methodist  church.  The  old 
school-house  was  lighted  by  two  windows,  one  in  the  east  and  one  in 
west ;  the  bottoms  of  the  windows  being  nearly  as  high  as  the  top  of 
the  door.  He  remembers  going  to  school  there  when  he  had  to  part 
the  tall,  blue  stem  grass  that  waved  away  above  his  head  to  make  a 
path  to  reach  the  school-house.  In  1852  ]\Ir.  Rosenbum  crossed  the 
plains  to  California,  where  he  remained  five  years,  returning  to  Illinois 
in  1857.  After  his  return  from  California  he  located  in  Henrv  countv, 
where  he  resided  until  September,  18fi2,  when  lie  enlisted  in  Co. 
G.  112th  111.  Vol.  Inf  He  was  engaged  in  all  the  battles  and 
skirmishes  in  which  that  regiment  took  pai-t,  and  they  were  many. 
While  o]»erating  as  mounted  infantry  he  had  a  horse  shot  under  him 
at  Philadelphia,  Tennessee.  After  three  years  and  three  months'  ser- 
vice he  was  mustered  out  at  (ioldsboro.  North  Carolina.  After  his 
return  home  from  the  army  he  resided  in  Oxford,  in  Henry  county, 
until  186!),  when  he  removed  to  New  Windsor  and  engaged  hi  the  drug 


778  HISTORY    OF    INIERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

business  which  he  has  continued  to  the  present  time.  He  had  one 
brother,  James,  who  died  in  1876.  At  Oxford  he  married  Sarah 
Criffhir,  who  was  born  in  Ohio  in  January,  18-1:3.  They  have  no  chil- 
dren,  but  an  adopted  son.  Is  a  member  of  Oxford  Lodge,  No.  367, 
A.F.A.M.;  also  of  Horeb  Chapter,  No.  7,  R.A.  Masons;  also  of  New 
Windsor  Lodge,  No.  578,  I.O.O.F.     In  politics  he  is  a  democrat. 

WiLLi.^i  B.  CuLLisoN  was  born  in  Knox  county,  Ohio,  March  1 7, 
1831.  His  father,  Jeramiah  Cullison,  was  a  native  of  Maryland,  and 
a  farmer.  He  emigrated  to  Ohio  in  1810,  and  there  married  Rebecca 
Coulter,  who  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  He  moved  to  Illinois  in 
1842,  settling  on  Haw  creek,  near  Gilson,  Knox  county.  In  1815  he 
removed  to  the  vicinity  of  Victoria,  in  the  same  county.  The  subject 
of  this  sketch  was  engaged  in  farming  until  1852,  when  he  crossed  the 
plains  to  California  where  he  was  engaged  in  mining  and  packing 
until  1856,  when  he  returned  to  Illinois,  arriving  home  in  December  of 
that  year.  In  the  spring  of  1860  he  again  went  to  California  where  he 
remained  until  1862,  arriving  in  Illinois,  on  his  return,  in  February. 
The  following  summer  he  enlisted  in  company  E.  102d  111.  Vol.  Inf.; 
was  with  the  regiment  through  all  its  varied  ex])eriences  until  the  1  Tth 
of  July,  1864,  at  the  Chattahoochie  river  in  Georgia ;  he  was  sent 
to  the  hospital  at  Nashville,  thence  to  Evansville,  Indiana,  thence  to 
Quincy,  Illinois,  where  he  was  discharged  at  the  close  of  the  war. 
September  16,  1868,  he  mari-ied  Ellen  Bradford,  daughter  of  A.  B. 
Bradford,  of  Greene  township,  this  county,  who  was  a  native  of 
Pennsylvania,  but  lived  some  time  in  Ohio  before  coming  to  Illinois. 
Her  mother,  Margaret  Hall,  was  a  native  of  Ohio,  where  Ellen  was 
born  January  11,  1810.  After  his  marriage  Mr.  Cullison  settled  on  a 
farm,  the  E.  ^  S.W.  Sec.  21,  in  Rivoli  township,  to  which  he  has 
added  from  time  to  time  until  his  farm  now  comprises  three  hundred 
and  twenty  acres.  In  1879  he  built  a  new  house,  which  is  very  finely 
finished,  on  the  N.AV.  ^  of  Sec.  27  where  he 'now  resides.  The  chil- 
dren are  Sadie,  born  June  1,  1872,  and  Arthur,  born  May  9,  1876, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cullison  are  both  members  of  Zion  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  and  Mr.  C/ullison  is  a  member  of  Oxford  Lodge,  No.  377, 
A.F.A.M.  Mr.  Cullison  engages  quite  largely  in  stock  raising,  feed- 
ing, and  in  buying  and  shipping  stock. 

J.  Warren  Reynolds  was  born  in  Canada,  June  30,  1810,  and 
came  to  the  Ignited  States  with  his  parents  in  June,  1811,  and  settled 
near  Lafayette,  in  Stark  county,  Illinois.  Removed  to  Mercer  county 
April,  1855,  settling  on  the  southwest  of  section  26,  in  Rivoli  township, 
where  he  now  resides,  his  fjirm  comprising  eighty  acres.  May  31, 
ISns.  married  Harriet  E.  Armstrong,  of  Bei-wick,  Warren  county,  Illi- 


KR'OLI    TOWNSHIP.  779 

iiois,  wlio  died  April  4,  1873.  They  liad  two  children :  a  boy,  Orvie 
E.,  born  April  29,  18^)9,  and  a  e:irl,  who  died  in  February,  1873. 
May  14,  1874,  married  Miss  Alice  Summers,  daughter  of  Joseph  Sum- 
mers, of  Viola,  Illinois.  She  is  a  native  of  this  state,  born  August  17, 
1849.  They  have  two  children  :  Esther,  born  June  4,  1875,  and  Jessie 
B.,  born  November  24,  1879.  His  father,  Alanson  Reynolds,  was  a 
native  of  Canada,  and  died  here  August  17,  1879,  at  the  age  of 
eighty-seven.  His  mother  died  September  10,  1879,  at  the  age  of 
seventy-seven.  One  brother,  Peter  Reynolds,  lives  in  Kansas,  and 
served  in  a  Kansas  regiment  during  the  w^ar,  and  carries  in  his  person 
two  bullets  received  from  Price's  men  at  Osawatomie,  Kansas.  In 
1881  Mr.  R.  built  a  neat  and  commodious  residence  on  his  farm,  wdiere 
he  can  enjoy  the  fruits  of  his  industry.  Mr.  R.  can  relate  many  anuis- 
ing  incidents  connected  with  his  early  life  in  this  state,  having  driven 
a  team  to  Chicago  in  company  with  his  father  on  several  occasions, 
when  it  was  common  to  haul  wheat  from  this  part  of  the  country  to 
that  city.  In  politics  Mr.  R.  is  a  democrat.  lie  is  also  a  member  of 
Oxford  Lodge,  No.  367,  A.F.A.M. 

Matthew  F.  Postlewait  was  born  in  Huntingdon  county.  Penn- 
sylvania, August  22,  1817.  His  father,  John  Postlewait,  was  also  a 
native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  in  1776;  came  to  Illinois  in  1855,  and 
died  in  February,  1861.  Mr.  P.  spent  his  boyhood  on  the  farm,  but 
learned  the  trade  of  carj^enter,  at  which  he  worked  until  he  came  west, 
and  for  a  short  time  after  his  arrival  in  this  state.  August  24,  1841, 
he  married  Miss  Mary  J.  Yocum,  born  in  Pennsylvania,  January  1, 
1823,  daughter  of  Jesse  Yocum,  of  that  state,  who  died  in  the  sj)ring 
of  1877.  Mr.  P.  came  to  Illinois  i  i  1845,  by  the  way  of  the  Ohio  and 
Mississippi  rivers,  landing  at  Oquawka.  It  took  four  weeks  to  make 
the  tri]).  His  first  settlement  w^as  on  the  northwest  of  section  28,  in 
Suez  townshi]),  wdiere  he  continued  to  reside  until  1857,  when  he  sold 
his  ftirm  and  removed  to  his  present  ])lace,  the  southwest  of  section 
26,  in  Rivoli  township,  where  he  has  134  acres.  He  also  owns  eighty 
acres  in  North  Henderson  township.  For  some  time  after  he  came 
here  he  did  all  his  trading  at  Oquawka,  but  after  Keithsburg  was 
established,  he  transferred  his  trade  to  that  place.  Their  children  are  : 
Hannah  G.,  born  August  15,  1842  (deceased);  Calvin  AV.,  born  Octo- 
ber 8,  1843,  now  in  mercantile  business  at  Alexis;  Martha  E.,  born 
August  12,  1845  (deceased);  John  M.,  born  April  21,  1848,  on  a  farm 
in  North  Henderson  townshij);  AVilliam  G.,  born  December  20,  1850, 
farmer,  lives  in  Missoin-i ;  Amy  K..  born  April  8,  1853  (deceased); 
Jessie  Y.,  born  October  22,  1855,  in  hardware  and  grocery  business 
in  Cable,  Illinois ;  Olivia  B.,  born  November  4,  1857 ;  Blanche  A.,  born 


780  HISTORY    OF    MERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

June  8,  1860,  is  one  of  Mercer  county's  successful  teachers;  and 
Ralph  J.,  born  April  13,  1864.  The  three  last  named  reside  at  home. 
Mrs.  P.  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church,  of  ISTew  Windsor. 
Mr.  P.  is  an  old  Jeffersonian  democrat. 

John  Coleman  was  born  in  Mercer  county,  Pennsylvania,  July  24, 
1824.  His  father,  Samuel  Coleman,  was  also  a  native  of  Pennsylvania, 
born  in  the  year  1800,  and  died  in  the  fall  of  1875.  His  mother, 
Sarah  Alvin,  was  of  Irish  descent,  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born 
in  1803,  and  still  lives,  six  miles  east  of  Victoria,  in  Knox  county. 
His  father  came  to  Illinois  in  1854,  by  wagon,  from  Pennsylvania. 
He  raised  a  family  of  fourteen  children,  eight  boys  and  six  girls,  of 
whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  is  the  oldest.  Twelve  of  these  still 
live,  seven  boys  and  five  girls.  Two  of  the  brothers  live  in  Iowa ;  the 
rest  all  live  in  this  State.  In  1847  Mr.  Coleman  married  Elizabeth 
Ghost,  born  m  Venango  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1820,  and  died  in 
1875,  in  the  fifty-fifth  year  of  her  age.  They  had  four  children: 
Vinie  (wife  of  C.  L.  Petrie,  of  Xew  Windsor),  Samuel,  Susan,  and 
John  G.  In  January,  1877,  Mr.  Coleman  was  again  married  to  the 
widow  of  David  Ramsey,  nee  Josie  M.  Gasney.  Mrs.  Coleman  has 
three  children:  Maud  Ramsey  (twelve  years  old),  Emma  R.  (ten 
years  old),  and  Edith  P.  Coleman  (born  January  14,  1878.  Mr.  Cole- 
man was  brought  uj)  on  a  farm,  and  has  always  followed  that  avoca- 
tion. Ilis  present  farm  contains  210  acres  of  the  very  best  land  in 
the  township,  and  lies  adjoining  the  plat  of  the  village  of  New  Wind- 
sor. In  1881  Mr.  Coleman  erected  a  fine  large  residence  on  his  farm, 
whicli  he  did  not  get  entirely  finished,  but  expects  to  complete  during 
the  present  season.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Coleman  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  New  Windsor,  he  being  one  of  its 
most  active  members  and  leader  of  the  class  for  a  number  of  years. 

Dr.  Edward  L.  Emerson  was  born  in  Keithsburg  township,  Mercer 
county,  Illinois,  August  18,  1846.  His  father,  William  S.,  and  mother, 
Delilah  Hurt  Emerson,  were  both  natives  of  Wayne  county,  Indiana, 
and  settled  in  Keithsburg  township,  in  this  county,  about  the  year 
1842,  on  the  place  where  they  now  reside.  The  family  is  composed 
of:  Edward  L.,  William  A.  (married  and  farming  in  Nebraska), 
Albert  L.  (married  and  farming  near  his  father's),  Thomas  H.,  and 
Ida  May.  Edward  L.  was  reared  on  his  fathers  farm  until  the  sum- 
mer of  1862.  When  sixteen  years  old  he  enlisted  in  Co.  C,  102d  111. 
Vol.  Inf.,  and  shared  in  all  the  trials  and  helped  to  win  all  the  glory 
won  by  that  regiment.  In  1863,  while  the  regiment  was  stationed  at 
Gallatin,  Tennessee,  he  was  sent  with  a  s(|uad  as  guard  to  a  forage 
train.     While  on  this  duty,  the  squad  was  attacked  by  a  large  partisan 


KIVOLI   TOWXSIIII'.       .  Tyl 

force  of  the  confederates,  and  lie  and  AVilliam  ]\Ierritt,  of  company  I 
of  the  same  reghnent,  were  captured  at  Epperson  Springs,  Tennessee, 
and  sent  to  Lihby  prison,  Riclimond,  Virginia.  Tliey  were  both  ex- 
changed tlie  latter  i)art  of  the  summer,  and  Edward  L.  rej(iined  his 
regiment  at  La  Vergne,  Tennessee,  in  September,  1863.  Fi-om  that 
time  until  the  linal  mustering  out  and  discharge  of  the  regiment  at 
the  close  of  the  war,  he  was  with  the  command,  sharing  in  its  weary 
marches  and  hard  fought  battles ;  and  the  latter  were  by  no  means 
few,  as  the  old  flag  at  Springfield  will  attest.  After  his  return  from 
the  army  he  attended  school  one  year  at  Keithsburg,  and  then  took 
a  special  course  of  nine  months  at  a  select  school  taught  in  Ohio  Grove 
township,  giving  three  months  to  grammar,  the  same  time  to  rhetoric 
and  elocution,  and  the  same  to  mathematics.  Iij  September,  1868,  he 
married  Laura  Markee,  daughter  of  Jesse  Markee,  of  Ohio  Grove 
township,  by  whom  he  has  two  children :  Jesse  AV.  (now  thirteen  years 
old),  and  May  F.  (nine  years  old).  After  his  marriage,  in  1868,  he 
located  on  a  farm  near  Millersburg.  August  10,  1877,  his  wife  died, 
and  was  buried  in  the  cemetery  at  Aledo.  .Vfter  her  death  he  resolved 
to  fit  himself  for  the  practice  of  medicine.  While  carrying  on  his 
farm,  he  began  a  course  of  reading  under  Dr.  W.  B.  Artz,  of  Joy, 
which  he  continued  for  two  years,  reciting  twice  each  week.  During 
the  fall  and  winter  terms  of  1879-80,  and  the  spring  term  of  1880,  he 
attended  Rush  Medical  College,  Chicago.  The  summer  of  1880  he 
spent  in  the  ofiice  with  Dr.  Craig,  of  Aledo,  finishing  his  course  at 
Rush  Medical  College  during  the  fall  and  winter  terms  of  1880-81, 
graduating  February  22,  1881.  He  also  took  a  special  course  under 
Prof  E.  Fletcher  Ligalls,  on  diseases  of  the  throat  and  chest,  and 
another  under  Prof.  E.  L.  Holmes,  on  diseases  of  the  eye  and  ear. 
March  23,  1881,  he  married  Miss  Ella  M.  Gailey,  daughter  of  S.  W. 
Gailey,  of  Aledo,  and  on  March  26  located  and  began  the  ])ractice 
of  his  profession  in  New  Windsor.  Is  a  member  of  the  order  of 
A.F.A.M.,  and  also  of  the  I.O.O.F. 

Dr.  John  B.  Rathbun  was  born  in  Crawford  county,  Pennsylvania, 
October  12,  1820,  and  is  son  of  Elihu  Rathbun,  who  was  born  in  the 
state  of  New  York,  September  8,  1794,  and  Eleanor  Beatty,  who  was 
a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  related  to  the  Darlingtons,  of  east  Penn- 
sylvania. Mr.  Rathbun  moved  from  New  York  to  Pennsylvania  in 
1816,  and  there  married  Miss  Beatty.  After  the  death  of  his  first  wife 
he  married  Miss  Sarah  Towell,  who  is  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  Dur- 
ing his  residence  in  Pennsylvania  he  was  engaged  in  farming  and  the 
ministry.  In  1835  he  came  to  Illinois,  settling  in  what  is  now  Bowling 
township,  in  Rock  Island  county,  but  for  several  years  past  has  resided 


782  HISTORY    OF    MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

in  Yiola,  in  this  county.  Mr.  liatlibun's  children  by  his  first  wife 
were:  Adaline  (deceased),  John  B.,  Margaret  E.,  Bulina  A.,  and  Fin- 
law  Darlington  (deceased);  bj  liis  second  wife:  Fitz  W.,  Homer  H. 
(who  enMsted  in  the  9th  ID.  YoL  Car.  and  died  in  Missouri  while  in 
the  servdce),  EHhii,  Phoebe  and  Isaac  (who  are  twins),  and  Sarah  (wife 
of  T.  T.  Spicer,  now  living  near  Chariton,  Iowa).  Dr.  Eathbun's  youth 
was  spent  on  his  father's  farm  and  in  attending  the  common  school  of 
that  day.  He  attended  Alleghany  college  two  years  and  then  foHowed 
Prof.  Griffith  from  that  institution  to  Mercer  academy,  where  he  at- 
tended two  years,  working  at  intervals  to  pay  his  way.  He  then  went 
south  with  Prof.  Griffith  and  taught  two  years,  i-eading  medicine  dur- 
ing the  time  under  Dr.  Terrell,  of  Black  Hawk,  Mississippi.  lie  after 
ward  completed  his  medical  course  at  the  Eclectic  Medical  college, 
Cincinnati,  Ohio,  graduating  in  1847;  began  the  practice  of  his  profes- 
sion in  West  Greenville,  Pennsylvania,  where,  on  September  IT,  1848, 
he  married  Emeline  J.  Waugh,  who  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in 
1822,  and  a  sister  of  the  well  known  proprietor  of  Waugh's  mill,  at 
Pichland  Grove,  in  this  county.  June  1852  he  moved  to  Rock  Island, 
in  this  state,  and  practiced  there  until  the  spring  of  1857,  when  he  re- 
moved to  Richland  Grove,  in  this  county.  June  21,  1859,  his  wife 
died,  leaving  two  sons,  William  W.,  and  Frank  Darlington.  William 
W.  w\is  born  in  June  1850,  and  Frank  D.,  in  September,  1854. 
William  W.  studied  law,  and  graduated  at  Union  College  of  Law, 
Chicago.  After  practicing  three  years  in  Rock  Island,  his  health  be- 
came so  impaired  that  he  removed  to  New  Windsor,  in  this  county, 
and  is  now  engaged  in  the  drug  business.  He  married  Miss  Ella 
Bai'ge,  daughter  of  William  Barge,  a  leading  lawyer  of  Dixon,  her 
mother  being  a  daughter  of  John  Dixon,  the  well  known  pioneer  of 
Lee  county  and  founder  of  the  city  of  Dixon.  Frank  D.  graduated 
from  Rush  Medical  College,  Chicago,  in  1877,  and  from  Jefferson 
Medical  College,  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvaniii,  in  1878,  and  served  one 
year,  after  leaving  the  last  named  institution,  in  the  Philadelphia 
hospital.  He  is  now  practicing  in  New  Windsor,  whither  Dr.  John 
B.  Rathbun  removed  from  Richland  Grove,  April  1878,  and  where  he 
still  resides  to  assist  his  son  in  his  now  large  practice. 

Isaac  Brooks  was  born  near  Manchester,  England,  July  4,  1829. 
Came  to  the  United  States  in  May,  1849,  and  settled  in  Carbon  county, 
Pennsvlvania.  Lived  there  five  years,  workiuii;  in  various  coal  mines. 
After  traveling  about  the  country  for  two  years,  he  finally  settled  in 
this  county  in  1856.  In  the  spring  of  1857  he  moved  on  to  the  N.  E.  ^ 
of  Sec.  2,  Rivoli  township,  since  which  time  he  has  added  to  his 
farm  until  he  now  owns  880  acres  in  this  county  and  eighty  acres  in 


RIVOLI    TOWNSHIP.  7<S8 

Henry  county.  April  !»,  1841>,  just  before  leaving  England,  he  nuirried 
Maria  Ann  Jul.  mIk*  came  to  America  with  him  and  made  him  a  faith- 
ful wife  and  helpmeet  until  her  death,  which  occurred  February  ^1, 
1880,  leaving  no  children.  His  father  died  in  England  when  he  was 
an  infant,  and  his  mother,  who  came  to  this  country,  died  in  Ohio.  He 
has  one  brothei-,  Thomas,  living  at  AVest  Brooktield,  Stark  county, 
Ohio,  and  another,  George,  who  lives  in  Trego  county,  Kansas,  the 
latter  having  a  family  of  nine  or  ten  children.  December  21,  1880,  lie 
married  Emma  J.  Peterson,  who  was  born  in  Sweden,  December  22, 
1862,  and  came  to  America  in  1874,  with  her  father,  Andrew  Peterson, 
of  Cable,  this  county.  Mr.  Brooks  is  a  Master  Mason,  a  membei-  of 
Oxford  Lodge.  Xo.  3f)7,  A.F.A.M.  Their  only  child  Mary  L..  was 
born  April  2'2,  fssl. 

Victoria  C.  M.  Tra(^v  was  born  near  Cleveland,  Ohio,  January  28, 
1847,  daughter  of  John  and  Emeline  C.  (Hicks)  Morris.  Her  fathei- 
was  born  in  Somersetshire,  England,  May  27,  181G,  and  came  to 
America  with  his  father  in  1840,  and  settled  near  Cleveland,  Ohio. 
March  1,  1846,  he  married  Emeline  C.  Hicks,  of  Zanesville,  Ohio,  who 
was  born  in  that  state  August  20,  1827.  Her  father  was  killed  by 
robbers  in  Zanesville,  leaving  a  brother  (Thomas  Hicks)  in  Kentucky, 
and  a  son  (John)  in  Louisville,  Kentucky.  Her  mother  was  Esther 
Black,  of  French  descent,  her  family  living  near  Philadel])hia.  Mrs. 
Tracy  came  to  Blinois  with  her  parents  in  1851,  by  the  lakes  to  Chicago, 
and  thence  bv  team  to  Mercer  countv,  settling  near  Keithsburo-.  Five 
years  later  they  moved  to  Warren  county,  and  in  1865  returned  to 
Mercer  count3%  Mr.  ^forris  buying  a  farm  in  section  9,  in  Greene  town- 
ship, where  he  resides  now.  His  father  died  near  Keitlisburg  in  1856, 
aged  sixty-eight ;  and  his  mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Sarah 
Brewer,  died  in  1864,  aged  eighty-one  years.  April  22,  1869,  ]\Iiss 
A'ictoria  married  Jonathan  Tracy,  of  Rivoli  township,  their  residence 
being  on  S.  E.  ^  of  Sec.  1.  Mi-s.  Tracy  has  three  children:  Ida  (born 
February  28,  1870),  Buz.  (May  1,  1872),  and  Fred.  (August  13,  1874). 
May  26,  1878,  Mr.  Tracy  died,  since  which  time  Mrs.  Tracy  has 
managed  the  affairs  of  the  farm,  consisting  of  372  acres,  with  marked 
ability,  taking  high  rank  among  the  large  and  successful  farmers  of  the 
count}'.  Her  business  tact  caused  her  neighbors  to  elect  her  school 
director  of  her  district,  which  office  she  still  holds.  In  1871  Mr.  Tracy 
built  a  large  and  elegant  residence  on  his  farm,  where  the  family  now 
reside,  one  and  one-half  miles  north  of  the  village  of  New  Windsor. 
Jonathan  Tracy  was  born  in  Mason  countv,  Kentucky,  November  25, 
1830.  His  father  (Vesey  Tracy)  and  mother  (Rachel  Ilayden)  were* 
natives  of  that  state,  and  were  married  in  1828.     In  1839  Ids  mother 


Y84:  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

died,  and  liis  father  afterward  married  Miss  JSTancy  Grenard,  by  whom 
he  had  two  sons,  George  W.  and  Francis  M.,  who  live  near  Winterset, 
Iowa.  In  1850  he  married  Miss  Mary  Dancer,  who  died  a  year  later. 
In  1853  he  came  to  Illinois,  and  purchased  land  in  Heniy  county. 
May  21,  1856,  he  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Love,  a  native  of  Mercer 
county.  Plaving  sold  his  farm  in  Henry  county  that  year,  he  bought 
land  in  the  S.  E.  ^  of  Sec.  1,  Rivoli  townshiji,  which  forms  a  part  of 
the  present  homestead.  Here  were  born  :  George  (December  31,  1857, 
who  died  in  his  sixth  year),  Rachel  (September  22,  1859),  Jane  (March 
3,  1861),  Emma  (November  8,  1862),  Mary  (December  7,  1861:);  and 
in  August,  1868,  his  second  wife  died,  leaving  him  with  four  mother- 
less children.  Mr.  Tracy  was  always  engaged  in  farming,  and  by 
industry  and  energy  raised  himself  from  humble  beginnings  to  the 
position  of  a  well-to-do  farmer.  He  was  not  a  member  of  any  church 
or  society,  and  in  politics  adhered  to  the  democratic  faith. 

Nathan  P.  Smith  was  born  in  Ohio  in  1830,  and  came  to  Illinois- 
with  his  parents  in  1810,  when  ten  years  old.  His  father  (Stephen 
Smith)  was  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  and  emigrated  to  Ohio  when  a 
young  man,  and  there  married  Anna  Belt,  who  survived  him,  living 
with  her  son  Frank  on  the  old  homestead  in  section  1  in  this  township. 
He  hrst  came  to  Illinois  in  1838,  and  entered  forty  acres  of  prairie  in 
section  1  and  120  acres  of  timber  land  in  Richland  Grove,  also  a  tract 
of  timber  land  on  Pope  creek.  Returning  to  Ohio  he  brought  his 
family  to  Illinois  in  1810,  and  settled  on  the  forty  acres  of  prairie  he 
had  previously  entered  in  section  4.  He  died  in  1845,  leaving  eight 
children,  four  boys  and  four  girls.  Two  of  these  have  died  since, 
Lyman  and  Mattie  (formerly  wife  of  T.  G.  Woodham).  Four  of  the 
survivors  reside  in  this  township :  Nathan  P. ,  Chauncey,  Frank,  and 
Mary  (wife  of  James  Durston).  Two  daughters  (married)  live,  one  in 
Iowa  and  one  at  Moline,  Illinois.  Mr.  Smith  was  a  blacksmith,  and 
opened  on  his  place  the  first  blacksmith  shop  in  the  townshij^.  Nathan 
P.  spent  his  youth  upon  the  farm,  and  in  the  winter  of  1847,  when 
seventeen  years  old,  taught  his  first  school  in  Richland  Grove  town- 
ship, agreeing  to  teach  for  $12  per  month,  and  was  to  have  $15  if  the 
patrons  were  suited.  AVhen  his  school  closed  he  made  out  his  bill  at 
$15  per  month,  and  it  was  paid  without  question.  He  afterward 
tau2:ht  four  winters  in  Oxford,  Henry  county,  and  four  winters  at  the 
Hopewell  district  in  this  township,  also  taught  at  Henderson  Grove. 
In  1860  he  married  Mary  Ann  Woodham,  and  built  his  jiresent  resi- 
dence, and  settled  in  the  N.  ^  of  the  N.  E.  of  Sec.  9,  which  he  had 
^been  improving  for  some  years  previously.  The  farm  consists  of  100 
acres  of  prairie,  besides  which  he  has  twenty  acres  of  timber.     He 


EIVOLI   TOWXSIIIl'.  785 

has  two  children,  Minnie  (the  ekler)  and  Charles.  He  was  supervisor 
of  this  township  three  successive  years  during  war  times.  In  politics 
he  is  a  republican,  but  is  not  very  partisan. 

Timothy  D.  Merrvmax  was  born  in  Kennebec  county,  Maine,  Jan- 
uary 14,  1827,  town  of  Chesterville,  now  in  Monroe  county.  His 
father,  Timothy  Merryman,  was  born  in  Brunswick,  Maine,  November* 
16,  1787,  and  married  Elizabeth  Dunning  January  23,  1813,  wlio  was 
also  a  native  of  Maine.  He  was  a  ship  carjjenter  by  trade,  also  a 
farmer,  clearing  for  himself  a  farm  among  the  pines  of  his  native  state. 
In  1835,  with  his  three  oldest  sons  and  eldest  daughter  he  came  to 
Illinois,  and.  locating  in  Richland  Grove  township,  sent  for  the  remain- 
der of  the  familv  to  come,  which  thev  did  the  next  vear,  1836,  coming; 
all  the  way  with  teams.  Mrs.  Merryman  being  sick  on  their  arrival  at 
AVheeling,  Virginia,  took  ])assage  on  a  boat  with  one  of  her  daughters 
and  came  bv  river  to  Rock  Island.  Thev  had  nine  children,  six  sons 
and  three  daughters,  seven  of  whom  survive.  The  six  sons  in  the 
order  of  their  ages  are  :  Albert  D.,  Thomas,  David  D.,  Joseph  M., 
Timothy  D.,  and  Ira.  The  only  surviving  daughter,  Thirza  Ann,  is  the 
wife  of  Robinson  Nye  and  resides  in  Moline,  Illinois.  Mrs.  Merryman 
died  in  October,  1852,  aged  sixty-four,  and  Mr.  M.  died  in  April,  1873, 
at  the  age  of  eighty-six,  their  remains  resting  in  the  cemetery  at 
Moline.  Timothy  D.  was  brought  u]>  on  the  farm,  and  at  the  age  of 
twenty-one  began  his  fortune  with  a  capital  of  $50.  He  bought  an 
interest  in  a  saw  mill  that  his  father  and  one  of  his  brothers  had  built 
ip  Richland  Grove  in  1845.  While  engaged  in  this  mill  he  made  a 
claim  on  160  acres  of  land  in  section  9,  Rivola  township,  to  which  he 
afterward  added  eighty  acres  in  the  same  section  and  entered  it  with 
land  warrants  in  1850.  He  had  forty  acres  under  improvement  when, 
in  1853,  he  crossed  the  plains  to  California  with  an  ox  team.  Thus 
can  he  boast  of  having  crossed  the  continent  trom  Maine  to  California 
with  a  team.  He  was  engaged  there  in  mining,  farming  and  teaming 
until  1863,  when  he  returned  to  Illinois  and  settled  where  he  now 
lives,  on  the  northeast  of  section  9.  December  1,  1864,  he  nuirried 
Miss  Mary  Maiming,  who  was  born  in  Richland  Grove  township,  in 
this  county,  July  23,  1840.  She  was  daughter  of  James  Manning,  one 
of  Mercer  county's  pioneers,  who  settled  in  that  township  in  1835.  Of 
six  s(ms  and  three  daughters  but  two  survive,  Mrs.  Merryman  and  one 
brother  in  Indiana.  March  24,  1873,  his  house  was  burned,  but  he 
replaced  it  with  a  line,  sjiacious  residence,  surrounded  by  quite  a  grove 
<)f  maples,  that  have  grown  from  seed  ])lanted  by  himself,  and  from 
which  he  can  now  nuike  a  barrel  of  syrup  annually.  He  has  added  to 
his  original  farm  until  he  now  owns  640  acres,  including  twenty  acres 


786  HISTORY    OF    MERCEK    AXD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

of  timber.  In  1878  he  built  on  his  place  the  iirst  dairy  in  the  county, 
which  has  made  large  quantities  of  cheese  and  butter  since  that  time, 
but  is  run  exclusively  now  as  a  creamery.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Merryman 
are  both  active  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

A.  P.  Shroyer  was  born  in  this  township  in  1851.  His  father, 
.Henry  Shroyer,  was  born  in  Indiana  in  1815,  and  in  1842  married 
Miss  Eebecca  Hughes,  who  was  boi'ii  in  that  state  in  1820 ;  and  there 
their  oldest  son  (William)  was  born  in  184(>.  In  1847  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Shroyer  came  from  Indiana  to  this  state,  settling  on  the  S.  E.  ^  of  Sec. 
15,  in  this  township,  where  he  lived  until  his  death  a  few  years  ago, 
and  where  his  widow,  who  survives  him,  still  lives.  Besides  the  above- 
nanled  children  there  are :  M.  L.  (born  in  1856),  Sarah  J.  (born  1859), 
and  Martha  I.  (born  1863).  January  1,  1869,  William  married  Miss 
Johanna  Powell,  daughter  of  Horatio  Powell,  an  old  settler  in  North 
Henderson  township.  A.  P.  married  Miss  Donna  Meadows  November 
11,  1875.  She  was  born  in  Warren  county,  Illhiois,  June  12,  1855; 
daughter  of  James  Meadows.  They  have  three  children,  all  boys. 
A.  P.  is  a  member  of  Oxford  Lodge,  No.  1367,  A.F.  A.M.,  and  is  its 
secretary  at  present.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian 
church,  and  were  connected  with  the  church  in  New  Windsor  as  long 
as  it  was  in  existence.  He  was  formerly  in  the  drug  business  in  New 
Windsor,  but  is  now  engaged  in  farming.  Two  years  ago  he  built  a 
very  commodious  residence  on  part  of  the  old  homestead,  where  he 
now  resides,  and,  with  his  brother  (M.  L.),  carries  on  the  farm,  which 
comprises  280  acres.  The  family  is  of  German  origin,  the  name  having 
been  spelled  Schroyer,  but  with  the  lapse  of  time  tlie  c  has  become 
elided. 

T.  G.  Woodhams  was  born  in  Albany,  New  York,  October  19,  1837. 
His  father  and  mother,  William  and  Harriet  (Gorham)  Woodhams, 
were  both  natives  of  England.  Mr.  Woodhams  came  to  America  tirst 
in  1820,  but  returned  again  after  a  short  stay.  In  1828  he  came  to 
America,  to  make  this  his  permanent  home.  He  married  Harriet 
Gorham  in  Albany,.  New  York.  In  1838  he  came  to  Illinois  and 
settled  on  the  N.  E.  ^  of  Sec.  21,  this  township,  where  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  was  raised  and  still  lives.  Mr.  W^oodhams  died  October 
20,  1844,  and  was  the  tirst  person  buried  in  the  Woodhams  cemetery, 
the  site  for  which  was  donated  by  him  for  that  purpose.  Mrs.  Wood- 
hams resides  on  the  place  with  her  oldest  son  (William),  who  is  a  bach- 
elor and  a  wheelwright.  A  younger  son  (John  0.)  enlisted  in  Co.  D, 
83tl  reg.  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  died  at  Fort  Donelson,  Tennessee,  Novem- 
ber 30,  1862.  His  remains  are  interred  in  the  AVoodhams  cemetery. 
Their  daughter  (Harriet)  is   the  wife  of  E.   B.  David,   dentist,    and 


COMPANY    G,    TWENTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT.  787 

resides  in  Aledo.  The  subject  of  tins  sketch  married  February  10, 
1867,  Miss  Martha  A.  Smith,  daughter  of  Stephen  Smith,  one  of  the 
pioneers  of  this  township,  mentioned  in  the  history  of  this  townsliip. 
She  died  July  ."),  1S73,  leaving  three  children:  Mary  A,  (born  Decem- 
ber 1,  1867),  Adelbei-t  L.  (born  March  21,  1870),  and  John  L.  (born 
October  8,  1873).  September  16,  1874,  he  married  Mrs.  Maria  Smith, 
widow  of  J.  Lyman  Smith,  and  daughter  of  James  Durston,  the 
pioneer.  She  was  born  in  Rensselaer  county,  New  York,  August  19, 
1833,  and  came  to  Illinois  with  her  parents  in  1837.  jNfr.  and  i\[rs. 
Woodhams  are  active  members  of  the  Wesleyan  Methodist  church,  of 
Hopewell.  By  industry  and  economy  Mr.  Woodhams  has  added  to 
the  old  homestead  until  his  home  farm  now  comprises  480  acres.  He 
raises  and  feeds  cattle  and  hogs  quite  largely,  and  does  an  extensive 
business  in  buying  and  shipping  stock  to  the  Chicago  market.  At  one 
time  he  represented  this  town  on  the  board  of  supervisors  of  the 
county,  and  for  several  years  he  has  served  on  the  board  of  commis- 
sioners of  highways  of  this  town.  In  ])olitics  Mr.  Woodhams  is  a 
republican. 


COMPANY  G,  TWENTY-SEVENTH  REGIMENT. 

This  company  was  composed  of  men  from  different  parts  of  Mercer 
county  and  other  counties,  but  perhaps  the  largest  number  was  from 
the  vicinity  of  New  Boston.  The  comjiany  was  organized  August  23, 
1861,  with  Henry  R.  Southward  as  captain,  Simeon  Sheldon,  of  New 
Boston,  as  first  lieutenant,  and  Robert  P.  Lytle,  of  New  Boston,  as 
second  lieutenant.  Southward  served  to  the  end  of  his  term  of  enlist- 
ment, Sheldon  was  promoted  to  adjutant,  and  held  the  office  a  few 
months,  and  Lytle  was  promoted  to  captain  of  company  B.  George 
R.  Beardsley  succeeded  Lytle,  but  soon  resigned,  and  was  succeeded  by 
Hugh  M.  Love,  of  Swedonia,  who  afterward  became  first  lieutenant 
and  was  killed  in  battle  November  25,  18r)3. 

The  regiment  was  organized  at  Camp  Butler,  with  seven  companies, 
August  10,  1861,  and  at  once  ordered  to  Jacksonville  as  a  part  of  John 
A.  JVIcClernand's  brigade.  About  a  month  later  the  regiment  went  to 
Cairo,  where  it  was  joined  by  three  other  companies,  making  the 
regiment  complete.  Two  months  later  (November  7)  the  regiment 
was  engaged,  under  Gen.  McClernand,  at  Belmont,  and  bore  a  promi- 
nent part  and  lost  heavily. 

March  14,  1862,  it,  with  other  regiments,  was  formed  into  what 
was  known  as  the  Mississippi  flotilla,  and  started  down  that  river  and 


788  HISTORY    OF    MERCER   AXD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

was  at  the  famous  sieo;e  of  Island  No.  10,  and  was  the  first  to  land. 
After  this  the  regiment  was  engaged  at  the  siege  of  Corinth  and  battle 
of  Farmington,  guarding  railroads,  and  finally,  after  many  and  long 
marches,  arrived  at  Nashville  September  12,  1862.  It  was  in  the 
battle  of  Stone  Eiver,  Chickamauga,  Chattanooga,  Mission  Ridge,  and 
numerous  other  engagements. 

April,  1864,  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  join  the  Atlanta  cam- 
paign, in  which  it  was  engaged  at  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  Resacca,  Dallas, 
Kenesaw  Mountain,  Peach  Tree  creek,  and  in  the  skirmishes  around 
Atlanta.  After  this  (August  25)  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  at 
Springfield,  Illinois. 

The  veterans  of  the  regiment  generally  went  into  the  ninth  regi- 
ment. During  the  term  of  service  the  regiment  lost  in  killed,  or  died 
of  wounds  or  disease,  182,  of  whom  twenty-four  were  from  Mercer 
county. 


COMPANIES  A  AND  G,  THIRTIETH  REGBIENT. 

These  two  companies  were  raised  almost  entirely  in  Mercer  county, 
and  mainly  from  the  eastern  portion,  from  sons  and  members  of  some 
of  the  oldest  and  finest  families.  The  names  of  manv  adorning  the 
monument  at  Aledo  will  be  recognized  as  the  same  as  those  mentioned 
frequently  in  the  pages  of  this  work  as  pioneers  of  Oliio  Grove, 
Mercer,  Richland  Grove,  Millersburg,  Abington]  and  Keithsburg. 
Company  A  was  organized  August  28,  1861,  by  the  election  of  Warren 
Shedd,  of  Aledo,  as  captain ;  N.  R.  Kirkpatriek,  Ohio  Grove,  as  first 
lieutenant ;  and  F.  G.  Burnett,  of  Ohio  Grove,  as  second  lieutenant. 
April  22,  1862,  Warren  Shedd  was  promoted  to  the  office  of  major, 
and  Francis  G.  Burnett,  who  had  already  been  promoted  to  first  lieu- 
tenant became  captain.  [Burnett  resigned  September  3,  1862,  and  was 
succeeded  as  captain  by  Elijah  B.  David,  then  of  Richland  Grove. 
Capt.  David  was  mustered  out  October  27,  1864,  his  term  having 
expired,  and  Daniel  M.  Candor  was  promoted  to  the  captaincy. 

N.  R.  Kirkpatriek,  elected  first  lieutenant  on  the  organization,  was 
killed  at  Fort  Donelson.  David  W.  Park,  of  Millersberg,  and  Robert 
S.  Finley,  of  Ohio  Grove,  served  for  a  time  as  first  lieutenants, 
and  Samuel  McCreiglit,  of  Ohio  Grove,  and  Lorenzo  D.  Hanson, 
of  Millersburg,  were  second  lieutenants. 

Company  G  was  organized  September  30,  1861,  by  the  election  of 
James  Burnett,  of  Ohio  Grove,  as  captain ;  Henry  G.  Calhoun,  of 
Keithsburg  as  fii-st  lieutenant ;  and  Orla  Richardson,  of  Keithsburg,  as 


THIRTIKTII    REGIMENT.  791 

second  lieutenant.  ^lay  16,  1863,  Calhoun  having  resigned,  and  Capt. 
Burnett  having  been  killed,  Richardson  was  promoted  to  the  office  of 
captain,  and  held  the  same  until  his  resigination,  August  12,  1864. 
David  H.  ^V'olf  was  then  promoted  to  the  captaincy,  and  served  until 
mustered  out,  July  17,  1865.  II.  II.  Ilurst  served  a  short  time  as 
second  lieutenant,  and  John  McClure  was  second  and  then  lirst  lieu- 
tenant. James  A.  Logan  was  chosen  first  lieutenant,  September  15, 
1864,  and  retained  the  office  until  his  muster  out,  July  17,  1865. 


THIRTIETH  REGIMENT. 

The  Thirtieth  Infantry  Illinois  Volunteers  was  organized  at  Camp 
Butler,  Illinois,  August  28,  1861,  Col.  P.  B.  Fouke,  commanding. 
Se])tember  1,  1861,  it  moved  to  Cairo,  Illinois,  and  was  assigned  to 
Brig. -Gen.  John  A.  McClernand's  brigade.  Brig. -Gen.  Ulysses  S.  Grant 
commanding  district  of  Cairo,  and  Maj.-Gen.  John  C.  Fremont  com- 
manding department  of  Missouri.  October  22,  it  went  on  scout  into 
Kentucky,  near  Columbus.  November  7,  it  was  engaged  in  the  battle 
of  Belmont.  The  regiment  did  gallant  service  during  this  action,  and 
captured  the  celebrated  "  Watson's  New  Orleans  battery." 

January  10,  1862,  the  regiment  moved  from  Cairo  on  a  reconnois- 
sance  into  Kentucky,  and  returned  on  the  22d.  February  4,  it  moved 
up  Tennessee  river,  and  on  the  6tli  was  in  the  attack  and  taking  of 
Fort  Henry,  in  Col.  Oglesby's  brigade.  It  was  engaged  in  the  siege 
and  taking  of  Fort  Donelson,  13tli,  14th  and  15th  of  February,  1862. 

It  arrived  at  Pittsburg  Landing  April  25tli  and  took  part  in  the 
siege  of  Corinth,  in  Col.  Logan's  brigade.  June  4th  and  5th  it  marched 
from  Corinth  to  Bethel,  and  on  the  8th  occupied  Jackson,  Tennessee. 
On  the  IStli  and  14th  of  August  the  regiment  marched  to  Estenaula, 
and  on  the  31st  to  Denmark. 

September  1,  1862,  the  regiment  marched  toward  Medan  Station, 
on  the  Mississippi  Central  railroad,  and  about  four  miles  from  that 
place  met  the  enemy's  cavalry,  6,000  strong,  under  Gen.  Armstrong, 
and  after  four  hours'  hard  fighting  drove  the  enemy  from  the  field,  gain- 
ing a  brilliant  victory.  The  Thirtieth  was  commanded  by  Maj.  AVarren 
Shedd,  Col.  Dennis,  commanding  brigade  of  20th  and  30th  Illinois  in- 
fantry, one  section  Schwartz's  Illinois  battery,  Capt.  Forster's  com- 
pany of  independent  Ohio  cavalry,  and  thirty-four  men  of  the  Fourth 
Illinois  cavalry. 

On  the  2d  of  September  the  regiment  marched  to  Medan  ;  3d,  to 
Jackson;  and  on  the  2d  of  November,  to  Lagrange.  On  the  11th  it 
45 


792  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND   HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

marched  toward  Water  Valley,  Mississippi,  arriving  December  19tli. 
On  the  21st  it  marched  for  Memphis,  Tennessee,  arriving  Jannarv  19, 
1863.  It  was  stationed  at  Memphis,  Tennessee,  in  Col.  Leggett's 
brigade,  Maj.-Gen.  Logan's  division,  Maj.-Gen.  McPherson's  corps. 

February  22,  1863,  the  regiment  moved  to  Lake  Providence,  Louisi- 
ana, and  moved  soon  after  to  Yista's  plantation.  April  17,  it  moved 
to  Milliken's  Bend,  Louisiana,  and  joined  Grant's  army,  and  moved  to 
Bruinburg,  Mississippi,  crossing  Mississippi  river.  May  1,  it  moved 
to  Thompson's  Hill ;  after  that  it  moved  to  PLmkinson's  Feny,  on 
Black  river,  skirmishing  with  the  enemy  en  route,,  and  tlien  moved  to 
Raymond,  Mississippi.  The  regiment  was  engaged  in  the  battle  of 
Raymond,  May  12,  and  then  moved  via  Clinton  to  Jackson,  and  pur- 
sued the  retreating  enemy  after  their  defeat,  l-ltli  of  May.  May  16  it 
engaged  in  the  battle  of  Champion  Hills,  losing  heavily,  and  crossed 
Black  river  with  the  army,  and  arrived  in  the  rear  of  Yicksburg  May 
19,  1863. 

May  25,  the  regiment  moved  with  the  expedition  to  Mechanicsburg, 
under  Gen.  Blair.  Returning,  it  actively  participated  in  the  siege  of 
Vicksburg  until  June  23,  and  then  moved  to  Black  river,  under  Gen. 
Sherman,  to  watch  the  rebel  Gen.  Johnson.  The  regiment  then  moved 
with  Gen.  Sherman's  army  to  Jackson,  and  assisted  in  the  investment 
of  that  ])lace,  after  which  it  went  to  Vicksburg,  arriving  July  25,  and 
remained  in  camp  until  August  20,  when  it  moved  to  Monroe,  Louis- 
iana, returning  the  28th.  October  14,  it  moved,  under  Gen.  McPher- 
son,  toward  Canton,  Mississippi,  and  was  in  engagement  at  Bogachitta 
creek,  and  returned  the  same  month. 

January  1,  1864,  the  regiment  mustered  in  as  a  veteran  organization 
and  on  the  10th  moved  with  an  expedition  up  the  Mississippi  river 
against  guerillas,  and  returned  on  the  15th.  February  3,  left  Vicks- 
burg, on  Meridian  campaign,  under  Gen.  Sherman,  and  participated  in 
the  several  skirmishes  with  the  enemy,  and  arrived  at  Meridian  Feb- 
ruary 15th.  It  returned  March  3d.  March  5,  the  regiment  left  Vicks- 
burg on  a  veteran  furlough  to  the  state,  arriving  at  Camp  Butler 
March  12th. 

April  18,  the  regiment  left  Camp  Butler,  and  on  the  28th  left  Cairo 
with  the  "Tennessee  river  expedition,"  under  Gen.  W.  Q.  Gresham, 
and  arrived  at  Clifton,  Tennessee,  the  30th.  May  5,  it  marched,  via 
Pulaski,  Tennessee,  and  Athens,  Alabama,  to  Huntsville,  Alabama, 
and  on  May  25th  moved  to  Decatur,  crossing  Mississippi  river  the  27th. 
Thence  it  went,  via  Warrentown,  Alabama,  to  Rome,  Georgia ;  thence, 
via  Kingston,  joining  Gen.  Sherman's  "grand  army"  at  Ackworth, 
June  8tli.     On  the  10th  it  moved  to  Big  Shanty,  and  commenced  skir- 


THIRTIETH    REGIMENT.  793 

niisliing  with  the  enemy,  and  on  the  2Tth  moved  out  to  make  a  demon- 
stration in  front,  losing  about  twenty  killed  and  wounded. 

On  the  night  of  July  2,  the  regiment  moved,  with  the  Seventeenth 
Army  Corps,  to  the  right  of  Gen.  Sherman's  army,  and  on  the  5th 
moved  to  Kickajack  creek.  On  the  !)tli  the  regiment  was  sent  to  guard 
de])artment  headquarters,  and  on  the  12th  moved  to  Sweet  AVater 
creek,  fluly  IT,  it  moved  toward  Decatur,  via  Marietta,  crossing  the 
Chattahoochie  at  Roswell's  and  arriving  at  Decatur  on  the  20th.  It 
was  in  the  battle  of  July  21st,  near  Atlanta,  and  also  in  the  battle  of 
July  22d,  near  Atlanta  ;  lost  heavily.  It  was  actively  engaged  until 
the  fall  of  Atlanta  and  Jonesboro,  and  camped  at  East  Point,  Septem- 
ber 6th. 

October  4,  1864,  the  regiment  moved  northward,  in  the  pursuit  of 
Gen.  Hood,  via  Kenesaw  mountain,  to  Resacca,  and  returaed  to  SmyiTia 
camp  ground  via  Gales ville,  Alabama,  arriving  November  5th.  No- 
vember 13.  it  moved  to  Atlanta  and  on  the  loth  moved  with  Gen. 
Sherman's  army  in  the  "  march  to  the  sea,"  participating  in  the  capture 
of  Savannah,  Georg-ia,  December  21st.  Left  Savannah  Januarv  4, 
1865,  and  moved  by  water  to  Beaufort,  South  (\\rolina.  Left  Beaufort 
Januarv  13th  and  participated  in  the  capture  of  Pocotaligo  on  the  15th; 
remained  at  Pocotaligo  until  the  30th ;  marched  with  Sherman's  army 
to  Goldsboro,  North  Carolina,  where  the  regiment  arrived  March  25, 
1865.  The  regiment  was  engaged,  during  the  march,  in  the  capture 
of  Orangeburg,  Columbia  and  Cheraw,  South  Carolina,  and  Fayette- 
ville,  North  Carolina,  besides  destroying  railroad  track,  etc. 

April  1(1,  the  regiment  moved  to  Raleigh,  arriving  there  on  the  14th, 
and  remained  in  camp  until  the  surrender  of  the  rebel  army  under 
Gen.  Johnson.  April  29,  it  inarched  northward,  via  Richmond,  to 
Alexandria,  Virginia,  arriving  May  19th.  The  regiment  took  part  in 
the  grand  review  May  24,  1865,  at  Washington,  D.  C,  and  cam])ed 
near  Washington  the  same  day.  It  left  Washington  June  7th,  via 
Baltimore  *k:  Ohio  railroad,  arriving  at  Parkersburg,  Virginia,  the  iHli, 
and  proceeded  by  steamboat  to  Louisville,  Kentucky,  remaining  in 
camp  at  Louisville. 

It  was  mustered  out  of  Ignited  States  service  July  17,  1865,  by  First 
Lieutenant  Aug.  P.  Noyes,  A.  C.  M.  third  division,  Seventeenth  Army 
(^orps,  and  airived  at  Camp  Butler,  Illinois,  July  20tli,  where  the  men 
received  final  payment  and  discharge  July  27,  1865. 

Of  company  A  thirty-one  men  died  from  wounds  and  disease,  or  in 
battle,  and  of  company  G  nineteen  reaped  a  like  reward  for  their 
bravery. 


"94  HISTOKY    OF   IVrERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 


COMPART  D,  EIGHTY-THIRD  REGIMENT. 

Company  D  was  raised  largely  in  the  eastern  part  of  Mercer  and  the 
western  part  of  Henry  county.  It  was  organized  August  21,  1862,  by 
the  election  of  Joshua  M.  Snyder,  of  Yiola,  Mercer  county,  as  captain ; 
Hugh  M.  Robb,  of  the  same  coimty,  as  lirst  lieutenant ;  and  Francis 
M.  Sykes,  of  Oxford,  Henry  county,  as  second  lieutenant. 

There  were  but  few  changes  in  the  officials  of  this  company,  and 
consequently  but  few  promotions.  Snyder  and  Robb  went  in  for  the 
whole  war  and  wei"e  mustered  out  with  the  boys  three  years,  lacking  a 
couple  of  months,  after  their  enlistment.  Sykes  resigned,  after  having 
been  second  liteunantj  list  two  years,  and  Hugh  B.  Frazier  succeeded  him, 
and  was  mustered  out  at  the  close  of  the  war.  The  83d  was  raised 
largely  in  Warren  county,  and  was  organized  at  Monmouth,  August 
:21,  1862,  by  A.  C.  Harding,  who  was  promoted  a  year  later  to  the 
■office  of  brigadier-general,  upon  which  Arthur  A.  Smith  succeeded 
him.  The  regiment  did  heavy  guard  duty  the  most  of  first  year  and 
:a  half  The  C(nintry  along  the  Tennessee  and  Cumberland  rivers  was 
infested  with  guerillas,  and  this  regiment  had  almost  daily  skirmishes 
with  them,  some  of  them  being  quite  severe.  On  February  3,  1863, 
the  regiment  was  brought  in  contact  with  8,000  men  of  Forest's  com- 
mand, and  successfully  resisted  them,  compelling  them  to  retire  with  a 
loss  of  800  killed  and  wounded ;  and  with  a  loss  of  thirteen  killed  and 
j5fty-one  wounded  in  the  83d  regiment.  It  was  in  consequence  of  this 
brilliant  achievement  that  Col.  Harding  was  promoted  to  brigadier- 
general  and  Smith  to  colonel.  During  the  year  1854,  the  regiment 
had  about  200  miles  of  communications  to  guard.  The  i-egiment  was 
mustered  out  at  Nashville,  and  from  thence  proceeded  to  Chicago  for 
final  pay  and  discharge. 


COMPANY  G,  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  TWENY-FOURTH 

REGIMENT. 

The  124tli  i-egiment  with  few  exceptions  was  raised  from  men  resi- 
dents in  the  vicinity  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quicy  railroad 
between  the  west  end  of  Mercer  county  to  Chicago,  and  almost  every 
town  and  county  along  the  line  contributing  a  share.  New  Boston  and 
vicinity  furnised  nearly  one  whole  com])any,  the  one  above  named. 


COMPANY    B,    OXK    IIINDRED    AJSTD    TWICNTV-SIXTH    REGIMENT.  795 

The  conipaiij  was  organized  September  10,  1862.  Lyman  II.  Scudder 
was  elected  cai)tain,  Ezra  C.  Benedict  first  lieutenant,  and  Benton 
Pratt,  second  lieutenant.  The  first  two  named  afterward  resigned,  and 
Pratt  succeeded  each  in  course  and  was  mustered  out  captain.  John 
W.  Mosby  and  William- B.  Day  each  succeeded  to  higher  offices  in 
consequence,  and  the  former  was  mustered  out  as  tii-st,  and  the  latter  as 
second,  lieutenant.  The  organization  of  the  regiment  took  place  at 
Camp  Butler  the  same  month,  and  one  mouth  later  was  in  the  enemy's 
country  at  Jackson,  Tennessee,  and  on  the  2sth  of  November  was  assist- 
ing in  driving  the  rebels  across  the  Tallahatchie  river.  During  the 
year  1863  the  regiment  fought  in  the  battles  of  liaymond,  Jackson, 
Champion  Hills,  and  was  in  the  whole  of  the  siege  of  Yicksburg, 
including  the  charge  on  the  fortifications,  and  the  assault  on  Fort  Hill. 
The  121:th  received  from  Maj.-Gen.  McPherson  the  prize  banner 
offered  b}'  Brig. -Gen.  Leggett  for  excellency  in  discipline  and  drill  and 
soldierly  appearance.  Upon  the  banner  was  inscribed  "Excelsior 
Regiment,  Third  Division,  Seventeenth  Army  Corps."  After  this 
the  regiment  was  engaged  in  the  raid  to  Meriden,  the  campaign  under 
General  Slocum  to  Jackson.  The  balance  of  the  term  of  service  was 
spent  mostly  in  the  extreme  south  around  New  Orleans  and  Mobile. 


COMPANY   B,    ONE    HUNDRED   AND   TA\^NTY-SIXTri 

REGIMENT. 

This  company  was  raised  near  the  line  between  Rock  Island  and 
Mercer  counties,  Duncan  and  Perryton  townships  furnishing  quite  a 
number  of  the  men.  The  company  was  organized  September  4,  1S62, 
and  the  regiment  the  same  day  at  Alton,  Illinois,  whither  the  members 
of  the  company  and  the  companies  and  parts  of  companies  had  gone. 

About  two  months  later  we  find  the  regiment  at  Bolivar,  Tennes- 
see, and  November  28,  at  La  Grange.  December  19  the  regiment 
went  to  Jackson,  Tennessee,  to  re-enforce  that  place.  September  10, 
1863,  the  regiment  participated  in  the  capture  of  Little  Rock,  Arkan- 
sas. The  regiment  was  also  engaged  in  the  siege  of  Yicksburg  and 
Clarendon,  Arkansas.     It  was  mustered  out  Juno  26,  1864. 


Y96  HISTORY    OF    MERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 


COMPANY  F,  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FOETIETII  REGIMENT. 

One  company  of  this  regiment  was  raised  in  Mercer  county.  This 
was  a  three  months',  or  100  days',  regiment  The  comi^any  and  the 
regiment  were  organized  June  18,  1864.  Russell  S.  Osborn,  of  Aledo, 
was  captain  of  company  F,  George  Boone,  of  Aledo,  was  first  lieuten- 
ant, and  Yan  R.  Harriott  was  second  lieutenant.  There  were  no 
resignations  or  deaths  in  the  ranks  of  these  officers,  and  consequently 
no  promotions,  and  all  were  mustered  out  October  29,  1864,  130  days 
after  date  of  enlistment. 


NORTH  HENDERSON  TOAYNSHIP. 

This  township,  which  is  T.  13  N.,  R.  1  W.  of  the  4th  P.  M.,  is 
one  of  the  best  agricultural  townships  in  the  county.  Pope  creek 
skirting  along  its  northern  boundary,  sometimes  in  this  and  sometimes 
in  Rivoli  township,  made  a  strip  of  rough,  broken  land,  averaging 
about  one-half  mile  in  width  the  entire  length  of  the  township.  A 
portion  of  this  was  originally  covered  by  excellent  timber.  The  north 
half  of  section  1  was  especially  noted  for  the  very  heavy  body  of  tim- 
ber on  it,  and  great  effort  was  made  by  some  of  the  first  settlers  to  find 
the  owner  or  owners  of  it,  so  much  did  they  covet  its  possession.  It 
was  held  under  what  was  known  as  a  patent  title,  and  no  clue  to  the 
ownership  being  obtainable  it  became  what  was  known  in  those  days 
as  a  "hooking  quarter,"''  and  many  a  mile  of  worm  fence  was  made 
with  the  rails  cut  and  split  u]>on  this  land. 

The  north  fork  of  the  Henderson  river,  from  which  the  township 
takes  its  name,  has  its  source  in  Rio  township,  Knox  county,  cross- 
ing the  line  into  this  township  near  the  northeast  corner  of  section  13, 
and  running  nearly  due  west  across  it,  leaves  it  near  the  half  section 
line  of  section  18.  There  are  but  two  small  groves  of  native  timber  on 
this  stream,  within  the  bounds  of  this  township;  Hickory  grove  in 
sections  15  and  16,  and  Scott's  grove  in  section  18.  There  is  but  a 
small  percentage  of  broken  land  bordering  this  stream  in  this  township. 

The  St.  Louis  branch  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  railroad, 
which  was  built  as  the  Rockford,  Rock  Island  &  St.  Louis  railroad,  in 
1871,  passes  through  this  township;  entering  on  the  S.  E.  ^  of  Sec.  24, 
it  runs  in  a  southwesterly  direction,  leaving  near  the  southwest  corner 
of  section  31.  The  village  of  North  Henderson,  which  is  the  only 
village  ill  the  township,  is  located  on  this  railroad  and  was  laid  out 


NORTH    HENDERSON    TOWNSHIP.  797 

in  1871,  on  the  W.  i  of  the  N.  W.  of  Sec.  26,  by  Wm.  11.  and  John 
T.  Brown,  sons  of  Allen  S.  Brown,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  tliis  town- 
ship. This  is  now  quite  a  nourishing  village,  having  two  stores  doing 
a  general  mercantile  business,  two  drug  stores,  two  hardware  stores, 
two  agricultural  iin})lenient  dealers,  two  grain  merchants,  one  lumber 
yard,  one  restaurant,  one  harness  shop,  one  shoe  shop,  one  furniture 
store,  one  millinery  store,  one  blacksmith  and  repair  shop,  one  livery 
stable,  one  hotel,  one  barber  shop,  and  four  doctors.  There  is  a  good 
two-storv  school-house  in  the  village  and  one  church,  the  Methodist 
Episcopal.  The  I.O.O.F.  also  have  a  fine  two-story  building  here, 
28x48  feet,  twenty  feet  posts,  built  two  years  ago  at  a  cost  of  $1,600. 
The  lower  stor}'  is  fitted  up  for  a  public  hall  and  the  second  floor  for 
the  exclusive  use  of  the  order,  which  is  very  strong  here. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  class  of  North  Henderson  is  the  oldest 
church  organization  in  the  township,  having  been  organized  at  the 
house  of  David  Bruner,  in  the  spring  of  1840,  by  Asa  McMurtry,  who 
was  at  that  time  on  the  Mercer  circuit,  which  included  all  of  this 
county  with  part  of  Rock  Island,  Knox  and  AVarren  counties,  requir- 
ing a  month  for  the  minister  to  make  the  round  of  his  charge.  The 
original  members  of  this  class  were :  David  Bruner  and  wife,  Margaret 
Bruner  (now  the  wife  of  W.  R.  Mathers),  John  Vestal  and  wife,  Susan- 
nah Wood  (who  was  a  daughter  of  David  Bruner),  and  Andrew  J. 
Holmes  and  wife. 

In  this  township  live  several  members,  including  the  present  pastor. 
Elder  John  M.  Brown,  of  the  oldest  church  organization  in  this  part 
of  the  state,  though  organized  and  having  its  church  building  in  Knox 
county.  It  is  the  Henderson  Predestinarian  Baptist  church,  and  was 
constituted  August  14,  1830,  at  the  house  of  D.  Roundtree,  by  Elders 
Stephen  Stricklin  and  John  Logan,  the  original  members  being 
Jacob  and  Rhoda  (jum ;  James  and  Martha  Goft";  Reuben  and  Ruth 
Nance;  John  D.,  Dariah  and  Mary  Roundtree;  Martha,  Daniel  and 
Obadiah  Fuqua;  Nicholas  and  Deborah  Vailes.  This  church  has 
had  a  continuous  and  uninterrupted  existence  from  the  time  of  its 
constitution  until  the  present,  and  its  records  show  the  proceedings  of 
every  monthly  meeting,  which  now  lack  but  one  of  completing  the  full 
period  of  fifty-two  years.  This  church  belongs  to  the  Spoon  river 
association  of  the  Predestinarian  Baptist  church,  formed  in  1830,  in 
which  connection  it  has  been  evei"  since  its  constitution.  Elder  Joseph 
Jones,  who  was  well  known  to  the  pioneers  of  this  county,  joined  this 
church  in  November,  1847,  and  died  January  29,  1848.  He  had 
previously  been  connected  with  a  branch  of  this  church,  in  this  county, 
called  the  Regular  Baptist  Church  of  Jesus  Christ,  of  Edwards  river. 


798  HISTORY    OF    MERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

The  first  record  of  this  churcli  is  the  minutes  of  a  meeting  of  the  mem- 
bers, held  at  the  liouse  of  George  Miller,  on  Edwards  river,  July  21, 
1838,  of  which  meeting  Jeremiah  Swaiford  was  chosen  mederator,  and 
Abraham  Miller,  Jr.,  clerk.  This  meeting  was  held  within  the 
present  limits  of  Perryton  township.  Meetings  were  held  in  the  private 
houses  of  members  until  at  a  meeting  held  in  the  house  of  Gabriel  M. 
Barkle}',  in  Farlow's  grove  (now  in  Preemption  township),  December 
22,  1838,  the  next  regular  meeting  was  appointed  at  the  school-house 
in  Sugar  Grove  (now  Perryton  township).  March  23,  1839,  they 
voted  to  appeal  to  Henderson  church  for  letters  of  dismission  and  help 
to  constitute  them  into  a  separate  church.  Their  prayer  was  granted, 
and  the  Edwards  river  church  was  constituted  June  29,  1839,  by 
Elders  Joseph  Jones,  Charles  Yandever,  and  Hiram  Bowman.  The 
members  at  the  constitution  were :  Joseph  and  Rebecca  Jones ;  George, 
Mary  Ann,  and  Julia  Ann  Miller;  Abraham  Miller.  Jr.;  John  and 
Sarah  Farlow;  lioswell  and  Mehitable  Stanard ;  Youngs  Green ; 
Michael  Donahoo ;  Gabriel  M.  and  Hannah  R.  Barkley;  Mary  Miller; 
and  Susannah  Shelley.  Gabriel  M.  Barkley  was  chosen  first  deacon 
of  the  church,  and  Abraham  Miller,  Jr.,  first  clerk;  Gabriel  M. 
Barkley,  treasurer ;  Elder  Joseph  Jones,  moderator  and  pastor. 

The  first  delegation  from  this  cliui'ch  was  Joseph  Jones,  Gabriel  M. 
Barkley,  George  Miller,  John  Farlow,  and  Abraham  Miller,  Jr.,  to  sit 
in  council  with  and  constitute  a  church  at  William  Denison's;  It  was 
voted  at  this  time  to  hold  meetings  one-half  the  time  at  Sugar  Grove 
and  one-half  the  time  at  Farlow's  Grove.  The  last  regular  meeting  of 
this  church  was  held  October  9,  184T,  when,  "after  consultation  and 
due  deliberation  being  had  the  church  and  council  thought  it  expedient 
to  letter  each  other  out  and  so  become  dissolved,  inasmuch  as  the 
members  are  moving  away  out  of  the  bounds  of  this  churcli." 

There  are  but  two  church  buildings  in  this  township.  Besides  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  mentioned  above  is  the  Maple  Grove 
United  Brethren  church,  located  on  the  K.  E.  ^  of  Sec.  36,  in  a  beau- 
tiful grove  of  soft  maple  trees.  This  society  was  organized  in  1869, 
and  built  its  church  the  same  year,  a  very  neat  structure  30x40xlt> 
feet.  Its  present  pastor  is  Rev.  Mr.  Dilley,  resident  at  Alexis,  where 
is  another  church  of  this  denomination. 

A  class  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  was  formed  at  the  Mann 
school-house  at  an  early  day,  probably  soon  after  the  class  was  formed 
at  David  Bruner's,  but  its  early  record  is  not  now  o])tainable.  This 
class  was  ministered  to  by  David  Bruner  and  other  local  preachers  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  transient  ministers,  with  an  occasional 
visit  from  the  minister  in  charge  of  the  Mercer  circuit. 


NORTH    HENDERSPN    TOWNSHIP.  799 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  Xorth  Henderson  was  the  first 
church  built  in  the  township.  It  was  built  at  what  is  known  as  Mount 
Vernon,  south  of  the  village,  and  was  moved  into  the  village  after 
that  had  become  a  fact. 

The  Odd  FelhnrK  liave  a  very  strong  lodge,  with  a  tine  hall  in  the 
village.  Korth  Henderson  Lodge,  No.  (128,  I.O.O.J".,  was  chartered 
October  11,  1876,  by  J.  H.  Oberly,  grand  master  for  the  state.  Its 
charter  members  were  Israel  T.  Jones,  Lewis  Schwartz,  C.  W.  Cum- 
mins, Laland  Salts,  Michael  Karl,  L.  E.  Dredge,  and  James  Smith. 
The  first  officers  of  this  lodge  were  J.  M.  Hall,  N.G. ;  Lewis  Schwartz, 
y.G. ;  I.  T.  Jones,  Sec;  C.  W,  Cummins,  Treas. 

North  Henderson  Encampment,  No.  99,  I.O.O.F.,  was  chartered 
December  28,  1880.  Its  charter  members  were  H.  C.  Dodge,  A.  F. 
Howard,  Fred  Rich,  John  Flory,  Jesse  Jackson,  J.  H.  Humes, 
Michael  Karl,  Dr.  C.  G.  Stewart,  John  T.  Morford,  I.  N.  Frederick, 
Lewis  Schwartz,  C.  W.  Cummins,  L.  E.  Dredge,  and  C.  A.  Pinne, 
chartered  by  John  P.  Foss,  Grand  Patriarch.  The  first  officers  of  this 
Encampment  were  C.  G.*  Stewart,  C.  P. ;  John  T,  Morford,  H.P. ; 
Henry  Simms,  S.W. :  I.  N.  Fredericks,  J.W. ;  J.  H.  Humes,  scribe; 
A.  F.  Howard,  Treas.  The  Past  Grands  of  the  lodge  are  J.  M.  Hall, 
I.  P.  Jones,  A.  H.  Jones,  Michael  Karl,  L.  Schwartz,  John  T.  Mor- 
ford, and  Fred  Rich,  In  1880  the  lodge  built  a  two  story  hall 
28X48X20  feet,  at  a  cost  of  $1,600  ;  the  ground  floor  being  fitted  for 
a  public  hall  and  the  second  floor  exclusively  for  the  use  of  the 
order. 

The  township  has  built  a  neat  and  commodious  town  hall  in  the 
village  for  the  public  uses  of  the  town.  The  first  postoffice  established 
in  this  township  was  called  Ethel,  and  was  located  on  section  21,  John 
Goff,  postmaster.  After  the  village  of  North  Henderson  was  estab- 
lished, the  Etliel  postoffice  was  removed  to  the  village  and  the  name 
changed,  though  Mr.  Goff  continued  to  be  postmaster.  George  A. 
Blue,  druggist,  is  the  present  postmaster. 

February  18,  1838,  the  first  marriage  ceremony  was  solemnized  in 
this  township  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gardiner,  of  (Talesburg,  a  CTniversalist 
minister,  uniting  Benjamin  F.  Brown  and  Miss  Lucinda  Mann.  The 
first  birth  in  the  township  was  that  of  William  D.  Fleharty,  October  4, 
1834,  son  of  Govert  and  Margaret  Fleharty,  who  lived  on  section  1  at 
that  time.  The  first  death  to  occur  in  this  township  was  a  child  of 
John  Pollock,  which  was  the  second  interment  in  the  Mann  cemetery, 
the  wife  of  James  Bridger  having  been  tlie  first,  in  1836.  Thither  ^Ir. 
James  Mann,  who  gave  the  site  for  this  cemetery,  soon  followed,  dying 
March  10,  1837,  at  the  age  of  sixty-four.     In  1840  scarlet  fever  broke 


800  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   Mil)    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

out  as  an  epidemic  in  this  neighborhood  and  the  mortality  was  very 
great  for  such  a  sparsely  settled  country,  there  having  been  ten  inter- 
ments in  this  cemetery  in  one  month. 

The  first  settler  within  the  limits  of  this  township,  was  Mr.  Govert 
rieharty,  who  located  on  the  southeast  quarter  of  section  1,  in  the 
spring  of  1833.  In  the  fall  of  183-4  James  Mann  and  his  son.  Young 
C,  and  Timothy  Meekei',  arrived  from  Indiana,  wintering  in  Knox 
county,  just  east  of  Mr.  Fleharty's  ;  they  made  claims  in  this  township, 
upon  which  they  located  the  following  spring  of  1835,  Mr.  Mann's 
claim  being  on  section  6,  where  Young  C.  still  resides,  and  Mr.  Meek- 
er's on  section  5,  his  widow  now  residing  on  the  old  homestead  with 
one  of  lier  sons,  other  sons  and  daughters  living  in  the  vicinity.  The 
same  spring  of  1835  Benjamin  F.  and  Harison  Brown  made  claims  on 
sections  18  and  19.  The  Scott  family  came  into  tliis  township  in  1837, 
Notley  Scott  buying  the  claim  of  Harison  Brown  on  sections  18  and 
19,  alluded  to  above,  Benjamin  F.  having  previously  sold  his  claim  to 
Harrison.  The  latter  then  made  a  claim  on  section  1,  Suez  township, 
where  he  still  resides.  March,  1838,  Benjamin  F.  made  a  claim  on 
sections  6  and  7,  where  he  resides  yet.  In  the  spring  of  1839  Allen 
S.  and  Benjamin  Brown  made  claims  in  the  southeast  part  of  this 
township,  the  former  on  section  25,  and  the  latter  on  section  35.  They 
were  followed  that  fall  by  David  Bruner  and  Andrew  J.  Holmes,  who 
also  located  in  the  southeastei'n  part  of  the  township. 

The  first  schools  taught  in  this  township  were  by  John  Wilshier, 
the  first  term  in  the  house  of  William  McGreenwood,  and  the  second 
in  the  cabin  of  Young  C.  Mann,  both  on  section  6.  Afterward  Robert 
Shaw  taught  a  term  of  school  in  this  same  neighborhood,  for  which  he 
was  to  receive  $8  per  month,  and  take  his  pay  in  wheat.  The  early 
records  of  the  schools  of  this  township  after  organization  are  not  attain- 
able. As  early  as  1839  there  was  preaching  in  the  cabin  of  Benjamin 
F.  Brown,  on  section  7,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Fuller,  of  Galesburg,  a  Uni- 
versalist  minister.     Mr.  F.  is  still  living  in  Galesburg. 

The  township  was  called  Liberty  when  first  organized  in  1854,  but 
was  changed  to  its  present  name  on  or  before  the  annual  town  meet- 
ing in  1855.  The  first  ofticers  elected  in  this  township  in  1854  were 
Notley  Scott,  supervisor  ;  Joshua  Bruner,  town  clerk  ;  John  W.  Miles, 
assessor  ;  James  M.  Holmes,  collector  ;  R.  R.  Mathers,  Eli  Tangham 
and  Nathan  Bailey,  commissioners  of  highways  ;  Timothy  Meeker, 
overseer  of  poor  ;  Andrew  J.  Holmes  and  William  F.  Garret,  justices 
of  the  peace  ;  and  James  M.  Holmes,  constable.  Total  number  of 
votes  cast  at  that  time,  twenty-four. 


NORTH    HENDERSON    TOWNSHIP.  801 

The  principal  offices  of  this  town  have  been  filled  since  its  organi- 
zation by  the  following  persons,  and  for  the  number  of  terms  men- 
tioned : 

Supervisor — Notlej  Scott,  two  years;  Lewis  L.  Heflin ;  Joshua 
Bruner,  four  years ;  Allen  S.  Brown,  two  years ;  Thomas  J.  Jones, 
three  years ;  H.  M.  Buchanan ;  G.  W.  Higgins,  two  years ;  L.  F. 
Oentry ;  AYilliam  H.  Brown,  four  years ;  P.  W.  Johnston,  two  years ; 
Richard  Garrett,  three  years ;  M.  D.  Scott ;  A.  W.  Xelson,  four  years. 

Town  Clerk — Joshua  Bruner;  Michael  Stumbaugh  ;  li,  R.  Simms; 
J.  C.  Morford,  two  years ;  James  Bruner ;  E.  L.  Carroll ;  W.  M.  Fle- 
harty ;  J.  T.  Morford,  three  years;  I.  R.  Evans;  James  M.  Goff,  four 
years;  AVilliam  Church,  two  years;  O.  M.  Bartlett ;  D.  N.  Holmes; 
John  L.  Gotf,  four  years;  L.  C.  Ileare ;  ().  W .  Caldwell;  George  W. 
Miller;  Joseph  H.  Humes,  four  years. 

Assessor — John  W.  Miles;  Thomas  Tate;  G.  W.  Taylor;  A.  J. 
Walker ;  James  M.  Holmes ;  James  M.  Gotf,  three  years ;  John 
Douglass ;  H.  M.  J^uchanan  ;  Joshua  Bruner ;  I.  R.  Evans ;  William 
H.  Brown ;  Richard  Garrett,  nine  years ;  AVilliam  A.  Nelson,  two 
years ;  S.  M.  Brown ;  Thomas  Camblin. 

Collector — James  M.  Holmes;  JSTathaniel  Bailey,  four  years  ;  John 
T.  Marford ;  C.  M.  Barnett ;  Michael  Stumbaugh,  two  years ;  John  (1 
French ;  L.  F.  Gentry ;  G.  A.  Crosby ;  D.  X.  Holmes ;  Levi  G.  l>air ; 
A.  II.  Jones;  J.  N.  Blackburn;  A.  W.  Nelson,  two  years;  L.  T. 
Johnston;  Frank  Herbert;  George  A.  Blue;  Lewis  Scott;  M.  V. 
Drew ;  Robert  Blaney. 

Justices  of  the  Peace — Andrew  J.  Holmes;  William  F.  Garrett; 
Thomas  Camblin,  three  terms;  James  Marford,  two  terms;  W.  R. 
Mathers,  three  terms ;  Richard  Garrett ;  J.  B.  Hoag ;  G,  W.  Green- 
wood ;  Jacob  Shauholtzer ;  Lewis  L.  Hetiin.  two  terms ;  J.  JST.  Black- 
burn; J,  C.  Jackson,  two  terms ;  John  T.  Marford. 

In  1880  this  township  built  a  town-hall  24  X  42  X 14  feet,  at  a  cost 
of  $785. 

On  the  farm  of  G.  W,  Higgins  in  section  14  is  the  only  artesian 
well  in  this  county.  Mr.  Higgins  began  this  well  in  1874,  but  it  was 
not  completed  until  1.S7H.  The  tirst  company  failed  with  its  drill  fast 
in  a  strata  of  magnetic  rock,  so  the  second  company  em])loyed  had  to 
begin  at  the  surface.  The  well  attained  a  dei)th  of  1,209  feet.  The 
last  surface  water  was  ])assed  at  a  de})th  of  127  feet.  At  915  feet 
water  was  struck  that  rises  to  within  eighty  feet  of  the  surface,  and  im 
inexhaustible  supply.  A  ten-horse-power  engine,  running  to  its  full 
capacity  four  hours,  throwing  a  four-inch  stream,  failed  to  perceptibly 
lower  the  water  line  in  the  well.     The  water  is  soft  and  contains  a 


802  HISTOKY    OF    >LERCER   AXD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

small  percentage  of  iron  ;  temperature,  sixtv-two  degrees  F.  In  boring 
this  well  the  first  coal  was  struck  at  seventy-five  feet,  without  roof; 
coal  was  struck  again  detween  440  and  485  feet.  Magnetic  rock  was 
found  at  405  feet. 

The  following  list  gives  the  different  strata  passed  through,  with 
the  thickness  of  each,  beginning  at  the  surface : 

Feet.  Feet. 

Yellow  Clay 80  30 

Dark  Clay  and  Gravel 4.1  75 

Coal  and  Shale 40  115 

Limestone  and  Water 12  127 

Sha'e 10  137 

Black  Slate IS  155 

Dark  Shale 1 2:5  278 

Limestone 5  281 

Shale 15  296 

Limestone 4  300 

Shale,  with  Sulphate  of  Iron 27  327 

Bastard  Limestone 18  345 

Limestone 95  440 

Limestone  and  Coal 45  48o 

Limeotone 25  510 

Blue  Shale 05  575 

Limestone 17  592 

Alternate  Strata  of  Shale  and  Limestone,  two  to  three  feet 78  670 

Blue  Shale 30  700 

Limestone 412  1,112 

Sandstone 88  1 ,200 

Black  Shale 9  1,209 

Besides  the  Mann  cemetery  mentioned  above,  there  was  a  cemetery 
laid  out  in  1860  in  the  IN^.  E.  ^  of  Sec.  35,  called  Mount  Vernon  ceme- 
tery, which  has  been  quite  extensively  patronized  since  that  time  by 
the  people  of  the  southeast  corner  of  the  county. 

In  introducing  the  history  of  some  of  the  pioneers  of  this  town- 
ship it  is  fitting  that  Grovert  S.  Fleharty  should  be  the  first  one  men- 
tioned, as  he  was  its  first  white  inhabitant.  This  cannot  be  better 
done  than  by  quoting  from  the  pen  of  one  who  knew  the  family  well, 
and  wrote  of  its  history  as  follows : 

THE  FLEHARTY  FAMILY. 

Among  others  who  came  to  Mercer  county  in  those  far  off  and 
romantic  days,  ere  the  Indian  war-whoop  had  died  away  from  the 
prairies  of  northern  Illinois,  were,  the  four  brothers,  Stephen  W.,  Gov- 
ertS.,  Bennett  E.,  and  Henry  Fleharty,  and  their  respective  families. 
They  were  accompanied  by  their  aged  father  and  mother,  William  and 


NORTH    HENDERSON    TOWNSHIP.  803 

Margaret  (Withgot)  Fleharty,  who  were  natives  of  Maryland,  and  dur- 
ing the  early  years  of  their  married  life  had  a  delighti'ul  home  on  the 
far-femed  Eastern  Shore,  near  Coptauk  river.  Grandfather  Fleharty, 
as  he  was  called  in  later  years,  was,  in  his  yf>unger  days,  a  slaveholder, 
and  although  not  imbued  with  anti-slavery  sentiments  to  any  great 
extent,  he  removed  with  his  familv  to  Ohio  in  1810,  mainly  for  the 
purpose  of  escaping  from  the  demoralizing  influences  of  slavery.  The 
four  brothers  above-named  were  typical  western  pioneers ;  athletic, 
courageous,  and  possessed  of  great  physical  endurance.  They  located 
in  Mercer  county,  atdiiferent  periods  between  the  years  1833  and  1835. 
This  portion  of  the  state  was  then  a  j^rimitive  paradise.  Many  hard- 
ships were  to  be  endured  by  the  early  settlers,  but  there  was  grand 
inspiration  in  their  surroundings.  Xot  far  away  was  the  great  father 
of  waters,  with  shores  bordered  with  dark,  dense  forests.  Here  and 
there  were  lovely  groves,  which  in  the  summer  season  appeared  like 
islands  in  an  emerald  sea.  Nimble  footed  deer  frequented  the  woods 
and  streams  or  bounded  over  the  prairies  in  herds,  scarcely  realizing 
the  presence  of  the  few  and  scattered  pioneers.  The  prairies  were 
nature's  own  llower  gardens.  There  the  wild  bees  gathered  their  win- 
ter stores  and  thence  they  were  followed  bj'  the  wary  bee  hunters  to 
the  knarled  oaks  which  contained  their  hoarded  wealth.  Looking 
across  the  years  that  have  intervened  since  those  days,  and  realizing  the 
value  of  the  work  that  was  accomplished  by  all  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of 
Illinois,  it  seems  fitting  that  for  those  who  have  gone  to  their  long  home, 
pioneers  now  in  the  land  beyond  the  river,  there  should  be  a  memorial 
decoration  day,  and  that  their  graves  should  be  annually  strewn  with 
fairest  flowers.  Illinois  had  a  grand  army  of  these  pioneer  settlers, 
grand  in  character  if  not  in  numbers.  In  this  army  the  brothers 
above-named  held  an  honorable  rank.  It  is  related  of  Henry,  the 
younger  of  the  four,  that  in  the  sports  of  muster  day,  as  the  militia 
meetings  for  drill  were  styled,  he  was  only  equaled  in  feats  of  strength 
and  agility  by  one  person,  Mr.  Notley  Scott,  who  was  one  of  the  most 
athletic  men  in  that  part  of  the  state.  Henry  Fleharty  died  before  he 
had  reached  the  ]irime  of  manhood. 

Stephen  W.  Fleharty,  the  elder  of  the  four  brothers,  was  born  in 
the  state  of  Maryland  on  the  28th  day  of  December,  1799.  He  removed 
with  the  family  to  Ohio  in  1810,  and  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  in  1825. 
He  was  married  three  times  during  his  life  of  eighty-two  years.  A 
daughter,  Margaret,  by  his  first  wife,  married  Mr.  James  T.  Jones  and 
now  resides  at  Mount  Hecla,  Texas.  Her  mother  died  while  yet  very 
young.  Mr.  Fleharty's  second  wife,  Amelia  W.,  was  the  daughter  of 
Rev.  John  Kirkpatrick,  one    of  the  pioneer  Methodist    ministers  of 


804  HISTORY    OF    MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

Illinois.  The  union  prov^ed  to  be  a  liappj  one  and  tliey  raised  a  large 
family  of  children.  The  family  settled  in  Mercer  county  in  1834,  on  a 
handsome  tract  of  land,  composed  of  timber  and  prairie,  one  and  a 
half  miles  east  of  what  was  then  known  as  "  Bridger's  Corners,"  now 
Suez.  Mr.  Flehartj-  was  a  cabinet-maker  by  trade  and  was  a  thorough 
workman.  Articles  of  furniture  made  by  him  are  still  in  use  among 
some  of  the  older  families  of  Mercer  county.  When  not  employed  on 
the  farm  he  worked  industriously  at  his  trade,  and  in  this  way  finally 
secured  a  comfortable  home.  He  was  a  strong  man  intellectually,  a 
great  reader;  a  whig  in  politics,  then  a  republican,  and  always  a 
patriot.  The  partner  of  his  joys  and  sorrows  during  those  early  years, 
Mrs.  Amelia  W.  Fleharty,  was  a  true  christian  woman,  and  her  life, 
so  gentle  and  affectionate  in  the  midst  of  many  trials,  illustrated  the 
most  winning  graces  of  Christianity.  She  was  the  mother  of  ten  chil- 
dren, including  two  pairs  of  twins.  Only  four  of  the  ten  are  now  liv- 
ing. George  Washington  and  Marquis  Lafayette  (twins),  Amelia, 
Sarah  E.,  and  Fletcher  A.  all  died  young.  Mrs.  Fleharty  passed  away 
to  the  land  of  the  blessed  in  the  year  1865.  Mr.  Fleharty  married  a 
third  time,  and  a  son  was  born  to  him  when  he  was  nearly  seventy 
years  old.  He  died  on  April  10,  1882,  in  his  eighty-third  year.  The 
following  is  an  extract  from  a  notice  of  his  death  that  was  published  in 
the  Galesburg  "Republican  Register":  "A  good  man,  whose  life 
reaches  back  into  the  last  century  and  forward  so  late  in  the  present 
century  ;  a  man  whom  every  one  calls  honest  and  honorable  ;  having  a 
record  of  eighty-three  years  unstained  and  unchallenged,  is  one  of  the 
choicest  treasures  of  a  commonwealth.  Such  was  Stephen  W.  Fleharty, 
as  every  one  who  knew  and  respected  him  will  allow."  His  widow, 
Mrs.  Julia  B.  Fleharty,  and  her  son  Eddie  are  living  near  Galesburg. 

William  L.  Fleharty,  the  oldest  of  the  family  excepting  the  half- 
sister  above  mentioned,  possessed  all  of  the  sterling  qualities  of  his 
father  and  the  gentleness  of  his  mother.  He  married  young,  worked 
industriously  and  provided  for  himself  and  family  a  pleasant  home 
near  Galesburg.  His  wife's  maiden  name  was  Elizabeth  Tennll.  He 
died  in  the  prime  of  life,  aged  forty-six,  and  Mrs.  Fleharty  survived 
him  only  a  few  years.  They  left  a  family  of  six  children,  two  of  whom 
are  married. 

J.  Q.  A.  Fleharty  (twin  brother  of  H.  C),  is  a  traveling  minister 
in  the  North  Nebraska  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
and  has  been  very  successful  in  his  vocation. 

H.  C.  Fleharty  is  engaged  in  farming  near  Fullerton,  Nebraska. 
He  was  married  when  young  to  Miss  Margery  E.  Cullison,  of  Knox 
county,  Illinois.  They  have  an  interesting  family  of  bright,  promising 
children. 


NORTH    HENDERSON   TOWNSHIP.  805 

Rev.  J.  J.  Fleliartv,  the  next  in  order  of  birth,  entered  the  minis- 
terial profession  when  very  young,  and  was  for  many  years  a  member 
of  the  Central  Illinois  (Conference.  He  has  been  eminently  successful 
as  a  minister.  Was  married,  when  young,  to  Miss  Anna  B.  Brace,  of 
Stark  county,  Illinois.  They  have  had  oidy  one  child,  Clara,  now  a 
charming  young  lady.  Rev.  Fleharty  is  now  president  of  the  Nebraska 
Wesleyan  University,  located  at  Fullerton,  an  institution  that  is  young 
in  years  but  full  of  promise.  He  also  continues  in  the  work  of  the 
ministry. 

S.  F.  Fleharty,  the  youngest  of  the  four  brothers  who  are  living, 
was  born  September  f!,  1836,  and  was  either  the  first  or  second  child 
born  within  the  limits  of  Suez  township.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
102d  111.  A^ol.  Inf.  during  the  late  war,  and  was  sergeant-major  of  the 
regiment.  Was  a  member  of  the  Illinois  legislature  in  1870-72, 
representing  Mercer  county.  Removed  to  Nebraska  in  1875,  where 
he  engaged  successfully  in  the  newspaper  business,  and  is  now  private 
secretary  of  the  governor  of  Nebraska. 

GovERT  S.  Fleharty. — Returning  to  the  ''old  stock,''  it  is  a  pleas- 
ure to  sketch  the  career  of  another  of  jyiercer  county's  honored  pioneers. 
Govert  S.  Fleharty  was  born  on  the  eastern  sh<jre  of  Maryland,  Feb- 
ruary 22,  1804,  a  patriotic  beginning  of  a  life  that  was  marked  by  the 
strongest  impulses  of  patriotism,  and  of  devotion  to  the  inalienable 
rights  of  man.  He  removed  with  the  family  to  Ross  county,  Ohio,  in 
1810,  and  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  in  1825,  where  he  was  married 
in  1828  to  Margaret  L.  Harmon.  They  remained  in  that  county  some 
five  years,  during  which  time  Martha  C,  Stephen  W.,  and  Mary  A. 
Fleharty  wei*e  born.  In  1833  the  family  removed  to  Mercer  county, 
selecting  a  home  on  the  S.  E.  J  of  Sec.  1,  North  Henderson  township, 
and  there  William  D.  and  Margaret  were  })orn,  the  latter  being  the 
youngest  and  last  of  the  family.  In  1838  the  family  removed  to 
Henry  county,  where  they  lived  for  man}^  years,  in  a  ])leasant  home 
near  the  village  of  Oxford.  Govert  S.  Fleharty  was  physically  and 
mentally  a  strong  man,  earnest  in  his  convictions,  and  adhering  to 
them  with  unswerving  fidelity  in  the  face  of  the  most  bitter  persecu- 
tions. He  was  an  old-time  abolitionist,  and,  to  his  honor  be  it  said, 
that  he  aided  more  than  one  fuijitive  slave  that  was  fleeing  from  the 
bloodhounds  and  the  lash  of  the  southern  slaveholder.  He  died  Octo- 
ber 20,  1876,  and  it  is  written  of  him  that  he  was  born  on  Washing- 
ton's birthday,  and  died  during  tlie  centennial  year  of  American  inde- 
pendence. His  wife,  Margaret  L.  Fleharty,  was  a  faithful,  devoted, 
and  aftectiouate  christian  woman,  whose  good  example  and  kindly 
nature  has  left  an  enduring  impression  upon  the  surviving  members  of 


806  HISTORY    OF   MERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES, 

tlie  family.  She  died  December  10,  1880.  The  chihh-en  are  all  living. 
Martha  C.  married  Mr.  W.  T.  Bridger.  Tliev  have  a  family  of  four 
children,  and  a  pleasant  home,  one  mile  north  of  Oxford  and  just 
across  the  line  from  Mercer  county. 

S.  W.  Fleharty,  the  elder  of  the  two  sons,  was  born  October  Si, 
1830,  and  was  married  in  1856  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Watson,  of  Mercer 
county.  They  reside  on  their  beautitiil  farm,  a  short  distance  east  of 
New  Windsor,  and  by  their  industry  liave  made  a  happy  home  for 
themselves  and  their  children.  Wesley,  as  he  is  commonly  called,  is 
a  man  of  the  strictest  integrity,  an  original  and  independent  thinker, 
bold  and  direct  in  expressing  his  views  on  all  subjects,  uncompro- 
mising, yet  kind  at  heart,  and  worthy  of  the  respect  which  he  univer- 
sally receives. 

The  second  son,  William  D.  Fleharty,  was  born  October  ■!,  1834, 
and  was  the  first  white  child  that  was  born  in  North  Henderson  town- 
ship. He  was  married  in  1860  to  Miss  Mary  C.  Petrie,  daughter  of 
W^illiam  F.  Petrie,  and  sister  of  Hon.  A.  P.  Petrie.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  F. 
haye  only  one  child,  Annie,  now  twelve  years  old,  and  very  natarally, 
as  well  as  deservedly,  their  only  darling  is  the  sunlight  of  their  happy 
home.  Mr.  Fleharty  has  been  engaged  in  business  as  a  grain  buyer 
at  jSTew  Windsor  for  many  years,  and  has  been  remarkably  successful. 
During  all  of  that  period  he  has  maintained  a  character  that  is  above 
reproach,  and  all  classess  have  implicit  confidence  in  his  business  in- 
tegrity. He  has  been  twice  elected  to  the  ofiice  of  supervisor  for  Rivoli 
township,  and  has  discharged  the  duties  of  the  ofiice  with  credit  to 
himself  and  to  his  constituents.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fleharty  have  an 
elegant  home  in  New  Windsor. 

Mary  A.  Fleharty,  the  second  daughter,  married  Mr.  Peter  Stevens 
a  substantial  and  well-to-do  farmer,  who  resides  in  Ohio  Grove  town- 
ship. They  have  seven  children.  The  youngest  daughter,  Margaret, 
married  Mr.  David  McLaughlin,  and  their  home  near  Oxford  is  the 
old  home  of  Govert  S.  and  Margaret  Fleharty,  the  father  and  mother 
of  five  children,  who  have  all  been  successful  in  life  and  an  honor  to 
their  parents. 

Another  brother,  William  Fleharty,  next  in  age  to  Stephen,  was 
a  minister,  and  at  the  time  the  family  settled  here  he  went  into  the 
lead  region  of  southwestern  Wisconsin,  where  he  married  and  settled 
and  died.  He  has  one  son  residing  in  Wisconsin  and  one  in  Kansas. 
A  sister  Ann  married  Joseph  Holiday,  in  Sangamon  county,  before  the 
family  came  to  this  county,  afterward  removing  to  Knox  county,  and 
settling  near  Bennett.  When  William  Flehartv  settled  in  what  is  now 
Suez  township,  it  became  known  that  he  had  served  as  justice  of  the 


NORTH    HENDERSON    TOWNSHIP.  809 

peace  in  Ohio  for  some  j'ears,  so  he  was  elected  to  the  same  office  here. 
At  that  time  the  state  was  too  poor  to  furnish  more  than  tliree  or  four 
copies  of  the  statutes  for  tlie  use  of  the  letrislature,  and  Mcjrcer  county 
was  not  the  possessor  of  a  singk^  copy.  Mr.  F.  had  a  copv  of  the  Ohio 
statutes  so  he  administered  justice  according  to  the  statutes  of  Ohio, 
and  no  one  could  question  his  decisions  as  they  could  produce  no 
Illinois  law  in  his  court. 

Bennett  E.  Fleharty. — The  early  history  of  Mercer  county  would 
be  incomplete  without  a  sketch  of  Bennett  E.  Fleharty,  one  of  the  four 
brothers  named  at  the  beginning  of  this  article.  Old  settlers  remem- 
ber him  as  one  of  the  most  conscientious  men  that  ever  lived.  He  was 
a  mikl  mannered  man,  very  quiet,  and  ever  faithful  to  his  duties  as  a 
christian.  It  is  related  of  him  that  after  working  hard  during  the 
week,  he  often  walked  from  seven  to  ten  miles  for  the  ]nirp(^se  of 
attending  the  Methodist  class  meeting  of  those  days.  His  home  was 
on  the  south  side  of  Pope  creek,  near  the  eastern  line  of  the  county. 
His  wife's  maiden  name  was  Charlotte  Cook.  They  raised  a  family  of 
four  children :  William,  John,  Sarah,  and  Jane.  The  family  removed 
to  Kansas,  some  years  ago,  and  soon  afterward  Uncle  Bennett,  as  he 
was  familiarly  called,  passed  away  to  that  land  from  which  no  traveler 
returns.  The  news  of  his  death  was  heard  with  great  sorrow  by  old 
neighbors  and  relatives  here,  and  his  exemplary  life  will  not  soon  be 
forgotten.  The  surviving  members  of  the  family  are  living  in  the  state 
of  Kansas. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Among  the  earliest  settlers  of  this  townshi})  was  Benjamin  F. 
Brown,  who  was  born  in  Nelson  county,  Kentucky,  April  7,  1810,  the 
son  of  Samuel  and  Henrietta  (Hobbs)  Brown.  His  father  died  in  Ken- 
tucky, but  his  mother  came  to  Knox  county,  Illinois,  with  the  family, 
in  1831,  The  family  consisted  of  nine  children,  seven  of  whom  lived 
to  have  families.  Alfred,  now  deceased,  left  several  children  :  Har- 
mon lives  in  Knox  county  ;  Sallie  (wife  of  Peter  Frantz),  lives  in  Knox 
county  ;  Harrison  and  Benjamin  F.  live  in  this  county  ;  Joshua  H.  in 
Knox  county  ;  Samuel  W.  in  Washington  Territory,  has  had  a  position 
in  a  United  States  land  ottice  there  for  a  number  of  years ;  Margaret 
(deceased),  was  the  wife  of  Mr.  Freeman,  of  Knox  county  ;  and  John 
(deceased),  lived  in  this  county  at  the  time  of  his  death.  Benjamin  F. 
came  to  Knox  county,  Illinois,  in  the  spring  of  1831.  In  the  spring  of 
1832  he  joined  Capt.  William  McMurtry's  company  of  rangers,  which 
formed  part  of  Maj.  Bogard's  regiment,  enlisted  in  the  counties  of 
Schuyler,  McDonough,  Warren  and  Knox,  for  the  defense  of  the 
46 


810  HISTORY    OF   :\rERCi:R    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

fi'ontier  against  the  bands  of  Black  Hawk,  wlio  liad  taken  the  war-path 
again  that  spring.  In  one  of  the  scouts  made  that  season  by  a  detach- 
ment of  his  company  he  proceeded  to  the  pi'esent  site  of  the  city  of 
Kock  Island,  which  was  marked  at  that  time  by  the  presence  of  one  log 
cabin.  The  years  1838  and  1834  he  spent  in  the  lead  mines  about 
Galena.  The  spring  of  1835  he  began  to  improve  a  claim  with  his 
brother  Harison,  on  sections  18  and  19.  Selling  out  his  claim  to  his 
brother  Harison  in  1836,  he  returned  to  Knox  county.  February 
18,  1838,  he  married  Miss  Lucinda  Mann,  daughter  of  James  Mann, 
whose  early  settlement  is  spoken  of  elsewhere.  She  was  a  native  of 
Ohio,  born  near  Cincinnatti.  That  spring  he  began  to  improve  a  claim 
on  sections  6  and  7,  which  now  forms  part  of  liis  farm,  which  consists 
at  present  of  321-  acres  on  the  southwest  section  6,  northwest  section  7, 
and  E.  |-  N.  E.  Sec.  12,  in  Suez  township.  lie  has  a  Une  residence  on 
the  southwest  section  6,  built  in  1861,  where  the  latch-string  is  always 
out,  in  true  pioneer  style,  and  no  more  hospitable  welcome  is  to  be 
found  than  beneath  his  roof  Mr.  B.  was  fond  of  the  chase  and  in  the 
days  when  game  was  plenty  his  trusty  rifle  brought  many  a  deer  to  tiie 
dust.  He  was  also  fond  of  luring  the  finn}^  denizens  of  the  rivers  from 
their  native  element,  and  acquired  so  great  a  reputation  in  this  line 
that  he  is  commonly  spoken  of  now  by  the  old  pioneers  as  ''Fislier 
Ben.""  He  and  his  wife  are  active  members  of  the  Universalist  church, 
to  which  they  have  been  attached  for  many  years.  They  iiave  a  parish 
organized  now  in  Suez  township  and  a  half  interest  in  a  church  with 
the  United  Brethren  on  section  10  in  that  township.  Mr.  B.  was  for- 
merly a  whig,  but  upon  the  demise  of  that  party  and  the  organization  of 
the  republican  party,  he  has  been  a  zealous  and  active  adherent  of  that 
party.  Their  chiklren  were  :  Susan  E.,  born  November  17,  1838, 
married  Ira  G.  Bridger  July  21,  1864,  and  died,  without  any  children. 
May  15,  1877  ;  Joshua  H.,  born  July  6,  1841,  enlisted  in  Capt.  Pep- 
per's company,  84th  reg.  111.  Vol.  Inf ,  in  1862,  and  served  his  country 
faithfully  until  tlie  close  of  the  war  ;  January  1,  1867,  he  married  Mrs. 
Mary  (Dilley)  Rodgers  and  now  resides  on  the  southeast  of  section  10, 
in  Suez  township;  Samuel  M.,  born  in  March  10,  1844,  married  Feb- 
ruary 6,  1868,  Miss  Almira  Allen,  daughter  of  Henry  II.  and  Amanda 
(Abbott)  Allen,  she  being  a  daughter  of  Johnson  Abbott ;  (Mrs.  A, 
was  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  Mr.  A.  of  this  state ;  they  have  three 
children:  Benjamin  A.,  born  Sej)tember  19,  1870  ;  Ida  Olive,  March 
20,  1873,  and  Cora  May,  January  12,  1881.  They  reside  in  this  town- 
ship, having  a  farm  of  140  acres  on  the  southwest  of  section  9) ; 
Vachel  H.  (born  October  7,  1846,  died  November  24,  1850) ;  Hen- 
rietta H.  (born  November  10,  1851,  married  John  Allen,  brother  of 


NORTH    HENDERSON    TOWNSHIP.  SI  1 

Samuel  M.'s  wife,  October  8,  1874,  now  reside  in  AVyoming  Terri- 
tory); Olive  (born  April  24,  1857,  died  Ma.v  81.  1875);  Marijaret 
(born  XoveiTiber  2,  18^)0),  is  the  only  one  now  at  home  witli  her 
parents. 

Another  [)ioneer  was  Al[j:x  S.  Browx,  who  traces  his  *;enealoii-\' 
from  John  Brown  and  his  wife  (Elizabeth  Orossly),  who  emigrated  from 
New  Jersey  to  Kentucky  in  the  days  of  Daniel  Boone;  emigrating 
thence  to  Ohio  in  1786.  Mrs.  B.  finally  died  in  Indiana  when  101 
years  old.  These  were  his  grandparents.'  His  father,  Samuel  Brown, 
was  born  in  Kentucky  in  1782,  and  married,  in  Butler  county,  Ohio, 
March  12,  1807,  Miss  Jane  P>ell,  who  was  of  Irish  descent.  Tie 
received  a  bounty  and  pension  from  the  government  for  his  services  in 
the  war  of  1812.  He  moved  from  Ohio  to  Indiana,  and  thence  to 
Knox  county,  Illinois,  with  liis  family  in  1884.  He  died  in  Warren 
county,  Illinois,  September  10,  1856,  and  Mrs.  Brown  survived  him 
until  May  12,  1869.  There  were  nine  children  in  the  family:  Kli/.a- 
beth,  Hester,  Mary,  Benjamin,  Allen  S.,  Xancy,  Jane,  Sanuiel.  and 
John.  Hester  w^as  the  wife  of  Timothy  Meeker,  and  survives  him. 
living  upon  the  old  homestead.  Allen  S.  was  born  near  Qmnelsville, 
Wayne  county,  Indiana,  November  7,  1818.  December  31,  1837,  he 
married  Miss  Polly  McMurtry,  of  Knox  county,  wdio  was  in  her  eight- 
eenth year  at  that  time.  She  was  the  oldest  daughter  of  John  and 
Mary  (Williamson)  McMurtry.  Mr.  McMurtry  was  born  in  IVfercer 
county,  Kentucky,  in  1797,  his  ancestors  coming  from  Ireland  before 
revolutionary  times ;  his  grandfather  falling  a  victim  to  the  Indians 
in  the  early  settlement  of  Kentucky.  He  removed  to  Indiana  in  1813, 
and  was  mari-ied  in  Crawford  county,  that  state,  September,  1819.  His 
wife  was  a  native  of  South  Carolina.  Their  family  consisted  of  six 
girls:  Polly,  Lovicy,  Martha,  Harriet,  Sarah,  and  Eliza,  all  born  near 
Leavenworth,  Indiana.  In  1830  he  hired  a  team  to  bring  his  family 
through  to  Illinois,  he  following  with  a  few  head  of  cattle.  He  located 
on  section  33,  Rio  township,  Knox  county,  building  a  rail  ])en  and 
covering  it  with  canvas,  in  which  they  sheltered  themselves  for  three 
weeks  while  erecting  a  log  cabin.  In  1831  all  the  settlers  north  of 
Henderson  Grove  were  warned  away  on  account  of  threatened  de]»re- 
dations  by  the  Indians.  Some  who  left  their  claims  did  not  stop  until 
they  reached  the  friendly  shelter  of  Indiana's  wooded  plains.  Mr. 
McMurtry  removed  his  family  to  a  block-house  on  the  south  side  of  the 
grove  near  James  Gumm's,  known  as  the  Gumm  fort.  After  remain- 
ing there  two  or  three  months,  they  returned  to  their  claim.  In  the 
spring  of  1832  they  were  driven  into  a  fort  near  Paul  Halm's,  on  the 
north  side  of  the  grove,  that  had  been  built  by  the  settlers  during  the 


812  HISTORY    OF   MERCER    A^S'D    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

previous  winter  for  their  better  protection.     Here  tlieA-  remained  four 
weeks  and  then  returned  to  their  home.     This  fort  was  not  far  from 
their  claim ;  so  when  danger  threatened,  they  would  go  to  the  fort  at 
niirht  and  return  to  the  claim  to  work  durino;  the  dav.     On  some  occa- 
.sions,  after  a  period  of  fancied  security,  when  remaining  in  their  cabin 
nights,  they  would  be  warned  by  a  courier  of  the  a})proach  of  Indians, 
and,  thinking  they  had  not  time  to  reach  the  fort,  they  would  conceal 
themselves  in  the  shadows  of  the  neighboring  woods,  or  in  the  tall 
grass  that  bordered  all  the  sloughs  on  the  prairies,  remaining  in  their 
hiding  places  until  daylight  revealed  to  them  that  the  alarm  had  been 
a  groundless  one.     But  to  return  to  the  subject  of  this  sketch.     Mr. 
Bj'own,  after  his  marriage,  rented  a  farm  one  year,  l)ut  in  April,  1889, 
he  settled  on  the  W.  ^  of  S.  E.  of  Sec.  25,  which  he  afterward  entered. 
Here  they  began  life,  with  a  log  cabin  having  one  room  in  it,  one  yoke 
of  oxen,   and  a  two-year-old  iilly.     From  this  small  beginning  they 
accumulated  a  handsome  property,   owning  some  800  acres  of  land 
l).efore  Mr.  Brown's  death,  which  occurred  June  19,  1871.     Their  chil- 
dren are :  Sarah  J.  (wife  of  A.  IST.  Tate,  deceased),  Eliza  A.  (wife  of 
L.  F.  Gentry,  deceased),  Mary  E.  (wife  of  William  Brown),  William  H., 
Martha  E.  (wife  of  Isaac  Stevens,  deceased),  James  N.  (died  in  infancy), 
John  T.  (now  married  and  living  on  the  old  homestead),  Amanda  M. 
(died  in  her  sixth  year).  C'liarles  W.,  Annette  (^vife  of  L.  J.  Smith), 
Allen  Douglas,  Levi  F.,  and  Fred  A.     Mr.  Brown  was  a  man  of  more 
than  the  average  native  ability.    Though  never  united  witli  any  society, 
Mr.  Brown  was  a  Universalist  in  his  religious  belief.     Aunt  Polly 
Brown,   as  she  is  familiarly  called  by  a  wide  circle  of  friends,   has 
tjndeared  herself  to  all  with  whom  she  has  come  in  contact  by  her 
many  acts  of  kindness  to  the  old,  and  her  rare  motherly  interest  in  and 
solicitude  for  the  welfare  of  the  young.     She  now  resides  in  the  village, 
keeping  house  for  her  son,  Allen  Douglas,  who  recently  lost  his  wife 
after  a  brief  season  of  wedded  happiness.      William  H.,  the  oldest 
son,  was  born  February  29,  18-11:.     In  1862  he  enlisted  in  Co.  A,  102d 
reg.  111.  Yol.  Inf.,  and  was  made  a  sergeant  on  the  organization  of  the 
company,  bnt  was  mustered  out  with  the  rank  of  iirst  lieutenant.     He 
was  wounded  in  the  battle  of  Resacca,  May  15,  1861,  but  continued  in 
the  service  until  the  close  of  the  war.      October  8,  1866,  he  nuirried 
Miss  Maria  Iltiflin,  youngest  daughter  of  Reuben  lletlin,  one  of  the 
pioneers  of  Knox  county.      She  died  March  15,  1875,   leaving  two 
children  :  Claud  I.  and  Maud.     In  May,  1880,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Belle  Watson,  a  native  of  Canada.     He  was  four  years  supervisor  of 
this  town,  and  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  political  matters, 
being  a  dciiiocrat.     Since  the  death  of  his  first  wife  he  has  studied 


NOR'iii    iiKXDKRSON  Trrnxsiiip,  S\'4 

modicine.  ^n-adnatinii:  at  Tlusli  Medical  College,   Chicago,  and  is  now 
jtracticing  with  Dr.  C.  G.  Stewart  in  North  Henderson. 

One  of  North  Henderson's  prominent  citizens  at  present,  tlioiigh 
not  a  pioneer,  is  Joseimi  H.  Himks,  who  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in 
1844;  his  fatlier,  whose  name  was  Joseph,  was  also  a  native  of  that 
state.  His  grandfather  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  his  great- 
grandfather a  soldier  in  the  war  of  the  revolution.  The  farailv  is  of 
Scotch-Irish  descent.  His  mother,  whose  family  name  was  Ernst,  was 
descended  from  a  Hessian  soldier  taken  prisoner  during  the  revolution- 
ary war  and  afterward  settled  in  Pennsylvania.  Her  fathei-,  Andrew 
Ernst,  died  in  Knox  county,  Illinois,  and  is  buried  in  the  Fuller  ceme- 
tery. His  father  came  to  Illinois  in  1853  and  settled  in  McDonough 
county,  removing  to  this  county  in  1859.  In  1804  Mr.  H.  enlisted  in 
Co.  D,  18i)th  111.  Vol,  Inf ,  which  was  a  regiment  of  hundred  day  men. 
He  was  honorably  discharged  November,  18()4.  Married  Eliza  Dunn 
September  7,  1865,  and  engaged  in  farming.  In  1871  he  had  the  first 
house  built  in  the  village  of  North  Henderson,  the  present  hotel  build- 
ing. Mr.  J.  L.  Goff  had  previously  moved  a  building  into  the  village. 
He  kept  the  hotel  two  years  and  was  then  engaged  in  the  grain  busi- 
ness eight  years.  Has  been  in  the  lumber,  hai-dware,  and  agricultural 
implement  business,  since  1880.  He  has  two  children,  Ilattie,  born 
November  1866,  and  Leo,  born  February  20,  1877.  He  is  at  ])resent 
clerk  of  the  town,  having  held  the  office  four  years.  He  is  a  member 
of  both  North  Henderson  Lodge  and  Encampment  of  Odd  Fellow;*. 
He  is  also  a  member  of  Iloreb  Chapter,  No.  4,  E.A.M.,  of  Rio,  and 
(xalesburg  Commandery,  No.  8,  K.T.     In  politics  he  is  a  democrat. 

Georok  a.  Blue,  druggist,  is  the  son  of  an  old  pioneer,  William 
Blue,  whf)  was  born  in  Indiana  in  1826.  •  He  settled  on  the  S.  W.  ^  of 
Sec.  27,  in  this  township,  in  1837.  During  the  year  1851  he  lived  in 
Knox  county,  and  December  21,  that  year,  he  married  Miss  Ellenor 
Rice,  of  that  county.  She  was  born  in  Indiana  Januai-y  ll»,  1825,  and 
came  to  Knox  county,  Illinois,  with  her  parents  in  1831.  After  his 
marnage  he  returned  to  this  county,  where  he  died  in  March,  1864, 
having  had  a  fainily  of  five  children,  three  of  whom  are  living:  George 
A.,  born  January  1,  1853;  Thomas  J.,  born  April  4,  1S55,  owns  the 
old  Rice  homestead,  in  Knox  county  ;  Frank  W.,  born  December  1J>, 
1863,  lives  in  North  Henderson.  George  A.,  who  was  raised  on  the 
farm,  owns  the  old  homestead,  the  southwest  of  secti(m  27.  IK'  has 
been  engaged  in  the  drug  business  in  the  village  since  1871»,  and  post- 
master since  1880.  He  married  Sei»tember  8,  ls74.  Miss  Lura  Glass, 
daughter  of  Seymour  and  Isabelle  (Black)  (41ass.  Her  grandfather, 
Samuel  Black,  was  one  of  the  <>ld  j>ioneers  of  Warren  county.     Tliey 


814:  HISTORV    OF   MERCER    A^D    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

have  one  child,  Archie  AV.,  born  September  19,  1876.  George  A.  is 
a  member  of  Horeb  Chapter,  Xo.  4,  E.A.M.,  of  liio,  also  of  Galesburg 
Oominander^^,  Xo.  8,  K.T. 

M.  PI.  Johnston,  druggist,  is  a  son  of  Larimer  and  Hannah  (Hayes) 
Johnston,  of  Suez  township  in  this  county,  whose  history  will  be  found 
in  connection  with  the  history  of  that  township.  He  was  born  in 
Grundy  county,  Ohio,  November  26,  1855,  and  came  to  Illinois  with 
his  parents  in  185T,  settling  in  Suez  township,  where  he  was  raised  on 
the  farm  with  such  advantages  as  the  common  school  of  his  district 
afforded,  which  he  supplemented  with  a  commercial  course  in  Allen's 
Business  College  in  Aledo.  April  20,  1881,  he  married  Miss  Anna 
Galloway,  daughter  of  James  Galloway,  grocer  of  Aledo.  Miss  Anna 
was  a  native  of  Fennsjdvania ;  born  April  16,  1858.  He  went  into 
the  drug  business  in  Xorth  Henderson  in  March,  1881,  and  is  doing  a 
large  business  for  a  country  drug  store.  He  is  a  member  of  North 
Henderson  Lodge,  Xo.  585,  I.O.O.F.     In  politics  he  is  a  republican. 

The  history  of  Xorth  Henderson  township  could  not  well  be  written 
without  a  notice  of  Edwin  Evans  Ivendall,  M.D.,  who  was  born  in 
Worcester  county,  Massachusetts,  October  12,  1826.  His  father,  Paul 
R.,  and  his  mother  Jane  (Xickerson)  Kendall,  were  also  natives  of  that 
state  ;  his  father  was  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits ;  died  when  Edwin 
was  quite  young.  An  extract  from  an  obituary  notice  from  the  pen  of 
J.  P.  McCIanahan,  M.D.,  of  Alexis,  Illinois,  published  in  the  "Peoria 
Medical  Monthly,'' will  be  appropriate  here.  The  doctor  says  :  ''Dur- 
ing his  early  life,  by  industry  and  self-sacritice,  he  worked  his  way 
through  an  academical  course  of  study,  teaching  during  a  part  of  the 
time,  and  in  like  manner  through  his  professional  studies,  graduating 
from  the  medical  department  of  the  University  of  Buffalo,  Xew  York, 
April  27,  1853,  the  institution  being  at  that  time  under  the  presidency 
of  Millard  Filmore  ;  the  medical  faculty  being  as  follows  :  Charles  A. 
Lee,  M.D.,  Jacob  H.  Hamilton,  M.D.,  Austin  FKnt,  M.D.,  Edward 
M.  Moore,  M.D.,  George  Hadley,  M.D.,  John  C.  Dalton,  Jr.,  M.D. 
Dr.  Kendall  at  first  decided  to  practice  his  profession  in  the  east,  near 
his  original  home,  but  soon  changed  his  mind  on  account  of  failing 
health,  or  an  attack  of  h?emoptisis,  and  resolved  to  try  the  west,  to 
which  he  removed  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year,  1853,  wisely  selecting 
for  himself  a  rural  location  in  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  where  his  health 
seemed  raj>idly  to  improve  and  his  business  to  increase  as  the  new 
settlers  flowed  in  to  what  was  then  a  conijjaratively  new  and  sparsely 
settled,  rich,  prairie  country.  Among  these  settlers  the  doctor  made 
many  warm  friends  and  ccmfldent  patrons,  and  for  years  fair  health 
continued  with   him,   notwithstanding  his  unrelentive   promptness   to 


NORTH    HENDERSOX   TOWNSHIP.  815 

attend  calls  regardless  of  heat  or  cold,  inclement  weather,  or  any  dis- 
]»araging  circumstances."  lie  died  at  his  residence  in  X(^»rth  llen<ler- 
son  January  25,  1882,  of  typhoid  pneumonia.  The  \vinter  of  1853-4 
the  doctor  taught  in  the  Illinois  Liberal  Institute  in  Galesburg,  which 
afterward  became  Lombard  University.  He  commenced  the  practice 
of  his  profession  in  the  spring  of  185-i,  boarding  at  Reuben  Ileliin's, 
in  Knox  county.  In  1857,  while  boarding  at  Lewis  Hellin's,  in  this 
township,  tlie  doctor  met  with  an  accident,  which,  in  a  measure,  crip- 
pled him  for  life.  His  team  ran  away  in  the  night  and  threw  him  out 
of  the  buggy,  injuring  one  leg  so  that  he  never  entirely  recovered. 
In  1858  he  located  permanently  in  this  township.  July  10,  18H2, 
he  married  Mary  E.,  widow  of  William  Button.  Mrs.  Button's  maiden 
name  was  Bruner,  she  being  a  daughter  of  Adam  Bruner,  and  niece  of 
David  Bruner,  mentitmed  heretofore  in  this  work.  She  was  bom  in 
Lawrence  county,  Indiana.  August  8,  1836,  and  came  to  this  township 
in  May,  1855,  and  married  William  Button  September  5,  1857,  who 
died  November  6,  following,  from  the  shock  of  having  an  arm  torn 
otf  in  a  threshing  machine.  The  doctor  and  wife  have  had  eight 
children,  live  of  whom  survive  him:  Eugene  E.  (born  February  12, 
1867,  has  entered  E.  Crosby's  store  as  clerk),  Xancy  Jane  (born  June 
11,  1871),  Mary  Edna  (March  27,  1873),  Minnie  Belle  (April  0,  1875), 
Abbey  Ellen  (July  12,  1877).  They  moved  from  their  farm  into  the 
village  in  July,  1872. 

Though  not  as  old  a  resident  of  this  township  as  some  others  pre- 
viously mentioned,  Mr.  Alfred  W,  jN^klsox  occupies  a  very  prominent 
position.  His  father,  Benham  Xelson,  was  a  native  of  Virginia ;  his 
mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Amanda  Brewer,  was  a  native  of 
Wayne  county,  Indiana.  Benham  Xelson  dealt  largely  in  horses,  in 
Indiana.  He  was  sheriff  of  his  countv  for  two  vears.  Having  a  con- 
struction  contract  on  a  canal,  he  ex]>osed  himself  so  much  while  labor- 
ing to  fultill  it  that  he  became  a  cripple  for  life.  He  moved  to  Knox 
county,  Blinois,  in  June  1855.  A.  W.,  and  his  twin  brother  A.  II., 
were  born  in  Indiana,  February  3,  1840,  and  came  to  this  state  with 
their  fatlier,  living  near  Saluda  in  Knox  county.  A.  W.  was  married 
December  29,  1862,  to  Miss  Eliza  Imel,  who  was  born  in  Indiana, 
June  24,  1840,  and  came  to  this  state  with  her  father,  Thomas  Imel,  in 
1850.  In  1877  A.  W.  came  to  this  township,  locating  on  the  south- 
west of  section  27,  where  he  owns  forty  acres,  and  forty-one  acres  ad- 
joining in  section  34.  He  has  always  been  engaged  in  farming.  They 
have  three  children:  Benham,  born  October  31,  1866;  Katie,  January 
1,  1869;  Bertha  B.,  March  31,  1878.  He  is  a  member  of  lloreb 
Chapter,  No.  4,  R.A.M..  of  Rio.     Also  of  North  Henderson  Lodge  of 


SW  HISTORY   OF    >rERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

Odd-Fellows.  He  is  now  supervisor  of  this  town,  for  the  fourth  con- 
secutive year.  In  politics  he  is  a  democrat.  He  is  a  man  of  more 
than  average  native  ability,  a  close  observer,  doing  his  own  thinking, 
examining  his  ground  carefully  before  taking  a  new  step.  A.  H.,  the 
twin  brother  mentioned  above,  is  known  by  his  friends  as  Harvey 
iS^elson.  He  was  married  September  19,  1867,  to  Miss  Adelia  A. 
Kays,  daughter  of  William  Kays,  of  Saluda,  Knox  county,  Illinois. 
They  came  into  this  township  in  1873,  and  settled  on  the  E.  -^  of  S.  W. 
Sec.  34,  where  they  reside  now.  The  farm  comprises  eighty-eight 
acres.  He  built  his  present  residence  in  1875.  They  have  three 
children:  Hampton,  born  May  22,  1869;  Ida,  October  18,  1873; 
William,  July  15,  1881.  Mr.  Nelson  a  member  of  both  the  North 
Henderson  Lodge  and  Encampment  of  the  I.O.O.F.,  as  well  as  the 
Alexis  Lodge  of  A.F.A.M.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  North  Henderson.  He  is  one  of  the 
commissioners  of  highw9.ys  of  this  town.  William  Kays,  Mrs.  Nel- 
son's father,  is  one  of  the  old  pioneers  of  Knox  county,  having  settled 
in  that  county  as  early  as  1832  or  1833. 

Peter  W.  Johnston,  though  comparatively  a  recent  settler,  has  been 
a  positive  quantity  during  the  period  of  his  residence  in  this  township. 
He  is  an  excellent  repi'esentative  of  the  old  Virginia  and  Kentucky 
country  gentleman.  He  was  a  native  of  Virginia  as  were  also  both  his 
parents  and  grandparents.  His  grandfathers,  on  both  his  father  and 
mother's  side,  were  in  the  revolutionary  army.  His  father  and  seven 
uncles  from  both  branches  of  the  family  were  in  the  military  service  of 
the  country  during  the  war  of  1812.  His  father,  whose  given  name 
was  John,  died  in  1826,  when  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  ten  years 
old.  His  family  consisted  of  four  boys  and  two  girls,  of  whom  P.  W. 
was  the  eldest.  Three  of  these  survive,  one  brother  and  one  sister 
living  in  Virginia.  After  his  father's  death  his  mother  received  from 
the  government  a  land  warrant  for  his  father's  service  in  the  war  of 
1812.  His  mother's  maiden  name  was  Nancy  Wyatt.  She  was  a 
woman  of  very  marked  ability,  and  a  sterling  patriot,  being  very  ener- 
getic in  aiding  the  national  cause  to  the  full  extent  of  her  oppor- 
tunities during  the  struggle  from  1812  to  1815.  She  was  about  eighty- 
six  years  old  at  the  time  of  her  death  which  occurred  in  1880.  P.  W. 
was  bom  in  Gloucester  county,  Virginia,  August  19,  1816  ;  he  removed 
thence  to  Kentucky  in  1835,  residing  in  Breckenridge  county,  in  that 
state,  until  1862;  lie  moved  to  this  state,  settling  in  Hancock  county, 
where  lie  lived  one  year,  settling  in  this  township  in  1863,  on  the 
southeast  of  section  19,  which  farm  he  still  owns,  though  he  has  lived 
on  the  southwest  of  section  31,  near  the  village  of  Alexis  since  the 


NORTH    HENDERSON   TOWNSHII',  Sl7 

spring  of  1875,  where  lie  owns  forty-two  acres.  With  the  exce])ti()n 
of  three  years  that  lie  was  in  the  mercantile  business  in  Kentucky  Mr. 
Johnston  has  always  been  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  married  Se|> 
tember  23,  1837,  to  Martha  A.  Hayes,  a  native  of  Virginia,  born  in 
that  state  in  March,  1816,  and  emigrated  to  Kentucky  in  1835.  Her 
father's  name  was  William,  and  her  mother's  maiden  name  was  Eliza- 
beth Forster.  They  have  had  eight  children,  only  three  of  whom 
are  living:  Benjamin  F.,  born  February  26.  1839  (deceased);  Nancy, 
May  21,  1841  (deceased);  Mary  E.,  October  12,  1845,  wife  of  Joel 
Hays  living  in  Missouri;  John  W.,  January  27,  1843  (deceased); 
Matilda  E.,  February  8,  1848  (deceased)  ;  Littleton  T.,  May  11,  1850, 
in  the  cattle  business  in  Texas  at  present,  though  he  makes  his  home 
with  his  father;  Ann  M.,  born  March  30,  1853,  wife  of  Xewton 
Bruington,  resides  in  the  villiage  of  Alexis;  Martha  A.,  March  3, 
1856  (deceased).  Mrs.  Johnston  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  P^pisco- 
pal  church,  south.  Mr.  Johnston  is  a  member  of  the  masonic  order, 
and  politically  a  democrat. 

Probably  one  of  the  best  known  and  most  highly  respected  pioneers 
of  this  township,  and  the  one  having  the  widest  circle  of  friends  and 
acquaintances,  is  Notley  Scott.  It  would  be  a  long  radius  drawn  from 
his  house  that  would  describe  the  circle  excluding  those  who  do  not 
know  "Uncle  Notley,"  as  he  is  familiarly  called.  In  the  days  when 
game  was  plenty  it  was  a  good  huntsman  that  killed  more  deer  than 
he,  and  a  strong  man  that  could  march  home  under  the  weight  of  a 
heavier  buck.  He  excelled  in  all  the  games  in  vogue  in  those  days  re- 
quiring agility,  strength  and  prowess,  Henry  Fleharty  being  the  only 
competitor  for  the  honors  that  had  any  chance  with  him  in  those  days. 
He  also  enjoys  a  reputation  that  he  has  built  for  himself  during  the 
passage  of  the  years  for  the  strictest  honesty  and  probity,  his  word 
being  as  good  as  a  bond.  To  his  house  still  clings  the  pioneer  quality 
of  hospitality  that  makes  "Uncle  Notley's  such  a  good  place  to- visit.'" 
Uncle  Notley,  though  seventy-two  years  of  age,  enjoys  his  trips  to 
the  bay,  to  shoot  wild  duck  or  iish  in  their  season,  as  much  as  any 
of  the  young  men,  no  sport  pleasing  him  so  well,  unless  it  be  playing 
croquet,  at  which  game  he  is  an  expert.  Uncle  Notley  was  born  in 
Ohio  July  8,  1810.  His  father,  Joseph  Scott,  was  born  in  Virginia  in 
1773,  and  was  consequently  two  years  old  when  the  war  of  the  revo- 
lution began.  He  removed  with  his  jjarents  to  Kentucky  when  only 
four  years  old,  and  thence  to  Ohio  iu  1706.  He  married  Miss  IMarv 
Oain,  of  Kentucky,  who  was  born  March  15,  1777.  They  moved  to 
Indiana  in  1823,  and  thence  to  Illinois  in  1835.  He  died  in  Novem- 
ber, 1872,  his  life  having  almost  reached  a  century.     His  wife  died' 


818  HISTORY    OF    MERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

March  2,  1857.  Notley  was  married  November  3,  1832,  to  Miss  Sallie 
Betts,  wlio  was  born  in  Kentucky  December  20,  1809,  and  died  April 
23,  1871.  Their  family  consisted  of  twelve  children,  ten  boys  and  two 
girls:  Preston  (deceased).  Fielding,  Joseph,  William,  M.  D.,  Reiley, 
Nancy,  Notley  (deceased),  Samuel  (deceased),  Sarah  (deceased),  Lewis, 
and  Xathaniel  Greene.  Uncle  Notley  is  one  of  the  very  few  men,  if 
not  the  only  man,  of  whom  it  can  be  said  that  he  can  open  and  run  a 
masonic  lodge  within  his  own  family,  himself  and  seven  of  his  sons 
being  members  of  the  order.  They  are  all  members  of  Horeb  Chap- 
ter, No.  4,  E.A.M.,  of  Rio,  and  two  (Preston  and  Greene)  K.T.  He 
came  to  this  township  in  1837,  and  bought  the  claim  of  Harison 
Brown  in  sections  18  and  19,  where  he  still  resides,  his  daughter 
Nancy  having  been  his  housekeeper  since  the  death  of  her  mother. 
The  grove  near  which  he  resides,  and  part  of  which  he  owns,  has 
always  been  known  as  Scott's  Grove  since  he  settled  there.  He  owns 
at  present  485  acres  of  land.  He  was  the  lirst  supeiwisor  of  this 
town. 

In  1851,  at  the  time  that  immigration  was  flowing  into  this 
county  so  rapidly,  there  came  a  man  from  Mercer  county,  Pennsylva- 
nia, who  began  the  race  of  life  evenly  with  the  state  of  Illinois,  and 
thus  far  the  two  have  kept  even  pace  year  for  year,  but  how  much 
longer  the  score  will  remain  a  tie  time  alone  can  determine.  Money 
staked  on  the  state,  though,  will  most  probably  some  time  win. 
John  T.  Morford  was  born  in  Mercer  connty,  Pennsylvania,  Feb- 
ruary 27,  1818.  His  father,  James  Morford,  was  born  in  New  Jersey, 
July  17,  1793,  and  his  mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Martha  Titus, 
was  a  native  of  the  same  state,  born  June  8,  1797.  They  were  married 
September  28,  1815.  His  lather  died  July  12,  1870,  and  his  mother, 
at  the  age  of  eighty-flve,  makes  her  home  with  him.  John  T.  was 
married  February  27,  1840,  to  Miss  Esther  Hazen.  a  native  of  Craw- 
ford county,  Pennsylvania,  born  November  16,  1819.  They  settled 
on  the  northeast  of  section  22,  in  the  spring  of  1855,  when,  to  use  the 
language  of  Mrs.  Morford,  "there  was  not  a  switch  on  the  place  with 
which  to  whip  the  children."'  Now  their  house  is  almost  lost  to  view 
by  the  dense  grove  of  trees  that  surrounds  it.  Their  farm  at  present 
com|)rises  200  acres  of  rich  North  Henderson  soil.  Mr.  Morford  is  a 
car]>enter  by  trade,  and  has  worked  at  the  business  most  of  the  time 
until  since  the  close  of  the  war.  The  j)atriotism  of  this  family  is 
unquestionable.  Mr.  Morford  and  his  two  oldest  sons,  at  that  time  in 
their  nineteenth  and  sixteenth  years,  respectively,  enlisted  in  Co.  C, 
102d  reg.  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  in  1862,  and  seryed  faithfully  until  the  close 
of  the  war;  the  oldest  son,  Hiram  T.,  being  wounded  during  the  siege 


NORTH    HENDERSON    TOWNSHIP.  819 

of  AtUmtii,  luid  .lolni  '[\  ranking  us  third  sergeant  when  mustered  out. 
Mrs.  Moiford  is  also  entitled  to  great  credit  for  Ikt  part  in  the  conflict. 
Left  to  manage  the  farm  and  take  care  of  the  children,  the  oldest  boy 
left  at  home  being  l)ut  thirteen  years  old,  her  success  is  ample  proof  of 
her  ability.  They  have  seven  children:  Diana  (born  in  IS-tl,  wife  of 
H.  Herbert,  lives  in  Iowa),  Hiram  T.  (born  Decemljer  10,  1843,  mar- 
ried Miss  Sophie  Crosby,  and  lives  in  Iowa),  William  Henry  (born 
June  3,  1847,  married  Miss  Frances  Shipman,  and  lives  in  Wisconsin), 
Isaac  ('.  (born  January  2,  1849,  is  married  and  lives  in  Iowa),  James 
Eyron  (born  Xovmeber  26,  1850,  married  Miss  Christhie  Olson,  and 
lives  in  Iowa),  -John  Jasper  (born  August  18,  1853,  married  Miss 
Adella  Allen,  and  resides  on  the  old  |)lace,  carrying  on  the  farm), 
and  Martha  M.  (born  March  13,  1859,  wife  of  William  Steele,  lives  in 
Iowa).  John  T.  is  a  member  of  both  North  Henderson  Lodge  aiul 
Encampment  of  I.O.O.F,  and  in  politics  he  is  republican.  He  and 
his  wife  are  members  of  the  Alexis  Baptist  church. 

Another  prominent  citizen  of  this  township,  also  a  native  of 
Pennsylvania,  Joskjmi  Deets,  was  born  in  Venango  county  of  that 
srate,  February  25,  183 L  Came  to  Illinois  in  1855,  settling  in  W^ar- 
ren  county,  where  he  resided  four  years ;  j-emoving  to  this  county  in 
March,  1859,  he  settled  on  the  northeast  of  section  28  where  he  still 
resides,  though  he  has  been  steadily  enlarging  his  borders,  by  the 
purchase  of  additional  farms,  until  his  landed  possessions  in  this  town- 
ship now  aggregate  800  acres.  He  was  nuirried  August  23,  1857,  to 
Miss  Augusta  Chatiield,  of  Warren  county,  a  native  of  Ohio.  They 
have  seven  children  living  at  present:  Ethselda  (wife  of  Gilbert  Ilig- 
gins),  Ada,  Alvah.  -lohn,  -loseph,  Sarah,  and  Eliza.  Mr.  Deets  was 
raised  on  a  farm  and  has  always  followed  that  occupation,  and  his 
success  is  an  excellent  examjjle  of  what  can  be  accom])lished  by  the 
agriculturalist  who  has  energy,  ])erseverance,  and  uses  a  reasonable 
economy.  His  educational  advantages  were  limited  to  the  common 
school.  In  i)olitics  he  acts  with  the  rei)ublican  party,  though  is  not 
what  wo\dd  be  termed  a  partisan.  His  ])arents  were  both  natives  of 
Pennsylvania,  his  mother  of  Scotch  and  his  father  of  German  descent, 
his  grandfather  coming  from  Germany  to  this  country.  His  father, 
whose  name  was  Joseph,  was  a  member  of  the  ^lethodist  Episcopal 
church,  but  after  the  organizati^m  of  the  Wesleyan  Methodist  church 
he  identified  himself  with  that  church,  being  led  thereto  by  the  slavery 
issue  which  was  agitating  the  churches  at  that  time. 

The  "Old  Dominion'' furnished  another  successful  farmer  for  this 
township,  in  the  person  of  liuuAui)  Garrett,  who  was  born  in  Vir- 
ginia, March  13,  1830,  and  moved  to  Kentucky  with  his  parents  in  1834, 


820  HISTORY    OF    >rERCER    ASD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

living  in  Breckenridg'e  connty  nntil  two  years  prior  to  leaving  that 
state,  when  he  lived  in  Mead  county,  moving  thence  to  Texas  in  1855, 
where  he  remained  one  year  only,  coming  to  Illinois  in  1856.  He 
settled  on  the  northeast  of  section  30,  in  the  spring  of  1857,  where  he 
still  resides,  having  added  to  his  farm  until  at  present  he  owns  550 
acres.  December  21t,  1849,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Juliet  Douglas,  a 
native  of  Kentucky,  born  October  5,  1832,  daughter  of  Gilson  B. 
Douglas.  They  have  twelve  children :  Adaline  (wife  of  O.  G.  Cliap- 
man,  postmaster  at  Alexis),  David,  William,  Martha  A.,  Peyton  J., 
Douglas,  Alice,  Robert  L.,  Lucy  A.,  Edna,  Mary  E.,  and  Richard. 
Mr.  Garrett  is  a  Master  Mason,  but  not  in  active  connection  with  any 
lodge  now. 


ADDITIOIS^AL  MATTER,  CORRECTIOXS,  ETC. 

The  matter  that  follows,  much  of  it  of  a  very  important  character, 
was  recieved  too  late  for  insertion  in  the  portion  of  the  book  originally 
designed  for  it.  Some  of  the  sketches  were  held  for  revision  by  friends 
until  the  sheets  containing  the  matter  most  appropriate  for  them  had 
gone  to  press. 

EARLY  COURTS. 

15Y    R.    H.    SPICER. 

The  holding  of  court  was  the  signal  generally  for  the  gathering 
together  of  the  larger  part  of  the  able  bodied  male  inhabitants  of  the 
county,  and  as  the  accommodations  at  the  county  seat  were  rather  prim- 
itive and  scanty,  they  were  at  times  brought  into  close  proximity.  Good 
nature  was  the  ruling  element,  and  what  is  termed  fun  was  largely 
indulged  in  by  old  and  young.  Court  generally  despatched  all  of  the 
business  in  one  and  a  half  or  two  days.  The  members  of  the  bar,  and 
a  goodly  number  they  were,  the  names  of  many  of  whom  the  old  settler 
recalls  with  emotions  not  unmingled  with  pleasure,  followed  the  court 
through  its  peregrinations  of  an  extended  circuit  embracing  nearly  a 
dozen  counties. 

After  Judges  Ralston  and  Lott,  Judge  Brown  became  the  presiding 
genius.  A  large  bodied,  large  headed  and  good  natured  man  of  the 
old  school,  whose  early  days  were  probably  spent  south  of  the  great 
dividing  line.  His  make  up  did  not  enable  him  to  master  all  the  Jifiesse 
of  law,  and  as  a  consequence  those  lawyers  whe  believed  in  law  as 
a  science,  and  as  such  were  disposed  to  use  it  before  his  court,  were 
^'erv  liable  to  be  snubbed.     C'urtis  K.   Ilarvev,  of  Knt)xville,  a  man 


ADDITIONAL    MATIEK.  821 

who  worshiped  law  because  it  was  Jaw,  was  always  very  unfortunate, 
while  such  men  as  Jo.  Knox,  John  Mitchell,  Bill  Kellogg,  and  one  or 
two  others  whose  law,  perhaps,  may  have  been  rather  loose,  as  advo- 
cates always  appeared  to  have  the  ear  of  the  court,  jury  and  populace. 
Joseph  Knox,  of  Rock  Island,  commonly  known  as  Jo.  Knox,  of  the 
firm  of  Knox  &  Drury,  probably  had  the  inside  track  of  all  practising 
here  at  an  early  period,  though  among  the  members  of  the  bar  were 
Brown,  of  Quincy ;  Manning,  of  Knoxville ;  A.  C.  Harding,  of  Mon- 
mouth, and  others  who  have  since  become  eminent  in  their  profession. 
Knox  was  an  able  advocate,  not  at  all  choice  of  his  words  or  of  his 
epithets  when  a  witness  was  so  unfortunate  as  to  stand  in  his  way.  No 
doubt  but  there  was  jealousy  existing  in  the  hearts  of  other  members  of 
the  bar  at  his  success.  AVhisperings  first  went  around  that  Drury  made 
up  his  cases  for  him,  finall}-  that  Drury  furnished  the  brains,  and  as 
Drury  was  always  invisible  the  tendency  was,  as  is  usually  the 
case  with  the  uncomatable,  to  magnify  the  powers  of  Drury.  Curi- 
osity became  excited ;  all  were  desirous  of  seeing  the  great  incognito ; 
the  members  of  the  bar  most  of  any.  Finally  on  a  frosty  day  late  in 
the  fall  word  was  conveyed  into  the  filled  court  room  that  a  "  ship  was 
in  the  offing.""  It  had  been  previously  announced  tliat  Drury  was 
expected  on  that  day.  Court  adjourned  without  the  usual  formality, 
wdiether  to  do  honor  to  the  expected  arrival  oi"  to  take  his  measure,  the 
historian  sayeth  not,  but  as  the  eager  crowd  got  into  .the  street  they 
descried  in  the  distance  a  large  bay  horse  approaching,  well  caparisoned 
with  an  immense  bear  skin  housing  to  the  saddle,  in  which  sat  a  small 
figure  of  what  it  was  difficult  at  the  distance  to  tell,  but  upon  near  ap- 
proach it  proved  to  be  the  ardently  expected  Drury,  ensconsed  in  an 
immense  buffalo  overcoat,  whiskers  of  mammoth  proportion  for  the  man 
(for  be  it  known  Mr.  Drury  is  of  a  very  small  pattern,  physically),  and 
something  on  his  head,  witness  can't  say  whether  hairy  or  not.  Eyes 
were  staring,  mouths  were  agape.  Bill  Kellogg,  afterward  judge  and 
member  of  congress,  was  first  to  break  the  spell  when  he  exclaimed, 
mtto  voce^  ''by  G — d,  a  pocket  edition  of  humanity,  bound  in  liar!" 
He  was  a  Kentuckian.  The  quaintness  and  aptness  of  the  illustration 
excited  a  smile  of  approval.     The  new  comer  was  heartily  welcomed. 

The  following  list  of  graduates  (1882)  from  the  Aledo  high  school 
was  inadvertently  omitted  :  Scientific  course,  Birt  Fargo,  Ned  Aber- 
crombie,  Cora  Pullen,  Ina  Pinkerton,  Zelda  Bell,  Maggie  Thomson, 
Lou  Richmond,  Jennie  Fulton  ;  classical  course,  Robert  McKinney. 
Amos  Cole,  Lew  L.  Walker,  Logan  Stejjliens,  Alma  Bickett. 


822  HISTORY    OF    MERCER   A:srD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Jajvies  M.  Emerson  (deceased),  for  many  years  a  respected  and  suc- 
cessful business  man  of  New  Boston,  was  born  January  22,  1815,  in 
Wayne  county,  Indiana.  His  father,  Edward  Emerson,  was  a  natiye  of 
Massachusetts,  but  became  an  early  settler  in  the  Hoosier  state,  where  he 
became  owner  of  a  large  tract  of  land  and  died.  The  early  life  of  James 
was  such  as  a  new  country  aftbrded  in  his  day.  His  school-room  was 
chiefly  in  the  free  air  without  enclosure,  and  his  teacher  was  nature. 
Altliough  of  so  limited  an  education  he  became  quite  efticient  in  busi- 
ness arithmetic,  excelling  many  scholars.  In  1839  he  located  at  New 
Boston,  Mercer  county,  Illinois.  Here  lie  labored  at  whateyer  head 
and  hand  found  to  do,  the  two  always  employed  to  assist  each  other.  He 
contracted  cutting  cord  wood,  made  several  trips  to  Indiana,  bringing  the 
first  traveling  threshing  machine  to  Mercer  county.  He  was  on  a  ferry 
awhile,  also  piloted  on  the  Mississippi  riyer  for  a  time.  In  1848  he 
established  the  first  lumber  yard  in  New  Boston,  although  some  lum- 
ber had  been  sold  here  prior  to  this.  He  carried  on  the  lumber  busi- 
ness till  his  death.  He  also  purchased  considerable  land.  In  1876, 
lea^'ing  a  foreman  in  his  lumber  yard,  he  moved  to  liis  farm,  about  two 
miles  northeast  of  New  Boston.  Here  he  spent  his  remaining  years 
improving  his  farm,  while  suttering  from  a  stroke  of  paralysis.  His 
career  ended  in  death  April  20,  1881.  He  left  a  family  and  large  circle 
of  friends  to  mourn  their  loss.  Mr.  Emerson  was  a  plain,  unassum- 
ing man,  attentive  to  his  business  and  regardful  of  his  family.  Politic- 
ally he  was  a  whig,  and  later  a  republican,  but  never  became  politic- 
ally excited.  Mr.  Emerson  was  married  September  30,  1847,  to  Miss 
Han-iet  Bridger,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Mary  ('\Yoodham''s)  Bridger. 
She  was  born  October  10,  1824,  in  Northiam  Parish,  Sussex  county, 
England.  She  came  with  her  parents  about  1827  to  New  York  state, 
wlio  settled  on  a  farm  near  Troy.  In  1838  they  emigrated  to  Mercer 
county,  Illinois,  and  settled  on  Pope  creek,  in  Suez  township,  where 
Mr.  Bridger  died  about  a  year  afterward,  followed  in  nine  days  by  his 
wife.  After  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Emerson  began  housekeeping  in  a 
new  house  erected  in  New  Boston  by  Mr.  Emerson.  There  they  lived 
till  1876,  and  there  eight  children  were  born  to  them,  viz  :  Myra  Y., 
born  August  5,  1848 ;  Dora  A.,  born  June  7,  1850  ;  Iva,  born  July  8, 
1855  ;  Charles  O.,  born  September  11,  1858,  and  died  July  12,  1865  ; 
Alma  T.,  born  January  18,  1861  ;  Effie,  born  January  11,  1863,  and 
died  January  27,  1863  ;  Warren  D.,  born  July  13,  1865  ;  PuiljJi  Waldo, 
born  January  20,  1869,  and  died  February  5,  1880.  The  father  and 
husband  is  fondly  remembered.     His  j^ortrait  is  in  its  special  place. 


ADDITIOXAL   ALA.TTER.  823 

Augustus  Y>.  Ciiir.Ds,  subject  of  these  memoirs,  is  a  son  of  Horace 
and  Lucy  M.  (Barker)  C'hilds.  He  was  born  in  Oneida  county,  New 
York,  October  31,  ISKi.  He  is  a  descendant  of  one  of  three  brothers 
who  came  from  Wales  to  Amei-ica  before  the  revolution.  Mr.  Childs' 
life  has  been  largely  one  of  farm-labor ;  not.  however,  altogether.  His 
youth  till  fifteen  was  spent  on  a  farm  in  Connecticut.  In  1838  Mr. 
Childs  emigrated  to  Mercer  county,  settling  in  Eliza  township.  He 
rode  a  borrowed  horse  to  Mercer  county  when  he  came,  not  being  able 
to  buy.  On  his  return  eastward  he  left  the  horse  with  its  owner,  and 
walked  a  long  distance  to  Indiana]>olis,  where  he  stopped  to  work 
sufficient  to  pay  for  a  horse.  He  then  rode  to  Sandusky,  Ohio.  Like 
many  poor  boys  he  came  to  be  in  good  circumstances.  He  at  one  time 
owned  1,300  acres  of  land.  Not  only  industry,  but  also  temperance 
and  good  habits  have  aided  him  in  his  financial  success.  Mr.  Childs 
was  a  grand  juryman  of  Mercer  county  at  the  first  settling  of  the  court 
at  Aledo.  He  has  been  married  twice.  His  first  wife,  Catharine 
Reynolds,  he  married  in  Morgan  county,  Indiana,  June  28,  1840 ;  she 
died  June  5,  1878.  Mr.  Childs'  present  wife,  Lucy  E.  (Willits),  is  a 
daughter  of  Isaiah  Willits,  of  Keithsburg.  Mr.  Childs  has  traveled 
considerably,  in  his  career  visiting  California.  Late  years  he  visited 
Florida,  where  he  purchased  a  large  estate,  intending  to  plant  an 
orange  grove,  but  soon  sold. 

George  S.  Wolf,  farmer,  Keithsburg,  was  boi-n  in  Lancaster 
county,  Pennsylvania,  Kovember  7,  1818,  and  is  the  son  of  Chiistian 
and  Sarah  (Sterner)  Wolf,  and  a  grandson  of  Henry  Wolf,  who  emi- 
grated, when  a  mere  boy,  to  America  near  the  middle  of  the  seven- 
teenth century.  He  was  the  only  one  of  his  father's  family  sufficiently 
actuated  by  a  spirit  of  adventure  to  leave  childhood's  home  and  visit  a 
foreign  land.  During  our  subject's  early  youth  his  time  was  constjintly 
employed  in  agricultural  pursuits  on  his  father's  farm.  During  the 
meantime  he  received  about  twenty  months'  schooling,  in  the  veritable 
log-cabin  school-house,  taught  by  an  eccentric  old  school-master,  whose 
])roficiencv  in  teaching  equaled  only  his  salary.  September  6,  1838. 
Mr.  Wolf  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  ^Mary  C.  Amweg,  daugh- 
ter of  William  and  Hannah  (Spirow)  Amweg,  also  a  native  of  Lancas- 
ter county,  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Wolf  has  devoted  his  life  to  fai-ming, 
up  till  1869,  in  his  native  state  and  since  that  time  on  his  neat,  little 
farm  immediately  adjoining  the  village  of  Keithsburg.  Besides  this 
farm  he  owns  another  of  168  acres  in  Henderson  county.  Lie  had 
born  to  him  seven  children,  five  of  whom  are  living:  William  B., 
John  H.,  Adam  A.,  Jacob  L.,  Isaiah  S. ;  and  Edward  and  Hannah  E. 
(deceased),  aged  respectively  sixteen  and  twenty-seven  years.     His  son 


S'24:  HISTORY    OF   MEKCER   AJVD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

TVilliara  B.  served  four  rears  clurins:  the  war  of  1861-5 :  was  mustered 
into  service  as  an  orderly,  and  honorably  discharged  with  a  captain's 
commission,  and  was  wounded  in  one  of  the  battles  of  the  Wilderness. 
His  son  Adam  A.  is  a  minister  in  the  United  Brethren  church,  Mr. 
Wolf  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  Though  his 
school  advantages  were  very  meager,  he  is  now  one  of  our  best  posted 
men. 

William  B.  Larue,  hotel-keeper,  Keith sburg,  was  born  in  Hardin 
county,  Kentucky,  August  13,  1824.  His  father,  who  was  of  French 
birth,  came  to  America  in  liis  early  youth.  He  died  in  Kentucky 
August  27,  1824.  Mr.  Larue,  with  his  mother,  step-father  and  broth- 
ers, emigrated  to  Illinois  in  1832,  landing  at  Oquawka  April  15  and  at 
Monmouth  April  24  of  the  same  year.  September  4,  1851,  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Catharine  M.  Roberts.  She  was  born  February  21, 
1835,  and  died  April  14,  1882.  Mr.  Larue  has  no  children  of  his  own, 
but  has  creditably  raised  seven  orphans. 

John  McKinney,  Sr.,  was  born  JSTovember  2,  1801,  in  Lincoln 
county,  Kentucky;  son  of  George  and  Ann  (Kiley)  McKinney;  father 
of  Scotch,  and  mother  of  L*ish,  descent.  In  1803  his  father  removed 
to  Casey  county,  Kentucky,  where  he  continued  his  business,  farming. 
John's  educational  advantages  were  very  limited,  being  only  those 
aiforded  by  the  common  schools,  which  he  attended  less  than  eighteen 
months,  all  told.  In  December  1821  he  went  to  Hamilton,  Butler 
countv,  Ohio,  and  for  the  next  live  vears  made  his  home  with  an  uncle, 
John  Kiley.  Mr.  Kiley  was  clerk  of  the  court  of  common  pleas  of 
Baiter  county,  clerk  of  the  supreme  court  of  Ohio,  and  postmaster  at 
Hamilton,  and  Mr.  McKinney  wi*ote  for  him  in  his  office,  and  had 
charge  of  the  postoffice.  While  thus  employed  he  made  good  use  of 
every  opportunity  to  increase  his  store  of  knowledge,  and  secm'ed  a 
fair  practical,  if  not  theoretical,  business  education.  On  the  death  of 
his  father,  in  1825,  he  was  recalled  to  Kentucky,  to  settle  the  estate,  and 
while  thus  engaged  he  entered  the  office  of  Hon.  John  Pope,  at  Spring- 
field, Kentucky,  as  a  law  student.  (Mr.  Pope  had  represented  his  state 
in  the  L^nited  States  senate,  and  was  afterward  appointed  governor 
of  Arkansas  by  General  Jackson.)  Finding  the  bar  already  over- 
crowded with  young  and  briefless  attorneys,  and  having  no  })atrimony 
to  sustain  him,  Mr.  McKinney  abandoned  the  bar,  and  returned  to  active 
labor.  In  November,  1827,  he  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Goode.  While 
in  Ohio,  Mr.  McKinney  had  imbibed  the  political  ideas  of  the  aboli- 
tionists, and  on  his  return  to  Kentucky  he  found  himself  in  a  hopeless 
minority,  politically  and  socially.  This,  coupled  with  the  fact  that  he 
was  pool',  and  there  seemed  no  chance  to  better  his  condition  there, 


ADDITIOXAL    MATTBR.  827 

made  it  incumbent  upon  him  to  seek  a  new  home,  where  better  oppor- 
tunities might  present  themselves.  During  his  absence  many  of  his 
associates  had  removed  to  Missouri,  and  his  first  impulse  was  to  follow 
them  thither,  but  as  Missouri  was  a  slave  state,  and  as  he  expected  by 
removal  to  better  his  condition,  he  feared  that  the  profits  of  slave  hold- 
ing might  overcome  his  abolition  scruples,  and  rather  than  place  him- 
self in  the  way  of  temptation  he  decided  to  settle  in  the  young  and 
promising  State  of  Illinois,  and  in  the  spring  of  1832  he  left  Kentucky 
with  his  wife  and  two  young  children,  and  opened  a  farm  in  what  was 
then  a  part  of  AVarren  county,  but  when  that  county  was  divided  he 
found  himself  within  the  limits  of  the  new  county  of  Henderson.  Here 
he  conducted  farming  operations  for  twelve  years,  and  with  such  success 
that  he  was  at  the  end  of  that  time  the  owner  of  800  acres  of  land,  and 
a  fair  competency  in  addition.  In  1S44  he  removed  to  Oquawka,  and 
went  into  business  with  Edward  E.  Adams,  under  the  firm  name  of 
McKinney  6z  Adams.  They  conducted  a  large  diy  goods  and  general 
store,  and  bought  and  sold  grain,  pork  and  produce  of  all  kinds.  The 
latter  were  shipped  for  the  most  part  to  St.  Louis,  the  Mississippi  river 
being  the  only  available  public  highway,  although  some  sales  were  made 
in  New  Orleans.  The  dry  goods  were  purchased  in  New  York,  Boston 
and  St.  Louis.  The  firm  also  engaged  largely  in  pork  packing,  in  com- 
pany with  Mr.  Alfred  Knowles,  running  what  was  at  that  time  a  very 
large  establishment  for  this  country,  em])loying  during  the  packing 
season  from  fifty  to  sixty  hands,  and  handling  daily  from  500  to 
1,000  hogs.  In  1854,  after  ten  years  of  prosperity  and  success,  the 
firm  of  McKinney  &  Adams  dissolved  partnership,  tlie  latter  retiring, 
his  share  amounting  to  not  less  than  $25,000,  which  had  all,  and 
more,  legitimately  been  made  during  the  decade,  thanks  largely  to 
the  business  tact  of  Mr.  McKinney.  Mr.  McKinney  continued  the 
business,  associating  with  himself  his  oldest  son,  Hiram,  under  the 
firm  name  of  McKinney  &  Son,  until  about  the  beginning  of  the 
war,  when  he  turned  the  entire  merchandising  business  over  to 
his  three  oldest  sons,  Hiram,  John  and  George,  and  devoted  his 
time  to  loaning  money.  The  new  firm,  however,  did  not  long  con- 
tinue in  trade.  Hiram  died  in  December,  1861  ;  John  raised  a  com- 
pany and  went  with  it,  as  captain,  in  the  91st  HI.  Inf. ;  and  George, 
whose  health  rendered  necessary  a  change  of  climate,  sold  the  stock 
back  to  his  father,  and  went  to  California.  Mr.  McKinney  did  not 
restock  the  store  long,  but  gradually  sold  out  as  opportunity  ofiercd. 
At  the  time  of  the  great  Chicago  fire  he  boxed  up  and  shipped  a  large 
quantity  of  clothing  and  remnants  to  the  sufierers,  and  again  did  the 
same  for  the  sufferers  from  the  drouth  and  grasshoppers  in  Kansas. 
47 


828  HISTORY   OF    MERCER    A^T)    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

His  wife  died  in  1846,  leaving  him  with  a  family  of  six  children,  and 
in  the  following  year  he  married  Miss  Mary  Ann,  daughter  of  Rev. 
Wm.  K.  Stewart,  of  Macomb,  Illinois,  who  is  yet  living.  His  chil- 
dren by  his  first  wife  were:  Hiram,  died  in  1861 ;  Ann,  wife  of  Luke 
Strong,  of  Aledo ;  Elizabeth,  widow  of  James  Moir,  now  resides  in 
Paris,  France ;  John,  present  postmaster  of  Aledo ;  George,  doing 
business  in  Chicago,  and  resides  in  one  of  the  suburbs  ;  Collin,  resides 
near  Hot  Springs,  Arkansas ;  and  William,  died  in  infancy.  The  two 
first  named  were  born  in  Kentucky,  the  others  on  the  farm  in  Hender- 
son county,  Illinois.  Collin  volunteered  in  1861  in  the  10th  111.  Inf, 
Co.  E. ;  was  commissioned  second  lieutenant,  and  rose  to  the  rank  of 
captain.  With  his  regiment  he  re-entered  as  veteran,  and  served 
throughout  the  war.  Children  by  his  second  wife  were  :  Adelaide, 
still  at  home  ;  Lucretia,  died  in  infancy ;  James,  married,  cashier  of 
Aledo  bank  ;  Archie,  loan  clerk  for  his  father ;  Mary  Isabel,  at  home  y 
Maggie,  died  in  infancy;  and  Robert  Riley,  still  at  home.  These  were 
all  born  in  Oquawka.  Mr.  McKinney  united  with  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  church  in  1833,  but  on  coming  to  Aledo  he  connected 
himself  with  the  First  Presbyterian  church  (known  as  the  Old  School), 
of  this  place.  He  is  an  earnest  christian,  rigid  in  the  observance  of  all 
the  rules  and  religious  customs  of  the  church,  a  regular  attendant  upon 
all  her  ordinances,  and  a  liberal  supporter  of  church  and  Sabbath  school. 
He  has  for  many  years  served  his  church  as  deacon  or  elder,  and  as 
trustee.  He  removed  to  Aledo  in  May,  1873,  and  in  April,  1874,  pur- 
chased an  interest  in  the  Aledo  bank,  where  he  is  still  the  senior 
member  of  the  lirm.  He  was  an  old  line  whig,  until  the  organization 
of  the  republican  party,  since  which  time  he  has  acted  with  the  latter. 
During  the  war  he  was,  a  strong  union  man,  and  was  appointed  by 
President  Lincoln  commissioner  of  enrollment  for  the  then  sixth  con- 
gressional district,  comprising  the  counties  of  Adams,  Hancock,  Hen- 
derson, Mercer,  Rock  Island,  and  AVarren. 

Cornelius  Springer  Richey,  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Douglass) 
Richey,  was  born  September  9,  1 828,  in  Salt  Creek  township,  Muskin- 
gum county,  Ohio  ;  father  born  in  Pennsylvania  ;  mother  in  New  Jer- 
sey. His  parents  had  emigrated  from  Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania, 
in  1814.  His  youth  was  spent  on  the  home  farm  until  the  age  of 
twenty.  His  education  he  received  in  the  common  schools  and  in 
Muskingum  college.  New  Concord.  He  taught  school  in  the  vicinity 
of  his  home  until  1854,  when  he  came  to  this  county,  settling  in  Ohio 
Grove  township.  He  was  elected  county  surveyor  in  1855,  and  fol- 
lowed surveying,  teaching  during  the  winter  months,  until  1862,  when 
he  went  into  the  mercantile  business,  first  at  Bridger's  Corners,  Suez 


ADDITIONAL   MATTKR.  829 

township,  for  about  a  }'ear,  and  at  Sunbeam,  Oliio  Grove  townsliip, 
until  1868,  wlien  he  removed  to  Aledo,  and  lias  ever  since  continued 
the  business  here,  first  as  a  member  of  the  firm  of  C.  S.  &  J.  C. 
Kichey,  with  his  brother,  J.  C;  next  with  Richey  Bros.  &  McGufhn, 
J.  (t.  McGuffin  having  jmrchased  an  interest ;  then  alone  ;  again  with 
Jesse  Markee  and  I.  jST.  Dunlap,  as  Richey,  Markee  &  Co. ;  with  Dun- 
lap,  as  Richey  &  Dunlap,  and  now  as  senior  member  of  the  firm  of 
Richey,  Frew  &  Dunlap,  S.  J.  Frew  having  recently  purchased  an 
interest  in  the  business.  The  firm  deal  in  dry-goods,  clothing,  millin- 
ery, and  groceries,  and  have  a  good  custom.  January  17,  1865,  he 
married  Miss  Susan  IL,  daughter  of  Joel  Lee,  Esq.,  of  Galesburg, 
Illinois.  They  have  two  children  living,  Arthur,  aged  thirteen,  and 
Olive,  aged  five  years.  He  was  reelected  county  surveyor  in  the  fall 
of  1879  and  still  holds  the  office.  He  has  always  voted  the  republican 
ticket. 

J.oiES  MrCoRMicK  WiLsox.  About  the  close  of  the  last  century 
David  B.  AYilson,  then  only  about  sixteen  years  of  age,  emigrated 
from  his  native  place  in  the  Shenandoah  Yallcy,  Virginia,  and  settled 
on  a  partially  opened  farm  near  Fayette  City,  in  the  Rehobath  valley, 
Pennsvlvania.  The  location  was  about  thirtv  miles  above  Pittsburtfh, 
and  ten  miles  below  Brownsville,  the  point  where  the  old  national  road 
crossed  the  Monongahela  river.  Here  he  married  Mary  McCormick, 
raised  a  family,  and  remained  until  his  death  in  1863.  Among  his 
children  was  James  M.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  who  was  born 
December  1,  1822.  James  remained  upon  his  fathers  farm  until 
twenty-four  years  of  age,  receiving  only  the  educational  facilities  of  the 
public  schools  of  that  day,  which  would  illy  compare  with  those  of  the 
present.  Upon  leaving  the  farm  he  learned  the  carpenter's  trade  and 
followed  it  for  five  years,  and  could  frame  a  barn  or  finish  a  parlor  in 
good  style,  as  occasion  might  require.  November  23,  1853,  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Mary  Smith,  of  Flat  Woods,  Pennsylvaipa,  and  in  the 
folhjwing  May  he  came  to  Galesburg,  remaining  during  the  summer 
and  returned  to  Fayette  City  in  the  fall.  In  the  spring  of  1855  he  re- 
moved with  his  family  to  Galesburg,  where,  with  W.  B.  Patterson,  he 
went  into  the  furniture  business,  under  the  firm  name  of  Patterson  & 
Wilson,  continuing  until  July,  1857,  when  ^Ir.  Wilson  removed  to 
Aledo,  erected,  with  Mr.  D.  V.  Reed,  the  building  on  the  corner  of 
College  avenue  and  Eighth  street,  now  occupied  by  L.  F.  Jt)busch,  and 
opened  a  furniture  store  in  one-half  of  the  building,  in  connection  with 
undertaking,  continuing  until  1862.  In  1861  he  was  appointed  post- 
master by  President  Lincoln.  In  August,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  K, 
102d  reg.  111.  Vol.  Inf ,  and  in  the  s]>ring  of  1863  was  honorably  dis- 


830  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

charged  at  Gallatin,  Tennessee,  on  account  of  disabilit^s  and  returned 
to  Aledo.  He  was  elected  supervisor  of  Mercer  township  in  1860,  1863 
and  1864.  In  the  fall  of  the  latter  year  he  was  elected  circuit  clerk, 
and  resigned  the  offices  of  postmaster  and  supervisor  to  enter  on  his 
duties,  being  succeeded  as  postmaster  by  Horace  Bigelow,  of  the 
"Record."  Pie  served  as  circuit  clerk  until  December,  1868.  Not- 
withstanding his  limited  educational  advantages  in  youth  Mr.  W.  early 
resolved  to  become  a  lawyer,  and  with  this  end  in  view  he  availed  him- 
self of  all  means  of  improvement  within  his  reach  by  general  reading 
and  persistent  study.  During  his  last  3'ear  as  circuit  clerk,  upon  appli- 
cation, he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  and  licensed  to  practice  in  the  sev- 
eral courts  of  the  state.  During  the  same  year  he  was  appointed 
master  in  chancery  by  Hon.  A.  A.  Smith,  then  circuit  judge,  and  re- 
appointed in  1870  for  the  succeeding  two  years.  In  May,  1869,  he 
formed  a  partnership  with  John  C.  Pepper,  one  of  the  oldest  as  well 
as  ablest  attorneys  of  the  county,  under  the  firm  name  of  Pepper  & 
Wilson,  which  continued  until  April,  1882,  when  it  was  dissolved  by 
mutual  consent,  both  continuing  to  practice,  however,  in  their  own 
names.  During  the  residence  of  himself  and  wife  in  Aledo,  nearly  a 
quarter  of  a  century,  they  have  reared  a  family  of  five  children  : 
Sarah  C.  (wife  of  James  II.  Pamsey,  dealer  in  jewelry  and  silverware, 
Aledo),  Mary  R.  (wife  of  Joseph  Boyd,  firm  of  Boyd  Bros.,  dealers  in 
groceries  and  hardware,  Aledo),  Nannie  M.  (wife  of  Joseph  M.  Wal- 
lace, M.D.,  of  Coal  Valley,  Rock  Island  county,  Illinois),  Cora  C, 
and  Fannie  L.,  both  at  home  and  attending  the  public  schools  of  Aledo, 
in  which  their  sister  Nannie  once  held  a  position  as  teacher.  While 
Mr.  W.  has  not  attained  great  wealth,  he  has  a  commodious  and  com- 
fortable residence,  occupying  an  entire  block  of  ground  between  Fourth 
and  Fifth  streets,  west  of  College  avenue,  so  highly  cultivated  and  im- 
proved as  to  make  it  among  the  most  desirable  homes  in  the  village, 
and  in  addition  to  the  complete  furnishing  pro]>er,  in  his  house  may  be 
found  one  oflhe  best  and  perhaps  one  of  the  largest  private  libraries  in 
the  county.  Politically  he  is  a  re23ublican.  He  has  for  years  been 
connected  with  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  is  a  Mason  of  high 
degree. 

Benjamin  Coleman  Taliaferro  was  born  October  9,  1821,  in  King 
William  county,  Yirginia,  and  is  the  son  of  Robert  B.  and  Cecelia  H. 
(Ellett)  Taliaferro.  His  youth  was  spent  on  a  farm  in  Virginia  until 
1836,  when,  with  his  parents,  he  came  to  Illinois  and  settled  in  what 
was  then  a  part  of  Warren,  but  now  Henderson  county.  Here  his 
father  died  in  1847,  and  his  mother  died  in  1859,  at  Young  America 
(now  Kirkw(^od\  Warren  county.     His  father  was  a  native  of  King 


ADDITIONAL    »LV1TKR.  831 

William,  and  his  mother  of  Goochland  county,  Virginia.  Mr.  Talia- 
ferro remained  on  the  farm,  working  and  managing  it,  until  the  age  of 
twenty-two,  when,  surrendering  it  to  a  brother,  he  entered  the  law 
ofKce  of  Hon.  Charles  M.  Harris,  of  Oqnawka,  as  a  student.  His 
early  education  was  limited  to  the  common  schools  of  Virginia  and 
one  year  in  an  academy,  before  coming  to  Illinois  ;  since  then  to  what 
he  could  "pick  up''  by  judicious  reading  and  practical  business  experi- 
ence. After  being  admitted  to  the  bar  he  removed  to  Keithsburg,  and 
was  for  a  number  of  Acars  in  partnership  with  John  (\  Pepper ;  then 
alone;  next  with  J.  E.  Griffin,  and  again  with  Benjamin  F.  Brock,  of 
Aledo,  Mr.  Taliaferro  having  his  office  in  Keithsburg,  and  Mr.  Brock 
in  Aledo.  In  1881  Mr.  Taliaferro  removed  to  Aledo,  and  formed  a 
partnershij)  with  James  II.  Connell  in  law  and  abstract  business, 
which  \vas  dissolved  upon  Mr.  ConnelFs  removal  to  Pueblo.  Colorado, 
in  the  spring  of  1882  ;  and  Mr.  Taliaferro  associated  his  son,  Bobert  B., 
with  him  in  the  abstract  department  of  his  business.  In  1848  he  was 
appointed  master  in  chancery  for  the  circuit  court  in  Mercer  county,  a 
position  he  held  for  nine  consecutive  years.  During  his  residence  in 
Keithsburg  he  held  a  number  of  municipal  offices,  and  is  the  present 
village  attorney  for  Aledo.  In  1876  he  was  elected  to  the  state  senate 
from  the  then  twenty-second  senatorial  district,  comprising  Mercer  and 
Knox  counties,  and  served  in  the  thirtieth  and  thirty-first  general 
assemblies.  He  had  the  honor  of  presenting  to  the  latter  tlie  great 
home-protection  petition  containing  175,000  names,  and  of  being  its 
special  champion  in  the  senate.  He  has  been  prominently  connected 
for  years  with  the  temperance  work,  in  which  he  has  been  ably 
assisted  by  his  wife,  both  having  frequently  lectured  on  the  subject  in 
this  and  adjoining  counties.  He  was  the  author  of  the  farm  drainage 
law  now  in  force  in  this  state,  and  of  several  other  laws,  of  equal 
importance,  now  on  our  statute  books.  He  also  introduced  a  bill  to 
"establish  the  Western  Institution  for  the  Deaf  and  Dumb,"  which 
failed  to  pass  for  want  of  time  for  its  consideration.  He  became  a 
Mason  in  1850,  and  is  still  a  member,  having  attained  the  Royal  Arch 
degree,  and  frequently  filled  important  offices  in  the  order.  March  15, 
1852,  he  was  married  to  Mary  A.  Pepper,  of  Utiea,  New  York.  They 
have  four  children :  ( 'ora  B.  (at  home),  Frank  E.  (married,  resides  in 
Springfield  ;  secretary  State  Board  of  Health),  Ralph  E.,  and  Robert  B. 
(both  still  at  home).  Mrs.  Taliaferro  and  daughter  belong  to  the 
Baptist  church,  of  Aledo ;  no  others  of  the  family  connected  witli  any 
church.  Mr.  Taliaferro  and  his  sons  are  all  i-epublicans.  Mr.  Talia- 
ferro is  one  of  the  early  settlers;  has  a  wide  circle  of  acquaintances 
and  friends ;  stands  high  socially,  professionally,  and  politically. 


832  HISTORY    OF    SfERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

Isaac  Newton  Bassett  was  horn  in  Lewis  county,  Kentucky,  Sep- 
tember 8,  1825.  His  early  life  was  spent  on  his  father's  farm,  where 
he  received  such  educational  advantages  as  were  afforded  by  the  com- 
mon schools  of  that  day.  He  tried  merchandising  for  a  while,  but  not 
finding  it  as  remunerative  as  he  had  hoped,  studied  law,  and  has  practiced 
for  over  thiity-tive  years,  attaining  a  name  and  reputation  tliroughout 
the  state ;  one  of  prominence  and  honor  of  which  he  may  well  feel  proud. 
In  1852  he  removed  to  Mercer  county,  settling  in  Keithsburg,  and  as 
a  member  of  the  firm  of  Johnson,  Willits  &  Bassett  commenced  the 
practice  of  law  here.  In  1855  he  was  elected  county  treasurer,  holding 
the  office  for  four  years.  He  removed  to  Aledo  in  1857  when  the 
county  seat  was  removed,  and  has  ever  since  been  a  leading  and 
honored  resident  of  the  village.  In  1847  he  married  Miss  Scienda  T. 
Moore,  by  whom  he  had  six  children,  five  of  whom  are  still  living : 
Fletcher  S.,  lieutenant  United  States  navy;  Thomas  W.,  attorney  at 
law,  Lacqui  Parle,  Minnesota;  Flora,  wife  of  William  IST.  Graham, 
cashier  of  Farmers'  Bank,  Aledo ;  iS^ota,  and  Lulu,  both  at  home.  His 
wife  died  in  1861.  In  1862  he  married  Mrs.  Caroline  H.  i  erty,  a 
sister  of  J.  E.  Harroun,  who  had  one  child.  Miss  Clara,  who  is  still  at 
home,  and  who,  with  Miss  Xota  Bassett,  is  conducting  a  book,  station- 
ery and  millinery  business,  under  name  of  Bassett  cfe  Yerty.  By  his 
second  wife  Mr.  Bassett  has  liad  four  children,  two  of  whom  have  died; 
Victor  Hugo,  a  boy  of  eleven  years,  and  Bessie,  a  girl  of  eight  years. 
From  1847  to  1870,  he  was  connected  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  but  in  the  latter  year  joined  the  Congregationalists,  to  which 
he  still  belongs.  He  has  also  been  a  Mason  for  many  years.  While 
not  what  is  termed  rich,  Mr.  Bassett  has  made  for  liimself  a  good  home, 
surrounded  by  the  comforts  and  luxuries  of  life.  His  family  hold  a 
leading  and  enviable  position  in  society,  and  in  the  church  which  is 
honored  by  their  membership.  Mr.  Bassett  is  at  present  the  senior 
member  of  the  firm  of  Bassett  tfc  Wharton,  the  latter  now  serving  his 
second  term  as  state's  attorney,  and  they  enjoy  a  large  and  lucrative 
practice  in  the  circuit,  appellate,  state,  and  federal  courts. 

Samuel  Marquis  was  born  in  Washington  count}-,  Pennsylvania, 
October  .2,  1834,  and  is  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Sarah  Ann  (Lysle)  Mar- 
quis. His  early  life  was  spent  on  a  farm,  where  he  received  a  common 
school  education,  or  so  much-  of  one  as  could  be  obtained  during  the 
winter  months.  His  mother  died  about  thirty  years  ago,  and  his 
father  died  in  Galva,  Kansas,  in  1880.  In  1855  he  came  west, 
stopping  for  a  while  in  Davenport,  Iowa,  and  in  1857  he  came  to  this 
county,  locating  on  the  home  farm  in  Mercer  township.  In  1 862  he 
settled  in  Aledo,  and  went  into  the  dairy  business,  in  which  he  has 


ADDITIONAL    MATTER.  833 

ever  since  been  engaged.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Anna  Signor, 
November  16,  1867.  They  have  liad  six  children,  all  of  whom  are 
still  living :  James  Lorell,  Dappie,  Sarah  Kate,  Vance,  Carrie,  and 
Mavnard  M.  Mr.  Marquis  is  industrious,  honest  and  conscientious, 
and  while  not  wealthy  he  has  acquired  a  comfortable  home  and  his 
business  is  sure  and  safe,  fairly  remunerative  and  free  from  great  risks 
or  temptation  to  speculation.  He  is  a  good  citizen;  one  of  the  kind 
to  honor  the  place  of  his  residence. 

J^uiEs  H.  CoNNELL  was  bom  in  Toronto,  Canada,  November  5, 
1843.  His  father's  name  was  William  Connell,  his  mother's  Isabella 
Leishman.  They  were  both  born  in  Scotland,  and  moved  to  Canada 
in  18-12.  In  1818  they  moved  to  Chicago  and  from  there  to  Sycamore, 
DeKalb  county,  Illinois,  in  1819.  Mr.  Connell's  education  is  such  as 
he  received  at  the  Sycamore  high  school  and  a  commercial  college  in 
Chicago.  He  worked  in  the  "'True  Republican"  office,  in  Sycamore, 
three  years ;  went  to  Chicago  in  1801,  and  kept  books  in  the  whole- 
sale drug  house  of  H.  Scovil.  In  1861  he  enlisted  in  Co.  F,  132d 
reg.  111.  Inf.,  and  served  until  the  war  closed.  He  went  to  Aledo  in 
1865,  at  the  close  of  the  war,  and  studied  law  in  the  office  of  J.  R.  and 
I.  N.  Bassett,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  by  the  Supreme  Court  of 
Illinois,  in  March,  1868.  He  then  went  into  partnership  with  I.  N. 
Bassett,  in  March  of  that  year,  and  continued  until  January,  1874. 
He  was  married  to  Lallie  Arthur  June  8,  1870.  She  is  the  daughter 
of  Mrs.  M.  C.  Geiger,  and  step  daughter  of  John  Geiger,  of  Aledo, 
Blinois.  Mr.  Connell  was  appointed  master  in  chancery,  of  Mercer 
county,  Illinois,  in  November  1879,  and  resigned  the  same  in  May, 
1882.  He  owned  the  abstract  books  of  Mercer  county,  from  1868  to 
1874,  with  I.  X.  Bassett,  and  from  1874  to  May,  1882,  was  sole  pro- 
prietor, when  he  sold  them  to  B.  C.  and  R.  B.  Taliaferro.  He  was 
one  of  the  originators  of  the  Mercer  County  Scientific  and  Historical 
Association,  and  was  elected  secretary  of  the  association  when  it  was 
organized,  and  was  re-elected  from  year  to  year  until  the  spring  session, 
1882,  when  he  declined  further  election  as  he  was  preparing  to  move 
to  Colorado.  He  was  tendered  the  position  of  attorney-general  of 
Montana,  by  President  Garfield,  in  1881,  but  declined  the  office.  In 
August,  1881,  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Senator  B.  C.  Taliaferro, 
and  dissolved  the  same  in  May,  1882,  for  the  purpose  of  removing  to 
another  field  farther  west.  ,He  left  Aledo  in  May,  1882,  and  moved 
to  Pueblo,  Colorado,  where  he  is  now  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law. 
To  Mr.  Connell,  as  one  of  the  members  and  secretary  of  the  historical 
society,  the  publishers  are  under  many  obligations,  and  much  of  what 


834  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

is  valuable  in  this  work  is  due  to  liis  kindness.     Mr.  Connell  carries 
with  him  to  his  new  home  the  good  wishes  of  numerous  friends. 

William  H.  Gladman,  New  Windsor,  was  born  in  Fulton  county, 
Illinois,  July  30,  1843.  His  father,  Washington  B.  Gladman,  was  a 
native  of  Ohio,  and  was  among  the  early  pioneers  of  Fulton  county  in 
this  state,  having  come  to  that  county  about  the  year  1820,  where  he 
resided  until  the  spring  of  1853.  He  removed  to  Henry  county, 
Iowa,  where  he  died  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year.  His  mothei*,  whose 
maiden  name  was  Catherine  Druinm,  was  a  native  of  Yii-ginia,  and 
survived  her  husband  until  1879.  In  1862  AVilliam  H.  enlisted  in  Co. 
K,  25tli  reg.  Iowa  Vol.  Inf.,  commanded  by  Col.  Stone,  and  served 
with  that  regiment  in  the  Fifteenth  Army  Corps  until  the  close  of  the 
war.  He  was  in  twenty-three  engagements  and  escaped  without  a 
scratch  until  the  last  one,  which  was  at  Bentonville,  North  Carolina, 
where  he  received  a  slight  wound  in  the  shoulder.  When  mustered 
out  of  the  army  he  returned  to  his  old  home  in  Henry  county,  Iowa, 
remaining  there  until  the  following  year  (1866),  when  he  removed  to 
Oneida,  Illinois,  where,  in  connection  with  his  brother,  he  established 
a  wagon  and  carriage  shop.  In  1869  he  moved  to  New  Windsor, 
where  he  engaged  in  the  same  business,  which  he  has  continued  until 
the  present  time.  Mr.  Gladman  is  a  man  of  excellent  natural  meehan- 
icai  ability,  being  able  to  do  what  but  very  few  men  can  accomplish, 
namely:  manufacture  a  carriage  complete,  doing  the  work  of  the 
wheelwright,  the  blacksmith,  the  painter,  the  top  builder,  the  trimmer, 
and  upholsterer,  and  when  done  it  will  compare  favorably  in  quality, 
style  and  finish  with  the  workmanship  of  specialists  in  any  of  the 
departments.  He  was  married  April  16,  1868,  in  Oneida,  Illinois,  to 
Miss  Lizzie  T.  Conyers,  who  was  a  native  of  Bath  county,  Kentucky. 
Her  father,  Thomas  Conyers,  was  a  native  of  the  same  county  and 
state,  and  died  there  when  only  twenty-five  years  old,  shortly  before 
the  birth  of  his  daughter,  which  event  occurred  August  4,  1843.  On 
this  account  her  mother  gave  her  the  name  of  her  father  for  a  second 
name.  Her  mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Nancy  Kerns,  was  a 
native  of  Bourbon  county,  Kentucky.  She  came  from  Kentucky  to 
Oneida  in  1864,  and  now  resides  with  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Gladman,  in 
New  Windsor.  A  sister  of  Mrs.  Gladman  also  makes  her  home  with 
her.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gladman  have  four  children  living:  EmmaF.,  born 
January  25,  1870;  William  K.,  born  December  16,  1871;  Lucy  E., 
born  April  29,  1873 ;  Nellie  A.,  born  January  4,  1876. 

John  C.  Pepper  was  born  in  Cambridgeshire,  England,  September 
21,  1829.  He  came  to  this  country  with  his  parents  when  about  seven 
years  of  age,   the  family  settling  at  Amboy,   Oswego  county,   New 


ADDITIONAL    MATTER.  835 

York,  where  he  passed  his  early  life.  When  sixteen  he  left  home  to 
attend  the  academy  at  Vernon,  New  York,  where  he  remained  two 
years,  after  which  he  entered  the  Wayne  County  Institute,  pursuing 
his  studies  there  three  summers,  and  teaching  school  during  the  winter 
seasons.  In  1848  failing  health  induced  him  to  come  west;  and  after 
staying  a  year  in  Peoria  he  settled  in  Keith sburg,  where  he  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  January  6,  1851.  In  the  same  month  he  celebrated 
his  nuptials  with  Miss  Mary  Ann  Martin,  who  has  borne  him  seven 
children,  three  of  whom  are  deceased.  In  1862  he  raised  Co.  H,  84th 
reg.  111.  Vol.;  being  elected  captain,  he  commanded  his  company  with 
deserved  credit  at  Stone  river,  and  was  three  times  wounded  in  that 
battle.  Since  1869  he  has  resided  in  Aledo.  In  1880  Capt.  Pepper 
ran  as  an  independent  candidate  for  circuit  judge,  but  fiiiled  of  elec- 
tion. During  the  last  two  years  he  has  been  earnestly  and  promi- 
nently engaged  in  the  temperance  movement  in  this  state.  W^ith  the 
cooperation  of  a  few  friends  he  started  the  Illinois  State  Temperance 
Alliance,  and  was  president  of  the  organization  from  September,  ISSO, 
till  January,  1882,  when  it  was  consolidated  with  the  Illinois  State 
Christian  Temperance  Union,  under  the  name  of  the  Illinois  State 
Temperance  Union. 

Dr.  Elisha  L.  Marshall  was  born  near  Trenton,  New  Jersey, 
September  24,  1823  ;  was  educated  at  City  University,  of  iSTew  York, 
and  located  at  Keithsburg,  Illinois,  August,  1850,  at  which  place  he 
still  remains  in  practice  of  his  profession  ;  was  connected  with  the  84th 
reg.  111. Vol.  Inf.,  as  a  medical  othcer  in  the  war  of  1861.  As  a  prac- 
titioner of  medicine  and  surgery.  Dr.  Elisha  L.  Marshall  stands  de- 
servedly high  in  the  estimation  of  all,  and  not  the  least  so  in  the  esti- 
mation of  his  professional  brethren.  But  it  is  in  the  department  of 
surgery,  perhaps,  that  the  doctor  has  done  his  best  work,  and  earned 
his  highest  triumphs.  But  few  practitioners  outside  the  larger  cities 
have  done  a  larger  number  of  intricate  and  capital  operations,  or  met 
with  a  more  uniform  success  in  operative  surgical  procedures  than  has 
the  subject  of  this  sketch.  His  close  observations  of  pathological  con- 
ditions, his  success  in  weighing  the  relations  of  cause  and  effect,  and 
his  almost  intuitive  judgment  and  decision  at  the  bed-side,  have 
secured  for  him  a  reputation  as  consulting  physician  and  surgeon 
second  to  none  in  the  county.  Generous  and  hospitable  in  his  home  cir- 
cle, courteous  and  affable  in  every  day  life,  strong  and  enduring  in  his 
personal  friendships,  thorough  in  his  professional  attainments,  earnest 
in  his  warfare  against  disease,  with  an  almost  cliivalric  fidelity  to  the 
sick  and  afflicted  consigned  to  his  care,  Dr.  Marshall  has  stamped  the 


836  HISTORY    OF   MERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

impress  of  liis  stalwart  individiialitj  upon  the  history  and  daily  life  of 
the  large  community  in  which  he  has  lived  and  labored  for  nearly  the 
third  of  a  century. 

As  the  oldest  physician  and  earliest  settler  as  such  now  resident  of 
this  county,  we  offer  the  subjoined  sketch  of  the  professional  life  of 
Dr.  Thomas  T.  Willits,  who  was  born  in  the  state  of  Ohio  December 
6,  1805  ;  spent  the  early  part  of  his  professional  life  in  the  state  of 
Indiana,  removing  from  that  state  and  establishing  himself  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  his  present  home  in  1837,  his  first  location  being  had  a  few  miles 
southeast  of  Keithsburg,  at  the  base  of  the  Mississippi  bluffs,  at  which 
place  he  remained  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  up  to  1840,  at  which 
time  he  removed  to  tlie  town  of  Xew  Boston,  where  he  still  resides. 
Dr.  Willits  has  thus  been  actively  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession for  a  period  of  about  fifty-four  years,  forty-five  years  of  which 
time  has  been  spent,  practically,  in  the  same  community  of  people, 
thus  actively  in  the  same  avocation  for  nearly  the  half  century  in  which 
he  has  lived  and  labored  with  the  co-workers  of  his  profession,  inaugu- 
rating its  inception,  as  it  were  ;  moving  ever  in  its  front  ranks  ;  stamp- 
ing the  impress  of  liis  own  ideas  and  thoughts  upon  others  with  whom 
he  came  in  contact ;  all  of  whom,  as  members  of  the  medical  fraternity, 
having  acknowledged  the  chieftainship  of  their  great  leader  and 
awarded  to  him  the  chief  place  of  teacher,  tutor  and  friend,  delight  to 
honor  him  as  "the  noblest  Roman  of  them  all."  Having  attained 
more  than  the  allotted  "three  score  and  ten  "  of  years,  we  find  him 
to-day  in  the  fullest  possession  of  a  mind  sturdy,  clear  and  unclouded, 
with  all  of  his  wonderful  power  of  intellection,  without  a  seeming 
shadow  as  reflected  from  the  vast  accumulation  of  hours,  days  and 
years  since  he  first  saw  the  light.  AVe  have  but  recently  had  the 
pleasure  of  passing  a  few  hours  in  the  society  of  the  subject  of  our 
sketch,  and  although  impressed  with  something  of  a  knowledge  of  the 
grandeur  of  the  old  veteran's  character,  through  the  representations  of 
friends  who  have  known  him  long  and  well,  we  cannot  but  add  our 
own  great  admiration  of  this  venerable  man,  all  of  which  we  will  try 
to  condense  into  the  one  sentence  of  much  meaning  when  we  write 
that  in  the  person  of  Dr.  Willits  we  have  a  fine  specimen  of  an  almost 
extinct  species  of  the  c/enus  homo,  "the  typical  old  school  gentleman." 


THE    SOLDIERS     MONUMENT. 


837 


THE  MONUMENT,  AND  THE  SOLDIERS'  AND  SAH.ORS' 

ASSOCIATION. 


CONTRini'TKI)    I!Y    I,,    li.    DOrOH'Ti', 


The  history  of  tlie  monunient  is  so  interwoven  with  that  of  the 
association,  that  it  woukl  be  incomplete  if  treated  separately ;  but  a 
history  of  the  association  would  necessarily  include  all  that  can  be  told 
of  the  monument.  As  one  who  has  been  intimately  connected  with 
the  movement  looking  to  the  erection  of  the  monument  from  its  incip- 
iency  up  to  the  present  time,  we  will  endeavor  to  give  a  brief  and  con- 
cise history,  albeit,  much  that  we  nnght  wish  to  say  must  necessarily 
be  omitted. 


TlIK    MuM  .\li;.\T. 


About  the  last  of  May,  1875,  some  half  a  dozen  ex-soldiers  casually 
met,  and  one  of  their  number  suggested  that  it  would  be  a  good  thing 
to  have  a  soldiers'  reunion  at  our  next  fair.  After  some  informal  dis- 
cussion it  was  decided  to  call  a  meeting  of  the  ex-soldiers  to  further 
discuss  the  question,  and  the  Aledo  "Record"  of  June  2,  contained  a 
call  for  a  meeting  in  Aledo  on  June  11,  which  call  was  also  published 


838  HISTORY    OF    ArERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

in  all  the  county  papers.  The  dav  proved  wet  and  disagreeable  and 
the  attendance  was  small.  An  adjournment  was  had  to  July  1,  when 
the  attendance  was  much  larger,  but  mainly  from  the  central  portion 
of  the  county.  Desiring  that  the  entire  county  should  participate  in 
the  arrangements,  it  was  deemed  best  to  call  a  delegate  meeting,  and 
all  the  townships  were  requested  to  choose  delegates  from  among  their 
ex-soldiers  to  represent  them  at  a  meeting  on  August  12,  1875.  At 
this  meeting  nine  of  the  fifteen  townships  were  represented. 

Up  to  this  time  the  object  contemplated  was  only  a  reunion,  and 
possibly  the  formation  of  a  permanent  association,  but  on  August  4: 
the  "Record"  published  a  communication  from  R.  H.  Day,  of  Millers- 
burg  township,  suggesting  that  steps  be  taken  to  erect  a  monument, 
and  the  suggestion  met  at  once  with  popular  favor.  At  the  meeting 
on  the  12th  a  number  of  short  speeches  were  made  in  its  favor,  com- 
mittees appointed  to  solicit  funds,  and  the  amount  fixed,  to  be  asked 
for,  at  $20,000.  A  temporary  organization  was  effected,  with  the  fol- 
lowing officers :  president,  Maj.  D.  W.  Sedwick,  of  Suez ;  ^^ice-presi- 
dent,  J.  E.  Harroun :  secretary,  Capt.  E.  B.  David ;  corresponding 
secretary,  L.  B.  Doughty ;  treasurer,  J.  E.  Gilmore ;  the  last  four  all 
of  Aledo. 

It  being  deemed  inadvisable  to  hold  a  reunion  during  the  fair, 
October  15  was  chosen  as  the  date,  and  the  necessarj'  committees  were 
appointed  to  make  proper  arrangements.  It  was  hoped  that  the  money 
could  be  raised  and  the  monument  be  erected  by  July  Ir,  1876.  The 
work  of  procui-ing  a  list  of  the  soldiers  from  this  county  who  had  fallen  in 
the  service,  was  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  officers,  who  in  turn  delegated 
it  to  the  writer.  We  procured  a  list  from  the  adjutant  general's  office 
in  Springfield,  but  it  was  necessarily  incom])lete,  and  full  of  errors, 
and  in  order  to  secure  its  correction  we  published  it  in  the  "Record'* 
and  "Banner,"  for  a  number  of  weeks,  adding  names  and  making  cor- 
rections as  received.  The  list  first  appeared  in  the  "Record,"  of  Octo- 
ber 13,  1875.  Reports  were  received  from  canvassers  from  time  to 
time,  and  it  became  evident  that  $20,000  was  too  much  to  ask  for,  and 
at  a  meeting  of  the  executive  committee  on  September  28,  it  was  de- 
cided to  reduce  the  figures  to  $8,000  or  $10,000. 

The  re-union  was  very  largely  attended.  Through  the  courtesy  of 
the  adjutant  general,  we  were  permitted  the  use  of  the  battle  flags  of 
the  different  regiments  represented,  and  the  history  of  the  flags,  given 
briefly  by  those  who  fouglit  under  them,  was  one  of  the  most  interest- 
ing features  of  tlie  occasion.  Rev.  S.  Brink  made  the  address,  and 
was  followed  briefly  by  lion.  A.  J.  Streeter.  Permanent  organizatic^n 
was  effected,  with  the  following  officers:  ])resident,  D.  W.  Sedwick; 


THE    SOLDIKKs'    MONIMKNT.  839 

vice-president,  W.  ( ).  Dungjui ;  secretary,  E.  B.  David  ;  corresponding 
secretary,  Eli  Detwiler  ;  treasurer,  J.  E.  (Tilmore.  Books  were  opened, 
and  110  ex-soldiers  registered  their  names  as  members.  Constitution 
was  ado])ted  and  the  "■Soldiers  and  Sailors  Association  "  was  inaugur- 
ated. When  the  meeting  adjourned  it  was  to  meet  again  in  reunion 
on  July  4,  1S76,  at  the  unvi-iling  of  the  monument,  if  it  was  read}'  to 
unveil.  !Mr.  Detwiler  declined  to  serve  as  corresponding  secretary, 
and  the  writer  was  aj)pointed  by  the  executive  committee  at  their  first 
meeting.  On  March  T,  1ST6,  Major  K.  W.  McClaughrey,  warden 
Illinois  state  penitentiary,  delivered  an  address  in  the  court-house,  in 
the  interest  of  the  monument,  and  in  the  evening  of  the  same  day 
spoke  in  Viola.  Meetings  were  held  at  diti'erent  points  in  the  county, 
but  the  work  of  raising  funds  was  slow,  and  on  April  28  the  executive 
committee  employed  Mr.  Hiram  Parkman  to  make  a  thorough  canvass 
of  the  county  ;  and  local  canvassers  were  employed  from  time  to  time. 
In  order  that  the  association  might  purchase  and  hold  grounds  for  the 
monument,  it  was  incoi*porated  under  the  general  laws  of  the  state, 
the  charter  being  issued  August  21,  lS7f'>.  This  rendered  some 
changes  necessary  in  the  constitution,  which  were  made  accordingly. 
We  give  the  following  sections  I'elating  to  the  object  and  membership : 

^''Preamble. — We,  the  undersigned,  desiring  to  perpetuate  the 
memory  of  our  fallen  comrades  and  friends,  do  unite  in  forming  a  per- 
manent association  for  that  purpose. 

''''Article  I.  Title. — This  association  shall  be  known  bv  the  name 
and  title  of  "The  Soldiers' and  Sailors' Association  of  Mercer  County." 
■  ''''Article  II.  Object. — The  object  of  this  association  shall  be  the 
erection  and  keeping  in  repair  of  a  monument  to  the  memory  of  the 
deceased  soldiers  and  sailors  of  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  and  to  buy  and 
hold  land  for  that  purpose. 

'''•Article  III  Meinher.'<hip. — Section  1.  All  honorably  discharged 
soldiers  and  sailors  of  the  United  States  anny  and  navy,  residing  within 
the  limits  of  Mercer  county,  and  all  who  have  contribytiod,  or  may 
hereafter  contribute  to  the  monument  fund,  shall  be  eligible  to  mem- 
bership in  this  association. 

''''Sec.  3.  Honorably  discharged  soldiers  and  sailors,  residing  w*ith- 
out  the  limits  of  the  association,  may  become  members  of  the  associa- 
tion and  entitled  to  all  the  ])rivileges  of  members  belonging  to  this 
county. '' 

On  March  11,  1877,  a  design  was  selected  by  the  committee,  and 
on  the  23d  bids  were  received  and  opened.  W.W.Webster,  of  Musca- 
tine, received  the  award,  his  being  the  lowest  of  nine  bids.  His 
figures  were  $3,110.     The  highest  was  $4,635.     From  the  "Market 


840  HISTORY   OF   MERCER   AKD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

Road,"  a  little  paper  then  published  bj  W.  C  Galloway,  we  quote  the 
following  description  and  remarks  : 

THE    PLAN    OF    THE    MONUMENT. 

In  order  to  give  as  correct  a  description  of  the  monument  as  pos- 
sible, we  condense  from  the  contract  with  Mr.  Webster  the  following  : 
The  foundation  shall  be  eleven  feet  square  at  base,  and  ten  feet  six 
inches  square  at  top,  and  seven  feet  deep  from  top  to  base  ;  to  be  built 
of  good  sandstone,  of  suitable  kind  and  dimension,  laid  in  cement 
mortar,  in  a  substantial  manner.  The  iii'st  base  proper  of  the  monu- 
ment shall  be  of  the  best  Joliet  limestone,  ten  feet  square  and  eight 
inches  deep  or  thick.  It  may  be  of  four  pieces  or  more,  finely  cut. 
The  second  base  shall  be  of  the  best  Joliet  limestone,  eight  feet  square 
and  ten  inches  thick,  to  be  of  four  pieces  finely  cut.  The  third  base 
shall  be  of  the  best  Joliet  limestone,  six  feet  square  and  one  foot  thick, 
and  to  be  in  one  solid  piece,  finely  cut.  All  of  the  monument  above 
the  third  base  to  be  of  the  best  Italian  nuirble  for  monuments,  to  be 
finished  with  pumice  finish,  except  the  granite  column,  which  shall 
be  of  red  Missouri  granite,  with  glass  finish.  The  plinth  for  die  shall 
be  four  feet  nine  inches  square  and  one  foot  two  inches  thick.  The  die 
shall  be  three  feet  six  inches  square  and  four  feet  high,  and  after  the 
columns  of  granite  shall  be  put  on  corners,  the  faces  of  die  shall  be  at 
least  two  feet  nine  inches  wide.  The  caps  of  granite  columns  shall  be 
six  inches  in  length  and  eight  inches  in  diameter.  The  granite  col- 
umns shall  be  three  feet  long,  and  six  inches  in  diameter  at  base  and 
five  and  one-half  inches  at  top.  The  plinth  of  granite  columns  shall  be 
nine  inches  in  diameter  and  six  inches  thick.  The  die  cap  shall  be 
four  feet  six  inches  square,  and  one  foot  two  inches  thick.  The  spire 
shall  be  two  feet  six  inches  square  at  base  and  one  foot  eight  inches  at 
top,  and  fifteen  feet  in  length,  exclusive  of  bands  on  dap,  to  be  made 
in  three  sections  of  suitable  length  for  good  taste.  The  two  bands 
between  the  'sections  of  the  spire  shall  each  be  of  the  same  size  at 
spire,  and  one  foot  thick  or  high.  The  cap  of  spire  shall  be  two  feet 
six.  inches  square,  and  one  foot  three  inches  thick.  The  statue  of 
soldier  shall  be  six  feet  eight  inches  in  length  above  column  cap,  size 
in  proportion.  Position  in  parade  rest.  The  total  height  from  foun- 
dation to  be  thirty-five  feet  two  inches.  On  the  plinth  of  die  shall  be 
in  raised  letters,  this  motto, 

MERCER    COUNTi' 

TO  II ER  FALLEN  SONS. 
186]  to  1865. 


THE    SOLDIERS     MONirWENT.  841 

The  names  of  soldiers  on  die  shall  be  by  regiment  and  company. 
Size  of  letters,  three-fourths  of  an  inch  in  length  and  of  suitable  pro- 
portion. On  the  four  squares  of  the  plinth  (►f  spire  shall  be  carvings 
or  figures  of  sailors  or  mariners,  cavalry,  artillery  and  infantry  in 
raised  figures.  On  the  four  squares  of  the  band  on  spire  shall  be  the 
names  of  the  battles  in  raised  letters.  On  cap  of  spire  shall  be  raised 
stars.  All  the  mouldings,  shajjes,  etc.,  shall  be  finished  in  good  taste, 
artistic  skill  and  workmanship.  The  granite  columns  shall  be  dowel- 
pinned  to  cap  and  plinth  of  column,  also  cap  of  column  and  plinth  of 
column  to  cap  of  die  and  plinth  of  die  by  half-inch  brass  rods  three 
inches  long.  The  foundation  to  be  raised  two  feet  above  the  surface  ; 
to  be  well  banked  up  to  top  and  nicely  swarded  over.  These  shall  be 
enclosed  by  a  circular  iron  fence,  eighteen  feet  in  diameter,  to  be  made 
in  a  plain,  substantial  manner  of  wrought  iron,  with  cast  points  on 
each  picket,  etc.  The  monument  to  be  com})leted  by  the  first  day  of 
November,  1877. 

The  foregoing  account  is  complete  as  to  how  it  was  to  be.  The 
executive  committee  met  October  30,  1877,  inspected  the  monument 
and  unanimously  accepted  it,  showing  that  Mr.  Webster  had  fulfilled 
the  contract. 

The  ground  chosen  for  the  location  is  in  the  north  one-half  of  block 
57,  village  of  Aledo,  immediately  south  of  block  owned  by  the  county, 
on  which  are  situated  the  fire-proof  county  offices.  The  price  paid  for 
ground  was  $400.  The  street  running  between  the  blocks  will  be 
vacated  by  the  village  as  soon  as  all  arrangements  can  be  completed, 
and  the  whole  ground  enclosed  and  used  as  a  park.  Trees  will  be 
planted  and  walks  laid  out,  and  in  a  few  years  it  will  look  like  the 
beautiful  hallowed  place  it  should  be. 

After  its  erecti(m  the  executive  committee  had  a  considerable  job  in 
deciding  when  to  have  the  dedication  and  unveiling  exercises.  The 
near  approach  of  winter  and  prospective  bad  weather  helped  them  to 
decide  to  postpone  it  till  July  4,  1878,  and  then  to  make  an  effort  to 
have  such  a  gathering  and  exercises  as  would  long  be  remembered. 

The  directors  this  year  are  D.  AV.  Sedwick,  E.  B.  David,  II.  B. 
Frazier,  J.  Y.  Merritt,  and  11.  Parkman,  and  it  is  not  too  much  to  say 
that  they  who  have  taken  so  much  interest  in  the  cause  and  spent  a 
great  deal  of  time  are  among  tlie  happiest  that  the  work  is  so  near 
done,  and  that  soon  every  citizen  of  the  county  can  point  with  equal 
pride  and  say  "'tis  ours."  But  the  people  cannot  soon  forget  that  it 
is  to  the  untiring  energy  of  the  leaders  of  this  movement  that  it 
resulted  in  success  at  all. 

April  30,  1878,  the  directors  held  a  meeting  to  take  preliminary 


842  HISTORY    OF   MERCER    A>>'D    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

steps  for  the  unveiling  of  the  monument  July  4,  and  it  was  decided  to 
hold  a  grand  reunion,  in  which  all  the  citizens  of  the  county  were  cor- 
dially invited  to  participate,  and  all  soldiers  and  their  friends  from 
adjoining  counties.  The  secretary  announced  that  Maj.-Gen.  John  A. 
L(;£ran  had  been  eno;ao;ed  to  deliver  the  address. 

In  addition  to  the  publication  of  the  list  for  corrections  in  1875, 
it  was  re-published  during  the  summer  of  1877,  week  after  week,  and 
we  believe  it  to  be  as  nearly  correct  as  it  is  possible  to  make  it. 

The  reunion  and  unveiling  on  July  4,  1878,  was  an  occasion  well 
worth  rememberino;.  The  citizens  of  Aledo  and  vicinitv  ioined  with 
the  executive  committee  of  the  association  in  making  the  preparations, 
and  everything  was  perfect.  The  gathering  was  the  largest  ever  held 
in  the  county  for  any  purpose  whatever,  the  number  being  estimated 
foirly  at  12,000  to  15,000.  Through  the  courtesy  of  Col.  W.  D.  Flag- 
ler, commander  at  Rock  Island  arsenal,  and  of  the  secretary  of  war,  a 
section  of  artillery,  manned  by  a  sergeant  and  eight  men,  were  sent 
from  the  arsenal  and  lent  their  aid  in  the  observances  of  the  day. 
Gen.  Logan  made  a  grand  address  ;  the  monument  was  unveiled, 
toasts  given  and  responded  to,  and  the  usual  exercises  followed,  the 
whole  enlivened  b}'  music  from  one  of  the  many  bands  in  attendance. 
It  was  at  once  a  reunion  and  a  celebration,  and  as  such  was  enjoyed  by 
all  participants. 

It  would  be  a  pleasure  to  give  a  list  of  the  subscribers  to  the  monu- 
ment fimd,  but  that  is  impossible,  and  we  will  mention  none,  for  many 
who  gave  but  little,  gave,  like  the  widow  with  her  mite,  "more  than 
all  these  "  whose  gifts  were  much  larger.  One  source  of  revenue, 
however,  from  which  nearly  one-fourth  of  the  entire  amount  raised 
was  realized,  will  bear  brief  mention  as  the  "tax-list  fund." 

In  the  fall  of  1875  the  publishers  of  the  "Record"  offered,  under 
certain  conditions,  to  donate  the  proceeds  of  the  tax  list  for  the  next 
year  to  the  monument  fund.  A  spirit  of  rivalry  led  O.  P.  Arthur,  of 
^the  "Banner,"  to  offer  the  proceeds  for  two  years,  if  the  list  was  given 
to  him.  His  offer  was  accepted,  and  tlie  amount  realized  was  over 
$600.  In  the  spring  of  1879  Porter  <fe  Bigelow,  of  the  "Record," 
published  the  list,  and  gave  $100  of  the  proceeds  to  the  fund,  to  be 
used  in  fencing  the  grounds.  The  same  spring  P.  F.  "Warner,  who 
then  owned  the  "  Banner, "  proposed  to  give  $100  to  the  fund,  pro- 
viding enough  was  subscribed  within  tliirty-four  months  to  pay  off  the 
debt  of  the  association.  The  money  was  raised  ;  he  paid  the  $100,  and 
published  the  tax  list  the  next  spring.  Thus  the  tax-list  fund  amounted 
to  over  $800. 

The  monument  grounds  are  enclosed  with  a  neat  fence,  and  have 


THE   soldiers'   MONUMKXT.  84r5 

been  set  to  grass  and  ijlanted  with  evergreens.  They,  with  the  beauti- 
ful marble  shaft,  will  ever  prove  a  monument  to  the  patriotism  of  our 
citizens,  living  and  dead. 

The  Soldiers  and  Sailors'  Association  has  not  yet  finished  its  mis- 
sion. Now  that  it  can  point  with  pride  to  one  of  the  most  beautiful 
monuments  in  the  state,  its  further  work  is  to  care  for,  jirotect  and 
beautify  the  grounds  whereon  it  stands. 

The  directors  for  the  present  year  are  the  same  as  those  last  men- 
tioned, and  the  officers  are:  D.  W.  Sedwick,  president;  J.  Y.  Merntt, 
vice-president ;  E.  B.  David,  secretary ;  L.  B.  Doughty,  corresponding 
secretary;  D.  T.  Hindman,  treasurer.  The  grounds  are  in  charge  of 
the  resident  officers :  H.  Parkman,  and  secretar}-^  and  treasurer.  Tlie 
association  is  out  of  debt,  has  a  small  balance  in  the  treasury,  and 
there  is  a  considerable  amount  due  in  unpaid  subscription  notes,  which 
will  be  used,  when  collected,  in  improving  the  grounds. 

We  can  not  more  fittingly  close  this  article  than  by  giving  some 
extracts  from  General  Logan's  dedicatory  address,  at  the  unveiling, 
and  giving  with  it  the  names  upon  the  monument : 

''My  friends,  this  monument  that  we  unveil  to-day  in  commemo- 
ration of  the  virtue  and  patriotism  of  the  357  soldiers  who  fell  in  the 
late  war,  in  defense  of  the  principles  sanctified  by  our  revolutionary 
sires,  speaks  to  the  world  in  more  eloquent  strains  than  can  be  uttered 
by  any  living  orator ;  eloquence  is  not  often  prompted  by  depth  of 
feeling,  nor  as  a  rule  do  figures  of  rhetoric  issue  from  sad  and  tender 
recollections.  Perhaps  one  who  had  less  of  the  jpei'sonal  remembrance 
than  myself,  might  commemorate  this  event  in  more  fitting  language, 
but  none  there  are  whose  tribute  to  the  dead  has  a  seat  nearer  to  the 
heart  than  the  soldier  who  has  felt  the  warm  touch  of  the  comrade's 
elbow  in  the  fight,  and  has  seen  that  comrade  yield  up  his  life  upon 
the  altar  of  their  common  pi-inciple.  Were  this  the  apj)ropriate  time, 
nothing  could  afford  me  deeper  satisfaction  than  to  trace  the  career  of 
every  soldier  whose  name  is  written  upon  this  stone ;  and  to  recount 
in  the  fullest  manner  the  personal  history  of  each  one  who  contributed 
his  part  to  the  privations  and  sacrifices  of  a  soldier  to  his  country's 
cause,  and  sealed  the  deed  thereto  by  the  red  drops  of  life's  precious 
current.  You  will  ])ardon  me,  however,  if  in  refraining  from  the 
detail  which  each  is  entitled  to  in  order  to  prove  the  full  obligation  of 
posterity,  I  trace  a  hasty  sketch  of  the  organization,  progress  and 
achievements  of  the  gallant  band  of  which  the  fallen  dead  of  Mercer 
county,  with  their  brave  comrades  who  are  here  to  honor  their  mem- 
ories to-day,  formed  so  important  a  part.  After  the  general  rendezvous 
at  Cairo,  in  1861,  the  engagement  at  Belmont  found  among  others,  as 
48 


846  IIISTOKY    OF   MERCEK   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

particii^ants,  the  twenty-second  Illinois  infantry,  the  twenty-seventh 
and  the  thirtieth,  in  which  regiments  were  some  of  the  soldiers  fur- 
nished by  Mercer  county,  whose  names  are  now  upon  this  column. 

"•From  Belmont  to  Forts  Henry  and  Donelson,  where  so  many 
brave  fellows  found  an  untimely  death ;  and  on  to  Shiloh  and  Corinth, 
at  which  latter  place  I  had  the  honor  to  command  a  brigade,  consti- 
tuted partly  of  the  thirtieth  and  forty-fifth  Illinois.  Of  the  thirtieth 
and  forty-Hfth  regiments,  many  names  of  the  Mercer  county  boys  are 
engraved  upon  the  memorial  tablets  which  we  unveil  to-day. 

''The  memorable  Mississippi  campaign,  which  finally  culminated 
in  the  fall  of  Yicksburg,  furnished  more  deaths  to  the  cause  of  the 
union,  and  among  these  more  names  for  future  inscription  upon  the 
monument  which  Mercer  county  now  erects  to  her  sons.  Within  my 
command  during  that  campaign  were,  among  others,  the  thirtieth, 
forty-iifth,  and  one  hundred  and  twenty-fourth  Illinois  infantry. 

"To  the  gal  lent  men  then  composing  my  command  was  assigned 
the  honor  of  taking  possession  of  Vicksbiu-g,  upon  its  surrender,  just 
fifteen  years  ago  to-day,  an  honor  not  lightly  esteemed  by  those  who, 
at  Champion  Hills,  fought  and  won  one  of  the  sharpest,  fiercest,  and 
most  brilliant  victories  of  the  campaign,  the  importance  of  wliich,  in 
the  subsequent  f;ill  of  Vicksburg,  can  only  be  estimated  by  a  demon- 
stration of  the  enemy  in  a  precipitate  retreat  to  their  stronghold,  des- 
tined so  soon  to  fall  into  our  hands.  Afterward,  upon  taking  command 
of  the  Ffteenth  Army  Corps,  the  following  regiments  of  Illinois  troops, 
partly  made  up  from  Mercer  county,  embraced  apart  of  my  command: 
The  Twenty-Sixth,  Thirtieth,  Forty -Fifth,  and  Forty-eighth  Illinois 
infantry.  At  a  subsequent  period  I  commanded  the  army  of  the  Ten- 
nessee, made  up  of  regiments  of  infantry,  cavalry,  and  batteries  of 
artillery  from  the  States  of  Indiana,  Illinois,  Iowa,  Missouri,  Michi- 
gan, Minnesota,  Ohio,  Kentucky,  Pennsylvania,  New  York,  Massa- 
chusetts, and  New  Jersey.  Among  the  regiments  from  the  other  states 
mentioned  were  thirty-eight  from  Illinois,  and  among  these,  made  up  in 
part  from  Mercer  county,  were  the  Ninth,  Twenty-Sixth,  Thirtieth, 
Forty-Fifth,  Forty-Eighth,  and  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-Fourth  Illi- 
nois infantry,  and  of  and  from  these  are  many  of  the  names  in  the  roll 
r)f  honor  inscribed  on  this  monument,  and  with  these  names  are  many 
from  other  and  different  commands,  who  were  equally  brave  and  patri- 
otic, and  entitled  alike  to  all  honor  and  all  praise.  The  famous  march 
to  Atlanta  and  to  the  sea  has  passed  into  history  as  one  of  the  nu)st 
brilliant  cam[)aigns,  considered  in  detail  and  as  a  whole,  wliich  has 
ever  been  recorded  in  the  annals  of  war.  The  pen  of  the  historiographer 
has  drawn  the  picture  of  that  campaign  in  outline,  and  has  attempted 


THE    SoLlJIKKs'    MuM'.MK.NT.  S4T 

to  throw  in  the  details  of  individual  action.  Its  general  results  M'ere 
soon  felt  and  realized,  when  the  army  which  had  cut  the  confederacy 
"in  two  were  ad\ancing  from  the  south  to  meet  their  comrades  under 
the  conquerer  of  the  Potomac,  who  was  driving  everything  before  his 
invincible  hosts.  The  result  in  general,  I  say,  has  l)een  outlined,  and 
some  attem])t  has  been  made  to  do  justice  in  detail.  So  far  as  the 
otticers,  who  justly  won  distinction  on  those  memorabk'' fields,  are  con- 
cerned, the  attempt  has  been  as  successful,  perha])s,  as  might  from  the 
nature  of  things  be  expected.  But  the  sufferings,  privations,  hard- 
ships, stub})orn  perseverances,  renuirkable  and  unexcelled  gallantry  of 
the  heroes  in  tlu'  i-anks,  can  never  receive  the  record  to  which  they  are 
entitled,  though  we  may  freely  accoi-d  flu-  uwvd  of  praise,  which, 
regardiuii'  the  results  of  their  united  efforts,  hails  them  as  the  saviors 
of  this  country.  From  the  intrepid  conduct  at  Kesacca,  as  also  at 
Dallas,  at  both  j)laces  the  commaiul  of  which  the  most  of  your  troops 
were  a  ])art,  took  the  brunt  of  the  movement;  through  the  assault  on 
Kenesaw  mountain,  with  its  abattis  and  earthworks,  and  ci-oss  fire  of 
artillery,  bullets,  rocks  and  stones,  to  the  celebration  of  the  Fourth  of 
•July,  1864,  by  an  artillery  fight  with  Johnson's  rear  guard  ;  from  this 
to  the  desperate  struggle  before  Atlanta,  which  eventuated  in  the  fall 
of  that  city,  where,  on  July  22,  one  of  the  great  battles  of  the  war  was 
fought.  ISTo  pen  can  describe  it  in  detail,  and  no  orator's  vivid  imagi- 
nation can  make  the  mind  comprehend  the  scene.  Then  through  the 
campaign  of  the  Carolinas  witli  increased  hardships,  in  swamps  and 
streams,  through  Columbia,  Goldsboro,  Fayettville,  and  Raleigh,  where 
the  close  of  the  war  occurred,  the  same  lofty  spirit  of  patience  under 
suffering,  of  hope  under  discouragement,  of  increased  detei'mination 
under  disappointment,  of  invincible  resolution  to  win  or  die,  character- 
ized them  to  a  degi'ee  which  stamped^iem  as  ])atriots  worthy  of  this  great 
country.  In  thus  j^articularizing  the  patriotism  of  the  Illinois  troops 
which  fell  under  my  more  immediate  charge  and  su})ervisi()n,  I  have  no 
jnn'pose  to  discriminate  against  the  gallant  soldiers  from  other  states,  who 
also  formed  a  ])art  of  the  army.  As  '  Agamenmon  found  it  an  invidi- 
ous affair  to  give  the  prefei'ence  to  any  one  of  the  (-Jrecian  heroes,' 
so  should  any  one  of  us  find  it  impossible  to  draw  distinctions  between 
union  soldiers  fighting  for  the  })erpetuity  of  their  government. 

■•  But,  my  friends,  we  are  here  to-day  not  alone  in  tiie  acknowledg- 
ment of  the  services  of  those  who  periled  their  lives  for  their  country, 
but  to  dedicate  a  monument  in  testimony  of  the  gratitude  of  the  neigh- 
bors, immediate  friends  and  fellow  soldiers  of  those  who  uin  e  up  that 
for  which  a  man  will  baiter  all  othei-  things,  A/.v  //'f/-:  a  monument 
which  we  hope  shall  stand  so  long  as  the  principles  of  free  government. 


848  HISTORY    OF    ^rERCER    AXD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

and  the  patriotism  which  this  shaft  proc-hiims  is  venerated   bv  the 
American  people. 

''The  roll  of  honor  bearing  the  names  of  Mercer  county's  heroes 
who  fell  in  defense  of  their  country  during  the  years  from  1861  to 
1865,  and  which  are  transcribed  in  imperishable  letters  upon  the  beau- 
tiful monument  we  are  about  un yelling,  has  been  placed  in  my  hands 
and  I  now  avail  myself  of  the  privilege  of  having  them  read  to  you." 

The  names  of  the  fallen  soldiers,  inscribed  upon  the  monument, 
were  here  read  by  Mr.  J.  C.  Wharton,  and  were  as  follows  : 

JVhiffi  Reg.,  Comjxonj  E. — Joseph  B.  Jones,  Cahin  Martin,  Wm. 
D.  Nevius,  Augustus  B.  Cox,  Geo.  M.  Gilmore,  J.  ]S^.  Shoemaker, 
Jesse  Mock,  A.  T.  TTaterbury,  Frank  M.  Moore.  James  Havertield, 
John  Morehead,  "\Ym.  P.  Kellev,  John  Beattv. 

Seventeenth  Beg..,  Company  I.  —  James  Phelps,  John  "W.  Nel- 
son, Wm.  Xoris,  James  '  M.  Findley.  Thos.  T.  Timmons,  Geo.  W. 
Elliott,  Erastus  M.  Gruell,  Sam.  C.  "Willett,  Albert  Beach,  George 
Hardy,  Geo.  AY.  Ivingen,  Chris.  B.  Simmons,  Xathan  T.  Griffin,  Thos. 
S.  Robinson,  M.  II.  Anthony,  Jesse  Sumner,  James  A.  Scott,  Chris. 
Middler,  Wm.  II.  Davis,  Henry  France,  Elija  Myers,  John  F.  "White, 
Samuel  Boyce,  Henry  Y.  Coeway,  Matthew  S.  McCoy,  John  W.  Miles, 
\Ym.  Yoorhees,  W.  Dryden. 

Twenty-second  Reg.,  Company  K. — Robert  Scott,  Joseph  Straub. 

Tventy-sirth  Reg.,  Comjmny  C. —  James  "VY.  Brown,  David  A. 
Byler,  William  D.  Bonge,  Orson  C.  Jollett,  John  C.  Gaston,  John 
U.  Kourt,  James  L.  Reed,  John  B.  Shirder,  Granville  Goodson,  Jacob 
Aull,  William  A.  Blizzard,  William  G.  Fenton,  Obadiah  Goodson, 
Nicholas  Kile,  Isaiah  F.  Pollett,  John  Senn,  Chris.  Marguth. 

T^renfy-seventh  Reg..,  Company  G. — Joseph  S.  Briner,  William 
Fortner,  Charles  White,  Hugh  ]V%  Love,  Charles  E.  Thompson,  An- 
drew L.  Smith,  Michael  L.  Sadler,  Mahlon  Boyd,  Calvin  Gibson, 
Joseph  Manual,  James  C.  Sisk,  Amisa  Wood,  Benjamin  Craig,  Jeffer- 
son Mosby,  J.  Yan  Meter,  John  C.  Webber,  Charles  Etherton, 
William  D.  Malaby,  Joseph  Shalich,  Gilbert  Fortner,  Michael  Lalley, 
A.  H.  Ryan,  J.  F.^  Thornton,  W.  W.  Wilcox. 

Tliirtieth  Reg..,  Company  A. — Henry  Arnett,  Benjamin  Bell, 
James  E,  Brown,  Robert  R.  Crist,  H.  J.  Peters,  John  Gilmore,  Phil. 
R.  Alexander,  Isaac  M.  Home,  J.  P.  Paxton,  N.  R.  Kirkpatrick, 
William  Gardener,  John  P.  Mitchell,  John  Smith,  Samuel  "\Yliitham, 
Perry  Paxton,  William  Lowe,  T.  B.  Moore,  William  Adams,  Henry 
Bistline,  Samuel  Cook,  Robert  H,  Davis,  Phineas  S.  Synder,  George 
W.  Hill,  John  Cannum,  S.  Mclntire,  Charles  N.  Shull,  John  P.  Instead, 
William  P.  Kimel,  Charles  C.  Dennis,  Abner  G.  Titus.  Thomas  Home. 


TIIK    SOI.UIKRS"'    MONfMENT.  S49 

David  A.  Felton,  William  G.  McGaw,  M.  Quinhiii.  Companij  (i. — 
Joseph  R.  Humbert,  Levi  Jackson,  Van  C.  Ogle,  Albert  A.  Holland, 
J.  Wesley  Mann,  James  Ogle,  G.  W.  Rice,  John  (Tarrett,  James 
Burnett,  James  W.  Ditto,  J.  Cook  Brisbine,  Stephen  F.  ^foler,  Sam. 
D.  Boden,  William  C.  Kelley.  AVilliam  C.  Bickett,  James  W.  Purdum, 
Alvah  Shumway,  William  W.  Humbert,  John  Ogle.  C'oiiqxin;/  K. — 
Samuel  Ebner. 

Thlrtii-xi.i'th  Ri'ij.,  Companij  O. — Jackson  Caldwell,  Rich.  (Godfrey, 
Samuel  X.  Wilson,  Xathan  McCutcheon,  Thomas  R.  Pollock,  William 
Shearer,  11.  Buchanan,  Hugh  Shearer,  F.  Ingles.  Company  B. — Bruce 
Brownlee.      Companij  A.— 'Y\\on\?i,s  Moore. 

Tlurtij-seventh  Re(j.^  Companij  A. — Francis  Gannon,  Andrew  Wil- 
son, Oran  Cochran,  I.  K.  Williams,  John  Dorrity,  James  Valentine, 
Sylvester  Mizner,  William  T.  Little,  Robert  Armstrong,  John  C. 
WHiitsel,  Henry  H.  B.  Clarke,  J.  W.  Catlicart. 

Foi'tij-ffth  Reg.^  Company  I. — Robert  Day,  Levi  Lunn,  Benjamin 
Burleigh,  William  H.  Sheriff,  George  W.  Debord,  William  L.  (xreen, 
L  F.  Bridgford,  Ira  G.  Smith,  Benjamin  Bryant,  James  Ebner, 
H.  Wages,  Thomas  ,1.  Miller,  Samuel  Gorman. 

Fifty-fifth  Reg.,  Company  i^— W.  Cams,  AV.  Cozell.  Com- 
pany I. — E.  M.  Bruner. 

Fifty-eighth  Reg..,  Company  G. — Daniel  Knap]),  William  II. 
Mercer. 

Siifty-fifth  Reg..,  Company  B. — George  Fortner,  John  Hale,  Lor- 
enzo Wood,  John  M.  Jones,  II.  J.  Hanck,  Robert  Ilampson,  John 
McGaughey,  James  Hiers,  George  W.  Shaunce,  Henry  Iliers. 

Fight y-third  Reg..,   Compxiny  D.—X.   O.  McCreight,  George  X. 
Marquis,  John  C.  Woodham,  James  S.  Stewart,  James  S.  Eveland,  D. 
M.    Xevius,    Erastus    Kenney,    Samuel    G.   McCreight,    Francis    M. 
.Shearer,  George  Mitchell,  James  M.  Veach,  Amos  Kenney. 

Fight y-foui'th  Reg..,  Conqxiny  11. — Luther  T.  Ball,  Andrew  J. 
Ilellings,  James  J.  Kidwell,  Frederick  Kemp,  William  Lipton,  Peter 
Rotchrock,  Edgar  L.  Spicer,  Daniel  Williams,  Francis  Whan,  Francis 
Brown,  W.  W.  McCandless,  Joseph  Ballien,  Alonzo  Guest,  O.  R.  Per- 
sonius,  Andrew  Jackson,  John  W.  Sterling,  Y.  M.  Brown,  II.  E.  Aber- 
erombie,  John  M.  Wiedner,  John  Diech,  P>igalow  Kile,  L.  ^McManus, 
George  McPherren,  Mack  Tirney,  II.  Welliver,  Robert  Whan,  John 
A.  Preston,  Almon  AVilber,  ^lichael  Conway,  John  H.  Gillespie, 
Marvin  Sullivan,  J.  R.  Eckley,  George  ^I.  Haney.  Conqjany  C. — 
William  Whiting. 

One  Hundred  and  Second  Reg.,  Compimy  A. — John  K.  Holmes, 
Albert   P.  Cooper,  Robert  F.  Carl,  Eli  Judd,  AVilliam  Miller,  <Jliver 


850  HISTORY    OF    MERCER    AND    HEXDERSOX    COLTXTIES. 

N.  Tyler.  H.  Buttei-field.  William  H.  Augustine,  Alfred  Boyd,  John 
Edwards,  Orlando  Kenney,  Arthur  F.  Sabin,  Jacob  A.  AValton,  J. 
Morann.  Coinparni  B. — John  Ivich,  Harvey  Kogers.  CoinjMDty  C. — 
Francis  Freeman,  George  Huftinan,  Henry  Herr.  G.  Bressmer,  Edmund 
Kinsey,  Charles  Anderson,  George  Bahringer,  ]\r.  McMullen.  Com- 
pany E. — Peter  F.  Cook,  John  R.  Carmichael.  John  McCutcheon, 
Chauncey  M.  Royce,  William  Sevits,  Albert  C.  Bridger,  Setli  Grayatt, 
Michael  Oswalt,  James  C.  Simpson,  Rich.  Brown,  T.  Simpson. 
Company  G. — I.  McManus,  John  C.  Reynolds,  W.  W.  Hibbs,  John 
McHard,  John  S,  Burnett,  John  Gibson,  William  P.  Irwin,  Richai-d 
M.  Hoy,  R.  B.  Seaton,  D.  W.  King,  R.  H.  Cabeen,  Jared  Y.  Harris, 
Isaac  T.  Bridgford,  L.  II.  Casebolt,  Samuel  Harvey,  William  T.  Todd, 
A.  T.  Dopp.  Samuel  Parks,  A.  G.  Henry.  Company  K. — Allen 
Wilson,  Abram  Fuller,  S.  D.  Hutchinson,  J.  T.  Collier,  T.  H.  Hand, 
Peter  O.  Pierce,  I.  N.  Stevenson.  Moses  White,  Jr.,  Marvin  R. 
AVright,  William  Yolk,  George  W.  Bartlett,  James  P.  Hampton, 
4  Michael  Bryant,  M.  Dagger,  Albert  Kiddoo,  Xoali  Spicher.  Jacob 
Shields,  P.  Waters  Willett,  AYilliam  H.  Hampton,  E.  Pierce. 

One  Hundred  and  Twelfth  Reg.,  Company  C. — John  F.  Barney, 
Ed.  R.  Petrie. 

One  Hundred  and  Twenty-Fourth  Reg.,  Comp>any  G. — Lee  James, 
Oliver  G.  Swafford,  Amos  C.  Goddard,  John  Fitzgerald,  George  Mid- 
dleton,  Charles  Shafer,  Joseph  S.  Dungan,  B.  F.  Noble,  Levi  Lan- 
dreth,  John  T.  Bates,  John  D.  Linn,  John  Shaw.  Henry  Sloan,  George 
Sloan. 

One    Hundred  and    Tirenty-Sixth    Reg..,    Company    B. — Henry 
■',/      Debaun,  Isaac  A.  Linn,  Andi-ew  Landreth,  J.  Martindale,  David  Yan 
Meter,  James  ]\L  Rodgers,  Jacob  Fender,   George  Lavery,  (t.  Lan- 
dreth, James  Swartwout,  George  Yolkal. 

One  Hundred  and  Fortieth  Reg.,  Company  F. — Edward  B.   Har-. 
ris,  Jonathan  Mounts,  Joseph  W.  Shawyer,  John  W.  Maury,  Alfred 
F.  Noble,  Z.  P.  Warren. 

Eleventh  Cavalry  Reg.,  Company  C. — F.  T.  Crane,  William  H. 
Gilliam,  B.  F.  Mahaney,  Stephen  Bartan.  C.  E.  Mclntp-e,  William 
J.  Simpson. 

MhcelhuieouH.—Y..  R.  Cooper,  !»th  111.  Cav.,  Co.  A;  D.  A.  Moler, 
10th  111.  Cav.,  Co.  C;  Robert  Morgan,  12th  111.  Cav.,  Co,  G  ;  George 
Edgerly,  Sth  IlL  Cav.,  Co.  C\  Sila^s  Yalentine,  Uth  111.  Cav.,  Co.  L; 
W.  D.  Swift,  9th  Iowa  Cav.,  Co.  A;  John  Stevenson.  9th  Iowa,  Co. 
D;  Samuel  Boice,  9tli  Iowa,  Co.  D;  G.  L.  Moore,  2d  Iowa  Cav., 
Co.  A;  H.  M.  Boone,  1st  Col.  Inf.,  Co.  C;  Eli  C.  Crosley,  1st  Miss. 
Marine  Brio;.  ;  (^-rus  W.  Treffo,  Sth  Kan..  Co.  H;  John  A.  Robinson, 


TIIK    soldiers'    M<)N['>[KXT,  851 

8tli  Kan.,  Co.  I;  J.  D.  Aslienlmrst,  Stli  Kuii.,  (\).  II  ;  F.  M.  Carroll, 
8th  Kan.,  Co.  H;'john  L.  Arnold  Utli  U.  S.  Inf.,  Co.  I  :  .1.  W.War- 
wick, 155tli  111.  Inf.,  Co.  II;  Edward  Bruner,  55th  111.  Inf..  Co.  I; 
W.  Kennedy,  J.  Alberson,  M.  Moroe,  7tli  Iowa  Inf,  C'o.  A;  E.  C. 
Crosley,  1st  Miss.  Marine  Briii:ade;  G.  W.  Nevius,  Iowa  Cav.;  .1. 
Keed,  93d  111.  Inf.  ;  II.  ?)illings,  W.  C.  C^itlicart,  M.  Ilutcliinson, 
C.  M.  Clarke,  T.  Camp])C'll,  A.  D.  Streeter,  D.  A.  Felton,  J.  P.  Insted, 
7th  Mo.  Cav.;  William  Swarts,  29th  111.  Inf.,  Co.  I;  Luther  Water- 
man, 2d  Iowa  Cav.;  D.  C.  Bartlett,  9th  111.  Cav.,  Co.  C;  A.  Cook, 
51st  111.  Inf..  Co.  K. 

Gen.  Logan  continued:    "What  a  glorious  roster  to  transmit  to 
posterity  I     Well  might  thert^  have  been  i-ngraved  upon  the  stone  as 
representing  the  united  sentiment  of  Mercer  county,  the  memorable 
words  of  the  Roman  mother:    'These  are  my  jewels."      Three  hun- 
dred and  tifty-seven  men  who  deliberately  walked  up  to  the  rebel  can- 
non's mouth,  and  swore  upon  their  lives  that  the  union  of  our  fathers 
should  be  presented !     That  oath  was  registered  on  high,  and  it  has 
been  graven  upon  the  works  of  men.     It  is  here  as  the  indorsement 
of  our  o;eneration.     Mav  it  stand  for  more  than  a  thousand  vears,  to 
re-echo  it  through  the  future  centuries.     Three  hundred  and  lifty-seven 
heroes  about  represent  in  number  the  Spartan  band  under  Leonidas 
who  defended  the  i)ass  of  Thermopylae,  and  gave  up  their  lives  for 
their  country.     Let  this  monument  speak  to  the  coming  ages,  as  did 
that  of  the  Spartan  heroes,  in  words  which  shall  bid  the  traveler  go 
tell  their  countrymen  that  they  lie  upon  the  iield  of  battle  in  obedience 
to  their  country's  welfare.     Such  a  tribute  as  is  conveyed  by  this  bea\i- 
tiful  work  is  an  expression  of  the  patriotism  of  the  living  in  ap])Iaud- 
ing  the  patriotism  of  the  dead.     It  is   a  shaft  to  conmiemorate  the 
virtue  of  the  departed,  but  also  signalizes  the  appreciation  of  virtue  by 
the  living.     To  the  dead  it  is  a  token  of  remembrance,  to  the  living  a 
testimony  of  character.     Valuable  as  is  this  work  of  art,  its  worth  is 
far  greater  to  the  living  than  to  the  dead.     No  panegyric  which  we 
may  make  can  reach  the  body  in  its  luirrow  house,  nor  the  spirit  in 
that  land  where  the  clash  of  arms  and  sound  of  strife  mar  not  the  un- 
broken peace.      But  to  the  living  it  stands  as  the  representative  of  a 
sentiment;  it  is  a  declaration  of  principle,  it  ratifies  a  past  act,  it  ])r(> 
claims  a  future  i)olicy,  it  enunciates  in  words  which  cannot  be  mistaken 
the  patriotism  of  Americans  and  their  determination  to   ]>erpetuate 
their  free  institutions,  and  to  u]>hold  their  motto  of  "Many  in  One."  It 
is  a  token  of  grief  for  the  departed,  but  it  is  also  a  warning  to  those  who 
remain  I     It  is  a  tear  of  sorrow  for  the  slain,  l)ut  the  promise  of  })un- 
ishment  to  the  future  slayer.     The  men   whose  names  we  are  hero 


852  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   A^D    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

to-day  to  honor  are  forever  hidden  from  our  view  beneath  their  mother 
earth,  but  from  their  sacrificed  bodies  this  cohimn  rises  as  a  tree  from 
the  root,  and  gives  another  ilkistration  of  the  truth  of  the  aphorism 
sanctioned  by  all  the  ages  of  the  past,  that  'the  blood  of  the  martyr 
is  the  seed  of  the  church/  Here  we  understand  the  purport  of  this 
monument  and  the  motive  which  prompted  its  creation.  As  fellow- 
citizens  of  our  great  commonwealth,  as  fi-iends,  we  are  here  to  drop  a 
tear  of  sorrow  over  our  loss,  and  to  extend  the  word  of  comfort  to  the 
weeping  relatives,  whose  loss  is  greater  than  our  own. 

' '  Does  this  mass  of  people  come  here  to-day  in  obedience  to  a 
meaningless  formality,  or  is  their  presence  the  representative  of  a  senti- 
ment? Shall  these  names  upon  this  monument  stand  as  the  simple 
enumeration  of  357  unfortunates  who  rashly  rushed  to  their  death  ?  Or 
shall  they  receive  the  homage  of  that  tribute  so  beautifully  rendered  in 
the  lines  of  the  poet  Collins  : 

" '  How  sleep  the  brave  who  sink  to  rest, 
By  all  their  country's  wishes  blest; 
By  fairy  hand  their  knell  is  rung,. 
By  forms  unseen  their  dirge  is  sung; 
Their  honor  comes,  a  pilgrim  gray, 
To  bless  the  turf  that  wraps  their  clay, 
And  freedom  shall  awhile  repair, 
To  dwell  a  weeping  hermit  there.' 

"  Fellow-citizens  of  Mercer  county,  you  have  done  a  noble  act ;  you 
have  proven  that  you  worthily  belong  to  that  great  bulwark  of  our 
nation's  safety,  its  citizen  soldiery.  At  the  sound  of  danger  you  left 
the  pursuits  of  peace  and  threw  yourselves  into  the  breach  of  war, 
and  when  you  conquered  a  principle,  you  erected  an  enduring  shaft  of 
honor  to  those  who  have  lost  their  lives  in  maintaining  it.  As  one 
who  stood  upon  the  field  with  those  brave  fellows,  I  am  here  co  re-echo 
your  declaration,  that  their  deaths  have  not  been  in  vain.  I  am  here  to 
mingle  my  sorrow  with  yours,  and  to  say,  come  weal,  come  woe,  I  am 
with  you  to  the  end  in  placing  the  flag  of  our  country  so  high  as  to  be 
beyond  the  reach  of  its  despoilers,  which,  in  proudly  floating  on  the 
breeze,  shall  say  to  all  the  world  :  ''Here  dwells  the  undivided  luition 
of  peace. '  '"■ 


SIXTY-FIFTH    REGIMKNT.  853 


SIXTY-FIFTH  KEGniEXT.  COMPANY  B. 

This  was  called  the  "Scotcli  Regiment,""  from  the  number  of  that 
nationality  who  marched  in  its  ranks.  It  was  organized  at  Camp 
Douglas,  Chicago,  by  Col.  Daniel  Cameron,  Jr.,  and  mustered  for 
serv'ice  May  1,  1862.  In  company  B  were  thirty-eight  soldiers  from 
Mercer  county,  belonging  to  tlie  townships  of  Greene,  Mercer,  Millers- 
burg,  Preemption,  and  New  Boston.  The  regiment  was  ordered  to 
Martinsburg,  Virginia ;  and  when  Col.  Miles  surrendered  at  Harper's 
Ferry,  September  15,  it  was  among  the  prisoners  taken.  Being  next 
day  paroled,  it  returned  to  Chicago  and  remained  there  till  April,  1863, 
when,  having  been  exchanged,  it  was  ordered  to  the  Eastern  Kentucky 
army,  and,  returning  to  Camp  Nelson  via  Cincinnati,  joined  Burnside's 
expedition  into  East  Tennessee  for  the  pur]K)se  of  co-operation  with 
Gen.  Rosecrans,  who  was  at  that  time  m<jviug  on  Chattanooga.  It 
fought  at  Knoxville  November  25th  and  29th,  in  the  defense  of  that 
stronghold  against  Gen.  Longstreet,  and  repulsed  him  with  slaughter. 
The  following  winter  was  one  of  severe  campaigning  to  this  regiment. 
It  "veteraned,"  and  went  home  on  furlough  in  March,  1S64.  On  its 
return  it  overtook  Slierman's  army  at  Kingston,  Georgia,  and  took  its 
place  in  the  second  brigade,  commanded  by  Col.  Cameron,  and  the 
third  division,  Gen.  J.  D.  Cox  commanding,  oi'  Gen.  Schotield's 
twenty-third  coi-ps.  The  65th  had  a  shar})  encounter  with  the  enemy 
between  Lost  and  Kenesaw  mountains,  June  15.  and  skirmished  briskly 
every  day  until  the  20th,  when  tifty  volunteers  from  the  regiment 
charged  across  a  bridge  and  drove  the  enemy's  infantry  and  artillery  in 
handsome  lashion,  and  effected  a  permanent  hxlgment  on  the  other 
side.  It  continued  to  tight  with  spirit  until  the  close  of  the  campaign, 
taking  part  in  the  flank  movement  around  Atlanta  and  the  battle  of 
Jonesboro.  It  returned  north  in  pursuit  of  Hood,  and  was  transferred 
from  Dalton  to  Nashville  by  rail.  It  then  advanced  as  far  south  as 
Pulaski,  and  November  25th  and  26th  was  engaged  at  Columbia,  losing 
tliree  otflcers  and  tifty  men.  On  the  30th  it  received  the  attack  of 
Hood's  army  at  Franklin,  and  when  the  battle  ended  200  of  the  rebel 
dead  and  wounded  lay  stretched  in  its  front.  It  carried  to  Nashville 
that  night  the  colors  of  the  loth  Mississippi  rebel  regiment  as  a  trophy 
of  the  conflict.  An  equal  share  with  otlier  troops  was  borne  Decem- 
ber 15th  and  16th,  in  the  battle  of  Nashville,  and  it  went  in  pursuit 
of  Plood's  broken  columns,  pausing  only  when  it  had  reached  Clifton. 
From  thence,  January  15.  1865,  it  was  transferred  by  boat  and  rail  to 
Wilmington,  North  Carolina,   assisting  in  the  capture  of  that  place. 


854  HISTORY    OF    AEERCER    AND    HENDERSON    OOUN'ITES. 

At  SandtowH  creek  it  captured  tliree  cannon  and  350  rebels.  March  6 
it  went  to  Kingston.  From  there  the  first  five  companies,  except  vet- 
erans, were  ordered  to  Chicago,  to  be  mustered  out.  On  the  21st  it 
entered  Goldsboro,  where  Sherman's  cohimns  from  the  south  made 
connection  witli  Schofield  on  the  23d.  From  lialeigh  the  non-veterans 
were  sent  home  for  muster-out,  and  the  remainder  of  the  regiment 
went  to  Greensboro.  May  1  four  ccnnpanies  of  recruits  were  added ; 
and,  in  June,  four  officers  and  250  men  of  the  92d  Illinois,  two  officers 
and  120  men  of  the  112th  Illinois,  and  twenty-five  men  from  the  107th 
Illinois  were  assigned  to  the  65th,  and  Lieut. -Col.  Stewart  was  mustered 
as  colonel.  The  regiment  was  mustered  out,  and  started,  July  13,  for 
Chicago,  where  it  arrived  July  22,  and  from  whence,  after  final  pay- 
ment, the  discharged  men  returned  to  their  homes. 


EIGHTY-THIRD  REGIMENT,  COMPANY  D. 

Company  D  was  enlisted  in  Mercer  county,  one-fourth  of  the  mem- 
bers being  from  the  southwest  corner  of  Henry  county.     It  was  officered 
with  Joshua  M.  Sn3(ler,   of  Viola,   as  captain ;  Hugh  M.   Robb,   of 
Mercer  township,  as  first  lieutenant ;  and  Francis  M.  Sykes,  of  Oxford, 
second  lieutenant.       The  regiment  was  organized  at  Monmouth,   in 
August,  1862,  by  Col.  Abner  C.    Harding,   and  was  sworn  into  the 
service  on  the  21st.     On  the  25th  it  proceeded  by  Burlington  and 
St.  Louis  to  Cairo,  and  on  September  3d  moved  to  Fort  Henry.     On 
the  5tli  one-half  of  the  regiment  marched  to  Fort  Donelson.  three  com- 
panies remaining  at  Fort  Henry,  and  two  at  Fort  Ileiman.     These 
subsequently  moved  to  Donelson,  and  the  83d  was  stationed  at  that 
post  until  September  20,  1863,  when  the  right  wing  was  transferred  to 
Clarksville.     Roving  bands  of  guerillas  filled  the  country  and  lurked 
particularly  on  the  Cumberland  and  Tennessee  rivers,  and  skirmishes 
were  of  frequent  occui'rence ;  some  of  these  were  especially  severe,  as 
the  one  at  Waverly.     In  October,  1862,  accompanied  by  other  troops 
in  })ursuit  of  Gen.  John  H.  Morgan,  it  had  a  sharp  fight  at  Garrets- 
burg,  Kentucky,  and  drove  and  punished  the  enemy  severely.     But  it 
was  on  February  3,  1863,  that  it  achieved  its  fame  as  a  fighting  regi- 
ment.    Forrest  was  threatening  the  river  communication  at  Palmyra, 
on  the  2d,  and  Colonel  Harding  telegraphed  to  Paducah  foi'  re-inforce- 
ments,  his  garrison  consisting  of  the  meager  force  of  nine  com])anies 
of  the  83d,  a  battalion  of  the  5th  Iowa  cavalrv,  Flood's  battery,  and  a 


KKJUTY-TIirKI)    KK(;i>rK.NT.  855 

few  wounded  men.  Four  rifled  guns  and  u  82-[)oundei-  pivot  siege 
gun,  mounted  on  the  northeast  corner  of  tlie  fort,  com])rised  the 
battery. 

At  two  o'clock  on  tlie  afternoon  of  the  3d  the  enemy,  coming  down 
the  river,  confronted  the  fort  on  the  east  and  began  the  attack  in  force, 
being  8,000  strong.  The  fort  contained  but  a  small  supply  of  anmiu- 
nition,  and  the  men,  instructed  by  their  cool  and  calculating  com- 
mander, liusbanded  what  they  had  with  effective  care.  They  wei-e 
directed  to  iire  steadily  and  deliberately,  so  that  every  shot  should 
count ;  while  the  battery  was  handled  with  skill  and  j)recisioii,  single 
pieces  being  moved  about  as  circumstances  required.  Col.  Ilai-ding 
displayed  the  finest  spirit  and  best  judgment,  and  was  at  all  })<)ints 
overseeing  the  defense  (a  defense  sure  to  be  historic),  animating  and 
encouraging  his  followers.  The  cavalry  was  dismounted  and  fighting 
on  foot.  The  battle  had  raged  with  fury  for  several  hours  ;  in  the 
meantime  the  rebels  had  made  a  number  of  ineffectual  charges,  sup- 
ported by  their  artillery,  which  was  skillfully  used.  At  length  a  shout 
went  up  in  the  rebel  lines,  which  told  that  they  had  completed  the 
investment  on  the  three  sides  undefended  by  the  river.  And  now 
came  a  flag  of  truce  from  Gen.  AVheeler  demanding  a  surrender. 
This  was  promptly  refused.  Then  followed  a  confident  and  furious 
onset  of  the  enemy;  in  charge  after  charge  the  rebels  rolled  u])  against 
Harding's  blazing  line,  but  each  time  they  staggered  back  with  bleed- 
ing ranks.  The  artillery  rained  destruction  upon  the  thick-set  columns, 
and  especially  the  32-])ounder  was  galling  the  foe  with  severity,  when 
lie  decided  u])on  its  capture.  Before  the  attempt  was  made  a  second 
flag  was  sent  renewing  the  demand  for  a  surrender,  which  was  met 
with  a  firmer  refusal,  if  that  were  possible,  than  before.  A  storming 
force  advanced  rapidly  ujion  the  saucy  gun.  The  gunners  double- 
shotted  the  piece  and  waited.  AVhen  the  assailants  were  close  upon 
the  works  they  swung  it  round,  trained  it  full  in  their  faces  and  let  go 
the  savage  charge,  which  made  a  ghastly,  gory  lane  through  the  solid 
formation  of  the  terrified  foe.  They  fled  in  complete  rout.  No  further 
attempt  was  directed  against  the  big  gun. 

At  eight  in  the  evening  help  came  at  the  moment  of  extremity, 
when  the  rebels  were  massing  for  a  final  assault.  When  Col.  Lowe  at 
Paducah  received  Harding's  appeal  for  succor  his  forces  were  away  on 
a  scout,  but  knowing  that  Capt.  Fitch  was  going  uj*  the  river  with  his 
fleet,  he  sent  him  word  to  co(")perate  with  Col.  Harding,  and  instructed 
the  latter  to  hold  the  fort  till  dark,  when  assistance  would  reach  him. 
Fitch  divided  his  gunl)oats,  and  stationing  a  ])art  above  and  the  i-est 
below  the  fort,  while  Harding  ensconced  his  men  in  safe  places  out  of 


856  HISTORY    OF    MERCER   AiND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

reach  of  the  naval  missiles,  poured  grape  and  shrapnel  in  enliladiug 
and  pitiless  torrents  into  the  writhing  lines  of  rebels.     They  could  not 
stand  it.      In   twenty  minutes   not  one,   except  slain  and   wounded, 
was  left  on  the  Held.     Of  the  former  there  were  250,  of  the  latter  600. 
The  besieged  had  taken  105  prisoners.     The  83d  had  13  killed,  51 
wounded,  20  captured.     Xot  long  after,  as  a  recognition  of  this  gallant 
defense.  Colonel  Harding  was  wearing  the  single  star  of  a  brigadier. 
Lieutenant-Colonel  A.  A.  Smith  was  immediately  promoted    to    the 
vacant   colonelcy.     The   former   soon   resigned   to   accept   a    seat   in 
congress.     For  nearly  two  years  subsequent  to  the  second  battle  of 
Fort  Donelson  the  83d  was  patroling  and  guarding  communications,  of 
which  it  had  not  less  than  two  hundred  miles  to  protect,  and  at  the 
same  time  was  doing  a  heavy  scouting  service,  which  was  prolific  of 
much  small  fighting.     In  1864,  when  Forrest  and  AVheeler  were  mak- 
ing daring  efibrts  to  sever  Sherman's  communications,  the  83d  formed 
a  part  of  the  efiicient  force  so  energetically  employed  by  General  Rous- 
seau in  driving  those  rebel  leaders,  with  their  commands,  from  Ten- 
nessee.    In  the  winter  of  186-1-5  the  regiment  went  to  Xashville  on 
provost  duty,  and  on  the  26th  of  June  it  was  mustered  out  in  that  city, 
and  on  the  30th  arrived  in  Chicago  where  it  was  finally  paid  and  dis- 
banded.   Of  1,050  men  who  went  to  the  field,  640  returned.    The  only 
change  in  the  line  ofiicers  of  Company  D  was  when  second  lieutenant 
Sykes  resigned  in  August,  1864.     Hugh  B.  Frazier,  who  had  been  pro- 
moted from  the  ranks  to  sergeant  and  then  to  first  sergeant,  was  at 
once  commissioned  to  fill  the  vacancy. 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  TWENTY- FOURTH  REGIMENT, 

COMPANY  G. 

This  was  sworn  into  the  United  States  service  at  Camp  Butler, 
September  10,  1862,  with  Col.  Thomas  J.  Sloan  in  command.  Com- 
pany G  was  raised  at  New  Boston  by  Lyman  H.  Scudder  and  Ezra  S. 
Benedict,  of  that  place,  in  the  last  half  of  July  and  the  first  part  of 
August.  The  members  were  principally  from  New  Boston  township ; 
some  were  residents  of  Eliza  and  Millei-sburg,  and  a  very  few  of 
adjoining  townships.  The  organization  took  place  August  15,  and  the 
company  was  officered  as  follows :  L,  H.  Scudder,  captain  ;  E.  S. 
Benedict,  first  lieutenant ;  and  Benton  Pratt,  second  lieutenant.  On 
the  28th,  taking  wagons,  the  company  drove  to  Oquawka  Junction, 


O^'E    IIUNDKED    AND    TWENTV-FOUKTII    REGIMENT.  857 

then  the  nearest  raih-oad  station,  and  proceeded  from  there  by  way  of 
Galesburg  and  Camp  Point  to  Springfield.  There  each  man  received 
forty  dollars  in  cash,  this  being  one-fourth  of  the  $100  bounty,  two 
dollars  premium,  and  one  month's  pay  of  thirteen  dollars,  all  tendered 
by  the  government.  Uniforms  and  arms  were  drawn,  the  latter  xVus- 
trian  muskets,  barely  tit  for  practice  in  the  manual  of  arms.  On  Octo- 
ber (3,  the  regiment  started  for  Cincinnati  ;  but  on  arriviug  at  J3ecatur 
the  order  was  countermanded,  and  its  destination  was  changed  to  Cairo, 
from  whence  it  went  to  Jackson,  Tennessee,  arriving  on  the  l>th.  It 
advanced  to  La  Grange  November  4,  and  on  the  28tli,  as  a  part  of  Gen. 
Grant's  expedition  to  the  Yocona  river,,  drove  the  rebels  across  the 
Tallahatchie.  The  regiment  had  been  assigned  to  the  first  brigade, 
Col.  John  E.  Smith  ;  thii-d  division,  Gen.  Logan ;  seventeenth  corj)S, 
Gen.  McPherson.  Returning  from  the  Yocona,  it  reached  the  Talla- 
hatchie December  24,  and  La  Grange  January  7,  1863.  The  same 
month  it  marched  to  Memphis ;  from  there  it  went,  February  22,  to 
Lake  Providence;  and  April  18,  moved  to  Milliken's  Bend.  It  was 
reviewed  on  the  22d  by  Gov.  Yates  and  staff,  and  on  the  25th  started 
on  the  i^^icksbui'g  campaign.  It  was  in  the  engagement  at  Port  Gib- 
son (Thompson's  Hill),  May  1 ;  Raymond,  May  12 ;  Jackson,  May  14 ; 
Champion  Hill,  May  16  ;  and  the  siege  ofYicksburg,  including  the 
fearful  assault  of  May  22,  and  the  still  more  terrible  one  of  June  26, 
when  the  mine  at  Fort  Hill  was  sprung.  The  regiment  went  on  the 
brief  campaign  to  Monroe,  Louisiana,  under  Gen.  Stephenson,  which 
left  Yicksburg  August  21,  and  returned  September  2.  From  October 
14  to  the  20th,  it  was  with  Gen.  McPherson  on  the  Brownville  cam- 
paign, and  participated  in  the  battles  at  that  place  on  the  16th  and 
17tli. 

In  January,  1864,  the  124th  competed  for  a  i)rize  banner  offered  by 
Gen.  Leggett  to  the  regiment  in  his  division  which  should  excel  in 
drill,  and  present  the  most  cleanly  appearance  and  soldierly  bearing. 
It  bore  the  legend,  "  Excelsior  Regiment,  Third  Division,  Seventeenth 
Army  Corps,"  and  the  124th  received  it  from  the  hands  of  Gen. 
McPherson.  In  February  the  regiment  acconipanied  Gen.  Sherman 
on  his  famous  raid  to  Meridian,  and  at  Chunky  Station,  on  the  14th, 
had  a  severe  fight  with  the  rebels.  It  returned  to  Yicksburg,  and  on 
May  4,  moved  with  the  expedition  under  Gen.  Mc Arthur  to  Yazoo 
city,  returning  the  21st,  having  fought  on  the  7th  and  10th  at  Benton. 
Between  July  1st  and  9th  it  was  operating  on  the  Jackson  campaign 
under  Gen.  Slocum,  and  was  in  brisk  engagements  at  Jackson  Cross 
Roads  on  the  5th  and  7th.  In  October  it  went  on  the  White  river 
campaign,  under  Gen.  Dennis,  and  was  absent  from  Yicksburg-  from 


858  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

the  14th  to  the  26th.  It  did  provost  duty  until  February  25,  1865,  and 
then  was  ordered  to  j^ew  Orleans  and  was  assigned  to  the  third 
brigade,  Col.  Geddes  ;  third  division.  Gen.  E.  A.  Carr ;  sixteenth 
corps,  Gen.  A.  J.  Smitli.  It  embarked,  March  12tli,  for  Mobile,  and 
on  the  29th  began  the  siege  of  Spanish  Fort,  occupying  the  left  of  the 
investing  line  and  driving  the  enemy  within  his  works.  On  April  8 
the  third  brigade  and  one  other  of  Carr's  division,  stormed  the  fort, 
mounted  the  ramparts,  secured  a  lodgment  three  hundred  yards  in  ex- 
tent, and,  darkness  having  come  on,  waited  for  the  morning  light  to 
continue  their  progress,  but  at  one  o'clock  tlie  rebels  offered  to  capitu- 
late. Away  oft'  in  Virginia  Lee  followed  suit  a  few  hours  after.  The 
regiment  marched  the  13th  with  the  expedition  to  Montgomery.  There 
it  remained  till  July  17,  when  it  started  for  Chicago,  where  it  was 
mustered  out  August  15,  1865.  The  121:th  fought  ten  battles  and  four- 
teen skirmishes  ;  it  went  through  two  sieges  of  forty-seven  days  and 
nights  and  thirteen  days  and  nights,  respectively,  and  traveled  by  land 
and  water  7,000  miles.  It  was  drolly  called  by  ''the  boys"  in  the 
army,  "  The  Bully  One  Hundred  and  Two  Dozen.*' 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  TWENTY-SIXTH   REGIMENT, 

COMPANY  B. 

Company  B  had  thirty-four  enlisted  men,  and  one  commissioned 
officer  from  Mercer  county,  all  except  one  private  belonging  to  Duncan 
and  Perry  ton  townships.  The  original  officers  were  Henry  D.  Cline, 
ca]3tain;  John  B.  Mitchell,  first  lieutenant,  and  James  H.  Coff'man,  of 
Perryton,  second  lieutenant.  The  i-egiment  was  organized  at  Alton  by 
Col.  Jonathan  Richmond,  and  was  mustered  into  service  September  4, 
1862.  It  moved  November  20  to  Columbus,  Kentucky,  and  from 
there  to  Bolivar,  Tennessee,  reporting  at  the  latter  place  to  Gen.  Bray- 
man.  On  December  11)  six  companies  were  dispatched  to  Jackson, 
Tennessee,  as  a  reinforcement,  and  afterward  advanced  to  Humboldt, 
skirmishing  some,  being  joined  there  by  the  other  four  com})anies 
early  in  1863.  On  March  25  the  regiment  returned  to  Jackson,  and 
was  assigned  to  the  second  brigade,  second  division,  Sixteenth  Army 
Corps.  It  was  transported  by  rail  to  Memphis,  where  it  embarked  down 
the  river  to  assist  in  the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  and  landed  at  Haines^ 
Bluft"  June  2.  It  did  honorable  service  to  the  end  of  the  campaign, 
and  on  Julv  24  embarked  for  Helena,  Arkansas.       From  thence  it 


KLEVENTII    ILLINOIS    CAVALRY.  859 

moved  with  (ien.  Steele's  army  against  Little  Rock,  figliting  on  the 
way,  and  occupying  the  ])lace  on  Sei)tember  10.  The  regiment  went 
next  to  DuvalFs  Bluif',  and  remained  there  on  (^arrison  dutv,  with  Col. 
Richmond  as  i>ost  commandant,  until  August  11>,  1804.  On  June  26 
it  was  in  action  at  Clarendon.  It  nuirched  to  Pine  Bluff,  going  by  way 
of  Little  Rock;  on  February  12  it  moved  to  the  mouth  of  White 
river,  and  June  4  returned  to  Pine  Bluff',  where  it  was  mustered  out 
July  12,  1865. 


ONE  HU.XDKEl)   AND   FORTIETH    liEGBfEXT.  LXFAMTRY, 

(^OMPANY  F. 

Company  F  of  this  regiment  was  raised  in  Mercer  county,  in  May, 
1864,  by  A'^an  R.  Harriott,  of  Viola,  and  George  Boone  and  R.  S.  Os- 
born,  of  Aledo,  and  was  mustered  in  June  18th,  with  eighty  men,  for 
lOO  days.  The  othcers  were  :  (Jsborn,  captain ;  Boone,  tirst  lieuten- 
ant, and  Harriott,  second  lieutenant.  The  company  rendezvoused  at 
Rock  Island,  ]\Iay  9th ;  from  there  it  went  to  Dixon,  and  thence  to 
camp  Butler.  The  regiment  was  stationed  at  Lafayette,  Tennessee, 
and  also  did  duty  at  Memphis,  but  was  never  in  action.  Some  mem- 
bers of  company  F  had  a  ffght  at  Lafayette,  August  8th,  with  bush- 
whackers, and  Edward  B.  Harris,  of  Perryton,  and  John  W.  Maury, 
of  Aledo.  were  killed,  and  Alfred  F.  jXoble,  of  New  Boston,  Robert 
Breakey  and  Milton  M.  Jones  were  wounded,  the  former  mortally. 
The  following  died  of  disease  :  Jonathan  Mounts,  Joseph  M.  Sawyer, 
and  Zachariah  T.  Warren.  The  140th  was  mustered  out  October  29, 
1864. 


ELEYENTH  ILLINOIS  "CAVALRY,  COMPAJs^Y  C. 

This  regiment  was  raised  by  the  famous  orator  and  philanthropist 
Col.  Robert  G.  Ingersoll,  and  was  rendezvoused  at  Peoria,  and  mus- 
tered into  service  in  December,  1861.  In  company  C  were  fifteen  or 
more  men  from  Mercer  county,  nearly  all  of  them  from  Suez  to\^Tiship. 
George  W.  Freeman,  then  of  Galesburg,  now  of  Ambov,  Lee  county, 
Illinois,  was  cajjtain ;  Charles  E.  Johnson,  of  Ionia,  first  lieutenant ; 
and  Moses  T.  Lewman,  of  San  Jose,  second  lieutenant.  George  W. 
Greenwood,  of  Po])e  Creek,  was  first  sergeant,  and  rose  regularly  to 
the  ca])taincy. 


860  HISTORY    OF    NfERCEK    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

Company  H  had  in  its  ranks  several  men  from  Henderson  county. 
Capt.  John  C.  Knowlton  was  a  Henderson  county  man.  All  the  first 
lieutenants  that  the  company  ever  had  (Francis  Le  Clair,  Henry  M. 
Cornell,  James  G.  Hull,  and  James  R.  Reasoner)  belonged  to  the 
same  county.  Cornell  was  first  sergeant,  and  once  promoted.  Reas- 
oner was  second  duty  sergeant,  and  promoted  first  and  second  lieu- 
tenant. Hull  was  the  last  of  the  three  captains.  Unhappily  no  mem- 
oranda of  the  movements  of  the  Eleventh  have  been  oflicially  pre- 
served, and  time  is  too  short  for  the  research  that  would  be  necessary 
for  a  sketch,  brief  as  it  would  have  to  be. 


HISTORY  OF  HENDERSON  COUNTY. 


CONTRIBUTKD    HY   .1.    SIMPSON,   ESQ. 


Henderson  eountv,  which  once  formed  a  part  of  Warren  county, 
is  situated  upon  the  western  border  of  the  state,  and  is  comprised  of 
eight  full  townships  and  six  fractional  townships,  aggregating  about 
400  square  miles.  It  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Mercer  county,  on 
the  east  by  Warren  county,  on  the  south  by  McDonough  and  Hancock 
counties,  and  on  the  west  by  the  Mississippi  river.  Numerous  streams 
break  the  surface  in  their  passage  from  the  eastern  part  to  their  outlet, 
the  Mississippi  nver.  The  largest  of  these  streams  is  Henderson  river, 
which  rises  north  and  east  of  the  county,  and  passes  in  a  southwesterly 
direction,  and  empties  into  the  Mississi])pi  about  midway  between 
Oquawka,  the  county  seat  of  Henderson  county,  and  Burlington,  Iowa. 
Cedar  creek  rises  in  Knox  county,  and  empties  into  the  Henderson  in 
township  12  N.,  4  W.,  in  the  northeastern  part  of  the  county.  It  is 
a  small  stream,  but  in  times  of  heavy  rains  it  leaves  its  banks  and 
spreads  over  a  large  space,  doing  great  damage.  Fall  creek,  North 
and  South  Smith  creeks  are  small  streams  which  empty  into  Hender- 
son a  little  east  and  north  of  Oquawka.  South  Henderson  rises  in  the 
eastern  part  of  the  county  and  enters  Henderson  a  half  of  a  mile  north 
of  the  town  of  Gladstone.  Farther  to  the  south  Ellison  creek  runs 
from  east  to  west  through  the  county,  and  empties  into  the  Mississippi 
above  the  town  of  Carman.  Still  farther  south  in  the  county  are 
Honey  and  Dugout  creeks,  running  in  a  westerly  direction.  The 
prairies  of  this  county  comprise  something  less  than  half  of  its  area. 
The  soil  of  the  prairie  is  excellent  for  agricultural  purposes,  consisting 
of  a  blackish  loam  underlaid  with  a  brown  clay.  On  the  high  lands 
that  bound  the  streams  the  soil  is  lighter  and  less  productive.  These 
high  lands  were  formerly  covered  with  timber ;  but  improvidence  in  its 
use  and  ravages  of  lire  have,  in  a  great  measure,  denuded  these  ridges, 
and  the  process  of  destruction  still  goes  on.  The  common  growth 
was  the  different  varieties  of  oak,  with  some  hickory,  with  an  under- 
growth of  hazel  interspersed  with  some  sumac.  On  the  lower  lands, 
and  in  the  bottoms  we  find  the  various  species  of  elm,  linden,  ash. 
49 


864  MISTOKY    OF   MERCEK   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

maple,  box-elder,  cottonwood,  buckeve,  black  walnut,  butternut,  honey 
and  black  locust,  aspen,  wild  cherry,  hackberrv,  nnilberrv,  coiFee  tree, 
crab-ap})le,  redbud,  and  many  other  varieties  of  small  growth  of  tim- 
ber. From  the  north  end  of  the  county  to  near  Camp  creek  on  the 
south  extends  a  belt  of  bottom  land  of  an  average  width  of  about  two 
and  one-half  miles.  A  portion  of  this  belt  is  rich  black  loam,  very 
fertile  and  producing  heavy  crops.  However,  the  overflow  of  the 
Mississippi  in  spring  time  renders  business  of  farming  these  lands  very 
uncertain.  Along  this  belt  extends  between  the  bluflf  and  river,  for 
nearly  the  entire  length  of  the  county,  elevations  or  sand  ridges, 
embracing  many  square  miles  of  unproductive  land,  although  a  portion 
of  these  sand  lands  are  cultivated  with  success,  producing  remunerar 
tive  crops.  This  sandy  soil  is  especially  adapted  to  the  culture  of 
sorghum  or  sugar  cane,  which  is  at  the  present  time  being  (juite  exten- 
sivelv  cultivated.  And  in  view  of  the  success  attending  the  use  of 
improved  machinery  in  other  portions  of  the  state,  there  is  every 
reason  to  expect  that  the  future  value  of  these  sand  lands  will  be  greatly 
enhanced. 

This  county  is  favored  with  numerous  springs  of  excellent  water, 
furnishing  a  constant  and  copious  supply,  sufficient  for  the  necessities 
of  large  herds  of  cattle.  Little  difficulty  is  found  in  obtaining  a  water 
supply  in  wells  at  a  very  moderate  depth,  varying  from  ten  to  fifty 
feet.  There  have  been  found  some  mineral  springs  of  some  value,  but 
few,  if  any,  have  been  subjected  to  a  chemical  analysis,  so  as  to  deter- 
mine their  medicinal  qualities.  However,  it  is  known  that  copperas  is 
the  mineral  most  commonly  held  in  solution  by  their  waters.  Hender- 
son county  has  an  abundant  supply  of  building  stone,  which  may  be 
said  to  be  inexhaustible.  It  is  of  the  species  called  by  geologists  Bur- 
lington limestone,  and  is  found  in  and  along  the  blufl^s,  extending  the 
entire  length  of  the  county,  and  to  some  extent  along  the  bluffs  of  the 
creeks  which  find  their  outlet  in  the  Mississippi.  This  rock  is  found  to 
be  light  colored  massive  limestone,  standing  exposure  well  and  the 
effects  of  the  weathei".  There  are  many  quarries  of  this  stone  open  and 
worked  along  the  bluffs  of  Ellison  and  Henderson  creeks.  The  most 
extensive  (juarry  in  the  county  is  on  South  Henderson,  and  is  worked 
by  August  Wallbaum,  Esq.,  near  the  town  of  (iladstone,  on  the  line  of 
the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  railroad.  Here  an  extensive  busi- 
ness is  carried  on  in  quarrying  and  finishing  stone  for  buildings  of  all 
kinds.  Many  of  the  best  buildings  in  the  state  are  furnished  with 
material  from  this  (quarry.  The  court-houses  in  Freeport  and  Macomb 
are  built  of  this  stone.  The  government  buildings  at  Omaha  are  like- 
wise built  of  stone  from  this  quarry.     As  many  as  seventy -five  hands 


HENDERSON    COUNTY.  865 

are  constantly  eniployt'd  tlie  greater  portion  of  the  year  in  carryino;  on 
this  business.  This  county  is  so  unfortunate  as  to  tind  but  a  yery  small 
supply  of  coal  within  her  limits.  On  Sees.  24  and  26,  T.  U  N.,  4W., 
a  thin  seam  has  been  found,  ])Ut  this  supply  is  but  a  scant  amount  and 
that  of  an  inferior  quality.  IVIany  hope  yet  to  find  coal  in  adecpiate 
suj>ply,  but  scientific  examination  giyes  small  })romise  for  the  realiza- 
tion of  their  ho])es,  and  this  county  may  expect  to  depend  upon  more 
favored  localities  for  her  sup])ly  of  coal.  The  soil  of  the  county  is  well 
adapted  to  the  prt)duction  of  corn,  wheat,  and  other  grains,  and  fruit 
of  all  kinds,  ada])ted  to  this  latitude,  is  ]>roduced  in  abundance, 
although  along  the  bluff  lines  orchards  thriye  better  than  on  prairie  or 
bottom  lands,  and  in  the  bottoms  and  upon  the  timbered  ])ortion  of 
the  sand  ridges,  the  wild  grape  grows  luxuriantly,  yielding  a  grape 
that  produces  an  excellent  wine. 

ORCJANIZATION  OF  THE  COt'NTY. 

With  this  brief  geograj)hical  view  of  the  territory,  it  is  proper  now 
to  pass  to  the  organization  of  the  county.  As  stated  in  the  beginning, 
this  county  was  formerly  embraced  in,  and  formed  a  part  of,  Warren 
county.  In  the  year  1S41  an  act  was  ])assed  by  the  general  assembly, 
and  duly  ap])royed,  creating  the  county  of  Henderson,  the  following 
being  a  correct  copy  of  the  act : 

A/i  Act  to  EstdhJish  the  County  of  ITendermi) : — Si:( tion  1.  J3e  it 
enacted  by  the  people  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  represented  in  the  gen- 
eral assembly :  that  all  that  part  of  the  now  county  of  Warren  lying 
west  of  range  three  of  the  third  principal  meridian,  be,  and  the  same  is 
hereby  created,  into  a  new  county,  to  be  called  the  county  of  Hen- 
derson. 

Sec.  2.  The  county  seat  of  said  county  of  Henderson  shall  be,  and 
is  hereby  permanently  located  at  the  town  of  Oquawka,  in  said  county 
of  Henderson  ;  pvovidrd^  the  pro])rietors  of  said  town  of  ( )(juawka  shall 
donate  and  convey  to  the  count}'  commissioners  of  Henderson  county, 
(for  the  time  being)  for  the  use  and  benefit  of  said  county  in  fee  sim})h' 
not  less  than  two  hundred  of  the  average  of  the  unsold  or  unim])roved 
lots,  in  said  town  of  Oquawka,  the  proceeds  of  the  sale  of  said  town 
lots,  or  so  much  thereof  as  may  be  required,  shall  be  appropriated 
exclusively  to  the  erection  of  public  buildings. 

Sec.  8.  In  case  of  the  removal  of  the  county  seat  from  said  town 
of  Oquawka,  the  public  buildings  and  the  lots  upon  which  they  may 
stjind  shall  revert  and  become  the  property  of  said  proprietors  and 
their  heirs  forever  thereafter,  and  also  all  lots  remaining  unsold  at  the 
the  time  of  removal. 


866  HISTORY   OF    MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

Sec.  4.  The  legal  voters  of  the  county  of  Henderson  shall  meet  at 
the  usual  places  of  holding  elections  in  said  countj^,  on  the  first  Mon- 
day in  April,  1841,  and  proceed  to  elect  all  county  officers,  except  one 
commissioner  and  the  justices  of  the  peace  and  constables  at  present 
residing  therein,  who  shall  continue  to  discharge  the  duties  of  their 
offices,  respectively,  in  and  for  the  county  of  Henderson,  in  the  same 
manner  as  though  Warren  county  had  not  been  divided.  The  officers 
elected  under  the  provisions  of  this  act  shall  hold  their  offices  until 
the  next  regular  election,  and  until  their  successors  are  elected  and 
qualified. 

Sec.  5.  The  county  commissioners  of  said  county  of  Henderson 
shall  meet  in  the  town  of  Oquawka,  on  the  third  Monday  of  April, 
1841,  and  after  being  duly  qualified,  shall  proceed  to  hold  court  and 
perform  such  duties  as  are  required  by  law  of  other  county  commis- 
sioners' courts.  Of  the  commissioners  elected  under  the  provisions  of 
this  act,  the  one  receiving  the  highest  number  of  votes  shall  hold  his 
office  for  the  term  of  three  years  from  and  after  [the]  first  Monday  in 
August  next;  the  one  receiving  the  second  highest  number  of  votes 
shall  hold  his  office  for  the  term  of  two  years  from  and  after  that  period. 

Skc.  6.  The  county  commissioners  shall,  whenever  in  their  opinion 
the  interests  of  the  county  may  demand  and  require  the  sale  of  the 
whole  or  any  part  of  the  lots  donated  as  aforesaid,  proceed  to  sell  the 
same,  in  such  manner,  and  on  such  terms  they  may  deem  advisable 
for  the  interests  of  the  county. 

Sec.  T.  The  election  returns  for  the  officer  herein  provided  to  be 
elected,  shall  be  made  in  the  same  numner,  and  within  the  same  time 
as  all  other  elections,  except  that  the  returns  shall  be  made  to  John  B. 
Patterson,  an  acting  justice  of  the  peace,  of  said  county,  or  in  case  of 
his  death  or  inability  to  act,  any  other  justice  of  the  peace  of  said 
county,  who  shall  call  to  his  assistance  two  other  justices  of  the  peace 
of  said  county,,  and  proceed  to  open  the  returns  of  the  election,  and  in 
all  things  perform  the  duties  required  of  the  county  commissioners' 
court  and  justices  of  the  peace  in  like  cases. 

Sec.  8.  The  county  commissioners'  court  at  their  first  term  to  be 
holden  on  the  third  Monday  of  April,  1841,  shall  proceed,  together 
with  the  proprietors  of  the  said  town  of  Oquawka,  to  select  the  num- 
ber of  town  lots  herein  before  provided  to  be  donated,  and  so  soon  as 
the  selection  shall  be  made  and  agreed  upon,  the  jiroprietors  shall  im- 
mediately thereu])on  execute  a  deed  in  fee  simple  for  said  lots  to  the 
county  commissioners  for  the  time  being,  for  the  use  and  benefit  of 
said  county,  which  deed  when  so  made  and  acknowledged  and  received 
shall  be  entei'ed  upon  the  records  of  said  court,  and  also  be  recorded  as 
other  deeds  are  in  the  office  of  the  count}^  recorder. 


EARLY    SETTLEMENTS.  867 

Sec.  !♦.  The  school  commissioner  of  Warren  county  shall  pay  over 
to  the  commissioners  of  Henderson  county,  upon  demand  being 
made  by  said  county  commissionei-s,  or  their  legally  constituted  agent, 
all  moneys,  notes  and  other  papers  which  may  be  in  his  hands  at  the 
time  of  such  demand,  and  which  may  rightfully  belong  to  said  county 
of  Henderson,  by  reason  of  the  sale  of  any  school  lands  located  within 
the  county  of  Henderson,  and  also  its  proportion  of  the  interest  arising 
from  the  college  and  seminary  fund,  the  basis  of  which  payment  shall 
be  made  upon  the  late  census  of  Warren  county. 

Sec,  lU.  All  officers  elected  under  and  ])ursuant  to  the  jjrovisions 
of  this  act,  shall  be  required  to  take  such  oath  or  affirmati(jn  and  give 
such  bond  and  security  as  are  or  may  be  required  of  like  officers  in 
other  counties,  and  upon  a  failure  so  to  do,  the  same  penalties  and  for- 
feitures shall  ap[)ly  as  in  similar  cases  under  the  laws  of  this  state. 

Sec.  11.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  county  commissioners'  court  of 
Henderson  county,  at  their  first  meeting  on  the  lirst  Monday  of  A])ril 
next,  as  provided  in  tlie  tifth  section  of  this  act,  to  proceed  to  levy  a 
tax  for  state  and  county  ])urposes,  as  required  by  the  law  in  relation 
to  the  ])ublic  revenue,  in  the  same  manner  as  though  they  had  met  on 
the  tirst  Monday  of  March,  as  now  re(|uired,  and  shall  also  do  and  per- 
form all  other  things  necessary  and  lawful  to  insure  the  collection  of 
the  state  and  county  revenue  in  said  county  of  Henderson. 

Approved  January  20,  1841. 

The  general  assembly  of  the  state  also  passed  an  act,  approved 
February  19,  1841,  entitled,  ''An  act  to  authorize  the  election  of  an 
additional  county  commissioner  in  Henderson  county." 

Section  1.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  people  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  repre- 
sented in  the  general  assembly,  that  on  the  first  jNIonday  in  August 
next,  there  shall  be  elected  in  the  county  of  Henderson,  one  county 
commissioner  for  said  county  in  addition  to  the  members  already  })ro- 
vided  to  be  elected  by  the  act  entitled  "'An  act  creating  the  county  of 
Henderson,  approved  January  20,  1841,"  who  shall  hold  his  office  for 
one  year  from  and  after  said  first  Monday  of  August  next,  as  aforesaid  ; 
and  thereafter  election  for  county  commissioners  shall  be  held,  notice 
given,  and  returns  made  thereof  in  the  same  manner  as  now  re- 
quired by  law.  Approved  February  !'.♦,  1841.  The  bouiularies  of  the 
county  remain  as  at  first  designated  by  the  general  assembly. 

E A  R  L Y    SETTL  !•: .M  ENTS. 

Did  time  and  sjjace,  and  the  limits  of  the  writer  of  this  article 
pemiit,  a  volume  could  be  written  of  the  early  settlement,  growth  and 
prosperity  of  this  county.     The  struggles  and  ])rivations  of  the  pioneer 


868  HISTORY    (IF    MKRCEK    AXD    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

are  but  repetitions  of  experiences  of  frontier  life,  which  are  full  of  inci- 
dents that,  portrayed  in  all  their  minuteness,  would  form  volumes  of 
instructive  and  interesting  history.  The  vast  west,  the  continually  re- 
ceding frontier  demanded  then,  as  now,  daring,  self-sacrificing  men  and 
women,  who  were  willing  to  make  sacrifice  of  the  pleasures  derived 
from  the  society  of  the  older  and  populous  states,  and  seek  in  western 
wilds  to  assist  in  laying  the  foundations  of  new  empires.  It  is  well 
that  it  is  so.  How  else  could  these  almost  limitless  i-eo-ions  have  ever 
been  settled  ?  That  spirit  of  enterprise,  that  love  of  adventure,  that 
reckless  braving  of  all  dangers,  seems  to  have  been  an  inheritance  of 
those  men  and  women  peculiarly  raised  up  to  meet  the  demands  of 
the  great  west,  in  filling  her  borders  with  a  vigorous,  intelligent  and 
self-reliant  people.  Looking  back  into  the  past  we  have  seen  genera- 
ti(m  succeed  generation  in  the  older  states,  men  content  to  live  where 
their  iiithers  lived,  and  die  where  their  fathers  died,  without  that 
restless  desire  for  roaming  that  has  characterized  our  people  in 
later  days.  With  the  opening  of  new  states  and  territories  we  have 
witnessed  a  new  S])irit  infusing  itself  into  our  population.  The 
home  of  childhood,  the  graves  of  ancestors,  have  been  but  feeble 
ties  to  bind  the  restless  spirit  whose  vision  was  fixed  in  the  direc- 
tion of  the  setting  sun,  and  saw  spread  out  before  him  the  field 
where  wealth  and  honor  were  to  be  won.  The  world  has  looked  on 
and  wondered,  as  they  have  seen  the  mighty  tide  of  emigration  moving 
westward  with  such  quiet  and  resistless  force,  breaking  down  all  bar- 
riers, overcoming  all  obstacles,  and  oi'ganizing  states  as  if  by  magic, 
filled  with  intelligent,  thrift:}'  and  orderly  people.  Powerful  Indian 
tribes  have  melted  away  and  given  place  to  a  refined  commercial  peo- 
ple. Neighboring  nations  who  seemed  to  stand  in  the  path  of  our  on- 
ward progress,  have,  after  short  conflict,  or  direct  diplomacy,  given 
ground  and  souglit  })eace  at  the  price  of  dismembered  territory,  which 
was  added  to  our  almost  boundless  empire.  No  wonder  that  tlie  poet 
sang  : 

"  Oh,  vale  of  Kio  Bravo,  let  tliy  sinii)le  children  weep, 
Close  watch  about  their  holy  tires,  let  maids  of  Pe>-os  keep. 
For  lo,  the  i)ale  land  seeker  comes  with  ea<rer  eyes  of  gain 
Wide-si)reading  like  the  Bison  herd  on  green  Salada's  plain. 
Full  hot  and  fast  the  Saxon  rides  with  rein  of  travel  slack 
And  bending  o'er  his  saddle  leaves  the  sunrise  at  his  back." 

The  nature  and  character  of  the  country  demanded  such  a  people, 
and  they  s})rang  forth;  they  had  a  mission  to  fulfill,  and  they  addressed 
themselves  to  the  task  of  fulfilling  it.  That  mission  was  the  peopling 
of  new  states,  establishing  societies  founded  on  law  and  order,  subduing 


EARLY    SETTLKMKNTS.  869 

the  wilds  of  the  unknown  west,  and  with  cajiital  and  labor  combined 
preparing  this  vast  region  of  country  as  a  lionie  for  the  teeming 
millions  of  the  future.  Those  men  by  their  energy  and  braverv.  gave 
us  safety  wliere  tliey  found  danger,  gave  us  quiet  and  }»eace  where  they 
found  savage  warfare.  We  reckon  it  almost  in  days  since  the  time 
when,  where  we  now  sit  surrounded  by  all  comforts  and  luxuries  of 
<iivilized  life,  the  wild  prairie  grass  waved  in  the  wind,  and  the  pon- 
derous buffalo  galloped  over  the  plain  unmolested  by  the  pale  hunter, 
and  to  quote  an  eloquent  writer,  "Here  lived  and  loved  another 
race  of  people.  Beneath  the  same  sun  that  shines  on  us  the  Indian 
hunter  pursued  the  panting  deer;  gazing  on  the  same  moon  that 
nightly  smiles  on  us,  the  Indian  lover  wooed  his  dusky  mate.  Here, 
too,  they  warred,  and  when  the  tiger  strife  was  over,  here  curled  the 
smoke  of  peace.''     This  has  all  ])assed  away,  and  the  pioneer  has  gone. 

"...     Joyful  on  his  way 
To  wed  renob.sct)t's  water  to  San  Francisco's  bay, 
To  make  the  rufified  places  smooth  and  sow  the  vales  with  grain. 
And  bear  with  liberty  and  law  the  bible  in  his  train." 

It  is  no  easy  task  to  determine  with  certainty  who  was  actually 
the  first  to  make  a  permanent  settlement  in  this  county,  and  if  a  slight 
error  shall  be  found  in  this  §ketch,  it  will  only  show  the  liability  of 
any  one  to  fall  into  an  error,  while  trusting  to  memory  of  others  as  to 
dates  and  events  running  back  for  a  half  of  a  century.  The  writer  has 
sought  what  seemed  to  be  the  most  reliable  source  of  information. 
Little  could  be  found  recorded  to  throw  light  upon  the  questions. 

In  1828  John  Campbell  came  to  this  section  of  country  and  made 
his  home  on  Henderson  river,  about  two  miles  east  of  Oquawka  hand- 
ing, on  what  has  been  for  many  years  known  as  the  "Devil's  Half 
Acre,"  a  name  given  the  locality  by  Kev.  Peter  Cartwright  in  early 
times  on  account,  as  bethought,  of  its  appropriateness.  Mr.  Campbell 
improved  the  land  now  owned  by  Newton  Wood  on  the  S.  "VV.  ^  of 
Sec.  35,  T.  11  N.,  5  W.,  being  the  field  that  lies  north  of  the  Oquawka 
road  and  east  of  Mr.  Wood's  house.  He  broke  the  ground  in  1828, 
and  raised  a  crop  on  it  in  1829.  In  the  year  1828  James  Ryerson 
settled  in  the  territory  embraced  within  this  county,  on  Sec.  3,  T.  10  N., 
5  W.,  upon  which  lie  has  ever  since  resided,  and  broke  the  land  prepara- 
tory to  a  crop  for  the  folh)wing  year.  In  the  same  year,  however,  he 
raised  a  crop  on  the  land  then  o\vned  by  S.  S.  Phelps  on  Henderson 
creek,  about  two  miles  southeast  of  ( )quawka,  on  what  is  now  known 
as  the  Capt.  James  Findley  farm.  Mr.  Ryerson  still  maintains  his 
bodily  and  mental  faculties,  although  upward  of  eighty  years  of  age. 
He  is  often  seen  on  the  streets  of  the  town  actively  attending  to  liis 


870  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

every-day  business.  Throughout  his  long  life  he  has  ever  maintained 
a  high  character  as  a  citizen,  and  in  all  the  relations  of  life  his  charac- 
ter stands  without  reproach.  Prior  to  1828  Jeremiah  Smith  erected  a 
saw-mill  near  the  place  where  now  stands  the  flour-mill  on  Henderson, 
upon  the  "Half  Acre."  In  the  year  1828  Smith  and  a  partner  built 
an  addition  to  the  saw-mill  and  placed  two  run  of  stone  in  it  for 
grinding  grain.  Shortly  afterward  Martin  Woods  settled  at  this  mill 
locality  and  became  the  active  miller  at  that  place.  He  and  his  son 
(Newton  Woods)  still  reside  upon  premises  adjoining  the  mill.  This 
mill  property  has  changed  hands  many  times,  and  the  locality  was 
familiarly  called  "Jack's  Mills,"  on  account  of  the  name  of  the  owner 
at  one  time  being  Andrew  T.  W.  Jack,  an  eccentric  Scotchman,  who 
for  many  years  carried  on  the  milling  business.  The  mill  property  is 
at  present  owned  and  operated  by  Jacob  Rodmacher,  who  continues  to 
do  considerable  business  in  a  small  way. 

Large  mills  with  all  the  modern  improvements  that  science  has 
brought  to  bear,  together  with  the  aid  of  concentrated  capital,  have 
wrought  out  a  new  order  of  things  in  the  milling  business,  by  pro- 
ducing a  better  article  of  flour,  and  at  a  lower  price  than  can  be  aiforded 
by  small  mills  run  upon  the  old  style  of  doing  business.  These  large 
mills  have  rendered  the  small  ones  comparatively  valueless,  and  no 
longer  in  demand  by  the  people.  So  it  is  in  almost  every  other  branch 
of  business.  In  lumber,  the  large  mill  establishments  have  practically 
destroyed  the  small  manufacturers,  and  compelled  them  to  adopt  like 
systems  of  combination  of  capital  and  labor,  or  see  themselves  under- 
sold until  they  are  forced  to  leave  the  market.  In  the  business  of  pork 
packing,  in  early  time,  every  town  upon  the  Mississippi  river  had  its 
packing  establishments,  where  a  flourishing  business  was  done  during 
the  winter  months,  in  cutting  hogs  and  curing  the  meat,  and  when 
spring  opened  navigation  the  steamers  took  this  meat  and  lard  in 
barrel  and  bulk  to  St.  Louis  or  New  Orleans.  Now  that  is  all  passed 
away,  and  the  business  now  is  only  carried  on  in  the  large  cities,  where 
immense  structures  and  improved  processes  enable  them  to  do  the 
work  more  economically  than  can  be  done  in  small  establishments. 

Among  the  early  settlers  of  the  territory  now  embraced  within  the 
present  limits  of  Henderson  county  was  Judge  John  Pence.  He  was 
born  January  15,  1776,  in  Shenandoah  county,  Virginia.  In  early  life  he 
was  a  slave-holder,  but  upon  the  death  of  his  flrst  wife,  he  freed  all  of 
his  slaves  and  removed  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio,  where  he  again 
married  and  removed  to  Bartholomew  countv,  Indiana.  Shortlv  after 
he  became  a  citizen  of  the  latter  state  he  was  elected  countv  judge  of 
Bartholomew  county,  and  held  the  office  for  a  term  of  six  years.     At 


EARI>Y    SETTLEMENTS.  871 

this  time  his  second  wife  died,  and  he  married  for  his  third  wife  a 
widow  lady  by  the  name  of  Record,  whose  maiden  name  was  Elizabeth 
Heaton.     From  Indiana  he  removed  to  Illinois  and  settled  near  Joliet. 
where  lie  lived  for  a  short  time,  when  he  again  moved  and  took  up  his 
residence  in  Rock  Island  county,  in  an  old  block  house  built  by  an  In- 
dian chief.  Black  Hawk.     He  raised  one  crop  at  this  point  and  then 
removed  to  a  point  on  Henderson  river,  about  three  miles  northeast  of 
Oquawka.  where  he  made  his  tinal  settlement  and  liome.     The  ]>lace 
has  ever  ^nce  been  known  by  old  settlers  as  the  "Old  Pence  Farm." 
This   was   in    1n29   that   he    made    his    last    settlement.       In    ls3o 
the  county  of  Warren  was  organized,  and  Judge  Pence  was  elected 
commissioner   with  Adam   ( Sandy »    Ritchie,    and   John   B.    Talbott. 
Warren  county  was   then   divided  into   two    election    precincts ;    the 
eastern  being  what  is  now  Warren  coimty,    and  the  western  being 
composed  of  what  is  now  Hei  derson  county,  then  known  as  the  Yellow 
Banks   precinct.     In    the   latter   precinct    Judge    Pence   and   Daniel 
McXeil,  Jr.,  were  elected  justices.     In  1830  the  hostilities  were  com- 
menced by  the  Indians  under  the  great  chief.  Black  Hawk,  and  the 
settlers  along  Henderson  river,  near  Judge  Pence's  place,  feeling  inse- 
cure and  fearing  the  attack  of  savages,  assembled  and  erected  a  i-ude 
but  substantial  fort  on  the  farm  of  Judge  Pence,  which  immediately 
became  the  refuge  of  settlers  in  that  neighborh<^)od.  who  gathered  in  to 
be  in  readiness  to  repel  anticipated  raids  of  the  savage  foe.     The  site 
of  the  old  fort  is  well  remembered  by  the  old  settlers  of  this  section  of 
country.     At  this  fort,  during  those  stormy  times,  a  son  was  bom  to 
the  judge,  who  was  known,  until  he  became  a  young  man.  by  the  name 
of  Black  Hawk.     Judge  Pence  was  one  of  those  noble,  great-hearted 
men.  always  to  be  found  upon  the  frontiers,  ever  ready  to  aid  those 
around  him  in  need.     He  lived  and  died  loved  and  resj^ected  by  all 
who  knew  him.     His  daughter.  Mrs.  Catharine  Shores,  thus  remembers 
and  speaks  of  her  father  :   "Often  he  would  bring  the  sick  and  afflicted 
home  with  him  and  take  care  of  them,  as  though  they  were  members 
of  his  own  family,  free  of  charge.     I  well  remember  the  sides  of  bacon, 
sacks  of  tiour  and  potatoes,  the  gallons  of  hone}',  that  he  from  time  to 
time,  distributed  among  his  needy  neighbors.     Our  father,  by  industry 
and  economy,  always  manaired  to  have  a  jrood  supply  of  necessaries  of 
life  around  liim.  but  he  always  felt  that  he  held  this  world's  goods  only 
in  trust  for  his  suti'ering  fellow  man,  as  well  as  for  himself    While  he 
resided  in  Ohio  and  Indiana  he  was  an  ordained  Baptist  preacher,  and 
sometimes,   after  he  took  up   his  residence  in   Henderson  county,  he 
occupied  some  unj)rovided  pul})it  and  })reached  to  his  neighbors.     He 
was  a  Christian,  and  at  all  times  endeavored  to  live  up  to  the  teachings 


872  HISTORY    OF   MERCER    AND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

of  the  bible.  He  was  the  father  of  sixteen  children,  and  raised  six 
orphans  besides.  He  died  in  1841,  at  his  old  homestead,  and  his  wife 
survived  him  two  years.*' 

Dr.  Isaac  Garland  came  to  the  present  site  of  Oqiiawka,  then 
knowi]  as  the  Yellow  Banks,  and  erected  the  first  honse  at  that  place 
in  1827.  We  find  in  the  account  compiled  for  the  historv  of  Warren 
count V,  that  the  doctor,  in  giving  an  account  of  his  building  of  his 
house,  ■  says :  "There  were  no  white  men  to  help  him,  save  his 
teamster,  and  in  the  emergency  he  hired  six  or  eight  Indians,  who 
were  encamped  at  a  point  of  timber  below.  He  had  to  pay  for  each 
log  as  it  was  rolled  to  its  place,  and  then  give  them  a  drink  all  around. 
As  they  were  unused  to  such  labor,  and  particularly  after  they  had 
imbibed  two  or  three  drinks  of  liquor,  thereby  becoming  unsteady  in 
their  movements,  they  were  unable  to  perform  heavy  work.  Often  at 
this  stage  of  the  labor,  the  logs,  which  were  unhewn  and  of  black- 
jack variety,  and  coming  down  on  their  bare  arms  and  breasts,  would 
tear  off  great  flakes  of  skin.  They  would  give  an  ejaculatorv  'ouch,' 
and  at  once  quit  work  for  the  day.  Their  love  of  the  'fire-water'  was 
so  great, 'however,  that  they  would  always  return  the  following  day, 
thereby  repeating  the  process  until  the  house  was  completed."  A  few 
other  houses  were  built  during  this  year  (1827).  In  1828-9  quite  a 
number  of  settlers  came  and  located  in  different  pai-ts  of  the  county. 
Judge  John  Pence  settled  on  Henderson  creek,  at  what  is  known  as 
the  "  old  Pence  place  ;"  Jeremiah  Smith  settled  on  Henderson  creek, 
about  two  miles  east  of  Oquawka,  near  what  was  afterward  known  as 
the  "Devil's  Half  Acre."  James  Ryason  located  a  little  lower  down 
the  creek. 

Stephen  S.  Phelps  in  1828  purchased  the  improved  claim  of  Dr. 
Garland,  at  the  Yellow  Banks,  and  removed  his  family  to  their  new 
home.  Jeremiah  Smith  and  Beatty  settled  nearly  about  the  same 
time.  At  the  election  held  in  Warren  county  in  the  year  1830, 
Stephen  S.  Phelps  was  duly  elected  sheriff.  At  that  election  there 
were  cast  in  the  county  of  Warren,  including  the  present  territory  of 
Henderson,  forty-seven  votes,  and  every  voter  in  the  county  was 
present,  save  three.  John  Reynolds  received  thirty-four  votes  for 
governor,  and  for  the  same  office,  William  Kinney  received  eleven 
votes,  Mr.  Phelps  was  a  native  of  the  state  of  New  York.  As  a  full 
biographical  sketch  will  appear  in  this  volume  from  the  pen  of  Mrs. 
Phebe  Button,  his  daughter,  who  is  in  possession  of  his  journals  and 
papers,  it  is  not  necessary  here  to  speak  more  at  length  of  one  who 
performed  a  prominent  part  in  the  early  settlement  of  the  county. 

William  R.  Jamison  settled  in  Henderson  county  in  1829.     He 


EARLY    SETTLEMENTS.  873 

was  bom  in  (jrayson  county,  Kentuekv,  January  S,  1808,  and  removed 
to  Perry  county,  Indiana,  with  his  parents.  Here  he  remained  until 
he  became  a  man.  lie  married  in  Perry  county.  In  1820  lie  came  to 
Henderson  county,  landing  at  the  Yellow  Banks  in  the  summer  of  that 
rear,  and  made  a  settlement  on  a  farm  about  seven  miles  southeast  of 
the  latter  place.  He  succeeded,  as  all  enterjtrising  and  industrious 
settlers  did,  opening  a  large  farm  and  making  tine  improvements  of 
buildings,  orchards  and  nurseries.  In  1847  he  removed  to  Oquawka 
and  engaged  in  mercantile  business  with  Alexander  Moir.  He  closed 
his  business  in  Ocjuawka  and  in  1865  removed  to  the  state  of  Florida, 
where  he  engaged  in  the  cultivaticm  of  an  orange  plantation,  at  which 
place  he  died  on  the  17th  (^f  June,  1882.  Two  of  his  sons  still  reside 
in  Illinois,  one  in  Minnesota,  one  in  Nebraska,  and  one  in  Florida. 

In  1838  Messrs.  Robinson  and  Hopper  built  the  first  flour  mill  on 
the  South  Henderson  creek,  at  a  point  where  now  Biggsville  is  located, 
and  operated  it  as  a  toll  mill  to  accommodate  other  settlers  in  the  sui-- 
rounding  country.  The  property  changed  owners  until  it  became  the 
property  of  John  Biggs,  who,  after  years  of  experience  in  running  a 
mill  in  a  new  country,  disposed  of  his  interest  to  Messrs.  Moirs,  of 
Oquawka,  who  continued  to  operate  it  until  about  1 860,  when  it  passed 
into  the  hands  of  others. 

Mr.  Hopper  had,  prior  to  the  year  1836,  built  a  lumber  mill 
at  the  place  now  known  as  "Hopper's  Mills."  Afterward  it  was 
changed  to  a  flour  mill  and  has  continued  as  such  to  the  present  time. 
Lambert  Hopper,  son  of  the  original  proprietor,  succeeded  his  father  in 
business  at  ''Hopper's  Mill."  He  engaged  extensively  in  mercantile 
business  and  carried  on  his  business  in  all  its  A-aried  branches  with 
marked  success.  He  established  a  woolen  mill  for  the  manufacture  of 
woolen  cloths,  and  by  his  enterprise  aided  in  building  uj)  a  thriving 
village.  He  was  a  man  respected  and  trusted  by  all  his  neighbors, 
and  his  death  was  a  great  misfortune  to  the  community  in  which  lie 
resided.  No  one  succeeded  him  to  carry  on  the  business  he  had  built 
np,  and  it  gradually  went  to  decay,  and  now  there  is  little  left  to  tell 
of  the  thriving  business  of  which  he  was  the  life. 

In  1836  Isaiah  J.  Brook  came  to  this  section  of  country,  seeking  a 
location  for  a  home.  He  purchased  the  N.  E.  ^  of  8ec.  34,  in  T.  10 
N.,  P.  5  W.,  in  the  present  limits  of  Henderson  county,  and  the  fol- 
lo-w-ing  year  removed  with  his  family  to  his  purchase,  and  made  it  his 
future  home.  The  country'  was  new,  and  he  improved  his  lands,  and 
from  time  to  time  added  to  the  same  until  he  could  claim  the  owner- 
ship of  many  broad  acres.  Industry,  economy,  and  a  peculiar  apti- 
tude for  business  soon  placed  him  among  the  foremost  business  men 


874  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

of  the  county.  His  fauiilj  of  sons  and  daughters  grew  to  maturity 
beneath  the  family  roof,  and  are  now  all  situated  in  homes  of  their 
own.  Only  a  few  weeks  since  his  two  remaining  single  daughters 
wedded  husbands  of  their  choice,  and  Mr,  Brooks,  finding  himself 
and  his  estimable  wife  again  alone,  disposed  of  his  home-farm  and 
now  will  seek  that  repose  and  freedom  from  active  business  cares 
which  his  merited  success  will  enable  him  to  enjoy. 

Another  of  the  early  settlers  of  the  county  was  Matthew  Findley, 
who  settled  near  the  Yellow  Banks.  He  was  of  Irish  parentage  and 
born  in  Allegheny  county,  Pennsylvania,  January  11,  1793,  where  he 
resided  with  his  yjarents  until  he  was  seventeen  years  old,  when  his 
family  removed  to  Muskingum  county,  Ohio.  In  the  latter  place  on 
reaching  manhood  he  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Blackburn,  and  settled 
down  to  farming. 

In  October,  1835,  he  removed  to  Warren  county,  and  spent  the 
following  winter  on  a  farm  near  the  present  site  of  Kirkwood.  In  the 
spring  of  1836  he  removed  to  and  settled  in  Sec.  36,  T.  11  N.,  R.  5 
W.,  in  then  Warren  county,  where  three  of  his  sons  and  one  unmar- 
ried daughter  still  reside.  He  raised  a  family  of  six  children,  four 
sons  and  two  daughters,  all  of  whom  survive  him:  David  M.,  Alex- 
ander, Matthew  M.,  John  Q.,  Sarah,  and  Eliza  Jane.  David,  one  of 
the  brothers,  resided  near  the  old  homestead,  a  prosperous  and  re- 
spected citizen,  until  1875,  when,  on  account  of  his  health,  he  removed 
to  San  Luis  Obispo  county,  California,  where  he  now  resides,  engaged 
extensively  in  farming.  The  other  three  brothers  still  reside  on  or  near 
the  place  upon  which  their  father  first  settled,  engaged  in  extensive 
and  successful  farming.  The  father  died  at  his  home,  surrounded  by 
his  family  and  friends,  April  1,  1863.  He  had  been  chosen  by  the 
votes  of  his  fellow  citizens  to  county  ofiices,  the  duties  of  which  he 
discharged  with  signal  fidelity.  He  was  justly  entitled  to  the  reputa- 
tion he  enjoyed  among  his  fellow  citizens  of  an  honest  man.  His 
wife  did  not  long  survive  him,  and  in  her  death  a  tragic  event 
occurred. 

It  was  on  September  25,  1863,  that  Mrs.  Findley,  who  resided  with 
her  son  and  daughter  on  the  old  home  place,  told  her  daughter  that 
she  was  going  out  to  pick  some  wild  gra])es  that  grew  near  the  edge 
of  a  corn  field  not  far  from  the  house,  in  a  skirt  of  timber,  as  she  was 
very  fond  of  them.  Her  daugliter  sought  to  dissuade  her  from  going, 
as  she  was  old  and  feeble,  although  in  good  health,  but  the  old  lady 
replied  that  she  could  go  alone,  as  the  distance  was  short,  and  she 
would  not  be  absent  long.  She  took  her  little  tin  bucket  and  started 
out  at  about  three  o'clock  in   the   afternoon.       Her  daughter  being 


KARLV    SErrr.KMENTS.  875 

engaged  in  work  did  not  fear  any  danger,  although  her  motlier  was 
absent  for  a  considerable  length  of  time.  At  last,  her  mother  not 
returning,  the  daughter  grew  anxious,  looked  out  for  her.  She  became 
alarmed  and  sought  her  brother  and  told  him  of  the  mother's  absence. 
The}',  together  wnth  other  members  of  the  family,  went  in  haste  to 
make  search  for  their  mother.  Kiglit  set  in  and  they  found  her  not. 
They  searched  every  path  and  jdace  where  she  might  have  wandered, 
the  friends  assisting,  and  with  lanterns  and  torches  they  still  continued 
their  efforts  until  at  last  some  time  after  (hirkncss  had  set  in  they  came 
upon  the  lifeless  remains  of  their  mother.  She  lay  near  a  small  tree, 
uj)on  the  ground  where  she  had  been  picking  grapes,  her  bucket  by 
her  side.  At  first  it  was  supposed  that  she  had  fallen,  perhaps 
with  some  sudden  attack  incident  to  old  age,  and  had  thus  died.  They 
took  her  up  and  mournfully  proceeded  to  carry  her  to  their  home. 
She  was  buried  in  the  family  cemetery.  The  friends  felt  that  a  mys- 
tery was  connected  with  her  death.  On  the  day  following  her  burial 
it  was  learned  that  two  boys  from  Oquawka  had  been  in  the  vicinity 
where  the  body  was  found,  on  the  afternoon  of  her  death,  huntins:, 
and  that  they  had  told  that  one  of  them  had  fired  at  something  in  a 
grapevine  or  tree  in  the  thicket,  that  he  thought  was  a  turkey,  and  that 
he  saw  something  like  a  person  fall.  The  boys  were  frightened  and 
fled  without  looking  to  see  what  they  had  shot.  The  body  was 
exhumed,  and  K.  "VV.  Eichey,  county  judge,  acting  as  coroner,  held  an 
inquest  on  the  body.  Upon  surgical  examination  being  made,  it  was 
found  that  a  leaden  shot  had  penetrated  through  the  upper  lid  of  the 
eye  and  entered  the  brain,  causing  death  in  a  short  time.  The  boys, 
Frank  Dallam  and  Greely  Mathews,  aged  res])ectively  fourteen  and 
and  ten  years,  admitted  being  in  the  \icinity  and  shooting  as  above 
described,  but  claimed  that  they  had  no  knowledge  or  intention  of 
doing  an3-thing  wrong.  The  friends  of  ]\Irs.  Findley  never  charged  or 
believed  that  the  act  was  an  intentional  one,  but  felt  that  it  was  the 
result  of  that  reckless  habit  of  neglect  on  the  part  of  parents  in  permit- 
ing  such  mere  boys  to  have  the  control  of  fire-arms  to  use  at  their 
pleasure.  Many  casual  ities,  for  we  cannot  call  them  accidents,  have 
occurred  in  this  county  by  allowing  such  reckless,  not  to  say  criminal, 
use  of  fire-arms  by  inexperienced  boys.  This  should  have  been  a 
sufficient  lesson,  teaching  those  who  have  charge  and  care  of  such  boys, 
to  lay  a  more  careful  restraint  upon  them  in  this  dii-ection.  The  coro- 
ner's jury,  in  this  case,  found  a  verdict  in  accordance  with  the  facts 
herein  stated. 

John  Carts  came  to  this  county  prior  to  the  year  1836,  and  settled 
on  Sec.  No.  35,  T.    9   N.,  R.    6  AV.,  about  three  miles  east  of  Sho- 


876  HISTORT    OF    MERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

kokon,  on  the  Mississippi  river.  At  first  he  engaged  in  farming 
and  stock  raising  as  it  was  carried  on  in  that  early  day.  He  had  come 
from  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  and  was  educated  in  early  life  in  those 
habits  of  industry  and  economy,  which  lay  the  sure  foundation  of  com- 
petency and  wealth.  He  had  three  sons  and  five  daughters  all  of 
whom  reached  the  age  of  majority.  He  rapidly,  by  his  business 
capacity,  acquired  property,  and,  assisted  by  his  two  sons,  Horatio  and 
John  Fredericks,  he  managed  a  large  farm  to  which  he  gradually  made 
additions.  To  make  a  better  market  for  the  products  of  his  farm  he 
shipped  his  pork  and  grain  to  the  Wisconsin  })ine  regions,  taking  in 
exchange  pine  lumber  which  he  brought  by  river  to  Shokokon  and 
established  a  lumber  trade.  Finding  this  a  profitable  trade  his  son 
Horatio  located  in  Wisconsin,  purchased  largely  of  pine  lands,  and 
thus  with  his  two  sons  Mr.  Curts  carried  on  a  successful  and  profitable 
business.  Three  of  his  daughters  married  and  settled  in  Henderson 
county.  One  married  in  Texas,  and  one  in  Iowa.  His  son  Thomas 
lived  and  died  in  Pennsylvania.  Horatio  died  in  Shokokon.  The 
father,  John  Curts,  purchased'  a  beautiful  home  in  Burlington,  Iowa, 
just  south  of  the  railroad  bridge,  and  removed  there  to  spend  the  eve- 
ning of  his  davs,  leaving  John  Fredericks  Curts,  his  son,  in  possession 
of  the  home  place  known  as  the  "Bear  Grove''  farm  in  Henderson 
county.  In  1874  the  old  gentleman  met  with  a  severe  accident  bj 
falling  down  the  basement  stairs  of  his  dwelling  which  resulted  in  his 
death  in  a  few  days.  He  died  at  Burlington  March  12,  187-1.  Upon 
opening  his  will  it  appeared  that  he  had  left  nearly  all  of  his  property, 
which  consisted  of  lands  in  Illinois,  Iowa,  Missouri,  Wisconsin  and 
Arkansas,  bank  stock,  and  other  personal  property  to  his  son,  John 
Fredericks  Curts.  For  so  doing  he  felt  his  reasons  were  sufficient.  His 
son  thus  favored  had  been  a  true  and  faithful  son,  companion  and 
assistant  to  his  father,  and  his  loyalty  to  liis  father  found  this  return. 
The  other  legal  heirs,  feeling  that  they  had  been  dealt  unjustly  with  by 
the  terms  of  the  will,  commenced  in  the  circuit  court  of  Des  Moines, 
Iowa,  legal  proceedings  to  set  aside  the  will  on  grounds  of  undue 
influence,  and  mental  incapacity. 

The  case  was  tried  before  Judge  Drayer  and  a  jury,  in  the  city  of 
Burlington,  in  1875,  and  attracted  much  attention  in  this  county  on 
account  of  the  magnitude  of  the  amount  involved,  the  interest  mani- 
fested by  the  citizens  of  this  county,  the  length  of  time  consumed, 
and  the  array  of  counsel  })articipating  in  the  trial.  The  trial  lasted 
about  four  weeks,  and  on  account  of  the  engagement  of  attorneys 
in  the  case  belonging  on  this  circuit,  the  Henderson  county  cir- 
cuit court  was  compelled  to  adjourn  for  one  week  to  enable  them  to 


ORG-\_N'IZATION    OF   THE    Ct)UXTY    GOVKRNMENT.  877 

complete  the  case.  Mr.  Jolin  Curts  had  Umg  resided  in  tliis  county, 
and  a  deep  interest  was  felt  in  the  determination  of  the  contest.  For 
the  proponents  of  the  will  there  appeared  Hon.  B.  J.  Ilall,  of  Burling- 
ton, Charles  M.  Harris,  Jonathan  Simpson,  James  H.  Stewart,  and 
J.  H.  Jennings,  of  Illinois.  For  the  complainants  there  ap])eared 
Hon.  P.  H.  Smytlie,  Messrs.  Tracy  cVr  Son,  Thomas  Hedges,  and  Mr. 
Antrobus,  of  Burlington,  and  Hon.  John  J.  Glenn,  of  Illinois.  After 
a  long  contest,  as  above  stated,  the  case  was  finally  submitted  to  a  jury, 
who,  after  a  deliberation  of  two  days,  were  unable  to  agree,  and  were 
discharged  by  the  court.  Then  a  change  of  venue  was  applied  for, 
and  the  case  sent  to  Fairlield,  Jefferson  county,  Iowa,  for  trial.  Not 
long  after,  the  attorneys,  with  the  consent  of  all  parties  interested, 
made  an  amicable  adjustment  of  the  matter  by  dividing  the  property. 
By  this  decision  John  Fredericks  Curts  received  two-thirds  of  all  the 
estate  of  his  deceased  father,  and  the  other  heirs  received  the  other 
third,  to  be  di^dded  among  them.  Thus  ended  a  contest  which  gained 
more  notoriety  than  any  case  that  had  been  tried  in  any  of  our  courts 
for  manv  vears.  John  Fredericks  still  lives  on  the  old  home  farm, 
known  as  Bear  Grove  farm,  happy,  prosperous,  and  contented.  On 
an  eminence  near  his  house  he  has  laid  out  and  beautified  a  private 
cemetery.  In  this  spot  repose  the  remains  of  his  father,  mother,  and 
brother  Horatio,  (^n  their  graves  he  has  erected  three  costly  marble 
monuments,  to  mark  the  spot  where  rests  all  that  remains  of  that 
father,  mother,  and  brother,  whom  in  life  he  loved  so  weU.  It  is  his 
constant  care  to  adorn  and  beautify  this  place,  and  thus  keep  green 
the  memories  of  his  departed  ones.  May  he  long  live  to  enjoy  his 
surroundings,  which  he  has  so  justly  earned. 

ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  COUNTY  GOVERNMENT.' 

In  accordance  with  said,  act  of  the  general  assembly  of  the  state, 
the  first  meeting  of  the  commissioners  met  at  Oquawka,  the  county 
seat,  April  19,  1841,  and  organized  a  term  of  the  county  commis- 
sioners' court  of  Henderson  county,  by  entering  upon  their  records  the 
following  proceedings  : 

"State  of  Illinois,  1  ^^  i      r  .i      /-        ^     /-  •     ■  -  /•       *^   \-  i   t 

>  Re'.'onls  of  the  County  (  oiiimi.ssioner.s    Court,  \ol.l. 
Hexder-sox  County.  ■• 

"•According  to  the  provisions  of  an  act  of  the  general  assembly  of 
the  State  of  Illinois,  passed  at  the  session  commencing  the  first  Mon- 
day in  December,  A.D.  1840,  entitled  'An  Act  to  Establish  the  County 
of  Plenderson,'  an  election  was  held  at  the  different  precincts  of  said 
county  on  the  fifth  day  of  April,  1841,  when  Preston  Martin  and 
Benjamin  C.  Coghill  were  duly  elected  county  commissioners,  who, 


878  HISTORY    OF   MERCER    AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

together  with  James  C.  Hutchinson,  who  had  previously  been  elected 
county  commissioner  of  Warren  county,  and  being  included  in  the  new 
county  of  Henderson  was  retained  in  office  by  said  act,  met  at  the 
town  of  Oquawka,  the  county  seat  of  said  county  of  Henderson,  on 
Monday,  the  nineteenth  day  of  April,  1841,  agreeable  to  a  further 
provision  of  the  above-recited  act,  to  hold  a  term  of  the  county  com- 
missioners' court  therein  provided  for,  and  the  said  Preston  Martin 
and  Benjamin  (\  Coghill,  being  duly  qualified  as  the  law  directs,  pro- 
ceeded to  business." 

Alfred  Knowles,  who  had  at  said  election  been  elected  clerk  of  the 
county  commissioners''  court,  tiled  his  bond  and  was  duly  qualified. 
William  D,  Henderson,  who  was  elected  sheriff  of  said  county  at  the 
same  time,  was  duly  qualified  as  sheriff.  John  McKinney,  recorder- 
elect,  was  likewise  duly  qualified  as  recorder  of  the  county. 

Then  after  transacting  some  routine  business  adjourned  until  the 
following  day,  when  it  again  convened  for  the  transaction  of  business. 
On  this  day  an  order  was  entered  of  record  for  a  venire  for  the  first 
grand  jury  that  convened  in  the  county.  As  these  names  are  among 
the  early  settlers  of  the  county,  and  are  composed  of  a  class  that  will 
ever  be  remembered  as  pioneers  of  sterling  worth,  whose  examples  in 
life  are  worthy  of  being  imitated,  we  give  the  list  in  full :  Isaac  Cren- 
shaw, James  Scott,  William  Rhodes,  Edward  R.  Adams,  Sidney 
Owens,  Matthew  Findley,  Michael  Crane,  Daniel  Drew,  Frederick 
Davidson,  George  P.  Rice,  Obadiah  Edmunds,  Joseph  AYatson,  Isaiah 
J.  Brook,  S.  S.  Leet,  Jonathan  Perkins,  James  Jamison,  Hugh  Lee, 
John  R.  McQuown,  William  L.  Stockton,  Samuel  W.  Lynn,  Thomas 
D.  Wells,  Ebenezer  Chapin,  Jesse  L.  Ellett.  These  were  men  of  ster- 
ling qualities,  well  qualified  by  nature  to  perform  the  duties  of  pioneers, 
who  would  lay  properly  the  foundations  of  society  in  a  new  country. 
The  most  of  these  men  have  gone,  after  attaining  an  honored  old  age, 
and  left  bright  examples  of  a  well-spent  life  to  be  imitated  by  those 
who  have  succeeded  them.  A  few  of  this  list  still  reside  among  us, 
with  lives  bounteously  lengthened  out  in  order  that  they  might 
behold  the  almost  magicial  prosperous  change  in  the  country  of  their 
adoption.  At  this  first  meeting  of  the  commissioners  of  the  county, 
Stephen  S.  Phelps  and  Alexis  Phelps,  the  proprietors  of  the  town  of 
Oquawka,  in  compliance  with  the  conditions  of  the  location  of  the 
county  seat  at  Oquawka,  as  set  forth  in  the  act  of  the  general  assembly, 
presented  to  the  board  a  deed,  conveying  to  the  county  200  town  lots, 
of  average  value  of  the  lots  in  the  town  of  Oquawka,  for  the  purpose 
of  erecting  public  county  buildings  from  the  proceeds  of  the  sale  of  the 
same. 


ORGANIZATION    OF   THE    COUNTY    GOVERNMENT.  881 

It  was  at  this  first  meeting  of  tlie  board,  that  the  first  sah)on 
license  was  issued  for  Henderson  county ;  John  A.  Lynn,  thus,  for  the 
sum  of  twenty-five  dolhirs,  being  authorized  to  vend  at  retail  in 
Oquawka  intoxicating  liquors,  without  having  attached  the  dangers 
that  beset  the  dealers  of  to-day,  by  virtue  of  the  provisions  of  the 
dram-shop  act. 

April  21,  1841,  at  the  same  session  of  the  board,  "William  R.  Jami- 
son, who  had  been  elected  treasurer  of  the  county,  filed  his  bond  and 
was  qualified.  The  board  appointed  William  D.  Henderson  collector 
of  taxes  for  the  current  year.  The  board  also  appointed  Samuel 
McDill  assessor  of  the  county  for  the  same  time. 

At  a  regular  meeting  of  the  board  September  5,  1841,  Joseph  B. 
Jamison  filed  his  bond  as  school  commissioner  and  was  duly  qualified. 
William  C.  Rice  who  was  elected  county  surveyor  at  the  same  time  as 
other  county  ofticers  were  elected,  was  duly  qualified.  At  this  meet- 
ing of  the  board  Thomas  McDill,  "William  Graham  and  James  Jamison 
were  appointed  trustees  of  school  lands  for  townshij)  No.  10  N.,  5.  West. 
Jeremiah  Baker,  John  Hopkins  and  William  P.  Toler  were  appointed 
to  like  offices  for  township  12  N.,  4  West.  Thomas  M.  Bonham,  Wil- 
burn  AValker  and  Joseph  DeHague  were  appointed  to  like  oftices  for 
township  9  N.,  6  West.  Peter  Nichols,  Obadiah  Edmunds  and  John 
A.  Smith  were  appointed  to  like  offices  for  township  8  N.,  5  West. 
Asahel  Johnson,  George  W.  Penney  and  George  Huston*  were 
appointed  to  like  offices  for  township  8  N.,  4  West.  Alexander  Rankin, 
Frederick  Davidson  and  John  Pogue  were  appointed  to  like  oflices  for 
townshi]:>  9  N.,  4  West.  Abner  Drew,  John  Bay  and  T.  Morgan  were 
appointed  to  like  offices  for  township  10  N.,  6  West.  Matthew  Find- 
ley,  Thaddeus  Fames  were  also  api>ointed  to  like  offices  for  townshij) 
11  N.,  5  West. 

At  this  meeting  the  clerk  of  the  county  court  and  the  clerk  of  the 
circuit  court  were  authorized  to  procure  seals  for  their  respective  offices, 
the  design  of  the  seal  for  the  county  commissioners  court  to  be  an 
Indian  in  a  canoe,  and  that  for  the  circuit  court  to  be  the  temple  of 
liberty.  At  this  meeting  of  the  board  the  first  action  was  taken  look- 
ing to  the  erection  of  a  court-house,  as  appears  by  the  following  order 
entered  of  record  :  "  Ordered,  that  the  clerk  give  public  notice  that  on 
the  28th  day  of  October  the  commissioners  will  contract  at  iniblic  sale 
for  the  delivery  of  175,000  of  brick  and  227  perch  of  stone  in  the  town 
of  Oquawka,  on  lot  Nos.  13  and  16  in  block  58  ;  one-half  of  the  brick 
to  be  delivered  the  first  of  July  next,  the  other  half  by  the  twentieth  of 
the  same  month  ;  the  stone  to  be  delivered  by  the  middle  of  April  next. 
Also  twenty-two  window  frames  and  six  door  frames." 
50 


882  HISTORY    OF    MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

At  tliis  time  the  first  ferry  license  was  granted  by  the  board,  to 
keep  and  maintain  a  ferry  across  the  Mississippi  river  at  Burlington, 
Iowa,  to  land  on  the  east  bank  of  said  river  at  any  accessible  point,  to 
William  H.  Mauro,  not  however  to  trespass  upon  the  established  rights 
of  others  engaged  in  ferrying  at  the  same  point. 

Called  meeting  of  the  board  of  commissioners  August  15,  1842; 
the  following  proceedings  were  had :  the  court  proceeded  to  open  and 
compare  the  proposals  received  for  building  the  court-house,  according 
to  a  notice  previously  given,  and  Alexis  Phelps  offered  to  do  the  work 
proposed  for  the  sum  of  $1,219,  which  was  the  lowest  offer;  it  is  there- 
fore ordered  that  Alexis  Phelps  have  the  sum  of  $1,219  for  laying  the 
walls  and  putting  on  the  roof  of  said  court-house,  and  that  he  receive 
payment  therefor  eight  months  after  the  work  is  done,  and  if  not  then 
paid  to  receive  eight  per  cent  until  paid.  Said  Phelps  filed  his  bond, 
with  James  Pyason  and  Samuel  Darnell  for  sureties,  for  the  completion 
of  the  work.  Ordered  further  that  the  foregoing  contract  is  approved 
by  the  court,  and  filed  by  the  clerk  in  his  ofiice. 

James  C.  Hutchinson  continued  to  hold  the  ofiice  of  county  com- 
missioner until  the  September  term  of  the  commissioners'  court,  when 
he  was  succeeded  by  Francis  J.  C.  Peasley,  who  held  the  ofiice  until 
September,  18-12,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  Michael  Crane,  who,  with 
commissioners  Martin  and  Coghill,  constituted  tlie  board  until  Septem- 
ber, 18^3,  when  Mr.  Cogliill  was  succeeded  by  Isaiah  Brook.  The  court 
remained  thus  constituted  until  Se23tember,  1844,  when  William  Cous- 
land  succeeded  Preston  Martin  on  the  board.  In  September,  1845, 
Ira  Miller  succeeded  Michael  Crane.  In  September,  1846,  Matthew 
Findley  and  Jeremiah  Rose  succeeded  Brook  and  Cousland.  In 
September,  1849,  Ebenezer  Chapin  succeeded  Matthew  Findley,  and 
Charles  S.  Cowan  having  been  elected  clerk  succeeded  Alfred  Knowles. 
In  September,  1848,  Matthew  Findley  succeeded  Ira  Miller,  and  the 
board  thus  constituded  continued  until  December,  1849,  when  the 
county  government  was  organized  under  the  new  constitution. 

Township  organization  has  not  been  adopted  in  this  county,  but  the 
old  system  of  county  government  is  still  maintained,  the  county  being 
divided  into  precincts  for  election  purposes,  and  the  county  govern- 
ment composed  of  a  board  of  three  commissioners,  manage  the  affairs 
of  the  county.  This  constituted  the  county  government  until  the  adoption 
of  the  constitution  in  1848,  when,  under  a  provision  of  which,  the  general 
assembly  of  the  state  passed  an  act  in  relation  to  the  government  of  coun- 
ties, in  force  April  13, 1S49,  by  which  each  coimty  elected  a  county  judge 
and  two  associate  justices  of  tlie  peace,  who  were  directed  to  hold  a 
regular  term  of  court  for  the  transaction  of  county  business,  on  the  first 


CIRCUIT   COURT    OF   THE    COUNTS'.  88? 

Mondays  of  March,  June,  September,  and  December,  in  each  year ; 
the  county  judge  being  authorized  and  directed  to  hold  a  probate  term 
of  court  on  the  third  Monday  of  each  month  for  the  transaction  of 
business  pertaining  to  the  estates  of  deceased  persons,  and  for  the  pur- 
pose of  attending  to  all  cases  that  might  arise  under  general  jjrobate 
jui-isdition.  The  two  associate  justices  of  the  peace  so  elected  by  the 
voters  of  the  county  at  large,  were  county  justices  of  the  peace,  and 
were  vested  with  justices'  jurisdiction  for  the  whole  county.  The 
county  judge  was  likewise  ex-officio  justice  of  the  peace  for  the  entire 
county.  On  the  third  day  of  December,  1849,  William  C.  Rice, 
county  judge,  Daniel  Edmunds,  and  George  W.  Penny,  associate  jus- 
tices of  the  peace,  and  Charles  S.  Cowan,  clerk  of  the  county  court, 
filed  their  respective  bonds,  and  were  qualified  for  the  offices  to  which 
they  had  been  elected.  The  court  thus  constituted,  organized  and  pro- 
ceeded to  the  transaction  of  business.  Robert  Cronover,  county  treas- 
urer, took  the  oath  of  office,  and  his  bond  was  fixed  at  $2,000.  At 
this  meeting  of  the  court.  Earl  Frizzell,  a  revolutionrrv  soldier,  pre- 
sented his  declaration,  as  required  by  the  war  department,  to  secure  a 
pension  from  the  United  States  government,  and  after  complying  \dth 
the  requirements  prescribed  by  law.  the  court  issued  the  required  cer- 
tificate. At  the  December  term.  ISoO,  of  the  county  court,  Boothe 
Xettleton,  who  had  been  elected  sheriff,  filed  his  bond,  took  the  oath 
of  office,  and  entered  upon  the  discharge  of  his  duties. 

A  company  having  been  organized  under  an  act  of  the  general 
assembly,  April  19,  1851,  under  the  name  of  the  '"Burlington  and 
Warren  Plank  Road  Company,"  for  the  purpose  of  constructing  a  plank 
road  across  the  Mississippi  river  bottom,  from  Hoppers  mills,  in  Hen- 
derson county,  to  a  point  on  the  river  bank  opposite  the  city  of  Bur- 
lington, Iowa,  the  county  court,  at  its  September  teiTn,  1850,  granted 
said  company  a  license  to  run  a  ferry  across  the  river  from  a  ])oint 
where  their  plank  road  touches  the  river  on  the  east  bank,  to  the  city 
of  Burlington,  upon  paying  into  the  county  treasury  the  sum  of  $10. 
At  the  December  term  of  the  county  court,  1852,  Samuel  P.  MaGaw, 
sheriff  elect  of  the  county,  filed  his  bond  and  was  duly  qualified. 

CIRCUIT  COURT  OF  THE  COUNTY. 

Henderson  county  was,  on  its  organization,  in  the  fifth  judicial 
circuit,  and  the  first  term  of  the  circuit  court  was  held  in  Ocpuiwka, 
May  28,  1841,  in  a  store-room  belonging  to  Co\.  Patterson,  on  Second 
street,  near  the  present  location  of  the  brick  block  of  Robert  Moir. 
Hon.  Stephen  A.  Douglas  j)resided  as  judge,  John  S.  Pollock,  clerk, 
William  D.  Henderson,  sheriff,  and  H.  L.  Bryant,  state's  attorney  pro 


884:  HISTORY    OF    MERCEK   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

tem.  At  this  term  Henry  B.  Harbinson  filed  his  bond  and  qualified  as 
the  first  coroner  of  the  countj.  Of  the  character  of  Judge  Douglas  as 
a  judge,  lawyer,  and  statesman,  it  is  needless  here  to  speak.  His  char- 
acter and  achievements,  both  on  the  bench  and  in  the  national  councils, 
have  passed  into  history ;  and  when  passion  and  prejudice  shall  have 
had  their  day,  and  the  impartial  historian  shall  take  up  his  pen,  the 
record  shall  then  assign  the  name  of  Stephen  A.  Douglas  its  true  i)lace 
in  the  list  of  statesmen  and  jurists  of  our  country.  Judge  Douglas 
continued  to  preside  in  our  circuit  until  the  November  term,  1843, 
when  he  was  succeeded  by  Jesse  B.  Thomas,  who  continued  to  preside 
until  the  November  term,  1845.  Richard  M.  Young  succeeded  Judge 
Thomas  at  the  June  term,  1845,  and  then  Norman  H.  Purple  came  to 
preside  in  this  circuit,  and  continued  until  the  June  term,  1848,  when 
he  was  succeeded  by  William  Minchell,  who  held  the  same  position 
until  the  September  term,  1851,  when  Onias  C.  Skinner,  of  the  county 
of  Adams,  who  liad  been  elected  by  virtue  of  an  act  of  the  general 
assembly  of  the  state,  passed  in  pursuance  of  a  provision  of  the  consti- 
tution adopted  in  1848,  dividing  the  state  into  judicial  circuits,  and 
providing  for  the  election  of  judges  by  vote  of  the  people,  became 
judge  of  this  circuit,  and  continued  to  preside  with  signal  ability  at 
each  term  of  the  court  in  this  county  until  the  year  1855.  Judge 
Skinner  won  a  deserved  reputation  as  a  learned  and  upright  judge,  and 
soon  after  retiring  from  the  circuit  bench  he  was  elected  to  fill  a  place 
on  the  supreme  bench  from  the  central  grand  division  of  the  state, 
where  he  fulfilled  the  expectations  of  his  legal  friends  and  maintained 
the  high  character  he  had  so  justly  won.  Judge  Skinner  died  at  his 
home  in  Quincy  about  three  years  ago,  his  death  being  caused  by 
having  been  thrown  from  his  carriage  by  a  frightened  team  while  riding- 
through  the  street  near  his  residence. 

Hezekiah  M.  Wead,  of  Peoria  county,  next  held  court  in  this  county 
for  one  year,  when  Jolm  S.  Thompson,  of  Mercer  county,  was  elected 
in  his  place,  and  continued  to  preside  as  judge  of  our  circuit  court  until 
1861,  when  he  resigned,  and  Aaron  Tyler,  of  Knox  county,  was 
appointed  by  the  Governor  to  fill  the  unexpired  term  for  which  Judge 
Tliom])Son  had  been  elected.  Judge  Thompson  came  upon  the  bench 
with  but  little  legal  experience  at  the  bar,  but  the  possession  of  a  sound 
legal  mind,  great  industry  and  an  unfaltering  determination  to  deal 
justly  with  all  questions  submitted  to  him  for  adjudication,  enabled 
him  to  discharge  the  arduous  duties  devolving  upon  him  with  credit  to 
himself  and  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  legal  friends  with  whom  he  asso- 
ciated. His  decisions  and  rulings  while  on  the  bench  bore  well  the 
scrutiny  of  the  higher  court,  when  taken  there  for  review. 


CIRCUIT   COURT   OF   THE    COUNTY.  885 

In  1861  Charles  V>.  Lawrence,  of  Warren  county,  was  elected  judo:o. 
Of  him  we  need  only  say  that  he  brought  to  the  discharge  of  his  judicial 
duties  that  ripe  scholarship,  that  well  trained  judicial  mind,  that  has 
made  for  him  a  place  in  the  front  ranks  of  the  legal  jn-ofession  in  the 
state  and  also  in  the  entire  west.  This  circuit  was  favored  with  his 
able  judicial  administration  until  the  year  18(;-1,  when  he  was  elected 
judge  of  the  supreme  court  from  the  northern  grand  division  of  the 
state.  At  the  election  of  1864  John  S.  Thompson  was  again  elected 
judge  to  till  the  vacancy  made  by  the  resignation  of  Judge  Lawrence, 
and  continued  to  preside  until  he  was  succeeded  by  Arthur  A.  Smith, 
who  was  elected  in  1868.  Judge  Smith  was  a  resident  of  Knox  county, 
and  had  served  in  the  army  as  a  lieuteiuint-colonel  of  the  S'M  reg.  111. 
Vol.,  and  has  been  twice  elected  to  fill  the  position  of  judge  of  the  cir- 
cuit in  which  Henderson  county  is  embraced,  and  still  continues  to 
preside  as  one  of  the  tliree  judges  who  compose  the  judiciary  of  the 
circuit.  This  long  service  and  repeated  choice  of  the  voters  of  the  cir- 
cuit speaks  louder  in  behalf  of  his  merited  popularity  with  the  people 
of  his  circuit  than  any  eulogy  tliat  can  be  written  in  this  brief  review. 

In  1877  the  general  assembly  passed  an  act  re-organizing  the  judi- 
cial circuits  throughout  the  state,  and  Henderson  county  with  Warren, 
Knox,  Henry,  Mercer,  and  Rock  Island  counties,  became  the  tenth 
judicial  circuit,  entitled  to  elect  three  judges.  Judge  (Treorge  W.  Pleas- 
ants, being  the  judge  of  the  circuit  in  which  liock  Island  county  was  em- 
braced, and  residing  in  that  county,  became  one  of  the  judges  of  this 
circuit,  and  at  the  election  held  in  August,  1877,  John  J.  Glenn  was 
elected  as  the  associate  of  judges  Pleasants  and  Smith.  Judge  Glenn 
is  a  resident  of  Warren  county,  and  brought  to  the  discharge  of  his 
judicial  duties  large  experience  at  the  bar,  a  clear  analytical  mind,  great 
industry  and  unquestioned  integrity,  which  has  won  for  him  the  confi- 
dence of  the  people  of  his  circuit,  and  the  warm  esteem  of  his  many 
friends.  Although  an  active  partisan  he  has  never  been  accused  of 
allowing  his  partisan  predilections  to  sway  his  judicial  decisions,  but 
has  sought  to  hold  the  scales  of  justice  in  equal  ])oise  for  each  and  all 
men  alike.  Judge  Pleasants,  in  1877,  was  designated  as  one  of  the 
judges  of  the  appellate  court  of  the  first  district,  comjjosed  of  Cook 
county,  and  upon  his  re-election  in  1 879,  was  again  designated  as  one 
of  the  judges  of  the  appellate  court  for  the  second  district,  composed 
of  all  the  counties  of  the  northern  grand  division  except  Cook  county, 
which  position  he  now  fills  with  credit  to  himself  and  to  the  satis- 
faction of  the  members  of  the  bar,  and  the  j)ublic  generally. 

I  shall  not  be  accused,  I  know,  of  invidiousness  by  any  who  are 
acquainted  with  Judge  Pleasants,  when  I  speak  of  him  as  an  ornament 


886  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

to  his  profession,  and  a  judge  possessed  of  rare  judicial  ability.  His 
legal  attainments,  his  clear,  discriminating  mind,  are  all  of  the  highest 
order.  Always  self-possessed  upon  the  bench,  patient  with  wearisome 
arguments  that  do  not  instruct,  ever  ready  to  listen  to  any  suggestions 
or  authority  presented  by  counsel,  he  possesses  that  rare  faculty  of 
eliminating  from  a  case  before  him,  almost  by  intuition,  all  extraneous 
matter,  and  coming  at  once  to  the  true  issues  to  be  deteiTnined,  and 
when  he  has  reached  a  legal  conclusion  in  a  case  ujion  which  to  base  a 
judgment,  his  reasons  are  so  convincing  that  few  suitors  go  from  his 
court  dissatisfied  with  his  adjudications.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  his 
health  is  impaired,  and  all  join  in  the  hope  that  his  physical  strength 
may  be  renewed,  and  that  he  may  be  spared  yet  for  many  years  to 
grace  the  position  which  he  now  so  ably  and  worthily  fills.  In  1879 
jugdes  Smith.  Pleasants  and  Glenn  were  elected  for  a  full  term,  and 
still  hold  the  courts  of  this  circuit. 

POLITICAL  PARTIES. 

At  the  formation  of  the  county  the  political  parties  were  divided 
into  whig  and  democratic,  as  understood  in  the  national  divisions, 
the  whig  party  having  about  200  majority  in  the  county.  There 
were  during  the  early  history  of  parties  a  small  number  of  radical 
anti-slavery  men  in  the  county,  who  could  not  subscribe  to  the  doctrines 
held  by  either  of  the  other  parties  on  the  slave  question,  and  held 
aloof  from  their  organizations.  Too  feeble  in  numbers  to  eifect  the 
object  desired,  having  but  little  countenance  or  support  anywhere 
in  this  state  or  the  west,  they  bore  the  reproach  everywhere  heaped  upon 
the  head  of  a  man  who  dared  declare  that  slavery  was  wrong,  and  that 
the  onward  march  of  events  and  the  light  of  civilization  proclaimed  its  . 
early  downfall.  To  be  an  abolitionist  in  those  days  was  to  abdicate 
all  hope  of  political  advancement,  and  all  claims  upon  the  suffrages  of 
voters  at  the  polls. 

The  war  with  Mexico  and  the  large  acquisition  of  territory  on  our 
part  as  the  price  of  peace,  the  agitation  consequent  upon  the  passage 
of  the  compromise  measures  of  1850  by  congress,  aroused  tlie  atten- 
tion of  the  people  of  this  county  as  well  as  those  of  other  sections,  and 
led  to  the  formation  of  a  third  party  in  Henderson  county,  which  for 
the  first  time  entered  the  field  and  contested  at  the  polls  for  public 
favor  in  1852,  under  the  name  of  the  "free  soil"  party.  These  dis- 
tinctive organizations  continued  until  the  formation  of  the  republican 
party  in  1856,  which  was  composed  of  the  bulk  of  the  defunct  whig 
party  and  the  anti-slavery  element  combined.  This  new  ])arty  in  the 
presidential  campaign  of  that  year,    under  the  candidacy  of  John  C. 


TOWNS.  887 

Fremont,  contested  with  the  democratic  party  for  supremacy.  Since 
that  time  the  republican  party's  majority  in  the  county  upon  all  test 
votes  has  ranged  from  100  to  300. 

It  is  true  that  the  small  anti-slavery  element  cast  a  few  votes  by 
way  of  protest  in  the  year  1S48,  and  the  organization  denominated  the 
"know  nothing,"  or  American  party,  made  some  show  of  strength  at 
the  polls  in  the  year  1854,  but  all  these  fragments  became  finally  con- 
solidated with  one  or  the  other  of  the  great  parties  of  the  day  in  1856. 
From  1856  to  the  present  time  the  republican  party,  when  an  issue  has 
been  sharply  made,  has  usually  had  about  350  majority  in  the  county. 

TOWNS. 

The  town  of  Oquawka  was  laid  out  in  1836,  by  Alexis  Phelps  and 
his  brother,  Stephen  S.  Phelps,  who  purchased  a  claim  and  im- 
provement that  had  been  made  upon  the  grounds  now  occupied 
by  the  town.  Oquawka  owes  its  name  to  the  Indians  with  whom 
it  was  a  noted  point  in  their  travels  and  tribal  convocations.  The 
word  is  said  to  signify  the  lower  end  or  termination  of  the  Yellow 
Banks,  the  point  indicated  being  situated  at  the  termination  of  a  series 
of  high  sand  bluft's  along  the  river,  extending  at  intervals  to  a  point 
above  the  town  of  New  Boston,  eighteen  miles  above  Oquawka.  Upon 
the  laying  out  of  the  town  it  at  once  became  a  place  of  commercial  im- 
portance, a  large  trade  centering  upon  its  levees.  It  was  for  many 
years,  and  until  the  opening  of  railroads  revolutionized  trade,  the  ship- 
ping point  for  a  large  country  around,  including  AVarren,  Knox  and  a 
part  of  Mercer  counties.  Extensive  warehouses  lined  the  river  landing 
in  which  the  products  of  the  surrounding  country  was  in  the  winter 
stored,  to  await  the  opening  of  navigation  in  the  spring,  when  shi|> 
ments  w^ould  begin  for  St.  Louis  and  oS^ew  Orleans,  about  the  only  two 
market  points  relied  upon  at  early  periods.  Goods  shipped  from  east- 
ern cities  for  this  market  came  generally  by  way  of  Pittsburgh  and  the 
Ohio  river  to  Cairo,  and  thence  up  the  Mississipjji  to  our  landing. 
Some  shipments  of  heavy  goods  were  made  by  sea  to  !New  Orleans  and 
up  the  river.  Upon  the  oi)ening  of  the  Illinois  and  Michigan  canal  a 
new  route  w^as  opened  by  Erie  canal,  and  lakes,  thence  to  the  Illinois 
river  and  up  the  Mississippi.  Oquawka  contained,  in  1852,  about 
1,800  population,  but  has  since  fallen  off,  so  that  it  contains  not  more 
at  present  than  1,000.  Like  many  other  towns  and  cities,  she  in  an 
evil  hour,  and  under  the  guidance  of  bad  counsel,  encumbered  herself 
with  burdensome  debts,  beyond  her  ability  to  liquidate,  which  resulted 
in  the  necessity  of  levying  taxes  that  became  burdensome  upon  the 
business  of  the  place,  and  capital,  alarmed  at  the  future  prospects,  lied 


888  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

the  town  to  avoid  taxation,  while  manufacturing  and  other  entei-prises 
sought  more  favored  locahties.  The  debts  thus  incurrad  were  first  the 
issue  of  bonds  to  the  amount  of  $10,000,  to  aid  in  the  construction  of 
the  "Washington  and  Oquawka  Plank  Road,"  an  enterprise  in  the 
state  of  Iowa,  the  projected  plank  road  terminating  at  a  point  on  the 
river  opposite  Oquawka.  The  corporation  and  the  road  long  ago  were 
counted  among  the  tilings  of  the  past,  and  remembered  only  as  a  warn- 
ing to  others  to  avoid  like  follies.  The  next  enterprise  in  which  the 
authorities  of  the  town  took  stock,  and  thus  added  burdens  to  those 
already  borne,  was  in  May,  1857,  when  the  issue  of  $25,000  uf  bonds 
was  secured  to  pay  Messrs.  Phelps  and  Jamison  for  work  and  labor 
performed  on  that  part  of  the  Peoria  &  Oquawka  railroad  lying 
between  the  town  of  Sagetown  and  Oquawka.  The  "work  and  labor" 
consisting  of  partially  grading  the  line  between  these  two  points,  the 
people  being  led  to  believe  that  in  so  doing  they  would  secure  railroad 
facilities  by  connection  with  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  line. 
But  it  proved  a  failure.  The  people  incurred  the  indebtedness  without 
any  guaranty  of  a  return  for  their  money,  and  the  debt  is  to-day  out- 
standing and  will  be  left  as  a  legacy  to  the  next  generation.  These 
debts,  together  with  the  share  of  the  county  indebtedness  which  the 
town  has  to  pay,  makes  the  burden  a  heavy  one. 

Of  the  towns  in  this  county  Oquawka  is  the  oldest.  It  was  laid  out 
July  9,  1836,  by  the  brothers,  Alexis  Phelps  and  Sumner  S.  Phelps. 
Its  territory,  before  any  additions  were  attached,  was  comprised  of 
fractional  Sees.  15  and  22,  T.  11  K,  R.  5,  W.  of  the  4th  P.  M.,  as  shown 
by  the  records  of  Warren  county.  Vol.  II,  p.  34-1:.  William  C.  Butler 
was  the  surveyor  for  the  proprietors.  In  the  deed  of  dedication  the 
proprietors,  in  addition  to  liberal  reservations  of  lots  for  school  pur- 
poses, set  apart  and  dedicated  for  use  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal, 
Baptist  and  Presbyterian  cliurches,  eligible  and  valuable  lots  for  the 
erection  of  church  edifices.  Some  years  subsequently  Abrani  D. 
Swarts  laid  out  two  additions  to  the  town,  upon  the  east  side. 

In  order  of  date,  tlie  next  town  laid  out  in  the  county  was  the  town 
of  Shokokon,  upon  the  Mississippi  river,  about  five  miles  below  the 
city  of  Burlington,  Iowa.  The  original  proprietor  of  this  town  was 
Robert  McQueen,  who  laid  it  out  July  16,  1836,  on  the  N.  W.  J  of 
Sec.  27,  T.  9  ]^.,  R.  0  W.,  as  will  be  seen  by  referring  to  the  records 
of  Warren  county,  Vol.  II,  p.  344.  John  B.  Talbott  was  employed 
as  surveyor.  Although  a  fine  and  fertile  country  lay  adjacent  to  this 
town,  it  did  not  prove  a  success.  The  river  at  this  point  proved  to  be 
too  shallow  for  steamers,  except  at  times  of  high  water,  the  channel 
or  deep  water  running  near  the  Iowa  shore,  tlius  leaving  this  town 


TOWNS.  889 

upon  a  slough,  with  but  poor  sliipping  facilities.  It,  however,  became 
a  great  point  for  lumber,  annually  rafted  down  from  the  Wisconsin 
pineries,  and  finding  a  market  in  the  country  lying  east  of  Shokokon. 
Its  population  never  exceeded  300. 

The  town  of  Olena  was  laid  out  by  Robert  Kendall  August  14, 
1838,  on  Sec.  11,  T.  9  X.,  R.  5  W.,  and  the  record  of  the  survey  by 
Benjamin  Thomkins  is  recorded  in  Warren  county,  in  Vol.  II  of 
records,  p.  215.  This  town  is  situated  near  the  geogra])hical  center 
of  the  county,  and  contains  a  population  of  about  300.  It  is  situated 
in  nourishing  farming  country,  and  is  the  center  of  considerable  trade. 
It  has  no  railroad  facilities.  Wolf  creek,  a  small  stream,  Hows  west- 
ward near  this  place. 

Warren,  laid  out  March  25,  1840,  by  Lambert  Hopper,  on  the  N. 
W.  1  and  the  N.  E.  i  of  Sec.  8,  T.  9  N.,  R.  5  W.  The  plat  of  this 
town  will  be  found  recorded  in  AVarren  county,  Vol.  VII,  of  recoi-ds,  p. 
345.  Benjamin  Thomkins  was  the  surveyor.  Some  years  later  Josiah 
Dunn  laid  out  an  addition  to  this  town. 

At  one  time  during  the  lifetime  of  its  enterprising  proprietor  this 
town  carried  on  quite  an  extensive  trade.  A  good  flouring  mill  and  a 
woolen  factory  drew  trade  and  business  from  a  long  distance.  The 
land  in  the  immediate  vicinity  is  of  a  poor  quality,  the  mills  have  been 
allowed  to  run  down  since  the  death  of  the  proprietor,  and  its  former 
prosperity  has  in  a  measure  disappeared. 

Dallas  Cit}',  lies  partly  in  Henderson  and  partly  in  Hancock  county. 
That  part  in  Henderson  county  lies  in  the  extreme  southwest  of  the 
county,  Sec.  35,  T.  8  N.,  R.  7  W.  It  is  a  flourishing  town  of  about 
500  inhabitants.  The  Carthage  and  Bui'lington  division  of  the  Chicago, 
Burlington  &  Quincy  railroad  passes  through  this  town.  The  town 
has  a  fine  landing  for  steamers,  which  carry  away  large  shipments  of 
produce  from  the  surrounding  country.  It  is  a  neatly  built  place,  upon 
the  bluflf  front,  facing  the  river.  Its  population  are  intellig'ent  and 
enterprising,  and  carry  on  an  extensive  business  in  general  trade  and 
lumber.  Among  its  enterjjrising  citizens  we  may  here  make  mention 
of  John  M.  Finch,  who  was  one  of  its  original  proprietors  and  who  still 
continues  to  reside  in  his  early  home,  active  as  in  his  boyhood  days, 
allowing  no  enterprise  to  be  undertaken  for  the  improvement  of  his 
town  without  giving  it  his  active  aid  and  support.  The  town  has  two 
churches  and  its  schools  receive  the  active  and  intelligent  su|)port  of 
its  citizens  and  are  kept  up  to  a  high  standard.  The  town  was  laid, 
out  and  surveyed  August  11,  1849,  by  William  II.  Rollinson  and  John 
M.  Finch ;  J.  Wilson  Williamson  was  the  surveyor  employed.     The 


890  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

record  of  the  survey  and  deed  will  be  found  in  Vol.  IV,  p.  176  of  record 
of  deeds  in  Henderson  county. 

The  town  of  Terre  Haute  is  situated  in  the  prairie  region  of  the 
county,  on  Sees.  20,  21,  28  and  29,  T.  8  N".,  R.  5  W.  It  was  sur- 
veyed and  platted  by  William  C.  Eice,  suryej^or,  March  27,  1854,  and 
the  plat  recorded  in  Vol.  VIII,  p.  184  of  records  in  Henderson  county. 
It  contains  about  250  inhabitants  and  is  the  center  of  considerable 
trade.  It  has  no  railroad  or  river  facilities  for  shipping,  Lomax  station, 
on  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  railroad,  being  its  principal 
point  of  shipment.  It  is  the  center  of  a  rich  farming  country  and  sur- 
rounded by  lands  of  extraordinary  fertility. 

East  Burlington  lies  upon  the  bank  of  the  Mississippi  opposite  the 
city  of  Burlington,  Iowa.  It  was  laid  out  March  12,  1855,  on  Sec.  33, 
T.  10  N.,  E.  6  W.,  by  A.  D.  Green,  as  trustee  for  the  proprietors, 
Maj.  A.  N.  Armstrong,  acting  as  surveyor.  Prior  to  the  construction 
of  the  railroad  to  that  point,  it  had  a  small  population,  but  after  that 
time,  witli  the  erection  of  the  railroad  bridge  leading  to  the  city  of 
Burlington,  the  business  of  the  place  was  transferred  mainly  to  the  op- 
posite side  of  the  river,  and  little  remains  of  the  former  town.  The 
railroad  company  have  erected  large  stock  yards  upon  the  ground,  and 
made  other  extensive  improvements.  Large  sums  of  money  have  been 
expended  in  grading  up  the  river  front  to  a  point  above  high  water 
mark.  At  this  point  the  Carthage  division  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington 
&  Quincy  railroad  forms  a  junction  at  the  east  end  of  the  bridge  with 
the  main  line.  The  land  back  of,  and  eastward  from  the  town,  is 
low  and  cut  up  with  sloughs,  and  nearly  the  whole  is  subject  to  over- 
flow for  miles  inland  during  the  river  floods. 

Biggsville  is  situated  on  Sees.  16,  17,  20,  21,  T.  10  K,  E.  4  W., 
upon  South  Henderson  creek,  and  was  laid  out  by  Andrew  Douglass 
and  Samuel  Douglass,  October  3,  1855,  William  McChesney,  surveyor. 
It  now  contains  about  550  inhabitants.     The  Chicago,  Burlington  & 
Quincy  railroad  runs  through  this  place.     The  town  is  surrounded  by 
the  flnest  quality  of  farm  lands,  which  are  kept  in  a  high  state  of  culti- 
vation.    The  town  contains  three  churches,  one  United  Presbyterian, 
one  Methodist  Episcopal,   and  one  Cumberland  Presbyterian,   all  of 
which  have  a  large  membership  of  highly  intelligent  christian  people. 
The  schools  of  the  town  have  always  been  its  particular  pride,  and 
have  been  of  a  high  order.     The  citizens  have  reason  to  look  with 
pride  upon  their  churches  and  schools.     Near  this  town  resides  a  gen- 
tleman whose  business  success  in  life  deserves  at  least  a  brief  mention. 
David  Eankin  is  a  man  still  on  the  sunny  side  of  three  score  years, 
who  has  his  home  about  four  miles  south  of  Biggsville,  upon  his  farm 


TOWNS.  891 

of  almost  countless  acres.  He  began  life  a  poor  farmer  boy  near  the 
place  where  now  his  fine  residence  stands,  and  bv  industry,  persever- 
ance and  an  extraordinary  business  capacity,  lie  gained  step  by  step 
until  his  possessions  in  lands  and  herds  seemed  almost  marvelous. 
He  purchased  large  tracts  of  land  along  the  Illinois  Central  railroad, 
in  Illinois,  and  operated  them  successfully ;  then  extending  his  enter- 
prises westward  he  invested  largely  in  lands  in  Atchison  county,  in  the 
State  of  Missouri,  which  he  improved  and  stocked  with  swarming 
herds  of  cattle,  laid  out  the  town  of  Tarkio,  wliich  has  filled  with  an 
active  population,  and  is  rapidly  rising  in  business  importance.  At 
this  point  he  has  established  a  national  bank  which  has  proved  a  com- 
plete success.  In  addition  to  these  enter])rises  he  has  purcliased  and 
is  operating  a  vast  ranche  in  the  State  of  Colorado,  ui)on  which  his  im- 
mense herds  of  native  and  Texas  cattle  are  fattened  for  market.  These 
vast  enterprises,  besides  many  smaller  ones,  he  manages  and  super- 
vises himself,  showing  himself  a  veritable  Kapoleon  in  his  line  of 
business.  In  all  his  various  and  extended  enterprises  and  his  large 
transactions,  he  has  so  conducted  his  business  as  to  gain  the  confidence 
and  esteem  of  all  with  whom  he  has  been  surrounded.  His  integrity 
is  never  called  in  question,  and  his  employes  find  him  a  kind  hearted 
and  just  employer. 

In  this  town  also  resides  Preston  Martin,  an  aged  citizen  of  the 
county,  who  has  been  identified  with  its  history  and  its  development 
from  its  organization.  One  of  the  earlier  commissioners  of  the  county 
and  afterward  associate  justice  of  the  county  court,  he  filled  each  office 
with  fidelity  to  the  people  and  with  credit  to  himself  A  man  of  un- 
swerving integrity,  with  a  high  moral  stiindard,  he  justly  won  the  esteem 
of  his  fellow  citizens,  and  the  high  regard  of  all.  This  town  at  present 
writing  is  contending  for  the  locating  of  the  seat  of  justice  within  her 
borders.  The  canvassing  of  the  vote  of  the  county  for  the  election  to 
be  held  in  November  goes  on  with  great  earnestness.  The  advocates 
of  removal  to  Biggsville  claiming  that  their  town  is  nearer  the  geo- 
graphical center  of  the  county,  and  thei'efore  it  is  for  the  interest  of 
the  county  to  secure  the  county  buildings  at  this  point. 

Gladstone  (formerly  Sagetown),  was  laid  out  by  Gideon  Sage,  May 
16,  1856,  in  Sees.  15  and  16,  T.  10  K,  R.  5  W.,  James  R.  White  sur- 
veyor. The  town  is  situated  on  the  Chicago.  Burlington  ife  Quincy 
railroad.  The  Galva  branch  of  the  same  road  terminates  at  this  point 
from  the  north.  The  town  contains  about  400  inhabitants.  At  this 
point  is  located  the  Excelsior  sugar  refinery,  a  large  and  costly  estiib- 
lishment,  owned  principally  by  Amos  T.  Ilall.  of  Chicagt).  It  seems 
not  to  have  been  a  success  so  far,  although  the  works  and  machinery 


892  HISTORY    OF    MERCER   A^^D    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

are  of  the  most  elaborate  kind.  Some  glucose  has  been  manufactured, 
but  now  the  owners  of  the  premises  are  preparing  the  works  for  work- 
ing sorghum  cane,  of  whicli  the  surrounding  country  produces  largely, 

Gideon  Sage,  the  original  proprietor  of  this  town,  although  far  ad- 
vanced in  years,  still  resides  here,  hale  and  hearty,  and  bids  fair  to  yet 
renew  his  lease  of  life  and  outstrij)  in  the  race  many  a  younger  com- 
petitor. The  town  has  one  Catholic,  one  Presbyterian,  and  one  j\[eth- 
odist  church,  and  is  well  provided  with  school-buildings. 

Karitan,  a  town  in  the  southeastern  part  of  the  county,  was  laid 
out  by  Isaac  V.  Kelley  and  James  Hixton  April  16,  1856,  in  Sees.  10, 
11,  14  and  15,  T.  8  K,  E.  4  W.,  James  R.  Wliite  acting  as  surveyor 
for  the  proprietors.  The  record  of  its  plat  and  survey  may  be  found 
recorded  in  Vol.  XII  of  deeds,  p.  255,  Henderson  county.  It  is  a 
beautiful  and  thriving  village.  Situated  in  the  midst  of  an  undulating, 
fertile  prairie,  surrounded  by  finely  improved  farms  in  a  high  state  of 
cultivation,  upon  which  means  have  been  lavishly  expended  in  the 
erection  of  fine  buildings,  this  place  presents  an  attractive  aj^pearance. 
The  houses  of  the  town  are  of  a  neat  and  commodious  structure,  and 
so  neatly  kept  in  all  their  surroundings  that  they  tell  at  once  the  char- 
acter of  its  inhabitants. 

Although  possessing  no  near  railroad  or  river  facilities  for  ship- 
ping, they  yet  carry  on  a  large  trade  in  merchandise  and  stock  and 
agricultural  products.  R.oseville  and  Laharpe  stations  are  their  nearest 
railroad  points.  One  will  hardly  find  in  days  of  travel  anywhere  a 
town  sun-ounded  by  so  many  natural  advantages,  and  which  exhibits 
such  thrift,  unaided  by  artificial  means. 

Among  the  enterprising  business  men  of  this  place  I  may  mention 
William  Tharp  and  Robert  Barnes,  but  space  prevents  the  naming  of 
others  equally  enterprising  and  deserving  of  mention.  Mr.  Tharp  has 
an  extensive  store,  filled  with  a  general  stock  of  merchandise,  which 
he  purchases  in  Chicago  and  eastern  cities.  Making  his  own  selections 
and  purchasing  from  first  hands  when  possible,  he  has  been  enabled 
to  offer  his  numerous  customers  their  supplies  at  such  rates  as  to  leave 
no  inducement  on  their  part  to  go  to  larger  places  to  make  their  pur- 
chases. By  energy  and  business  tact,  by  fair  dealing  and  unquestioned 
integrity,  he  established  a  busuiess  of  great  magnitude,  and  won  for 
himself  an  enviable  reputation.  He  is  still  a  yoimg  man,  with  the 
ability  to  grow  and  advance  with  the  enterprising  and  thrifty  people 
by  whom  he  is  surrounded. 

Robert  Barnes  began  business  here  a  few  years  ago.  From  small 
transactions  at  first  his  business  has  increased  until  at  the  present  his 
sales  are  very  large.      His  stock  embraces  almost   every   article   of 


TOW.NX.  893 

necessity  or  luxury  required  by  the  customers  \yitli  whom  he  deals. 
Besides  a  general  stock  of  merchandise,  a  line  of  agricultural  machin- 
ery suited  to  all  the  wants  of  the  country  is  carried  in  large  stock.  In 
addition  to  his  mercantile  business  he  is  the  proprietor,  publisher  and 
editor  of  the  "Itaritan  Bulletin."  a  weekly  news])aper  of  fair  size, 
which  is  ably  edited  and  constantly  gaining  in  circulation.  It  is  inde- 
pendent in  all  things,  and  deseryes  the  success  that  has  thus  far 
attended  it. 

The  town  contains  four  churches :  Dutch  Reformed,  Baptist,  Meth- 
odist, and  Roman  Catholic.     It  has  two  hotels. 

The  town  of  Lynn,  on  the  Chicago,  Burlington  tt  Quincy  railroad, 
adjoining  Gladstone,  was  laid  out  by  Ezekiel  W.  Lynn  on  Sec.  10,  T. 
10  X.,  5  W.,  June  28,  1S58.  It  was  suryeyed  by  James  R.  White. 
The  plat  and  record  will  be  found  in  Vol.  XV.  j>.  213.  of  deeds,  in 
Henderson  county. 

The  tOAyn  of  Carnuin  was  laid  out  and  platted  by  Joseph  Carman, 
September  3,  1870,  in  Sec.  27,  T.  9  N.,  6  W.,  and  recorded  in  A^ol. 
XXIV,  of  deeds,  p.  344,  Henderson  county.  It  is  situated  on  the 
line  of  Carthage  Diyision  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  dc  Quincy  rail- 
road, about  one  mile  from  the  Mississippi  riyer,  and  contains  a  pojiu- 
lation  of  about  300.  Shokokon  lies  between  this  town  and  the  riyer. 
Carman  is  a  flourishing  town,  and  the  center  of  a  large  grain  trade. 
Large  quantities  of  corn  are  annually  stored  at  this  point  for  distribu- 
tion to  the  different  markets.  It  is  flye  miles  by  railroad  to  Burlinirton, 
Iowa,  and  about  fifteen  miles  to  the  county  seat.  About  two  miles  east 
of  this  place  resides  John  Fredericks  Curts,  on  his  place  known  as  tlie 
"Bear  Groye"  farm,  of  which  further  mention  will  be  made  in  this 
sketch.  Near  this  place  many  of  the  earlier  settlers  of  the  county 
found  a  home.  Alfred  Knowles  and  Dr.  Freeman  Knowles  came  from 
the  State  of  Maine  soon  after  the  laying  out  of  the  town  of  Shokokon. 
in  1836.  They  remained  for  a  short  time  ujton  lands  they  had  entered. 
The  fever  and  ague,  the  pest  of  our  bottom  lands  at  that  time,  was 
more  than  they  could  successfully  contend  with,  and  they  removed  to 
more  healthy  locations.  Dr.  luiowles  going  to  the  town  of  Keokuk, 
Iowa,  which  then  contained  but  a  few  hundred  inhabitants,  where  his 
practice  grew  with  the  growth  of  that  thriving  city.  He  became  one  of 
the  professors  in  the  medical  college  of  that  place.  He  died  in  1880, 
after  a  successful  professional  career.  His  brother,  Alfred,  removed 
to  Oquawka,  where,  upon  the  organization  of  the  county,  he  became 
county  clerk.  In  1855  he  removed  to  the  city  of  Galesburg,  this 
state,  where  he  still  resides. 

The  last  town  laid  out  in  the  county  is  Lomax,  on  the  Chicago,  Bur- 


894  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

lington  &  Quincy  railroad.  It  was  laid  out  by  Robert  Lomax,  May  11, 
1882,  in  Sec.  15,  T.  8  K,  E.  6  W.,  J.  Wilson  \Yilliams  acting  as  sur- 
veyor; plat  and  deed  recorded  in  Yol.  I,  of  plats,  p.  64,  Henderson 
county.  At  this  point  there  has  been  a  railroad  station  and  business 
point  for  many  years.  Prior  to  the  opening  of  the  railroad,  William 
Lomax,  the  father  of  the  present  proprietor,  owned  and  cultivated  a 
large  farm,  through  which  the  road  was  located  and  a  station  established 
at  the  point  where  the  town  is  now  laid  out.  The  senior  Lomax 
errected  a  dwelling  and  store,  and  also  other  buildings  at  the  station, 
so  that  in  fact  it  became  quite  a  town  years  before  any  town  was  marked 
out  in  a  regular  way.  The  proprietor  had  resided  on  the  place  for 
many  years ;  in  fact  he  was  among  the  early  settlers  of  the  county,  and 
owned  this  valuable  property  before  railroads  came  to  further  enhance 
its  value. 

Although  the  population  of  the  town  is  small,  it  has  become  an  im- 
portant shipping  point.  Large  shipments  of  cattle,  hogs  and  grain  are 
made  at  this  station,  and  there  is  no  reason  why  this  should  not,  in 
in  the  near  future,  with  such  an  enterprising  business  man  as  its  pres- 
ent proprietor,  become  a  flourishing  town.  The  elder  Lomax  died  in 
the  year  1879,  at  an  advanced  age,  loved  and  respected  by  all  who 
knew  him.  He  had  lived  to  see  the  frontier  upon  which  he  had 
settled  become  a  cultivated,  populous  community.  He  had,  as  a  citi- 
zen, lent  his  aid  to  advance  every  laudible  undertaking  for  the 
advancement  of  the  interest  of  the  county.  He  had  served  four  years 
as  associate  justice  in  our  county  court,  and  well  and  faithfully  did  he 
discharge  the  duties  of  his  oflice.  With  hands  clear  of  official  corrup- 
tion, with  consciousness  of  having  j)erformed  his  duty,  he  retired  from 
office  and  his  remaining  years  were  made  pleasant  with  the  kindest 
regards  of  his  fellow  citizens.  His  worthy  son  Robert  succeeds  him 
in  the  estate  and  business  established  by  his  father.  The  position  has 
fallen  to  able  hands.  The  father's  wishes  and  plans  will  now  be  car- 
ried out  by  the  son.  Possessing  youth,  vigor  and  fine  business 
capacity,  he  still  retains  that  same  modesty  of  character  and  moral 
conviction  that  endeared  his  father  to  the  people  among  whom  he 
lived.  Mr.  Lomax  is  at  present,  as  will  be  seen  elsewhere  in  this  sketch, 
one  of  the  commissioners  of  the  county.  Just  north  of  this  place  the 
Toledo,  Peoria  &  Warsaw  railroad  forms  a  junction  with  the  Chicago, 
Burlington  &  Quincy  railroad,  and  over  the  track  of  the  latter  runs  on 
to  the  city  of  Burlington. 


NEWSPAPKRS,  S95 


NEWSPAPERS. 


The  lirst  new!?paper  published  in  the  county  was  the  "Oquawka 
Spectator,"  founded  by  Coh  John  B.  Patterson,  in  the  month  of  Febru- 
ary, 1848,  at  Oquawka,  who  issued  the  first  number  in  February  of  that 
year.  It  was  neutral  in  politics,  and  issued  weekly  continuously  to 
the  present  time.  Its  founder.  Col.  Patterson,  is  still  its  editor  and 
proprietor,  and  bids  fair  to  continue  its  management  for  many  years  to 
come.  Since  the  foundation  of  the  paper,  E.  H.  N.  Patterson,  a  son 
of  the  present  editor,  was  for  many  years  associated  with  his  father  as 
junior  editor.  The  latter  severed  his  connection  with  the  paper  in  the 
year  1859,  and  with  the  great  army  of  gold  seekers  who  set  their  faces 
westward,  left  his  native  state  and  took  up  his  abode  in  the  then 
territory  of  Colorado.  Mining  was  not  to  his  taste.  He  was  ])0S- 
sessed  of  a  fine  intellect  and  was  a  brilliant  writer.  These  qualities 
could  not  long  be  concealed  and  he  was  induced  to  attach  himself  to 
the  editorial  staff  of  the  ''Colorado  Miner,"  one  of  the  leading  papers 
of  the  state,  in  which  position  he  gained  high  rank  by  the  ability  he 
displayed  in  his  editorials.  He,  in  a  short  time,  became  one  of  the 
proprietors  of  the  paper  and  its  chief  editor,  in  which  position  he  died 
in  the  month  of  April,  1880,  at-  Denver,  Colorado.  He  married,  in 
1851,^Laura  Phelps,  the  daughter  of  Stephen  S.  Phelps,  one  of  the 
founders  of  the  town  of  Oquawka.  His  wife  died  in  the  year  1867, 
leaving  three  children:  Harry  N.,  Mattie,  and  Norman. 

Not  only  as  a  newspaper  writer  did  the  subject  of  this  sketch  ex- 
hibit marked  ability,  but  many  of  his  publications  in  verse,  as  well  as 
in  prose,  bore  testimony  of  the  peculiarly  fine  literary  cast  of  his  mind. 
A  specimen  is  here  quoted  as  illustrating  the  stjde  of  liis  writings,  and 
the  sentiments  of  its  author.  It  was  written  nineteen  years  ago,  and 
is  now  published  for  the  first  time.  The  original  is  in  the  possession 
of  the  writer : 

'•  THE  PATRIOT  MOTHER. 

"  Dead  I  No,  no  !  surely  you  do  but  mock  me !  He's  but  sleeping ;  — 
Why  all  these  tears,  this  agony  of  mourning?    Why  such  weeping? 
Death  has  not  come  to  rob  me  of  the  lad.     'Tis  only  gentle  sleep  — 
Deadlike  perchance,  in  being  dreandess  ;  yet  only  slumber,  wherefore  weep? 
When  first  the  tocsin  rung  the  battle  blast,  Charlie,  brave  boy,  stepped  out, 
Full  panoplied,  in  triple  armor  clad  ;  his  voice  in  the  great  freedom-shout 
Rising  a])Ove  all  others  — louder,  clearer.  Idled  with  grandeur  of  the  Cause 
For  which  he  fought :  his  nation's  constitution,  the  supremacy  of  its  laws  ! 
'Twas  but  as  yesterday  I  saw  him  girding  his  loins  for  the  fight, 
Conscious  of  vic;tory,  confident  of  success,  because  the  Right. 
Ne'er  fell  before  the  oi)posing  hosts  of  Treason's  clan  — 
Ne'er  failed  because  opposed  by  jaundiced  Error's  ban  ! 


896  HISTORY    OF    MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

Then  say  not  he  is  dead  !     He  lives —  his  faith,  example,  deeds. 

Will  nerve  his  patriot-brothers'  arms  !     Away  with  funeral  weeds  ; 

I  will  not  wear  them  I     Charlie  lives  —  his  spirit  is  away. 

In  hottest  battle  —  men  will  feel  its  power ;  death  cannot  mark  him  for  its  prey 

'Till  war  shall  cease  in  all  the  land  —  'till  peace  resume  her  sway  — 

And  Treason's  cloud  obscure  no  more  the  brightness  of  the  Nation's  day." 

It  should  be  stated  that  the  "Spectator,''  which  commenced  its 
career  as  a  neutral,  was,  in  the  year  1863,  transformed  into  a  democratic 
organ  of  its  party  in  the  county,  and  to  this  time  has  been  an  advocate 
of  conservatiTe  democratic  principles,  through  the  long  pilgrimage  of 
defeat  to  which  its  party  has  been  subjected.  Its  venerable  editor 
stands  high  with  his  professional  brethren  and  earns  the  esteem  of  his 
political  opponents.  Few  men  have  wielded  the  editorial  pen  for  so 
many  consecutive  years,  as  editor  and  proprietor  of  one  newspaper.  All 
his  acquaintances  join  in  wishing  him  many  happy  years  of  success  in 
the  path  he  has  so  long  and  successfully  traveled. 

The  "  Oquawka  Plaindealer"  was  the  next  newspaper  enterprise 
started  in  the  county.  This  was  a  weekly  publication,  commenced 
July  24,  1852,  by  Francis  A.  Dallam,  editor  and  proprietor, 
and  so  continued  until  March  6,  1855,  when  Horace  Bigelow,  Esq., 
purchased  a  half  interest  in  the  establishment;  from  that  time  until 
May  6,  1856,  when  Mr.  Dallam  sold  his  interest  to  James  H.  Reed. 
The  firm  of  Reed  &  Bigelow  continued  the  publication  of  the  paper 
until  May  1,  1857,  when  they  sold  the  whole  concern  to  J.  K.  Magie 
and  David  Mitchell.  It  was  whig  in  politics  at  its  commencement  and 
after  the  defeat  of  Scott,  in  1852,  it  shared  the  fate  of  its  party,  and 
drifting  with  the  wreck  until  the  formation  of  the  republican  party  in 
1856,  when  it  cast  its  fortunes  with  that  organization,  to  which  it  ever 
afterward  adhered.  Magie  &  Mitchell  disposed  of  their  interest  and 
the  paper  was  next  under  the  control  of  Lewis  Leslie  ;  then  of  M.  H. 
Jamison,  when,  under  the  editorial  control  of  a  Mr.  Chamberlain,  it  was 
removed  to  Biggsville,  in  this  county.  Shortly  after  Chamberlain 
retired  from  the  paper  and  Judson  Graves  became  its  editor.  Subse- 
quently Graves  removed  the  paper  to  Kirkwood,  in  Warren  county, 
when,  after  a  brief  period,  he  again  moved,  and  this  time  to  the  city  of 
Galesburg,  in  this  state. 

The  "  Clipper''  is  a  small  weekly  paper,  established  in  Biggsville  by 
M.  M.  Rowley,  editor  and  proprietor,  about  the  year  1874.  It  is 
republican  in  politics,  and  still  continues  under  its  first  management, 
and  is  meeting,  as  it  deserves,  with  A^ery  fair  success.  Its  editor  is  an 
excellent  writer  for  such  a  paper  and  earns  the  deserved  success  he  has 
enjoyed. 


COUNTY    OFFICERS.  899 

The  "  Raritan  Bulletin,''  a  weekly  paper,  is  published  in  the  town 
of  Raritan,  in  the  southeast  part  of  the  county,  by  Robert  Barnes,  as 
editor  and  proprietor.  It  was  established  in  the  year  1875.  It  is  inde- 
pendent in  politics  and  is  meeting  with  deserved  success.  Its  editorials 
evince  marked  ability  and  its  circulation  is  rapidly  increasing. 

"The  Henderson  County  Journal  "  was  established  in  Oquawka  by 
Eugene  A.  Hail,  editor  and  proprietor,  in  the  month  of  May,  1872.  It 
was  a  weekly  paper  and  republican  in  politics.  In  June,  1872,  Mr. 
Hail,  its  editor,  removed  the  establishment  to  Macomb,  in  McDonough 
county,  in  this  state,  where  he  continued  its  publication  until  August, 
1878,  when  he  returned  with  his  paper  to  this  county  and  again  com- 
menced its  publication  at  the  county  seat,  under  the  name  of  the 
"Henderson  County  Journal,"  a  weekly  issue,  devoted  to  the  interests 
of  the  republican  party.  The  paper  is  ably  edited  by  Mr.  Hail,  its 
proprietor,  a  gentleman  of  refinement  and  sterling  worth,  and  is  prov- 
ing for  its  owner  a  good  investment. 

All  the  papers  here  named  have  received  not  alone  from  their 
party  friends,  but  from  the  general  public  of  the  county,  a  generous 
support,  which  bears  evidence  of  the  intelligence  of  the  inhabitants. 

COUNTY  OFFICERS. 

The  names  of  the  county  officers  from  the  date  of  the  organization 
of  the  county  is  shown  in  the  following  table,  with  the  date  of  their 
election  or  appointment : 

NAME.  OFFICE.  DATE. 

John  S.  Pollock Clerk  Circuit  Court April    5,  1841. 

Alfred  Knowles Clerk  County  Commissioners'  Court April    5, 1841. 

John   McKinney Recorder April  17,  1841. 

William  C.  Rice, Surveyor April  17,  1841. 

William  Cowden Probate  Justice  of  the  Peace April  22,  1841. 

William  Elliott State's  Attorney May   20,  1841. 

Alfred  Knowles Probate  Justice  of  the  Peace June  30,  1841. 

Joseph  B.  Jamison School    Commissioner Aug.     2,  1841. 

W.  D.  Henderson Sheriff April    5,  1841. 

Francis  J.  C.  Peasley .  . .  .County  Commissioner Aug.     2,  1841. 

Joseph  B.  Jamison School  Commissioner Aug.     2,  1841. 

Preston  Martin County  Commissioner April    5,  1841. 

Benjamin  C.  Coghill County  Commsisioner April    5,  1841. 

William  D.  Henderson.  .Sheriff Aug.     1,  1842. 

Michael  Crane County  Commissioner Aug.     1,  1842. 

John  F.  Morgan Coroner Aug.     1,  1842. 

Isaiah  J.  Brooks County  Commissioner Aug.     7,  1843. 

Alfred  Knowles County  Commissioner's  Clerk Aug.     7,  1843. 

Wilson  M.  Graham Recorder Aug.     7,  1843. 

William  C.  Rice Probate  Justice  of  the  Peace (.. Aug.     7,  1843. 

51 


:900  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

NAME.  OFFICE.  DATE. 

William  E.  Hopkins Surveyor Aug.  7,  1843. 

Alexander  Marshall School  Commissioner Aug.  7,  1843. 

William  Cousland County  Commissioner Sept.  12,  1844. 

S.  S.  Leet Sheriff 

D.  B.  Rice Coronor  Feb.  5,  1845. 

J.  B.  Jamison School  Commissioner 

Jer.  Rose County  Commissioner Aug.  1846. 

Matthew  Findley County  Commissioner Aug.  1846. 

Julius  Gifford Sheriff Aug.  1846. 

David  B.  Rice Coroner. . , Aug.  1846. 

Ebenezer  Chapin County  Commissioner Aug.  1847. 

Charles  S.  Cowan County  Commissioners'  Clerk Aug.  1847. 

Harvey  Russell Probate  Justice  of  the  Peace Aug.  1847. 

Samuel  Mitchell Recorder Aug.  1847. 

John  S.  Peasley Treasurer Aug.  1847. 

Joseph  B.  Jamison School  Commissioner Aug.  1847. 

A.  N.  Armstrong Surveyor Aug.  1847. 

Robert  S.  Blackwell States  Attorney Nov.  1847. 

Matthew  Findley County  Commissioner Aug.  1848. 

William  C.  Rice County  Judge Nov.  6,  1849. 

Daniel  Edmunds County  Justice  of  the  Peace Nov.  6,  1849. 

George  W.  Penny County  Justice  of  the  Peace Nov.  6,  1849. 

Charles  S.  Cowan County   Clerk Nov.  6,  1849. 

Robert  Crownover County  Treasurer Nov.  6,  1849. 

A.  N.  Armstrong Surveyor Nov.  6,  1849. 

William   McMillan School  Commissioner Nov.  6,  1849. 

Booth    Nettleton Coroner Nov.  6,  1849. 

Booth    Nettleton Sheriff Nov.  5,  1850. 

James  A.  Maury Coroner Nov.  5,  1850. 

John  S.  Pollock Clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court Nov.  2,  1852. 

James  H.  Stewart State's  Attorney Nov.  2, 1852. 

Samuel  P.  McGaw Sheriff Nov.  2,  1852. 

James  A.  Maury Coroner Nov.  2,  1852. 

Peter  Downey County  Judge Nov.  8,  1853. 

Lambert  Hopjier Associate  Justice Nov.  8,  1853. 

John  Logan Associate  Justice Nov.  8,  1853. 

Charles  S.  Cowan County   Clerk Nov.  8,  1853- 

George  W.  Connelly Treasurer Nov.  8,  1853. 

A.  N.  Armstrong Surveyor  Nov.  8,  1853. 

Wm.  L.  Stockton School  Commissioner Nov.  8,  1853. 

Richard  W.  Richey County  Judge Feb.  18,  1854. 

Jonathan  Simpson School  Commissioner Nov.  1855. 

Richard    W.  Richey County  Judge Nov.  3,  1857. 

Asahel  Johnson Associate  Justice Nov.  3,  1857. 

Melzer  C.  Paul Associate  Justice Nov.  3,  1857. 

Charles  S.  Cowan County  Clerk Nov.  3,  1857. 

George  W.  Connelly County  Treasurer Nov.  3,  1857. 

Garrett  Nevins County  Surveyor Nov.  3,  1857. 

Jonathan  Simpson School  Commissioner Nov.  3,  1857. 

George  W.  Cowden Sheriff Nov.  2,  1858. 


COUNri'    OFFICERS.  901 
NAME.                                                                     OFFICE.                                                                  UATK. 

Wm.  B.  Jamison County  Surveyor Nov.  2,  1858. 

•Charles  E.  Birdsall Coroner Nov.  2,  1858. 

J.  Elclridge  Barnes Scliool  Commissioner Nov.  8,  1859. 

Geo.  W.  Connelly Asse.ssor  and  Treasurer Nov.  8,  1859. 

Wm.  B.  Jamison County  Surveyor Nov.  8,  1859, 

James  H.  Stewart State's  Attorney 1  SfJO. 

John  M.  Wilson Slierifi' 18(>0. 

Hugh  L.  Thomson Clerk  Circuit  Court 18()0, 

Z.  D.  Fanning Coroner 18(50.- 

Richard  W.  Richey County  Judge Nov.  5,  18G1.. 

Preston  Martin Associate  Judge Nov.  5,  1861^ 

Wm.  Hartford Associate  Judge Nov.  5,  1861, 

Wm.  Hopkins .County  Clerk Nov.  5,  1861. 

J.  Eldridge  Barnes School  Commissioner Nov.  5,  1861, 

Moses  McElhinney Assessor  and  Treasurer Nov.  5,  1861. 

Wm.  H.  McChesney County  Surveyor Nov.  5,  1861,. 

R.  S.  McAllister County  Clerk (appointed) Aug.  15,  1863, 

R.  S.  McAllister .County  Clerk (elected) Nov.  8,  1863. 

Francis  A.  Raper Assessor  and  Treasurer Nov.  3,  1863. 

J.  E.  Barnes School  Comnussioner Nov.  3,  1863. 

Isaac  N.  J.  Hartford. . .  .Surveyor Nov.  3,  1863, 

Hugh  L.  Thomson Clerk  Circuit  Court Nov.  8,  1864. 

James  A.  McKenzie. ...  State's  Attorney Nov.  8,  I8W. 

Davis  S.  Brainard Sheriff Nov.  8,  1864. 

Samuel  H.  Ruple Coroner Nov.  8,  1864. 

Wm.  Ingerun School  Commissioner Dec.  8,  1864. 

Cornelius  D.  Eltinge. . .  .County  Judge Nov.  7,  1865. 

Wm.  Lomax Associate  Justice Nov.  7,  1865. 

Wm.  H.  Mills As.sociate  Ju.stice Nov.  7,  1865. 

Robert  S.  McAllister County   Clerk Nov.  7,  1865. 

Simeon  Donaldson County   Treasurer Nov.  7,  1865. 

Isaac  N.  J.  Hartford County  Surveyor Nov.  7,  1865. 

Marion  F.  Button County  Superintendent  of  Schools Nov.  7,  1865. 

Simeon  Donaldson County  Assessor Nov.  7,  18(55. 

Wm.  Bunger Sheriff  and  Collector Nov.  (i,  1866. 

Hinton  Park Coroner Nov.  (i,  1866. 

Matthew  H.  Jamison. . .  .County  Superintendent  of  Schools Sept.  14,  18()7. 

Simeon  Donaldson County  Treasurer Nov.  5,  1867. 

Simeon  Donaldson County  Assessor Nov.  5,  1867. 

Isaac  N.  J.  Hartford County  Surveyor Nov.  5,  1867. 

John  A.  Summers Suj)erintendent  of  Schools Mar.  6,  1868. 

Joseph  Braden Sheriff  and  Collector. Nov.  3,  1868. 

Harry  F.  McAllister Clerk  Circuit  Court Nov.  1868. 

James  A.  McKenzie State's  Attorney Nov.  1868. 

Joseph  Brader Sheriff Nov.  1868. 

Jonathan  Simpson School   Superintendent Aug.  18(59. 

Richard  W.  Richey County  Judge Nov.  2,  1869. 

Preston  Martin County  Justice  of  the  Peace Nov.  2,  18(59. 

Robert  W.  Goddis County  Justice  of  the  Peace Nov.  2,  1869. 

Roswell  P.  Randall County  Superintendent  of  Schools Nov.  2,  1869. 


902  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

NAME.  OFFICE.  DATE 

D.  C.  Hanna County  Clerk Nov. 

Wm.  B.  Jamison. County  Surveyor Nov. 

George  Bell Sheriff Nov. 

Daniel  I.  McMillan Coroner Nov. 

Jefferson  H.  Jenings State's  Attorney Nov. 

H.  F.  McAllister Clerk  of  Circuit  Court Nov. 

George  Bell Sheriff Nov. 

W.  K.  Smith Coroner Nov. 

William  C.  Rice County  Judge Nov. 

D.  Caswell  Hanna County  Clerk Nov. 

John  A.  Brook County  Treasurer Nov. 

James  McArthur Superintendent  of  Schools Nov, 

Joseph  Allen County  Commissioner Nov. 

Robert  A.  McKinley County  Commissioner Nov. 

John  B.  Holliday County  Commissioner Nov. 

George  Bell Sheriff Nov. 

Francis  M.  Jackson Coroner Nov. 

Isaiah  J.  Brook County  Commissioner Nov. 

W.  A.  M.  Crouch County  Commissioner Nov. 

Joseph  Allen County  Commissioner Nov. 

Eli  W.  Smith County  Treasurer Nov. 

William  H.  McChesney.  .County  Surveyor Nov. 

George  Currv County  Commissioner Nov. 

H.  F.  McAllister Clerk  of  Circuit  Court Nov. 

James  O.  Anderson ......  Sheriff Nov. 

Jefferson  H.  Jenings State's  Attorney Nov. 

Millanl  F.  Brown Coroner Nov. 

William  C.  Rice County  Judge Nov. 

G.  F.  Wm.  Froehlich ....  County  Clerk Nov. 

Eli  W.  Smith County  Treasurer Nov. 

J.  M.  Akin Superintendent  of  Schools Nov. 

James  Duke County  Commissioner Nov. 

Elijah  Beal Count}^  Commissioner Nov. 

James  O.  Anderson Sheriff Nov. 

Isaac  P.  Cowdon Coroner Nov. 

George  Curry County  Commissioner Nov. 

Adam  B.  Hamill County  Treasurer Nov. 

Pitt  K.  Jagger County  Surveyor Nov. 

Harry  F.  McAllister Clerk  of  Circuit  Court Nov. 

James  O.  Anderson Sheriff Nov. 

Rauseldon  Cooper State's  Attorney Nov. 

James  A.  Caswell Coroner Nov. 

Samuel  Pickering County  Commissioner Nov. 

Robert  A.  Lomax County  Commissioner Nov. 

Appleton  Park County  Surveyor Nov. 

James  M.  Akin Superintendent  of  Schools Dec. 

Among  the  old  citizens  of  this  county  there  is  one  who  should  not 
be  overlooked  in  these  brief  biographies.  It  is  the  colored  man  com- 
monly called  "Nigger  Dick,"  Eichard  being  his  true  name,  and,  like 


2 

, 1869. 

2 

,  1869. 

8, 

.  1870. 

8: 

,  1870. 

1872. 

1872. 

1872. 

1872. 

4, 

, 1873. 

4, 

,  1873. 

4, 

,  1873. 

4, 

,  1873. 

4, 

,  1873. 

4, 

1873. 

4, 

1873. 

3, 

1874. 

3, 

1874. 

3, 

1874. 

3, 

1874. 

2, 

1875. 

o 

1875. 

9 

1875. 

7, 

1876. 

7, 

1876. 

7, 

1876. 

7, 

1876. 

7, 

1876. 

6, 

1877. 

6, 

1877. 

6, 

1877. 

6, 

1877. 

6, 

1877. 

5, 

1878. 

o, 

1878. 

^ 

1878. 

4, 

1879. 

4, 

1879. 

4, 

1879. 

o 

1880. 

0 

1880. 

9 

1880. 

9 

1880. 

9 

■^1 

1880. 

8, 

1881. 

8, 

1881. 

5, 

1881. 

COUNTi'    OFFICERS.  .908 

many  others  who  were  the  offspring  of  the  slave  system,  he  had  but 
tliat  one  name,  for  family  he  had  none.  The  existence  of  slavery  for- 
bid the  cultivation  and  perpetuation  of  family  ties.  The  absence  of  all 
those  sanctified  relations  included  in  the  family  circle  was  essential  to 
the  per{)etuation  of  what  was  teimed,  in  tlie  days  of  its  power,  the 
"institution  of  slavery.''  liichard  was  born  a  slave  in  Greenville, 
Kentucky,  in  1815,  as  the  property  and  chattel  of  Solomon  Rhodes, 
At  the  age  of  twelve  years  he  was  sold  to  J(^lm  Billings.  Mr.  Billings 
took  him  to  the  State  of  Missouri  and  sold  him  to  Capt.  William 
Phelps  for  the  sum  of  $1,000,  which,  Dick  remarked  to  the  writer, 
was  more  than  the  average  white  man  would  sell  for  in  Missouri  at 
that  time.  Capt.  Phelps,  who  is  a  brother  of  the  late  S.  S.  Phelps, 
and  engaged  at  that  time  with  him  in  the  Indian  trade,  brought  Dick 
to  Oquawka  with  him.  Afterward  Dick  became  a  valuable  assistant 
^vith  the  Phelps  brothers  in  their  Indian  trade  in  Iowa  and  on  the 
frontier.  He  at  one  time  saved  the  family  of  S.  S.  Phelps,  at  their 
trading  station  in  Iowa,  from  death  in  their  burning  home.  In  doing 
so  he  risked  his  life,  and  was  seriously  injured  by  the  explosion  of 
gunpowder  in  the  burning  building.  Ever  afterward  he  was  treated 
with  the  greatest  kindness  by  the  Phelps  brothers.  He  was  always 
welcome  in  the  families  of  the  Phelps  brothers.  In  their  trading 
expeditions  in  the  west  among  the  Indians,  Dick  was  always  their 
valued  aid  and  faithful  companion.  For  many  years  Dick  enjoyed  the 
fniits  of  his  fidelity.  He  may  be  said  to  have  been  put  on  the  retired 
list,  with  pay  and  rations.  Many  are  the  good  stories  that  are  related 
at  Dick's  expense,  growing  out  of  journeyings  among  the  red  men. 
Many  a  thrilling  scene  is  related  of  his  dealings  with  these  natives ; 
whether  in  the  deadly  encounter,  where  personal  bravery  was  a  large 
factor  in  selt-preservation,  or  in  the  swift  race  for  life,  where  fieetness 
and  endurance  were  essential  to  success,  Dick  never  found  his  superior. 
He  possesses  rare  natural  abilities.  Although  the  child  of  slavery,  he 
has  gathered  a  rare  stock  of  practical  every-day  education,  and  fur- 
nishes us  evidence  of  the  truth  that  his  race  is  capable  of  receiving  that 
training  that  shall  fit  them  for  those  duties  devolving  upon  men  who 
would  perpetuate  that  system  of  government  where  all  "just  powers 
are  derived  from  the  consent  of  the  governed."  Dick  still  lives  among 
us,  and,  although  well  advanced  in  years,  happy  and  cheerful.  With 
his  horse  and  his  gun,  he  is  the  same  good-natured,  jolly,  honest  Dick 
that  he  was  when  first  his  foot  trod  the  free  soil  of  Illinois.  He  was 
never  freed  in  any  formal  manner,  and  he  says  that  he  does  not  know 
but  what  he  would  still  be  in  law  a  slave,  if  had  not  been  for  tlii.' 
proclamation  of  President  Lincoln  freeing  the  slave. 


904  HISTORY   OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

RAILROADS. 

The  lirst  railroad  enterprise  in  which  the  citizens  of  Henderson 
county  engaged,  looking  to  the  building  of  a  road  in  the  county,  was 
the  Peoria  &  Oquawka,  a  project  to  build  and  equip  a  road  from 
Peoria,  on  the  Illinois  river,  to  Oquawka.  On  February  12,  1849,  the 
general  assembly  of  this  state  passed  an  act  incorporating  the  com- 
pany, when,  on  December  20,  1849,  the  first  meeting  was  held  to 
organize.  Alexander  Turnbull,  James  W.  Davidson,  Wyatt  B.  Stapp, 
Preston  Martin,  John  McKinney,  Robert  M.  Patterson,  Samuel  B. 
Anderson,  James  Knox,  Daniel  Meek,  William  Moss,  Alfred  G.  Cur- 
tinius,  and  Isaac  Underhill,  the  commissioners,  opened  the  books  for 
subscriptions  to  the  capital  stock.  The  shares  were  fixed  at  $100  each, 
and  five  per  cent  payable  at  the  time  of  subscription.  At  that  time 
the  managers  of  the  enterprise  estimated  the  cost  of  the  road,  includ- 
ing rolling  stock,  at  from  $6,000  to  $10,000  per  mile. 

The  county  commissioners  ordered  an  election  for  the  first  Monday 
in  May,  1851,  of  the  legal  voters  of  the  county,  to  vote  upon  the 
proposition  for  the  county  to  subscribe  $50,000  to  the  capital  stock  of 
said  company.  The  election  was  held  and  resulted  in  the  proposition 
for  such  subscription  being  voted  down  by  a  large  majority. 

By  an  act  of  the  general  assembly  the  charter  of  this  railroad  com- 
pany was  amended,  and  by  one  provision  of  the  amendment  it  was 
provided  that  a  branch  road,  extending  from  Sagetown  (now  Gladstone) 
might  be  constructed  to  a  point  on  the  Mississippi  river  opposite  the 
city  of  Burlington,  Iowa.  The  town  of  Oquawka,  under  a  mistaken 
idea  of  the  imj)ortance  of  the  completion  of  the  road  to  that  point,  gave 
to  the  enterprise  no  encouragement,  and  Burlington,  seeing  her  oppor- 
tunity, at  once  set  about  raising  the  means  to  secure  the  completion  of 
the  work  to  her  over  the  branch.  In  this  she  succeeded,  and  Burling- 
ton became  what  Oquawka  might  have  been,  a  great  commercial  point 
and  a  railroad  center  for  a  large  portion  of  the  roads  through  Iowa. 

The  Peoria  &  Oquawka  railroad  was  completed  to  Monmouth  in 
1855,  on  the  first  of  January.  The  Chicago  6z  Quincy  railroad  was 
completed  to  Galesburg  at  that  time,  and  that  company  leased  the 
Peoria  &  Oquawka  line  and  completed  the  work  to  Burlington,  and 
commenced  running  their  trains  over  the  whole  route,  and  in  a  short 
time  afterward  purchased  the  entire  line,  when  the  name  was  changed 
to  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  railroad,  and  as  soon  as  the 
Quincy  branch  was  completed  to  Galesburg,  110  miles,  this  name 
became  universally  known  as  one  of  the  most  popular  railroads  in  the 
United  States.  That  portion  of  the  road  from  Sagetown  to  Oquawka 
the  company  never  completed.     The  town  of  Oquawka  graded,  tied, 


RAILROADS.  905i 

and  bridged  the  five  miles  of  road  between  the  two  last  named  points, 
in  1856,  under  some  kind  of  an  expectation  that  the  road  would  be 
operated  by  the  company,  but  after  the  expenditure  of  $25,000  these 
expectations  proved  to  be  without  basis,  and  the  work  remained  use- 
less and  of  no  value  to  the  town. 

In  1849  the  general  assembly  granted  a  charter  for  the  "Warsaw  & 
Rockford  Railroad  Company,  for  the  purpose  of  constructing  a  road 
from  the  town  of  Rockford,  Winnebago  county,  Illinois,  to  the  city  of 
Warsaw,  Plancock  county,  Illinois,  neai"  the  foot  of  the  Des  Moines 
Rapids.  The  route  of  this  proposed  road  passed  from  north  to  south 
through  Henderson  county. 

In  1853,  at  an  election,  the  county  commissioners  were  authorized 
to  subscribe  $100,000  to  the  capital  stock  of  said  company,  to  aid  in 
the  completion  of  the  enterprise.  In  November,  1855,  the  commis- 
sioners, in  accordance  with  the  authority  thus  given,  proceeded  to 
make  the  subscription.  The  road  was  never  completed,  nor  indeed 
was  much,  if  any,  valuable  work  done  on  the  line,  but  the  aftairs  of 
the  company  fell  into  incompetent  hands,  and  the  subscriptions  were 
frittered  away,  leaving  no  results  of  value  to  those  who  had,  in  an  evil 
hour,  placed  their  means  at  the  disposal  of  these  managers. 

Henderson  county,  however,  succeeded  after  some  years  in  recover- 
ing back  $21,000  of  unexpended  bonds,  and  thus  saved  this  much 
from  the  wreck  of  this  wretched,  bankrupt  concern.  The  county  sub- 
sequently refunded  the  remaining  portion  of  the  indebtedness,  and  at 
this  time  has  paid  a  greater  part  of  the  same,  and  will  in  the  early 
fiiture  be  entirely  free  from  this  debt. 

The  Cai'thage  &  Burlington  Railroad  Company  was  chartered  in 
1867  by  the  general  assembly,  and  authorized  to  construct  a  road  from 
Burlington,  Iowa,  to  Carthage,  Hancock  county,  Illinois,  a  distance  of 
about  twenty-six  miles.  In  about  ISTO  the  Chicago,  Burlington  & 
Quincy  Railroad  Company  purchased  this  road,  and  added  it  to  its 
already  lengthening  lines,  and  commenced  operating  it  under  the  title 
of  the  Carthage  &  Burlington  division  of  that  road. 

The  Rockford,  Rock  Island  &  St.  Louis  railroad  was  commenced 
by  a  company  organized  under  the  laws  of  this  state  in  1865,  with 
intent  to  build  a  road  from  Rockford  through  the  counties  of  Rock 
Island,  Mercer,  Henderson,  and  so  on  to  St.  Louis,  touching  Keiths- 
burg  and  Oquawka  as  river  points.  That  part  of  the  I'oad  between 
Keithsburg  via  Oquawka  to  Sagetown  was  completed  and  put  iu  oper- 
ation in  1869,  when  the  company  changed  its  route,  running  south 
from  Rock  Island  through  the  eastern  portion  of  Mercer  county  to 
Monmouth,  Warren  county,  and  thence  to  St.  Louis.     Subsequently, 


906  HISTORY    OF   MERCER   AND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Company  purchased  the  entire  line 
of  road  from  the  Rockford  &  St.  Louis  Company,  and  now  operate  the 
whole  line.  The  short  piece  of  road  from  Sagetown  to  Keithsburg 
was  extended  six  miles  farther  north  to  New  Boston,  where  it  connects 
with  the  Galva  branch  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  road. 

That  part  of  the  Toledo,  Peoria  &  Warsaw  railroad  within  the 
limits  of  this  county  crosses  the  county  line  on  leaving  Hancock 
county,  extending  in  a  northwesterly  direction,  and  foiTns  a  junc- 
tion with  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  road  at  Iowa  station,  be- 
tween the  towns  of  Lomax  and  Carman.  Thus  it  will  be  seen  that 
Henderson  county  has  in  operation  about  fifty  miles  of  railroad,  viz : 
the  east  and  west  main  line  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy,  ex- 
tending from  the  Warren  county  line  to  the  Mississippi  river,  seven- 
teen miles ;  the  Burlington  &  Carthage  branch  of  the  Chicago,  Bur- 
lington &  Quincy  road,  extending  from  Burlington  to  Dallas  City  in 
this  county,  fifteen  miles ;  the  Galva  branch  of  the  last-named  road, 
extending  from  the  south  line  of  Mercer  county  by  way  of  Oquawka 
to  Gladstone,  where  it  forms  a  junction  with  the  main  line,  fourteen 
miles ;  the  Toledo,  Peoria  &  Warsaw  railroad  from  Iowa  Junction  to 
the  south  line  of  the  county,  a  distance  of  four  miles. 

There  are  other  lines  of  projected  railroads,  the  routes  of  which 
touch  the  territory  of  Henderson  county,  none  of  which,  at  the  present 
time,  give  promise  of  an  early  completion.  The  Peoria,  Farmington  & 
Keithsburg  road,  running  by  way  of  Monmouth,  touches  the  northeast- 
ern part  of  the  county.  This  road  is  completed  and  running  cars  from 
Peoria  to  Farmingtom.  Much  grading  has  been  done  in  Mercer 
county,  from  Keithsburg,  eastward,  and  along  the  line  much  money 
has  been  expended,  but  work  has  ceased  on  the  west  portion  of  the 
line,  and  there  seems  at  present  no  indication  of  an  early  completion 
of  the  road.  Two  other  lines  of  railroad  are  projected,  running  thi'ough 
the  county  from  east  to  west,  pointing  to  the  Burlington  bridge,  but 
whether  these  paper  enterprises  are  merely  speculative  or  not,  there  is 
no  visible  indications  of  active  work  upon  them  at  the  present  time. 
These  enterprises  probably  are  only  speculative.* 

SENATORIAL  AND   REPRESENTATIVE   DISTRICTS.      NAMES  OF  SENA- 
TORS AND  REPRESENTATIVES. 

In  1844,  for  the  first  time,  Henderson  county  appears  in  districting 
the  states  into  senatorial  and  representative  districts.  At  this  appor- 
tionment of  the  general  assembly,  Warren,  McDonough  and  Hender- 
son counties  composed  a  senatorial  district,  and  William  McMillan,  of 

*  See  page  62  for  further  information. 


SENATORIAL    AND    REPRESENTATIVE:    DISTRICTS.  907 

Henderson  county,  was  elected  senator.  In  the  same  year  Henderson 
and  Warren  counties  composed  a  representative  district,  and  William 
D.  Henderson  was  elected  representative.  In  the  general  assembly  of 
1846-8,  William  McMillam  still  held  the  office  of  senator,  and  John 
Ourts,  of  Henderson  county,  was  elected  representative.  The  consti- 
tutional convention  of  1848  made  the  counties  of  Hancock  and  Hen- 
derson a  senatorial  district,  and  Azro  Patterson,  of  Henderson  county, 
was  elected  senator.  At  the  same  time  the  counties  of  Warren,  Mercer 
and  Henderson  became  a  representative  district  and  entitled  to  two 
representatives,  and  Abner  C.  Harding,  of  Warren,  and  Gilbert  Turn- 
bull,  of  Henderson,  were  elected  rej^resentatives.  In  1850  Jacob  C. 
Davis,  of  Hancock  county,  was  elected  senator,  and  Thomas  Willits,  of 
Mercer  county,  and  Azro  Patterson,  of  Henderson  county,  were  elected 
representatives.  In  1852  J.  C.  Davis  still  held  the  office  of  senator, 
and  Samuel  Darnell,  of  Henderson  county,  and  Eleazer  A.  Paine,  of 
Warren  county,  were  elected  representfatives.  In  1854  J.  C.  Davis 
still  held  the  office  of  senator,  and  William  C.  Rice  was  elected  repre- 
sentative. In  1856  Gen.  Hiram  Pose,  of  Henderson  county,  was 
elected  senator,  and  A.  V.  T.  Gilbert,  of  Warren  county,  represented 
the  district  composed  of  Warren  and  Henderson  counties.  In  1858 
John  P.  Pichmond,  of  Schuyler  county,  was  elected  senator  of  the  dis- 
trict to  which  Henderson  county  belonged,  and  William  C.  Pice,  of 
Henderson  county,  was  elected  representative.  In  1860  John  P. 
Richmond  still  held  the  office  of  senator,  and  William  C.  Maley,  of 
Warren|county,  was  elected  representative.  In  1862  Henry  K.  Pef- 
fer,  of  Warren  county,  and  Thomas  B.  Cabeen,  of  Mercer  county,  were 
elected  representatives  from  the  Henderson  representative  district.  In 
1864  James  Strain,  of  Warren  county,  was  elected  senator,  and  Jona- 
than Simpson,  of  Henderson  county,  was  elected  representative.  In 
1866  James  Strain  still  held  his  seat  in  the  senate,  and  Francis  M. 
Bruner,  of  Warren  county,  was  elected  representative.  In  1868  Isaac 
McManus,  of  Mercer  countv,  was  elected  senator  from  the  Henderson 
senatorial  district,  and  David  M.  Findley,  of  Henderson  county,  was 
elected  representative.  In  1870  Harvey  S.  Senter,  of  Mercer  county, 
was  elected  senator  from  the  same  district,  and  William  A.  M.  Crunch 
was  elected  representative.  In  1870,  by  the  adoption  of  the  new  con- 
stitution framed  by  the  convention  of  that  year,  the  state  was  divided 
into  fifty-one  senatorial  districts,  each  electing  one  senator,  and  each 
senatorial  district  constituting  a  re])resentative  district,  entitled  to 
three  representatives  to  the  lower  house  of  the  general  assembly. 

The  constitution  also  provided  for  the  cumulative  system  of  voting 
for  members  of  the  lower  house.     In  the  districting  by  the  general 


908  HISTORY   OF   MEECEE   AND    HENDERSON   COUNTIES. 

assembly,  in  pursuance  of  this  constitutional  authority,  the  counties  of 
Henderson  and  Hancock  became  one  senatorial  and  representative 
district,  entitled  to  one  senator  and  three  representatives.  In  1872' 
Benjamin  Warren,  of  Hancock  county,  was  elected  senator,  and  Da%'id 
Rankin  and  William  Scott,  of  Henderson  county,  and  Edward  E. 
Lane,  of  Hancock  county,  were  elected  representatives.  In  1874 
Benjamin  Warren  still  held  the  office  of  senator,  and  David  Ran- 
kin and  Paul  D.  Salter,  of  Henderson  county,  and  Wellington 
Jenney,  of  Hancock  county,  were  representatives  in  the  lower  house. 
In  1876  William  Scott,  of  Henderson  county,  was  chosen  senator,  and 
Charles  F.  Gill,  George  F.  Walker,  and  John  J.  Reyburn,  of  Hancock 
county,  were  elected  representatives.  In  1878  William  Scott  held 
over  as  senator,  and  Thomas  B.  Brumbrack,  John  J,  Reyburn  and 
Brooks  R.  Hamilton  were  elected  representatives.  In  1880  John 
Fletcher,  of  Hancock  county,  was  elected  senator,  and  James  Peterson, 
Robert  A.  McKinley  and  Henry  M.  Whiteman,  of  Henderson  county, 
were  chosen  representatives. 

CONSTITUTIONAL  CONVENTIONS  OF  THE  STATE  OF  ILLINOIS. 

The  first  constitutional  convention  that  ever  assembled  in  Illinois, 
was  convened  at  Kaskaskia,  in  July,  1818.  It  remained  in  session 
until  August  30,  1818.  This  convention  was  composed  of  thirty-three 
delegates,  and  adopted  a  constitution  which  the  convention  did  not  see 
fit  to  submit  to  a  vote  of  the  people.  This  constitution  was  ratified  by 
congress  December  3,  1818.  In  1847  a  second  constitutional  conven- 
tion convened  in  this  state.  It  assembled  on  June  7,  1847,  and  ad- 
journed August  31,  1847.  It  was  composed  of  162  delegates.  The 
convention  adopted  and  submitted  a  constitution  to  a  vote  of  the  people, 
who  ratified  it  on  March  6,  1848.  Abner  C.  HaMing,  of  Warren 
county,  was  the  delegate  chosen  from  the  district  composed  of  AYarren 
and  Henderson  counties.  The  next  constitutional  convention  that 
convened  in  this  state  assembled  at  Springfield,  January  7,  1862,  and 
continued  in  session  until  March  24,  1862.  It  adopted  a  constitution  and 
submitted  it  to  the  people  for  ratification  or  rejection,  on  the  Tuesday 
after  the  third  Monday  in  June,  1862.  The  people,  by  a  decided  major- 
ity, rejected  the  constitution  thus  submitted.  The  rejection  of  this  consti- 
tution did  not  result  so  much  from  any  real  defects  in  the  provisions  of 
the  constitution  thus  submitted,  as  from  other  causes  combined.  It 
will  be  seen  by  the  date  of  the  assembling  of  this  convention,  that  it 
was  during  the  second  year  of  the  war  of  the  rebellion.  Psission  and 
prejudice  held  at  that  time  high  carnival.  A  war  of  gigantic  propor- 
tions confronted  the  northern  states.      The  federal  government  waa 


CONSTITUTIONAL   CONVENTIONS.  909 

menaced  as  never  before  had  it  been  menaced.  Many  saw  in  the  dire 
calamity  of  war  only  ruin  to  our  whole  country.  Vast  armies  were 
being  raised  and  concentrated  at  different  points,  preparatary  to  being 
sent  forward  to  meet  the  advancing  foe. 

While  the  heart  of  the  great  mass  of  the  people,  without  regard  to 
party  lines,  beat  true  to  the  lawfully-authorized  government  and  the  old 
liag,  there  was  a  small  number  of  malcontents  to  create  alarm.  They 
made  up  by  their  clamor  in  caucuses,  conventions,  and  secret  organiza- 
tions, what  they  lacked  in  numbers.  No  doubt  the  representations  of 
their  actings  and  doings  in  the  North  to  some  extent  encouraged  the 
rebels  of  the  South.  It  was  at  such  a  time  that  this  convention  assem- 
bled. Some  of  the  early  acts  of  this  body,  although  perhaps  springing 
from  honest  and  patriotic  motives,  caused  alarm  in  the  public  mind, 
already  aroused  and  inclined  to  suspect  danger  in  every  unusual  move- 
ment, and  especially  in  a  body  so  potent  for  evil  as  was  this  convention. 
The  majority  of  the  members  of  the  convention  assumed  that  upon  its 
organization  it  was  no  longer  bound  by  any  legislative  enactments,  but 
was  sovereign  in  the  exercise  of  supreme  power  of  the  state ;  that  it 
was  virtually  an  assemblage  of  the  people,  with  foil  and  necessary 
power  for  a  peaceable  revolution  of  the  government  of  the  state.  The 
law  authorizing  the  calling  of  the  convention  prescribed  the  oath  for 
members  to  take :  to  support  the  constitution  of  the  state.  This  a 
majority  of  the  convention  refused  to  do,  holding  it  to  be  inconsistent 
to  take  an  oath  to  support  a  constitution  that  they  were  about  to  do 
away  with.  It  was  claimed  tliat  the  convention  had  the  right  to  declare 
itself  permanent  and  exercise  all  the  power  of  the  people  of  the  state. 
The  debates  upon  these  subjects  created  in  the  minds  of  a  large  portion 
of  the  people  distrust  and  alarm.  The  convention  lost  the  confidence 
and  moral  support  of  the  people,  and  a  powerful  o])position  was  organ- 
ized to  wdiatever  the  convention  might  do.  The  final  work  of  this 
body  was  much  superior  to  what  the  people  had  been  led  by  the 
debates  to  believe  it  would  be;  in  fact,  the  constitution  by  them 
adopted,  and  submitted  to  the  people  for  their  ratification,  was  of  high 
character  as  an  organic  law ;  but  such  was  the  prejudice  that  had  been 
engendered  against  the  convention,  and  such  was  the  party  spirit 
which  had  been  aroused,  that  tlie  people  refused  to  look  at  the  merits 
of  the  instrument,  and  the  constitution  thus  submitted  was  defeated 
by  a  large  majority.  In  this  connection  a  fact  should  be  rec<jrded. 
The  clause  of  the  constitution,  pojjularly  known  as  the  ''black  laws," 
which  forbid  the  settlement  of  negroes  in  this  state,  and  which  was 
submitted  as  a  separate  article,  was  ratified  by  the  people  of  the 
state  by  about  100,000,   although  the  constitution  was  defeated;  but 


910  HISTORY    OF    MP:RCEK   and    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

by  a  provision  of  tlie  schedule  in  such  contingency,  the  separate 
article  became  inoperative.  Henderson  county  ratified  the  sepa- 
rate article,  but  rejected  the  constitution.  Public  sentiment  changed 
radically  since  the  vote  upon  that  occasion.  At  the  date  of  the 
election  of  delegates  to  this  convention,  Warren  and  Henderson 
counties  composed  one  district,  and  Jonathan  Simpson,  of  Hen- 
derson, was  elected  delegate.  In  1869  another  constitutional  con- 
vention convened  at  Springfield.  It  assembled  December  13,  1869, 
and  closed  its  labors  and  adjourned  May  18,  1870.  It  was  composed 
of  eighty-five  members.  It  adopted  a  constitution  and  submitted  it  to 
the  people  for  ratification  July  2,  1870.  It  was  ratified  by  a  large 
majority.  Mercer  and  Henderson  counties  constituted  one  district,  and 
James  S.  Poage,  of  Mercer  county,  was  elected  delegate. 

EFFORTS  TO  REMOVE  THE  COUNTY  SEAT. 

There  have  been  in  this  county  several  efforts  made  to  remove 
the  county  seat  from  Oquawka  to  some  more  central  point  in  the 
county.  The  first  of  these  efforts  was  made  in  1859.  At  the  session 
of  the  general  assembly  of  that  year  an  enabling  act  was  passed, 
authorizing  a  vote  to  be  taken  upon  the  question  of  removing  the  seat 
of  justice  to  the  town  of  Warren,  twelve  miles  south  of  Oquawka,  and 
not  far  from  what  was  claimed  to  be  the  geographical  center  of  the 
county.  The  election  was  held  in  November  of  that  year,  and  resulted 
in  a  majority  adverse  to  removal. 

In  1865  the  general  assembly  again  passed  an  act  authorizing  an 
election  to  be  held  upon  the  question  of  removing  the  seat  of  justice  to 
the  town  of  Sagetown  (now  Gladstone),  five  miles  south  of  Oquawka. 
The  election  was  held  in  November  of  that  year  and  resulted  in  a 
majority  against  removal  of  114. 

In  1869  an  election  was  again  held  to  vote  upon  the  question  of 
removal  to  the  town  of  Biggsville,  a  town  on  the  Chicago,  Burlington 
&  Quincy  railroad,  about  ten  miles  south  and  east  of  Oquawka.  The 
majority  in  this  case  was  also  against  removal. 

In  1872  the  question  was  again  submitted  to  the  vote  of  the  elec- 
tors of  the  county  of  removal  to  Sagetown,  but  the  people  again 
decided,  by  a  majority  of  170,  against  removal.  At  the  present  time 
the  legal  steps  have  been  taken  to  obtain  again  the  sense  of  the  people 
of  the  county  upon  the  question  of  removal,  but  the  point  to  be  sub- 
mitted for  the  decision  of  the  legal  voters  of  the  county  has  not  yet 
been  fixed  upon.  The  towns  of  Biggsville  and  Gladstone  are  each  cir- 
culating petitions  for  signatures  of  the  voters,  which  will  be  presented 
to  the   county  court   i^  September  next,  when    the  question  will  bo 


THE    POOR    FARM,  911 

decided  which  of  the  two  towns  thus  petitioning  shall  be  the  one  upon 
which  the  vote  shall  ]be  taken  in  November  next. 

Many  who  reside  in  the  southern  portion  of  the  county  feel  it  to  be 
a  hardship  to  have  to  travel  so  far  to  the  seat  of  justice.  It  is  true 
that  the  distance  to  be  traveled  would  be  more  in  accordance  with 
equity  if  the  county  seat  was  more  centrally  located.  Oquawka,  the 
present  county  seat,  is  situated  within  nine  miles  of  the  northern 
boundary  of  the  county  ;  the  county  being  thirty  miles  in  length  from 
north  to  south.  If  a  geographical  center  was  sought,  it  would  be 
found  to  be  a  little  north  of  the  town  of  Olena,  near  the  residence  of 
Isaiah  J.  Brook  and  the  farm  of  John  N.  Bruin,  in  township  10  north, 
range  5  west.  The  main  objection  urged  to  the  removal  is  the  bur- 
den of  taxation  that  would  be  laid  upon  the  county  in  the  erection  of 
county  buildings,  court  house,  jail,  etc. 

THE  POOR  FARM. 

In  September,  1855,  the  authorities  of  the  county  purchased  of 
George  Cronover  the  N.  W.  I  of- Sec.  26,  T.  11  N.,  R.  5  W.,  for  the 
purpose  of  providing  a  place  for  all  county  paupers.  It  is  situated 
about  two  miles  from  the  county  seat,  on  Henderson  creek.  Upon 
this  farm  the  county  erected  commodious  buildings  for  the  accommo- 
dation of  the  unfortunates  from  time  to  time  demanding  public  charity. 
The  farm  has  been  well  improved,  and  has  proved  upon  the  whole  an 
economical  plan  for  caring  for  the  poor  of  the  county. 

In  erecting  the  buildings,  the  basement  of  the  larger  building  was 
constructed  into  cells  for  the  safe-keeping  of  such  as  might,  while  there 
sojourning,  need  restraint  or  confinement.  Such  at  least  was  the  pre- 
text at  the  time.  In  1859  we  find,  however,  an  act  passed  by  the  gen- 
eral assembly  authorizing  the  use  of  the  said  basement  as  a  common 
jail  of  the  county.  As  a  jail  the  location  has  been  found  both  insecure 
and  expensive.  Situated  in  a  secluded  spot,  far  away  from  help  in 
case  of  need,  this  jail  has  proved  anything  but  a  safe  deposit  for  per- 
sons charged  with  crime,  while  waiting  trial  or  transportation  to  Joliet 
after  conviction.  Many  have  been  the  escapes  from  this  so-called 
prison,  many  have  been  the  expensive  pursuits,  followed  by  few  cap- 
tures. In  this  jail  the  noted  William  Lee  was  confined  prior  to  his 
trial,  conviction,  and  execution  on  the  gallows  in  1876  for  the  murder 
of  Jessie  McCarty, -which  event  is  described  more  in  detail  further  on 
in  these  pages  under  the  head  of  noted  criminal  trials. 

One  of  these  periodical  jail  deliveries  occurred  in  the  summer  of 
1880,  and  created  for  a  time  a  sensation  in  the  county.  Confined  at 
that  time  in  the  jail  were  some  ten  prisoners,  charged  with  various 


912  HISTORY    OF   ilERCER    JlND    HENDERSON    COUNTIES. 

offenses,  awaiting  trial.  Most  noted  among  tliese  prisoners  were 
Martin  J.  Hall  and  Frank  Peasly,  under  several  indictments  charging 
them  with  burglary  and  other  crimes.  Less  than  two  months  before 
the  August  term  of  the  circuit  court,  when  their  cases  would  stand  for 
trial,  Peasley  and  Hall  laid  a  plan  for  escape.  They  succeeded  in 
obtaining  from  some  of  the  paupers,  who  had  access  to  the  outside  of 
the  windows  of  the  prison,  two  table  knives.  With  these  they  con- 
structed tiles,  which  they  used  successfully  in  sawing  off  the  hinges  of 
the  heavy  iron  doors  which  secure  the  entrance  to  the  cells,  and  on 
one  Sunday,  when  the  guard  was  small  and  unsuspicious  of  danger, 
they  removed  one  of  these  iron  doors,  weighing  500  pounds,  and  by 
the  joint  action  of  all  the  prisoners  they  were  enabled  to  use  it  as  a 
battering  ram,  with  such  success  that  they  broke  down  the  door  of  the 
jail  leading  to  the  house,  and  through  this  escaped,  and  thus  left  the 
jail  vacant. 

Those  on  guard  resisted  to  the  extent  of  their  power,  but  against 
such  force  of  desperate  men  they  were  powerless.  The  prisoners  scat- 
tered in  different  directions  along  the  timber  that  skirts  the  banks  of 
Henderson  creek.  Alarm  was  not  long  in  reaching  the  county  seat, 
when  a  vigorous  pursuit  was  begun.  Men  on  horseback,  in  wagons, 
on  foot,  armed  with  rifles,  guns  and  revolvers,  scattered  in'  every  direc- 
tion, and  continued  the  pursuit  until  night  set  in  and  darkness  and 
storms  precluded  further  search.  Before  night,  however,  a  portion  of 
the  gang  had  been  captured  and  returned  to  their  old  quarters.  The 
ringleaders  in  the  breaking  eluded  pursuit.  The  next  day  one  or  two 
more  were  captured  in  Warren  county  and  sent  back. 

The  sheriff.  J.  Oscar  Anderson,  with  his  deputy,  Truman  G.  Allen, 
showed  themselves  on  this  occasion  to  be  able  and  efficient  officers. 
They  were  in  no  wise  at  fault  on  account  of  the  escape,  but  set  them- 
selves to  the  task  of  capturing  the  fugitives  with  commendable  zeal. 
Three  of  the  prisoners  were  still  at  large,  one  of  whom  was  not  an 
important  one,  but  Hall  and  Peasley  were  the  ones  that  the  people 
were  anxious  should  be  captured  and  brought  to  trial.  They  had 
been  a  source  of  trouble  to  the  people,  who  felt  that  ttiey  could  rest 
more  securely  as  to  their  property  if  Hall  and  Peasley  were  securely 
behind  the  bars.  A  systematic  search  was  kept  up  by  our  sheriff,  who 
was  leaving  no  stone  unturned  in  his  pursuit  of  the  prisoners.  For  a. 
long  time  no  clew  to  their  whereabouts  was  obtained,  until  at  last  Mr. 
Anderson,  through  his  correspondents,  learned  that  his  men  were  in 
Nebraska.  He  at  once  started  for  that  state,  found  and  captured  his 
men,  and  returned  them  safely  to  our  county  jail. 


EKRATA. 

Page  185,  line  3,  for  "John"  read  "James." 
Page  203,  line  5,  for  "1832"  read  "1830." 
Page  588,  line  15,  for  "5"  read  "6." 
Page  670,  line  19,  for  "L"  read  "S." 


UNIVERSITY  OF  ILUN0I9-URBANA 


3  0112  047328601 


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